remodeling kingscraft house boat

[kingscraft1]

I have recently purchased a 1972 15x44 kingscraft house boat. I am getting ready to start the renovation of it. Any tips or web sites i can get information on it? Also anyone know where i might find manuals for it? It had twin 440 chryslers in it with v drives.
thanks

 

[fraannk]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

What all are you going to do to it? I can answer questions on plumbing, water pumps, showers, toilets and stuff like that. I have remodeled one and am in the process of redoing another. I have also done a lot of research on Onan generators if you have one of those on it. My advice is to make sure the bottom is good, then make sure the top is watertight, then worry about engines and interior stuff.

 

[fraannk]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

and... welcome to Iboats! You will find anything and everything you need here.

 

[liplifter]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

I'm in the middle of a 38' burnscraft resto,right now totally gutted with the engine compartment and the stringers redone working on the interior walls.big project.Any offers?you think an 18' runabout is alotta work-Whew!! I just don't have enough time in the world plus doing a 19' larson cuddy at the same time.Houseboating.com has a good resto forum for larger boats but you will most likley learn aloooooot more here.Good luck

 

[kingscraft1]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

I plan on completly redoing it. The bottom is good. I am taking out all the interior walls except one, and I may take it before im done gutting it. I am going to replace the fresh water tank and pump. Replumb the entire boat. Re wire the 120 volt and 12 volt systems. There are a few leaks around the windows that once i get the walls removed I am going to recalk and seal. It has what appears to be a fairly new heat/ac unit in it. The sea pump for it is bad, so i will replace it. I am going to insulate as much of the walls and underneath areas as possible. I plan on using styrofoam sheets of insulation. Has any one you know used any of the spray foam type insulation in cans in the hard to reach areas? I was wondering if it has any chemical reaction with the alumium? I am going to figure out what tanks are for what on the boat, get all the old fuel pumped out. Im going to replace all the hoses ans seals on the engines. Also going to rebuild the sea pumps for them before i even attempt to start the engines. The boat has been floating for over 2 years and has not been started. I allow if I get them running before fall so be it, if not, i will wait till next spring. Proirty one, stop the few leaks, gut the interior and clean it up.

 

[byu2dbone]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

Congrats on bying a Kingscraft. I bought a 15X44 a year ago and still working on a remodel. I realized quick that the Kingscraft is a well built boat. As long as the hull in in good shape (no electrolysis) then the rest is easy. My boat is a 1975 model with 302 Fords and v-drives. If there is anything that I can do to help let me know. Good luck

 

[chargerboy]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

Spray foam in the disposable cans is crap. It doesn't stick to anything properly, and if you try filling a large space it will fall to the bottom, and if you keep filling it will over expand and destroy what it's inside. A better product is the cans that attatch to a special gun, I believe made by Hilti. It will stick to things much better, and less likely to slump to the bottom, and has a more controlled expansion. A bit more money, but well worth it if you have any experience comparing the two products.

I should also add that their cans seem to contain about 5 times the amount of product as a normal aerosol container.

 

[fraannk]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

Tiger foam also does a DIY kit that comes in tanks similar to 20 pound propane tanks.

 

[fraannk]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

I just got through putting in a 100 gallon black water holding tank and a Tecma "Silence Plus" toilet. I am doing my plumbing all with PEX tubing. It is very easy to work with.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

Yes, pex is resistant to hard water and calcium buildups, great stuff. Crimpers can be expensive, but there is a cheap ratcheting one at HD for do it yourselfers, and all the connections are stainless steel, and work very well. The other pex type rings are not.

 

[kingscraft1]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

The bedroom is gutted to bare alumium. It had been partially insulated with styrofoam sheets and regular household fiberglass insulation. I have left all the insulation that was there in tact. There is no water damage to any of it so i see no need to remove it. The bathroom is gutted now also. It has what appears to be a new Rartin head that had never been used. I have to redo the floor in the bath as well as the walls. Nothing was insulated here. I am going to cut and install the styrofoam in the walls. Think it would be be better for dampness? Got the kitchen ceiling out, no insulation here either. It definately will have to be rewired, there are wires cut out and dead ended all over. Soon as i finish gutting the kitchen the living area is next. I am looking forward to seeing what awaits me in these walls. Any ideas as to were to get fiberglass panels or some type of water resistant panels when i get ready to start going back?

 

[fraannk]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

The box stores (Home Depot and Lowes type) have 4x8 sheets of Fiberglass reinforced panels that I have used successfully. They are a little pricey at 30 bucks a sheet. I used them for the walls of the bathroom including the shower stall.

When you do your wiring make sure you use the marine grade stuff. The romex you get at the home improvement stores is not stranded wire and will flex and break in a marine environment. (at least that is what they say)

 

[chargerboy]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

Agreed, make sure all wiring is to code, or else insurance will not cover anything. I'm dealing with the same research right now. I would also replace the fiberglass insulation with foam. Fiberglass will mould if it ever gets wet for any reason. Better to make sure all your hard work will last.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

How about some pictures? I'd love to see what you are doing!

 

[Kingscraft MN]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

Great discussion.

We are remodeling a '73 55 Kingscraft. Since June we have taken it down to the frame and removed all the wiring, plumbing, mechanical, and hull fittings. Sanded the entire boat and rechalked the joints.

Next we are replacing the fuel tanks and replacing the windows with modern ones.

Hope to rewire, plumbing, and get the floor in this winter. Lots of time and money but we will essentially have a new boat when we are done!

Will be looking for advice once it starts to go back together!

Take Care

Tom

 

[kingscraft1]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

Been a while since i have been on. Work is progressing slow. Seems like not enough hours to go around. I moved the helm station to the left about 6 inches. Gave me more room in that corner for a storage cabinet. That will house a junction box for the wiring also. I bought 2 new breaker panels for the 120v wiring, used the regular marine type. I missed the tip on using stranded wire, so i have used regular 12/2 with ground. the main salon is wired, new boxes, plugs etc. the kitchen is partially done, going to put 3 circuits in it, refig, micro wave and coffee maker, keep from blowing breakers. I have removed the heating and a/c unit to repair. the fan wouldnt run manually even, so iwill go through it this winter. Still have 2 leaks to repair. One just showed up in the last week or so. Does your 15x44 have a keel water tank? I can see an incoming line, but i cant see where it is going to. Stripped all the carpet off the top and bottom decks. Removed the seating in fly bridge. It was in better condition than i originally thought, but we are going to redo it and make it higher to allow for the 150qt coleman cooler. Party on the top deck .

 

[kingscraft1]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

I have purchased the PEx to do the plumbing with. I purchased a manifold valve and the crimpimg tool. Looks like total cost for the tubing, fittings, crimpers and manifold is going to be aroud 350. Evertything i hear and read on the PEX is good. I doubt i will ever have to worry about it again.

 

[kingscraft1]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

did you get any manuals with your boat? I would like to find copies of owners manuals etc.

 

[kingscraft1]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

Work still progressing , all the insulation is in place except in the lower hold. going to wire the bathroom and start the plumbing. i have the gfic on the rear to wire up yet, then 120v electrical is done. Going to pull the inspection covers on the fuel tanks to see how much old fuel has to be removed. My goal is to start putting the inside walls and ceilings back in late feburary. Any one have information on manuals or acesses to the keel tank and items like that? I will take a few pictures next work day on it and post.

 

[kingscraft1]

Re: remodeling kingscraft house boat

how are you folks coming on your project there in MN? The long winter and all the snow got you held up?


Take care
DJ