My new-to-me boat/winter project

[fishingdan]

This boat will be my winter project and the family boat for the 2006 season. It is a 1978 20' Penn Yan Explorer. I know Penn Yan is known for their tunnel hull drive systems, but this boat is a rare outboard model. From what I can tell, the outboard models were special order and only a couple per year were produced. <br /><br />For a late 70's 20' runabout, it has a great layout. The cockpit is simple and wide open floor from the windshield back to the motorwell bulkhead. The cockpit is self-bailing. The boat has two 24 gallon fuel tanks. Starting between the driver and passenger seat running toward the back of the boat is a 5' long and 3' wide fishbox/storage area. It currently drains to the bilge, but that will be changed over the winter. <br /><br />The front has a design that I haven't seen before. Instead of a simple single storage space in the bow (like the 70's Gradys), one can open the windshield and push back a deck level access hatch(like those seen on sail boats). Once it is open, one can walk through the windshield and access 3 lockable storage areas (port, starboard and a bow anchor locker). I can also see some (like me) casting to breaking fish from up there.<br /><br />The trailer is only 2 years old and the engine is a 1990 Merc 150 that runs very well.<br /><br />Overall I'm excited about the project and will keep you posted on the mods.<br /><br />Here are a couple of pics. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the interior since I strapped a cover down tightly during the October rains. I hope to open up this weekend and I will take more pics at that time. <br /><br />

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[JasonB]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Very Nice. I like the classic look.

 

[Chris_Crafter]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Looks good,keep us posted.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[fishingdan]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Thanks folks. I will do that. <br /><br />The plans right now include the following:<br /><br />- a floor repair and inspection of the stringers<br />- Permanently close in the motor well. As common on Wellcrafts and other brands from the late 70's, this boat has a lower than desired motorwell bulkhead. As is commonly done, the previous owner had installed some nice boards to raise the motorwell bulkhead to be equal to the sides.<br />- Refinish interior woodwork<br />- New operator and passenger seat<br />- Maybe re-plumb the drain on the fishbox so that it drains overboard instead of into the bilge. This may require a pump with a macerator.<br />- New electronics

 

[fishingdan]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Here are a couple pics of the interior with one my crew posing. As you can see it is a wide-open cockpit. Exactly what I wanted. I found the bow access somewhat unique for this style of boat. As you can see in the pics, flip the windshield open, slide the access hatch toward the bow and one has easy access to the 3 storage compartments. I have no doubt that you will find me occasionally casting to some breaking fish or find my kids sitting up there catching scup. <br /><br />I opened the fuel cell access panel today. I wanted to see what was under there. I was told that there were 2 28 gallon fuel tanks. As it turns out, there are 2 36 gallon tanks. I also found that someone took the tanks out at one time and then reinstalled them backwards. The fuel pickups should be at the aft end of the boat. They are currently at the bow end. <br /><br />The other thing I found is that Penn Yan designed the floor of this boat to support a Mack truck. It is thick heavy glass and has wood supports on the back of it. I am going to consider ripping up that floor and replacing it with a foam core or plywood core floor. I could probably reduce the boats weight by a few hundred pounds. <br /><br />

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[Wimperdink]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

hey I like that... thats a big boat inside... and the lack or carpet makes it look easy to clean are you going to be adding some color to the inside? That stark white would make me snow blind

 

[fishingdan]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Thanks WD. It is a very big boat for its size. It has a self-bailing cockpit. When you are done with the outing, hose her off and the water drains from the cockpit and right out the side of the boat. <br /><br />I too am not a big fan of white cockpits. It can be too bright. However, that is an important feature for boats in the Northeast. I am going to think of my options over the winter. <br /><br />One thing that I am pretty sure of is that this boat is going on a diet. It is built like a tank. - I think the floor is going to get replaced with a plywood or foam cored floor. <br />- I may replace the fuel tanks with aluminum tanks. <br />- The doors and shelves in the front and back of the boat are all 1" plywood. <br />- Because there are some seals that have failed (ex: around the cockpit drains) and the previous owner's poor seat pedastal installation, I bet there is wet foam under the floor.<br /><br />I bet I can drop 500lbs off this boat without working hard.<br /><br />Dan

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

its the floor solid now? it to be in good shape surface wise... Thats some pretty thick doors and shelves for sure. <br /><br />I bet you can drop 500 lbs of without working hard yes definitly... however putting it back together after that diet is going to get some blood sweat and tears involved. good luck with it and keep a picture log of your remodel.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

The floor is soft on the port side near the passenger seat. I do want to repair it. The stringers seemed to be sound. The issue seems to be that Penn Yan used a wood core for floor supports. <br /><br />As you can see on the floor, it would look silly if I only replaced part of the floor. We'll see. I have all winter to think about it. I will, however, get under the soft area of the floor and take a look.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

It has been a long time getting here, but I finally got time to get this boat in the water. I honestly haven't done much other than cosmetics and some basic engine maintenance.

