Restoring Old Bass Boats

[WaterChap]

Anyone else restoring an old bass boat? I’m restoring a 17’ 1986 Winner Tournament. It has an ‘89 90hp Evinrude and a great trolling motor. Nothing else worked when I got it. Slowly replacing everything. I’ve restored a 100+ year old house, friends have restored cars. Is bass boat restoration even a thing? Also, looking at old posts on BBC, I’m wondering if I should be getting more speed out of my engine. I do about 35 with the hammer down. Thoughts?

 

[silvertalon]

With a little set up, money and time, you really should be running at least low 40's. I'm guessing it's rated for 140-150. Sounds like you're not getting on hi pad with that 90. I just restored a '74 Ouchita 16'. Fun little rig. Restoration is getting popular with the prices of new boats being out of hand for most.

 

[WaterChap]

Currently, I’m getting the livewell going. I broke off my new aerator pump pulling one of the gas tanks. Then, I cut the blasted thing too short and had to order another from Amazon. I’ve been running it some, but I’m going to wait till I get it finished before running it in a club event. All the rest of the guys are running with $25,000-75,000 rigs.

 

[porthos33]

I used to have a 15.5 ft 1987 Venture with a 75hp yamaha and it ran 38 top speed, but it was a bit smaller.

 

[silvertalon]

I also recently found this really rare 16' center console called a "Keyes Kraft". Can't find any manufacturing info on the internet. Would love to fix it up for bass fishing!

 

[WaterChap]

Did you buy it? I used to have a 14’ center console (Hard Head). I miss that boat. On NassPro, I always linger on the Makos.

 

[WaterChap]

Did you buy it? I used to have a 14’ center console (Hard Head). I miss that boat. On NassPro, I always linger on the Makos.

 

[silvertalon]

Yes, Its a 'Sportscaster' by Keyes Kraft. Very kool boat, lol.

 

[Nauticman]

Contact Frank Chupaska (fchupaska, cff id), he just restored an old bass boat.

 

[M GO BLUE]

Take a 5-gallon bucket, fill it with Hondo's and dump it in the water!! Last 3 I've done have been 20+ yrs old, and they were all a HAND-FULL. Don't consider your labor and you can come out WAYYY ahead. Count your labor (if you're doing it right) and you'll have a 100K$ rig!

I suggest NOT counting your labor!

 

[WaterChap]

I don’t think my labor’s worth that much! Yours probably is! What is Hondos?

I just got my second tank operational today (actually confirmed it by testing). I think my live well’s now working well, but I’ll have to put it in the water to test it. Started on the electrical system. Talk about a mess!

 

[stuckinthetrees]

Speed don't sound to far off. My first boat was a ouchita I wish I still had it. I had a 1969 Kennedy Kraft 14 skiff with a 20hp Yamaha tiller steer. EI could pass my buddies 16' pro craft with a 70hp Mercury lol

 

[WaterChap]

Anyone know the best place to buy switches and the like cheaply? I’ve tried Harbor Freight, Walmart and Lowe’s. The auto parts stores seem high, but may be my best option?

 

[Meka]

You can find all sorts of marine rated switches in bulk on industrial websites like Mouser or DigiKey. It's usually pretty cheap too.