Alright new project 1972 wellcraft airslot

[Smokepole27]

Well I was given this boat about 2 weeks ago and thought this was going to be a fairly quick fixer upper until I noticed a hole in the hull and the transom move a little in the middle when the motor is lifted or pushed down on. So here we go I started today getting all the pine needles and dirt and broken glass out of it today, along with the countless hooks and jig baits that have been sitting in the boat for 5 years now...
I started today by removing all the rotten paneling out, broken windshield, fuel tank etc etc.
Then started by taking the rubber out of the railing around the boat and drilling the rivets and pulling the aluminum off. Next is to disconnect the controls and somehow get the motor off Friday so I can remove the top cap. Any suggestions on removing the motor without a lift?

 

[Fossilized]

Re: Alright new project 1972 wellcraft airslot

I welded two small pieces of angle iron to make a T flange - then bolted it to the LVL beam in the garage. Used a generic hand winched come-along. My beam is ~10' above floor.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Alright new project 1972 wellcraft airslot

6- 2 x 6 x 8's & 1- 2 x 4 x 8 Less than $25.00

12- 3 1/2" lag bolts

Reply here if you want details.

You'll need a motor stand also. This one is way over built & much bigger than it needs to be. I put a 115 hp on it.

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Alright new project 1972 wellcraft airslot

It looks like the motor is a Force? Am I correct? If so, you may wish to consider putting a different one on there while that one is off. I have never had one but I hear they are a pain to get parts for.
Good Luck!!

 

[Smokepole27]

Re: Alright new project 1972 wellcraft airslot

Great systems thats what I might need to do, I was thinking I might be able to stand it up and run the 4wheeler trailer to it and lean it in the tilt bed, hopeing it wont be that bad, motor weighs around 300 i think

Yeah I know what you mean but the price was right, I mean you cant beat free. Its been sitting up since Hurricane Katrina but the guy swears it has been a top notch motor for him till the tree fell on the boat and he just didnt have the time to fool with it. Im praying that all I have to do is fix the transom add some carpet and vinyl control cables clean carbs and replace water pump. and shell crank right up:redface: cause if not then the boat will go up forsale. nothing wrong with the boat just cant afford to put a motor on it right now, unless I wanna put my 1987 30hp tiller mariner on it . I read alot of forums and alot of guys say if it hasnt overheated or been abuse then it should be a darn good motor, at least thats been their experience. And Ive read the bad too. Im hoping

 

[Smokepole27]

Re: Alright new project 1972 wellcraft airslot

Well got alot done today, what a beautiful day today too! Got the motor off got the top cap loose and out of the way, also removed old transom and chizeled areas that was still attached( it was not a quick and easy task!!) Now ready to cut new plywood and glass together, will probably tackle that tomorrow if I have enough glass.

 

[Smokepole27]

Re: Alright new project 1972 wellcraft airslot

And my dad said leave it alone their isnt anything wrong with it!!

 

[Smokepole27]

Re: Alright new project 1972 wellcraft airslot

So the weather finally got right and I was able to build the new transom and coat the outsides and fiberglass and screw the plywood together. Also installed on the boat, today was the 3rd day of setting up, will begin tomorrow removing the clamps rebuilding the bilge area and fiberglass the inside the transom and the runners.

 

[osborn159]

Re: Alright new project 1972 wellcraft airslot

hey smoke, welcome, always liked these, wouldnt mind finding the larger version and rehab, dont know if you have thought about it, check the stringers for rot as well, boats seem to rot from the bottom up, id hate to see you get this deep and not adress a situation that may rear its head in a few years, if the look like the transom, replace them, then youll be fresh and new from the bottom up.
as far as the motor goes, be aware parts are hard to get, what size motor is it, i know a guy that has one sitting in his backyard on a stand, i think its a 125????? not a force guy never paid much attn to it.
good luck D

 

[Smokepole27]

Re: Alright new project 1972 wellcraft airslot

The stringers were a little rotten at the transom but i cut out the bilge area and it looked decent further away from the transom. But I'll tell you what the amount of fiberglass and resin the have on this boat I really dont think itd really matter if they rotted away due to it being a tank. I mean it was a real pain in the kneck just to cut that little bit out with the cutting wheel on my grinder. ROCK HARD STUFF and THICK! The motor is an 85 hp dont know yet about the year and model havent got a chance to fool with it, I will once I get it back on the boat. I dont think Ill have any problems with getting it going I did alot of research and found people with the same motor and they sat up for a few years, and cleaned the carbs and they fired right up sooo Im crossing my fingers, this is all a new language to me but am catching on really quick, Im mechanically enclined.

 

[osborn159]

Re: Alright new project 1972 wellcraft airslot

you may want to slow down and read some of the other threads on stringer replacemnt, not sure what you intentions are but just scabbing in a new piece 1-2-3' long may not be the best idea, check out "oops- hull extention thread"
all around good info and i think hes even got a guide for info, check it out, dont just whip it together, especially if your planning on taking others along, in case something crazy were to happen.