captXtreme
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 863
I was asked to share how I found my project boats; and how I started my rebuild. I do not pretend to be an authority on the subject just enjoy sharing what I've learned from trial and error with that said. One way of course is the Forum, newspaper ads, swap shop, friends, and neighbors, The 1980 hydro-sport was found across the street from me, . The 50hp merc had sat on the side of the house for three years, and the boat uncovered for that time too. after approaching this gentleman i found out what he had paid for it and he explained some of the things that he had done to it and also explained that he was in weak health and would not be putting anymore money into it, I asked how much he would have to have and with in a few days I brought it home One thing you must decide is will I keep it for my self or am I going to sell it. There seems to be a good market for jon boats, small bass boats, pontoon boats, and remember there’s more people that can afford 3000. than 30,000. This boat I was going to keep as well as the pontoon boat.</p>
My first move was to mount the engine back on the boat and see what it would do I knew it was not froze up and it appeared to have good compression when turned by hand. I cleaned out the gas tank put in new fuel. After mounting eng, and putting battery in, I Checked all wiring in the battery compartment hooked up loose wires and I found a wire just out of view. Tuned key over and after a couple of tries it started. This is not unusual for people to miss connecting all wires back up after engine has been removed and/or when you have multiple helpers you never know what the others did or did not remember to do! Always double even triple check wiring and for loose bolts. This was one of those times. This boat sat all that time because of a single wire. I got lucky. After finding the loose wire the engine ran. The next step was to start gutting out the boat carpet rusted screws and so on. Check all gauges and replace any bad one‘s check fish finder’s and trolling motors if equipped. a great source for boat equipment is through the CFF the pontoon boat I found on CFF and it has items that I got from guys on the forum, and if you can’t find something ask, people are happy to help or give good ideas. E-bay is another source for boat parts, You need to find a good source for materials such as carpet, nuts and bolts, paint, wire, The place were I get carpet from is lowes or home depot you can get some paint from them also, boaters world is a good source for paint and other items, Ok now my secret spot to buy stuff is Wally world. fuel lines and such.LOL</p>
After removing all carpet and useless junk now the fun starts the sanding and the fiberglass repairs if any, spray paint, then the carpet phase if you must replace the floor do it now! While you have it stripped down, you can use the old floor as a template, its best to lay your carpet in the boat and cut two to three inches longer than need it’s easier to cut of than it is to seem it together. Home depot had the out door carpet adhesive reasonable price trowel cost three dollars throw it away when your down cheap enough,</p>
Next is the seats can they be used? Some people just buy new ones great when you have the funds, most people don’t know that you can remove the covers and make repairs. I bought some from wayne, </p>
What you will need is a good staple gun t-50 staples a pointed tool like a knife or small straight blade screwdriver to pull old staples. I have used mono fishing line and a large needle to make seam repairs makes a nice repair no one would ever know if you did not tell them, it makes for a stronger seam that won’t be affected by water. slip the cover back on staple and pull tight at the same time, when you put the edging back on “first remove old staples” there is a place in the center to place staples, spread with your fingers then shoot staple and repeat. You will be surprised by what you see! they look better each time you do another seat. The one thing that I can say about starting a project boat is don’t be afraid to try it. Experts were novices once too! The internet is a great tool for research.</p>
There are some good boat engine forums that have helped me I could not do with out them at times. Another thing is take plenty of pictures to document your progress before and after shots. The one thing that I have found out is that the 50 to 70hp range is a good engine size to shoot for since gas prices are high. I like what one man said was I still can’t catch bass when I am going a100 miles and hour.</p>
I hope this will help in your decision to start a project boat or not, and you want to keep your sanity.
</p>
Obviously there is more to it than I have written I would be glad to help in any questions that you might have, I don’t now much! but we can always ask around. </p>
James</p>
My first move was to mount the engine back on the boat and see what it would do I knew it was not froze up and it appeared to have good compression when turned by hand. I cleaned out the gas tank put in new fuel. After mounting eng, and putting battery in, I Checked all wiring in the battery compartment hooked up loose wires and I found a wire just out of view. Tuned key over and after a couple of tries it started. This is not unusual for people to miss connecting all wires back up after engine has been removed and/or when you have multiple helpers you never know what the others did or did not remember to do! Always double even triple check wiring and for loose bolts. This was one of those times. This boat sat all that time because of a single wire. I got lucky. After finding the loose wire the engine ran. The next step was to start gutting out the boat carpet rusted screws and so on. Check all gauges and replace any bad one‘s check fish finder’s and trolling motors if equipped. a great source for boat equipment is through the CFF the pontoon boat I found on CFF and it has items that I got from guys on the forum, and if you can’t find something ask, people are happy to help or give good ideas. E-bay is another source for boat parts, You need to find a good source for materials such as carpet, nuts and bolts, paint, wire, The place were I get carpet from is lowes or home depot you can get some paint from them also, boaters world is a good source for paint and other items, Ok now my secret spot to buy stuff is Wally world. fuel lines and such.LOL</p>
After removing all carpet and useless junk now the fun starts the sanding and the fiberglass repairs if any, spray paint, then the carpet phase if you must replace the floor do it now! While you have it stripped down, you can use the old floor as a template, its best to lay your carpet in the boat and cut two to three inches longer than need it’s easier to cut of than it is to seem it together. Home depot had the out door carpet adhesive reasonable price trowel cost three dollars throw it away when your down cheap enough,</p>
Next is the seats can they be used? Some people just buy new ones great when you have the funds, most people don’t know that you can remove the covers and make repairs. I bought some from wayne, </p>
What you will need is a good staple gun t-50 staples a pointed tool like a knife or small straight blade screwdriver to pull old staples. I have used mono fishing line and a large needle to make seam repairs makes a nice repair no one would ever know if you did not tell them, it makes for a stronger seam that won’t be affected by water. slip the cover back on staple and pull tight at the same time, when you put the edging back on “first remove old staples” there is a place in the center to place staples, spread with your fingers then shoot staple and repeat. You will be surprised by what you see! they look better each time you do another seat. The one thing that I can say about starting a project boat is don’t be afraid to try it. Experts were novices once too! The internet is a great tool for research.</p>
There are some good boat engine forums that have helped me I could not do with out them at times. Another thing is take plenty of pictures to document your progress before and after shots. The one thing that I have found out is that the 50 to 70hp range is a good engine size to shoot for since gas prices are high. I like what one man said was I still can’t catch bass when I am going a100 miles and hour.</p>
I hope this will help in your decision to start a project boat or not, and you want to keep your sanity.
Obviously there is more to it than I have written I would be glad to help in any questions that you might have, I don’t now much! but we can always ask around. </p>
James</p>