My $40 project boat

[BWR1953]

Re: My $40 project boat

i don't like excess water in my boat, a splash well is basically a box inside the transom, higher than the transom, to catch water, and drain it back outside thru a hole/s thru the transom.

Copy that. I understand now. Sounds like a good idea to me!

-BWR

 

[jonesg]

Re: My $40 project boat

I made a 3 sided splashwell on recommendation from Tashdude, mine is a self bailer. Its simpler to just go straight across the back and then you can build a bench.

heres a pic
http://forums.iboats.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18622&d=1222655497

 

[BWR1953]

Re: My $40 project boat

I made a 3 sided splashwell on recommendation from Tashdude, mine is a self bailer. Its simpler to just go straight across the back and then you can build a bench.

heres a pic
http://forums.iboats.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18622&d=1222655497

Cool. Looks relatively easy. When I finally get started on my big boat, I'll look at putting in a splashwell across the stern.

Thanks again.

-BWR

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: My $40 project boat

Thanks Drew.

Yes, I want to keep the big boat and will have to do the stringer repairs correctly in order to feel secure on the water. Doing so will obviously take a lot more time than I'd hoped. The boat is just too nice looking to give up so early in the game.

Since the big boat project is going to be so involved, I have some issues to address and some decisions to make. I suppose I should start another thread about that.

-BWR

If I recall you do have a second boat? I would stick with this project for now. It is really going to show it's full color once you see inside of the hull.

Many people shy away from a big project just due to size....... my attitude is you can drown in 6" of water or 6 1/2' of water so jump on in!

 

[mars bar]

Re: My $40 project boat

you got that for $40.00 ohhh I got taken whaaa. you should see the crap I bought for $500.00, well maybe the trailers worth it. I scuttle the hull in the great lake Ontario.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: My $40 project boat

If I recall you do have a second boat? I would stick with this project for now. It is really going to show it's full color once you see inside of the hull.

Many people shy away from a big project just due to size....... my attitude is you can drown in 6" of water or 6 1/2' of water so jump on in!

Yep, I do have a 2nd boat, see pic below. That boat floor has already been opened up by the prior owner and it too, needs new stringers and fiberglass.

There are a number of issues that I have to consider now, and at length, before starting on either of the boats. I haven't made up my mind either way yet and it's not as simple a decision as it would seem on the surface.

Still cogitating.

-BWR

 

[fishie]

Re: My $40 project boat

" A little overpowered...." lol how many horses is that merc?

 

[BWR1953]

Re: My $40 project boat

" A little overpowered...." lol how many horses is that merc?

That 1986 Merc is 115HP, prop rated. On a 15' boat. Ouch.

I was looking for a motor for the big boat when I found the little boat with that monster hangin' on the back. HAD to buy it, doncha know! Taking that Merc off the little boat and installing it onto the big boat is the plan. Then using the small boat for fishing the flats and freshwater, using a smaller engine.

Still haven't figured out which boat to fix first though. Much to consider.

-BWR

 

[redfury]

Re: My $40 project boat

Well, other than the obvious extra money issue, the bigger boat gives you more room to physically work in, so that is a plus. However, since you have a second boat to potentially destroy, I guess if the budget isn't as huge of an issue to learn on one and make the big one perfect ( sounds like you are the perfectionist type due to your job...and your garden ), I'd hit the little one first. You'll be out two boats at first, but the little one will cost less, take less effort and give you a reasonable estimate for time, energy and cost for the bigger boat ( and more time to plan ).

We are all secretly hating you for getting such an awesome deal for the big guy..the trailer alone could get you 10x the money you "paid" for the boat.

I paid 300 for the boat in my links, sans trailer!

 

[jonesg]

Re: My $40 project boat

I'd pull the merc, sell the little boat, now the decision which boat to fix first is simpler.

 

[legoman67]

Re: My $40 project boat

That North American has great lines, it will look sharp when done! and $40, you could sell that little red battery switch i see near the stern for that! LOL

 

[BWR1953]

Re: My $40 project boat

Yeah, I know I have a great value in the NA boat. I'm looking forward to getting it done eventually. It's exactly what I want for the big water. And the lines are VERY pleasing.

I did have to pay extra for the trailer and it needs a LOT of repair. It's badly rusted. Fortunately, I have a neighbor buddy who will do all the welding for me. He's only home on the weekends and his time is very limited, but he does help when he can. For the trailer repair, we'll take the boat off and he'll take the trailer over to his place till it's done.

As for the little boat... I do want a small boat to use for freshwater and flats fishing. Yesterday I sat and doodled on some pix of the little boat, figuring out deck planforms. I was leaning towards a bass boat style, which is what I'm used to, then realized that I could also go with a center console. Argh. I actually thought yesterday that it might be a good idea to just leave it as is, get an electric trolling motor put on there and go take it out on the flats to see what's up. Then I might get a better idea of what I need and how the boat "feels" while on the water.

