57 Fire Flite to live again

[S. Toth]

My father, and grandfather own a 57 fireflite, which has been sitting since 1983, she is stored inside, but is in a dark basement of a garage, she is covered. Are there any things I should look for structurally sound wise. I have been bugging them for years to get it out, and My estimate is she will be in 4-6 weeks. Some pics to come later this week, I got to take a look last week and is cosmetically good.

 

[zach103]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

stringers deck transom.. what does it have for power?

 

[S. Toth]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

35hp big twin evinrude.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

Thats cool lets see some pics.Like stated transom deck and stringers.Look around lot of good looking boats in these forums have beed rotten at the core.

 

[MrMarine]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

I agree. The three most important things are the Transom, Stringers and Decking. Then move on to Motor, controles and guages. Then cosmetics on the inside and outside. Good luck. Cant wait to see some pics of this beauty.

 

[S. Toth]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

Thanks, I know when my father and grandfather put her away she was in good structural, and cosmetic shape. I'm hoping if there were no soft spots then there aren't none now!

 

[S. Toth]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

I just hope you don't loose interest till friday or saturday.

 

[S. Toth]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

Good news I got to see a wink of it yesterday, shes sitting level, however this was just from the steps leading down into the cold dark basement!

 

[zach103]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086
do that its easy. if you have questions just ask in the evinrude section..

other than that check those three structural things and get some pics

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

Just sent you a PM.

 

[S. Toth]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

Thankfully the basement of the garage this classic sits in is the basement of my dad, and grandfather's, Auto sales, and repair shop, so he nows about car engines im guessing a 52yr outboard is different. My Question is what do I have to check waterpump wise so I dont burn her out? My worst nightmare since I can't get to her till saturday for close up inspect is that sitting in a some what damp, and cold basement have taken there toll on her, for what i can see she is sitting on an even keel, and covered. About 3 or 4 years ago we went down to se if we could turn the prop, her outboard seemed strongly mounted yet, however with only a flashlight I couldn't be 100% sure. My hope is that there is sitting beside her a trailer with wooded guard's, and an old card machine made of particle board. Im hopeing if they survived a transome, and floor also have. =) Thanks for without your words of encouragement I wouldn't be sleeping at night =)

 

[Bondo]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

Question is what do I have to check waterpump wise so I dont burn her out?

Ayuh,.... That question would be Best asked up in the Johnny/Rude outboard forum....

Is Fire Flite the model, or brand,..??

 

[S. Toth]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

Glastron Fireflite, is the boat make, the engine is a 35hp evinrude big twin.

Heres a brochure of it;

http://www.glastron.com/images/historyintro.jpg

http://www.classicglastron.com/57gl-web.html

 

[Bondo]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

Glastron Fireflite,

Ayuh,.... I've got a pair of old Jet-Flites in the back40,....A 61,+ a 67...

Maybe someday they too will fly again...

 

[matt9923]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

That's a cool looking boat like jetsons style.
Matt

 

[S. Toth]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

Thanks,

 

[S. Toth]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

Having something sit, then bringing it back to life is always good, hopefully your oldies to will fly once again.

 

[S. Toth]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

OK tomorrow is the big day, I will descend into the basement, and check transom, stringers, and get some pictures of her.

 

[matt9923]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

they have a drive in basement?
Matt

 

[S. Toth]

Re: 57 Fire Flite to live again

Lol My dad, and grandpa own a auto repair, and sales shop. In the early 80's my grandpa added on to the rear, and created a basement in the new rear area also. Its like a "barn Find" down there. Theres a 75 lincoln continental the boat, trailer, and at least 3 ton of other misc items. Im only 15, so on saturday ill go to work, and get my dad to open the garage door down there since there is no working lights. I can see her from the steps leading down by high powered spotlight lol , but without a lite you can't see your hand in front of your face. Thhe boat had been layed up since roughly 83, or 88. When she went in she had no soft spot, transom rot. She has been covered ever since. Hopefully she is still in good shape. :redface: I am however expecting some work.