Boat:
- Powerwashed
- wood cleaned (not refinished yet)
- wiring connections cleaned up
- rebuilt fuel cell hatch
- new bottom paint. Not something I normally do to a trailered boat, but it already had some.

Engine:
- waterpump
- new plugs
- fixed the cowling
- did a decarb with seafoam
- replaced the fuel filter/water separator
- changed the LU oil

Trailer:
- new winch (replaced an old power winch with a manual)
- moved the wheels back 4 inches to increase tongue weight
- repacked wheel bearings

To-Do starting in the fall:
- repair soft spot on floor (port side near passenger seat). This is going to be a challenge. The cockpit is all one piece and I believe the sole is cored with end-grain balsa.
- probably need to remove wet foam under the sole. There could be a little or there could be 100s of pounds of wet foam under there. Won't know until I get into it.

The boat ran very well today. I took the boat and my oldest daughter to a local lake for the first run. This is a big and heavy boat for a 1982 merc 150. At full throttle, I was suprised to see that the boat hit 39 mph on the GPS. I was even more suprised that it cruised along nicely at a wide range of rpms and speeds of 22 to 30 mph.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Looks great! I need to get some of my projects done so I can get my boat done. I know you had some concerns about the roller trailer...any problems?

-JMW

 

[Mark42]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Nice boat. I think its begging to have a hard top added to give some protection from the elements and a bench seat or two for the kids to nap on.

I know that when I take the family out on my boat the kids are usually asleep in about 10 minutes. Something about fresh air and the motion of a boat on water that kids just can't fight...

 

[fishingdan]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Thanks JMW. I have found that I love the roller trailer. It is easier to launch and retrieve this boat than my 16' skiff.

I was worried about launching on a steep ramp. I incorrectly was thinking that I would launch this boat like I launched my skiff. Like many wrote, I found that if I back the boat in to a point where the back of the hull touches water, I can simply unhook it and push it off.

In fact, i have launched and retrieved this boat several times at Lake Pearl in Wrentham, MA. They don't have much of a ramp. It is basically a gravel landing area. The roller trailer has made it very easy.

Dan

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

WOW...Lake Pearl...I took a look at the ramp a couple of years ago....after watching a few small\shallow boats launch with difficulty..I decided that I would have trouble launching my old boat there. I am glad to her you didn't have any problems. I "almost" lost the Regal on a steep ramp...I tried to do it alittle different and he boat rolled back...went bow up and went into the water at a 45* angle...lucky for me it was deep enough that the outdrive didn't hit ground! I will be trying launching off a bunk trailer once my restore is done.

If you need anybody to go out fishing with you, let me know (I am going through withdrawl since selling the Regal).

-JMW

 

[fishingdan]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Lake Pearl's ramp takes a little experience. As the years progress, it gets a little more usable as people start to use one general area of it.

If you try it again, go to the launch area and as close to the main lake as you can, but put the boat in on the right side as you face the main lake. That is the deepest spot. If you are off by 10' either way, it can be a difficult exercise.

I'll take you on the fishing soon. I need to get a little confidence in this boat and then the gloves come off. Look out stripers!

 

[fishingdan]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Unfortunately, the boat got dirty today. Bluefish and Striper slime is all over the boat.

This boat is the perfect 20' T&W machine. Bimini top for shade, wide open cockpit, 5' long fish box between the front two seats, sliding hatch that allows you to walk into the bow (to fish or take pictures) and a beam wide enough for the fat ugly neighbor to sit far away. . Now I just need to slow her troll down a bit. She seems to like 2.8 mph.

 

[sundog]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Wow! I like the looks of that boat. nice big cockpit without sacrificing looks on the bow. Well done! classic lapstrake as well. I would have thought 150 wouldnt have been quite enough, but you speed shows its a great hull. Shes a keeper.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Looks nice! What are you gonna do with the skiff you made? Is this a "replacement" or an additional?

-JMW

 

[fishingdan]

Re: My new-to-me boat/winter project

Thanks Sundog. I was thinking the same thing before I ran it. The boat is rated for 200hp and I thought that the 150 would be barely enough. Everything on this boat is over-built. For example, the storage compartment doors are 1 inch ply. Also if I were a betting kind of guy, I would also bet that there is some wet foam under the sole (i.e. the boat is probably heavier than it should be at this point).

JMW, I sold the other skiff. It was too small for my needs. I picked up this boat as an interim project while I decide on the next design to build.

This weeks project is to add brakes to the trailer.