New boat owner, old boat

[harakiro]

Hey everyone-

So today my wife and I were driving down the road and saw what we thought was too good to pass up.

Boat for sale with trailer 100.00!

Soo... You're looking at a new boat owner and I'm super psyched! I wanted to ask a few questions and try to get some more resources on my new venture!

I've begun cleaning it up and and this is what I'm left with:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24719497@N08/sets/72157621593146541/show/

1965 Seaswirl
Evinrude Lark VII
I was told the boat is 18', but haven't measured myself. The boat "runs and floats" and that's about all I know.

1. Do I lay carpet right on the existing fiberglass floor?
2. The wireing looks a bit old and pretty simple, are there basic wireing harnesses, or things to build my own easily available? (if so where?)
3. Does the motor have the a bility to charge the battery as it runs? I see something connected to the shaft with a belt which kinda looks like a generator?
4. Where can I find seats to replace the old ones?

I'm going to buy a marine battery this week, and hope to be able to at least crank the boat to ensure it runs. Does the engine need to be submerged?

Thanks for any resources and help!

Jesse

 

[Numlaar]

Re: New boat owner, old boat

Hey everyone-

So today my wife and I were driving down the road and saw what we thought was too good to pass up.

Boat for sale with trailer 100.00!

Soo... You're looking at a new boat owner and I'm super psyched! I wanted to ask a few questions and try to get some more resources on my new venture!

I've begun cleaning it up and and this is what I'm left with:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24719497@N08/sets/72157621593146541/show/

1965 Seaswirl
Evinrude Lark VII
I was told the boat is 18', but haven't measured myself. The boat "runs and floats" and that's about all I know.

1. Do I lay carpet right on the existing fiberglass floor?
2. The wireing looks a bit old and pretty simple, are there basic wireing harnesses, or things to build my own easily available? (if so where?)
3. Does the motor have the a bility to charge the battery as it runs? I see something connected to the shaft with a belt which kinda looks like a generator?
4. Where can I find seats to replace the old ones?

I'm going to buy a marine battery this week, and hope to be able to at least crank the boat to ensure it runs. Does the engine need to be submerged?

Thanks for any resources and help!

Jesse

Well to answer your questions:

1. If you decide to go with carpeting, yes you can lay it directly over the fiberglass, but it will need to be adhered down, however some things to consider with carpet:
its hard to keep clean
it holds moisture (which can lead to rot)
If it gets moldy/mildewy it can smell pretty bad

You may want to consider just renewing the finish on the fiberglass on the bottom and keeping that way for easy cleaning...

2. For the wiring harness, the one for the engine will be the hardest to replicate... mostly because of the plug for the motor (the other end at the controls is usually just end terminals). Would need to know the year, model# and HP of the engine to see if a replacement plug is available... as for the rest of the boat wiring, its easiest to just replace it yourself with regular wire stock from any auto parts store, home depot, etc.

3. Yes thats an alternator/generator and will charge the battery

4. Seats can be gotten from almost any marine parts supplier (including iboats).. heres a link:

Seats


For starting the engine, yes it needs to be submerged... if this is your first time firing it up, you need to make sure the impeller is working and pumping water... I dont know if that particular model of engine has a Tell tale or "pee hole" but at the least it should have exhaust ports on the back of the middle housing that water should come out of... if you do not see water coming out of the engine then do not run it for very long or it will overheat...

If the engine starts and runs, at the very least you will want to replace the water pump impeller to be on the safe side, and more than likely rebuild or have rebuilt the carberator depending on how long it sat or whether there was old gas left in it. Also you will want to change the lower unit oil (there are two types depending if that model is electric shift or not, you need to be sure to use the right type).

Some side notes... judging by the looks of the seats it appears as if the boat was left out in the weather for some time... you may have problems underneath that you can't see, especially for something that old... I would thoroughly inspect the transom (back of the boat, where the engine mounts) and check the condition of the wood. I would also step hard on the floor all over and see if it feels "soft" in any places... if so you may be looking at a much larger job than just putting in new seats/wires... Not to scare you, but its better to take out a boat that is safe, then not... and you are definitely in the right place for help!

Nice looking old boat!

Congrats on your purchase and good luck with your build!

