November 7 and 8th, 2021 - I started off by checking the wiring and gauges and everything besides the honda rpm and honda dummy light, all gauges and electronics were corroded and not functioning properly so they were gutted. The seats are comfy but torn a bit and are just too big and bulky for my vision so I pulled those out also. Didnt pull the floor off yet but the stringers will 99 % be replaced. Sounded the transon and that will have to go. I will sand off all the blue paint to get down to the bare fiberglass and begin that process at the end. Pull the motor off before the end of this month. Have to build a stand for it first and get a cherry picker. So far that's the plan but one step at a time and take this project on in small pieces. So this week and weekend it will be floor removal, stringer inspection and removal of one and dry fit a new one.
saw that unit on facebook hopefully you got a better deal then what he was asking... lol does the honda run?
The motor runs. Changed out the fuel filters and checked the spark plugs. Soaked the cylinders with fogging oil for a bit. Looks like stabil was used in the fuel. Snapped a few bolts on the lower unit. The trim tab one I got angry and took a grinder to it. Will need to figure that out but will be installing hydraulic steering so torque steer won't be a major issue so we will see. Changed out the impeller. Drained the lower unit gear oil. Thought the seals were gone but pressure tested it and their ok. Must be one of the plastic o rings where a bit of water was introduced. Changed the engine oil before starting then added some 10 30 with a additive then ran for 10 min. Drained and added fresh oil and filter again. Another fuel filter to change on the motor and do a compression check but it fired up purred instantly. Checked the motor before even thinking of a restoration. Fingers crossed for the compression check and I'll also check to see if the motor is generating any codes.
Yes the entire boat will have new wiring. There was surprisingly not that much water. Prob stirred it up before I drained it I guess. I put it in a plastic bottle and let it settle for maybe 4 days before it settled out and it's quite minimal. Maybe 2 table spoons in total. May not of been changed a few years is my guess. That technique sounds very sound. I figured 10psi for 10 min with no drop and minimal water I should be good but still before summer may do the seals anyway after I test run it a few times on the water.
Here are my post autopsy notes so you don’t have to dig, my boat is 1977.
That's awsome thank you so much, I was looking but could find that in your threads. Thank you. I've done stringers once before. I left that little bit at the bottom for a guide before too. I'm going to try and build it back with original in mind. Want to make it beautiful once again.
looks like moisture build up in the gear case from prob sitting so long along with the odd o-ring that isnt quite sealing 100% right now. but you could run it as is and just check the lower unit oil every trip out. Or build a run up box and run it for a bit on a stand and see how much water is actually intruding.
I would use 1708 for the entire thing and use the lighter cloth only if you want to get a better finish for exposed areas. (in all my projects i have only used 1708, 1700 and matt) Of course, the supply chain is a mess right now so who knows what is even available. Wood is fine just make sure it's all sealed up with lots of resin and cloth. However, the boat isn't too big I would look at the cost of synthetic materials (Coosa, foam board, honeycomb). By far the biggest cost of this project will be time. Even if you spend 2x on the better core materials you would then have a boat that you could pass down to the next generation that will never rot. Water is tenacious and it always finds a way into carefully prepared wood layups. If I was worried about spending more on better materials then id probably re-consider owning an 18.5ft boat.
Amen to 1708!
I'm working outside and once I empty my tent garage (pic attached) I just may be able to tightly fit the boat in there. Plus I was thinking I would ruin my original metal rub rail. no way I wouldn't destroy it then it's a rubber one going on.
did you have your full information on this site what you did? I got to find it because I really like the approach you took and will help me out so much
