Build Thread of a 1969 Luger Runabout with a Vintage 75hp McCulloch Outboard

[trav2210]

Well, I picked up a free boat the other day. Was the typical old lady's husbands who let it sit under an oak tree for the last 15 years...

Should fire right up and get out on the water...

Here we go...

 

[trav2210]

Here are the original Craigslist postings.

 

[trav2210]

This is when I got her home.

 

[trav2210]

And after tearing up the rotten floor which actually had a tree growing up through it along with some nasty critters.

 

[Scott Danforth]

none of the pictures are showing

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/forum-rules-and-guidelines/9938375-photo-upload-tutorial

 

[trav2210]

Thank you kindly. I'll throw them up in order now.

 

[trav2210]

Got the engine fired up. Has some ignition wiring problems, external to the motor...related to the rest of the boat wiring.

Surprisingly, needed nothing other than cleaning out the cob-webs inside the cover before it ran. I'll be throwing a complete tune up set of whatever parts I can find. Shift cable is bound up, but it does shift manually.

 

[trav2210]

Just read about Lake Tahoe, and the CA ban on 2 strokes... Really upsetting. I don't understand how I'm polluting more than having to purchase another motor in which it took quite of pollution just to create said new motor. I think I'll pickup an electric trolling motor to fart around and fish in the "banned" lakes...

 

[gm280]

:welcome: aboard trav2210. Nice to have a new member join us...

Seems like you have your work cut out for you. And pictures are the best way for us to see what you are dealing with. Take lots of measurements and pictures along the way of gutting things. Those will come in handy later on with the refurbishing efforts.

The hull has some nice lines and that engine is certainly an older one but also interesting as well. Does the 2 cycle ban not have a grandfather issues?

 

[trav2210]

Not that I'm aware of. seems to be anything that doesnt conform to 2001 emissions standards does not qualify. Now that doesn't mean that all of California lakes are banning 2 strokes, but it seems to be headed in that direction.

Thanks for the welcoming by the way. I'm a long time viewer but decided it was time to put together a build up.

 

[trav2210]

Curious about the below pictures. These run almost all the way down the hull on either side of the boat all the way back. There also seems to be a seam right above these patched holes which leads me to believe this is a two piece hull setup, and the hardware in the hole is securing the two together.

This is a Luger which was a kit boat. Although I've never seen what the actual kit looked like once delivered and put together, I assume it was modular.

What do you guys think? Also, I'm sure I should probably leak test this prior to putting in stringers and the floor and such. Whats the best route to go about this?

 

[gm280]

I have never seen a two piece hull or kit like that before myself. I have no idea what happened there. I will say it will take some extra work to make certain it is finished out properly.

Not being there and examine that seam line in person, I would grind a "V" channel at the junction point to make certain any an all the questionable fiberglass was removed first. Then fill with polyester mix of polyester resin, MEKP, chopped fiberglass and Cabosil (fumed silica) and use some fiberglass material as a final covering. Then once cured, feather it in to make that seam disappear. As for any holes, use the same poly mixture to fill them in and sand smooth as well.

I actually had to do that to my boat project. And I can't even begin to see where I did the hole fill in now. If you care to see how that was done, click on the Tom Boy boat link below and have a look. It could answer a lot of questions. But also may bring up new ones. JMHO

 

[trav2210]

Greatly appreciated. I've been behind, however grinding continues to remove all old remnants of stringers. This is always the worst of the project, however it just seems to always be worse once you e gotten statrted.

Plan is to finish stringers first and then I'll start with the outside seam. From there I'll move back to getting a floor in this thing.

 

[gm280]

Greatly appreciated. I've been behind, however grinding continues to remove all old remnants of stringers. This is always the worst of the project, however it just seems to always be worse once you e gotten statrted.

Plan is to finish stringers first and then I'll start with the outside seam. From there I'll move back to getting a floor in this thing.

After looking over your boat again via the pictures you provided, could that "seam" actually be where the cover wore a line in the hull instead? It just doesn't make any common sense to have a seam there. But not being there and seeing it for myself, that is merely a wild guess.

Either way, it does have to be repaired and covered over anyway. Oh yes, the grinding is always the worst part of any boat repair. Just use good coverings and ear, eye and breathing protection when grinding. The fine particles that are the dangerous ones that can get into your lungs. But continue on and post the pictures so we can see where you are and what you've accomplished. I will say, what you posted already looks good. JMHO

 

[trav2210]

Fixed the floors, and it only cost me $400...

 

[trav2210]

Its a 1970 Sportster Sportline. 17' with 140 Mercuriser and appears to be a pre-alpha out drive. Floors in this are solid, and I get the bow-rider that we truly wanted. Will be getting the normal interior upgrades (carpet, seats etc.) but should be good to go soon. I got it cheap because the head was off and the owner didn't know where to go from there. Not sure if that was true, or if he knew something that I'm about to find, but all the parts are there.

Motor will be coming out soon for a rebuild. I'll do the building. I'll have a shop close to me do the machining (deck surface, hone/bore, complete head job). I've done a lot of difficult engines, but never a boat motor. Any word from the wise?

Current questions/concerns:

1 I know to pull the out drive to make getting the motor out easier, but upon re-installing, what is the re-alignment process?
2 Any rebuild parts specific to marine applications? I plan to use a marine rebuild kit so I don't think I have anything to worry about, but JIC.
3 Best place to get a decent complete rebuild kit, at a good price?
4 I know not to chase HP in a boat, but is there any common sense upgrades to efficiency/durability in a marine grade application?
5 While I've got the out-drive off, should I look to be rebuilding as well? Obviously Oil change, Impeller gasket.

 

[trav2210]

 

[briangcc]

After looking over your boat again via the pictures you provided, could that "seam" actually be where the cover wore a line in the hull instead? It just doesn't make any common sense to have a seam there. But not being there and seeing it for myself, that is merely a wild guess.

I think I have a better guess on that "seam". Look at the interior pictures of his hull again and then compare it to the outside shot. For this guy that certainly appears to be in line with the floor. The screws appear to be in line with the cleat right above it. I'm no expert but I'd wager that the hull was a pool at some point and it cracked it right along the floor. I'd wager the hull was solid at one point and the water got it.

Trav - does the line of screws happen to sink into the wooden cleat on the inside? If it does I think we know what happened.

 

[trav2210]

It appears it follows the floor to the tee. I assume that my original intuition was correct. This is a two piece hull design, which joined at the floor.

Either way, I'm not going to be continuing this project as I picked up the othe boat in much better condition. That and I can actually take it out on California lakes bing an I/O...

I will start up another build thread for the new boat as it will get a rebuild of the motor and interior done. Who knows, maybe even some paint!

 

[gm280]

It appears it follows the floor to the tee. I assume that my original intuition was correct. This is a two piece hull design, which joined at the floor.

Either way, I'm not going to be continuing this project as I picked up the othe boat in much better condition. That and I can actually take it out on California lakes bing an I/O...

I will start up another build thread for the new boat as it will get a rebuild of the motor and interior done. Who knows, maybe even some paint!

Oh man, that is sad news. I was watching to see how your project boat came out. I personally don't think it was a two piece outer hull design but more like somebody applying screws to the lined areas to help secure the replacement floor. All that can be fixed and a nice boat come out of it all. JMHO