 

[jonesg]

Re: New boat owner, old boat

wow what a neat find,

judging by the seats I'd be surprised if the stringers and transom are still good. I doubt that engine will run but theres only one way to find out.

Pull the wheels off the trailer and install new bearings for sure.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: New boat owner, old boat

Check the floor and transom for soundness, soft spots or rot means it's replacement time...not hard to do though. Surf to the Johnson/Evinrude forum on this site and read the Top Secret file at the top of that forum...will tell you how to safely awaken that old E-rude. If it hasn't been abused, you can service and tune it up to run right/well for less than $200. Major deal is compression...do a compression test before spending much on it. Compression should be 75 to 100+ psi on each cylinder if it's a keeper. You can get a compression gauge at auto parts stores. Charge the battery and clean all the wiring connections from the switch to the motor...must be clean and tight for it to work without burning something up. If the wiring harness in the boat from the dash to the motor is toast, you can jump it from the battery using jumper cables. Connect the neg batt cable to the engine block/powerhead and to the batt neg post. Connect the Pos batt cable to the starter post...don't connect to the battery yet. Pull the plugs, put some WD-40/PB Blaster in the plug holes and touch the Pos jumper cable to the Pos batt post. If the starter is good it will turn the engine over...real test of the starter is whether it will push the engine over with spark plugs in the motor...try this after determining that the engine turns freely and the starter works with the jumper cables. Check the cable/pulley steering on the boat...if the cable is shot you can buy replacement cable at the big box stores. Keep posting back, you have andadventure ahead of you getting it back on the water but most of the things you'll need to know can be answered through this forum. Looks like a neat boat/project. Also check to see what you will need to get it titled/registered in your state before you spend too much $$$.

 

[harakiro]

Re: New boat owner, old boat

Hey everyone-

Thanks a bunch for your responses. They've been very helpful.

I'll do some further investigation on the flooring and back of the boat. I did some initial stuff yesterday and it seemed pretty sound.

Will keep ya posted and im sure I'll be back with plenty of questions

Jesse

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: New boat owner, old boat

Hey everyone-

Thanks a bunch for your responses. They've been very helpful.

I'll do some further investigation on the flooring and back of the boat. I did some initial stuff yesterday and it seemed pretty sound.

Will keep ya posted and im sure I'll be back with plenty of questions

Jesse

Where are you located? there are people from all over the country, and some (not all but most) would probably give you a hand if they are nearby...

 

[harakiro]

Re: New boat owner, old boat

I'm located in Bremerton WA. We just moved here recently and would love to make new friends! Especially if they know boats haha

Thanks for the tip

Jesse

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: New boat owner, old boat

Jesse go to the user cp up in the top left corner of the screen . You can click on it and then get into your profile to add your location . Then your location will show up everytime you post in the upper right corner of your post nect to your join date. You can be as specific or non specific as you like . Theres alot of members here in Louisville so I chose to include my location within Louisville.


Rick

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: New boat owner, old boat

Just make sure you are prepared for your "great deal" to become a big hole in the water. My "great deal" I have about $1200, including the $400 purchase price... that includes new deck, transom, paint (hull and deck), vinyl, fiberglass supplies and misc stuff like fasteners, paint supplies, surface prep supplies, etc. the cost can QUICKLY. And Mine is aluminum, which cuts the cost and amount of work compared to fiberglass by about 1/4 to 1/3...

 

[harakiro]

Re: New boat owner, old boat

Yeah, I'm aware of the risk of growing costs.

I think that less than 1k realistically doable as I can do most of the tinkering and fixing myself. I do hope the engine, deck and transom is in good shape. I have my fingers crossed on that.

The trailer is in rough shape, and I've already gotten a quote to rebuild the center bar. I can replace / repack the bearings. I'm thinking it shouldn't be too hard to repair the skid boards (pressure treated 2x4's covered in indoor outdoor carpet i'm thinking?)

Electrical shouldn't be too much pretty simple system.

Necessities
300 Seats
100 Battery
200 Trailer repairs (parts + labor)
125 motor work
75 Electrical materials
100 Purchase price

Nice to haves
windshield
clean up hardware (pits / rust on stainless steel)
repaint
carpet (maybe)