Queen Merrie Splashed!

[jbing81]

Splashed the QM this afternoon! here is a pic! There was a lot going on at the ramp and on the lake so I only snapped one picture.

I will be sure to have more next time!

This wasnt exactly a restoration project as much as it was a good fishing boat at a great price project.

everything went well with the exception of some leaks. When we started the project we put the hull in the water before the floor went in. We then marked and patched all the leaks and then put her back in again. The second time around we didnt have a drop. However when we came off the lake today there was about 2" of water in the bilge?? Im thinking that with the hull under load and at speed it might have worked some more rivits loose. Does that sound possible to anyone else? If so what can I do to seal them up from the outside? I was thinking 5200 on all the seams and rivits and then in the spring applying another coat of fresh bottom paint to cover all the caulk and keep the bottom one color.

Also when ever the motor was at idle it would run for about 3-5 minutes before it would sputter out. It did this at the ramp and a few times on the water. But with a little throttle it would run just fine. I was thinking the carbs were in need of a cleaning, but when I got the boat back on the trailer I noticed that my brother didnt open the vent on the fuel tank lol after I asked him to when I parked the truck=) would this cause the sputtering?

Anyhow, regardless of the issues we had a blast out there today! Cant wait to work the bugs out and spend some worry free afternoons catching some fish!

 

[redfury]

Re: Queen Merrie Splashed!

Yup, the sputtering could very well be from the vent not being opened on the tank, and possibly you have a fuel connection that is sucking air if it managed to stay running without much issue other than high fuel demand situations....I'd run through all the fittings from the motor to the tank and make sure they are not allowing air into the system ( particularly the engine connection ).

 

[jbing81]

Re: Queen Merrie Splashed!

Anyone have any suggestions when it comes to sealing a boat from the outside?

 

[dougfur]

Re: Queen Merrie Splashed!

Congratulations, they really are nice boats. And at the correct price.

How did it handle with a 90hp?

My only experience with leaks is near missing,loose and rivets with broken heads. I have had luck drilling them out, opening the seam a tiny bit with a small screwdriver and forcing Boatlife into the seam and into the new hole and around the shaft of the stainless steel machine screw used to replace the rivet. Then, let the sealer cure before snugging the fastener ever so much.

Like your experience no leaks at the dock. But, under way some water got in so I'm guessing the added water pressure causes leaks in other areas so my solution was to add a $65.00 automatic bilge pump. I know it doesn't fix the leak but it works and also removes the rainwater.
Tim Costello

 

[jbing81]

Re: Queen Merrie Splashed!

She handled just fine with the 85hp on the back. She did 46 mph on the gps and got there in almost no time at all. She can be pretty bouncy at times but considering she weighs less than a 1000 lbs that's expected. I have a 18 gal. Fuel cell that's going up at the bow to try to keep the bow down in the chop. All in all she a great boat for the $1100 I have into her, could do w/o the leaks but oh well.