1989 VIP rebuild & repower

[Jofly]

Ok, I promise to not start a new thread concerning this project, motor and boat combined. When I make some progress I will post the pic's on this thread and let you all know. So a little history, I bought an 89 VIP fish and ski with a 150 johnson gt, guess what, the motor is not a gt, and as wrenchin2 calls it a frankenstien emoBang
Thats allright though, I bought this boat cheap with a project in mind. When I'm done I may have 7K in it but I plan on using it for the next ten or more years. The gel coat is cracked to he double hockey sticks and the bottom has a soft spot where they hit something. I am ready for it. I have researched painting, filling, and transom and stringer repair for the last month, I know i am opening a can of worms but I am prepaired. I have 23+ years in the construction industry, and 11years in the power plant industry. In other words if it is made out of wood I can build it, if it is made of metal, I can build it. Fiberglass, I have done a little, But I can finish drywall like a pro and i'm not afraid. I am also not to proud to take advice, so if you see me about to make a mistake please shout out. so here are some pic's. I have already removed the hardware and such. The holes in the front were coverd by cushins on a wood base rotten as heck, so they are gone, the driver and passenger seat are Kmart specials, soon to be gone.

 

[Jofly]

let me know if you want pictures of anything elese. Thanks for all the help I know I will get from everyone!!

 

[JDK]

wow big project ahead.. looks like a ton of work have u thought about taking the 7 grand abd buying a hull for the motor.. 7 grand will buy a nice boat or hull

 

[Jofly]

cant aford the payment. But i can aford to do a little at a time. The motor, I'm guessing 2k, depends on what wrenchin finds. The hull I have no idea. NRG could tell me what I have in store. My labor is free though and the boat rides like a caddy in 1.5' chop on carters lake. You tell me, Is this hull really worth it? I dont Know?

 

[mallardecho]

Jofly - 5/25/2010 2:20 PM

You tell me, Is this hull really worth it? I dont Know?

No........

 

[JDK]

if was me id save the money in supplies and buy a better hull ready for the motor but if u just going to do a little at time and thats what u can afford then go for it. Anything can be fixed if you got the time and patience GL with it and look forward to seeing the progress.. i know bass boat central has a restore forum and i have some some amazing work come from junk.. check that site out also for some ideas and help
best of luck

 

[Jofly]

You guys doubt me???? I take that as a challenge!!!! I was 12 hours from a new sketter and the wife said "are u nuts". I sold my ski boat and bought this dirt cheap. Its a project, and its kinda fun! Will be a different boat when I'm done. No more fish N ski. I'd tell ya my plans but i'll just wait and show ya!!!!!

 

[mallardecho]

No, don't doubt you at all I am sure you will enjoy the project. But you asked if the hull was worth it or not. You probably will never recover half of what you will invest in it. That is strictly a monetary observation. I am sure it will give you many hours of pleasure and few of frustration and it is impossible to put a dollar figure on that.

 

[NRG]

Whew and I thought my boat was in bad shape lol .. that is more than I would have taken on even if they gave it to me lol good luck man that is a project for sure

 

[dtw2]

money-pit with no way out!!!!!!!!!!! you will never finish it.

 

[NRG]

I wouldnt say he will never finish .. but its more of a project than he knows.. It took me a year to get mine done.. and Im still tweaking stuff..
Your wasting your time trying to grind the spider cracks out .. you would be better to sand all that spider junk off down to bare glass.. and use filler to no more than 1/8" thick to fill then block sand it true.. then prime and paint

 

[wrechin2]

I have done that. Put 7K in a $1,500 boat. I would really think long and hard about investing so much of your time into it. Would be nice to say you done it. But you would never get out of
it what you have in it. I have a project boat also and hope to finish it this year as I have been on it for 2 years. My problem is I don't have time. emoScratch Can't figure out why!!
This is a "race boat" that has been gutted.

http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/hh70/wrechin2/speedy/

 

[Jofly]

Took the motor to Wrenchin2 Thursday and tore it done. All the parts look useable except for the block, it had been bored out .064 on the bottom 2 cylinders. So I am looking at all options now, used block, used motor, bigger block, I'll just have to see what I find. If anyone has a small bore crossflow block give me a shout. Thanks.