Since the little boat already has the floor torn up, it's less of an issue for me to get in there with a saw and start rending material about.

As far as the NA project, it's more than just a cash issue. It's logistics as well. I live alone and don't have a garage. Plenty of room here on my property though, so having a place to sit the boat isn't an issue.

Little things like needing someone inside the boat with a wrench holding the nuts in place while I unscrew them from the outside becomes an issue. And being able to remove the topcap and liner and then replacing them is an issue as well. I'm sure they're several hundred pounds each.

Once I do get the topcap and liner off, where do I store them while working inside the hull? They're too big to fit inside my 12' x 20' storage shed! LOL!

And with the topcap and liner removed, the bare inside of the hull is exposed to the elements while I'm doing the repairs and refit. I suppose I could get a big blue plastic tarp and cover it with that, but wonder if it would be sufficient protection during a heavy, windy thunderstorm. Ahhh... well.

My original goal was to get on the water and get fishing quickly. Thought I was pretty close with the NA too. Only needed one cable and a couple of seats and was ready to go... almost... almost... LOL! My daughter is coming down from Philly for a visit in April and I wanted to take her out fishing on my "new" boat while she's here on spring break.

One thing that was brought to my attention yesterday was that I could get the little boat completed, then take my time with the NA and do everything I want at once, rather than working it in phases. Might take a year or more, but it would only be done once, rather than twice.

One other logistics factor. I'm pretty sure that my tow vehicle won't haul the big NA boat. My neighbor buddy pulled it home for me with his big work truck. My little boat I can pull all day, no problem. Sooo... there's some additional incentive in getting the little one going quickly.

But, since the little boat has no power, I'd have to divert money from the NA restoration/refit in order to get a motor. After all, I'm retired, not rich! LOL!

I think those are all the major points in my decision making process.

-BWR

 

[legoman67]

Re: My $40 project boat

you can build a tarp shelter out of afew logs for it, thats all i did, then secured it by wrapping around the hull and tieing to itself.

here is a pic of my homemade shelter. Works realy well, keeps the weather out, but dont have to remove it everyday to work on the boat.

Also what sort of vehicle do you have? a properly set up trailer and boat puts minimal weight on the tongue.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: My $40 project boat

you can build a tarp shelter out of afew logs for it, thats all i did, then secured it by wrapping around the hull and tieing to itself.

here is a pic of my homemade shelter. Works realy well, keeps the weather out, but dont have to remove it everyday to work on the boat.

Also what sort of vehicle do you have? a properly set up trailer and boat puts minimal weight on the tongue.

Thanks. I figure that I'll have to do something like that while working on the big boat.

My vehicle is a 1991 Jeep Cherokee 4WD with the 4.0L engine. It doesn't have a factory towing package. It'll haul the big boat around my property in 4WD low without a problem, so moving it here is no issue. My concern is towing while out on the road in 2WD. The empty hull is approximately 2500 lbs. Add the engine, fuel and supplies and it's going to easily top 3500, if not more. Then the trailer is probably another 1500 - 1800 pounds as well.

Even WITH the factory tow package, my Jeep is rated at 5000 lb. towing capacity. So, I'm pretty sure mine won't handle the big boat very well. Yes, I might be able to tow it the 10 miles or so to the boat ramp on rare occasions and that is something that I will have to consider after the big boat is completed.

-BWR

 

[redfury]

Re: My $40 project boat

You'll lose your transmission if you don't put some heavy duty cooling on it, pulling that rig.

There are plenty of decent temporary shelters you can buy for the big boat and still be able to work on it, but again....money. A 12 x 24 shelter can be bought for 3-500 bucks if you look hard enough. Or more if you want something a little more permanent...depends on your situation and what the local ordinances allow ( Mine don't allow anything...I'm lucky I get to tarp my boat the way it is ).

 

[BWR1953]

Re: My $40 project boat

You'll lose your transmission if you don't put some heavy duty cooling on it, pulling that rig.

There are plenty of decent temporary shelters you can buy for the big boat and still be able to work on it, but again....money. A 12 x 24 shelter can be bought for 3-500 bucks if you look hard enough. Or more if you want something a little more permanent...depends on your situation and what the local ordinances allow ( Mine don't allow anything...I'm lucky I get to tarp my boat the way it is ).

Yup, I figure it would be really risky to pull the big boat on the road with the Jeep. So I won't.

It's funny though... when you have a boat like that which actually WORKS and is in good shape, how many people will suddenly volunteer to tow it to the ramp if they can just come along for the ride! LOL

I live out in the country, so there are no worries about a tarp. No sense in my case spending extra money on a shelter when I could use it for restoration.

-BWR