Double Eagle Build

[ogre77]

Looking for some opinions on where to go with the 70s(?) Double Eagle I've acquired. I believe it's a 176 or 185 (not entirely sure). It has a running 302 and older Volvo sterndrive leg. I can tell the transom is showing some signs of rot, so that will be one of the first on the to do list over the winter.

What I'm a bit unsure of is where my money is best spent. Would it be more cost effective to scrap the inboard, and start building towards a pod and outboard or put the 302 back in and run it til its dead? Is it simple enough to plug the I/O hole when podding? Guess maybe I'm looking for opinions on what the best bang for your buck build is - keeping the inboard, and replacing if/when it dies or going pod & outboard from the get go?

I've attached some photos for reference. If anyone has any recommendations for guys in the Nanaimo to CR area that do transom repair let me know. I have half a mind to do it myself, but I also want it done right and done once.....

 

[kaelc]

Looking for some opinions on where to go with the 70s(?) Double Eagle I've acquired. I believe it's a 176 or 185 (not entirely sure). It has a running 302 and older Volvo sterndrive leg. I can tell the transom is showing some signs of rot, so that will be one of the first on the to do list over the winter.

What I'm a bit unsure of is where my money is best spent. Would it be more cost effective to scrap the inboard, and start building towards a pod and outboard or put the 302 back in and run it til its dead? Is it simple enough to plug the I/O hole when podding? Guess maybe I'm looking for opinions on what the best bang for your buck build is - keeping the inboard, and replacing if/when it dies or going pod & outboard from the get go?

I've attached some photos for reference. If anyone has any recommendations for guys in the Nanaimo to CR area that do transom repair let me know. I have half a mind to do it myself, but I also want it done right and done once.....

I'd run it for the season at least. Everyone who could do it for you should be booked up! Godobbs on Facebook is a DE guru I think?

 

[ogre77]

I'd run it for the season at least. Everyone who could do it for you should be booked up! Godobbs on Facebook is a DE guru I think?

Goal is to run it for the season. Gotta get the wife hooked on boating before sinking a small fortune into it.....

 

[Dogbreath]

Looking forward to the rebuild!

 

[Reel Gone]

It’s a 185 model and would be much better With a pod but that is a fair investment. After you’ve run it for the year maybe you’ll have a better idea if it’s the boat for you long term. Great riding hulls for sure

 

[seachicken]

I'm envious, since we've had our 20' DE this last 1.5 years I've figured out enough that I wish I had the forward thinking and opportunity to find one and pod it myself. Experience is a teacher though and you don't get that without just getting out in a boat similar to what you want long term. Run it for the time being if you can to see what you want or would change and start learning about composites. I'd maybe (75% sure I would) make an aluminum pod myself but would certainly rework a transom myself based on what I know now. There's a couple really nice recent builds on here, danj and Oscar I think. Read up.

 

[salmonkiller01]

Definetly run it for the season and see if it fits your needs. Putting a bracket and outboard on is the best, but no way you can start now and be fishing before September.
If you think the transom is wet, odds are floor and stringers will need redoing, doing it yourself 5k maybe, then 5k for a bracket and 15k for a lease return 150-200hp.

Not for the faint of heart. Paying to get it all done for you 25k in glass works min

 

[ogre77]

Appreciate the replies folks. I am definately leaning towards doing the transom floor / stringers myself. I've got most of the tools to do the demo and the woodwork but have no experience actually fiberglassing. Is it something that can be done with the boat still on the trailer w/ some jacks as supports to keep it from twisting?

Replaced the raw water pump impeller today thing was toast and wasn't taking up water. Since the pump/impeller isnt in the leg (Volvo 290 DP) is there a trick for getting water uptake w/earmuffs? Or should the new impeller solve that issue? Probably a dumb question but this is the first boat I've owned so really learning as I go.

If I find a dry spot in the weather this weekend I'm going to tackle the shift linkage seals on the leg. It was wasnt leaking when i bought it so I suppose it started leaking when I fired it up for the first time 2 weeks ago. Looking online looks like a common problem if the oil is overfilled?

Hope all have a stellar May Long!

 

[seachicken]

Appreciate the replies folks. I am definately leaning towards doing the transom floor / stringers myself. I've got most of the tools to do the demo and the woodwork but have no experience actually fiberglassing. Is it something that can be done with the boat still on the trailer w/ some jacks as supports to keep it from twisting?

Replaced the raw water pump impeller today thing was toast and wasn't taking up water. Since the pump/impeller isnt in the leg (Volvo 290 DP) is there a trick for getting water uptake w/earmuffs? Or should the new impeller solve that issue? Probably a dumb question but this is the first boat I've owned so really learning as I go.

If I find a dry spot in the weather this weekend I'm going to tackle the shift linkage seals on the leg. It was wasnt leaking when i bought it so I suppose it started leaking when I fired it up for the first time 2 weeks ago. Looking online looks like a common problem if the oil is overfilled?

Hope all have a stellar May Long!

And skip the "wood work" and go straight to coosa board. Expensive but having to do the work again is worse... Good luck and have a good weekend too