Hi all!
I am impressed with the interest and support for folks in here so i thought i'd add my project to the mix.
Just moved to FL and thought a little project boat would be fun to try to tackle. Have boating experience - but took on a project quite like this. I wanted to build a custom classic with plenty of power that would be economical and handle bay chop. Also want to do it as inexpensive as possible.
So, I have been watching local craigslist ad's and found a 16' powered by a 1978 Merc. 800 Thunderbolt with hydraulic steering. The boat had been sitting for 6 years and the guy just wanted it hauled away - so, I stripped everything off the boat - the steering is smooth. I have a marine engine buddy and am having him give me the 411 on whether or not it is worth fixing. It looks good and it was a boat a guy brought down from Michigan and then he "disappeared." I know it was running 6 years ago so I am hopeful it can be brought back to life with a reasonable investment.
I got a windshield, controls, steering, motor and a ton of parts off that boat. (and I am going to cannibalize the trailer too!)
Then I located a 1964 Starcraft Fury with (most of) a trailer. The boat need to be totally gutted - but I got it for $70 - so, for a grand total of $70 I am starting the project.
I will keep this post running and hope anyone will pitch in their ideas as I am a total newbie with minimal experience. I have owned a few boats before and have done minor repair - but this one is a lot more.
As you can see, I will need to replace all the stringers and I want to put MORE glass in the bottom of the boat as it has quite a bit of flex now that I have it torn up. Figure I need that because I am going to add an 80 HP motor so it will need to be beefed-up.
I am thinking I need to remove the top of the boat just so I can really get in to the bow area - any advice there? Im hesitant to do it, but I think it may be worth trying.
Planning to cut the shield in 1/2 for a low profile look and going to strip the boat (which was originally blue) and paint it yellow with black and white accents.
dont know if I want to cut the transom out - thinking of just having a huge metal plate fabricated and seeing how that looks. I need to check the forums to see the best way to check the transom.
Anyway here are some photos - thanks for looking!
I am impressed with the interest and support for folks in here so i thought i'd add my project to the mix.
Just moved to FL and thought a little project boat would be fun to try to tackle. Have boating experience - but took on a project quite like this. I wanted to build a custom classic with plenty of power that would be economical and handle bay chop. Also want to do it as inexpensive as possible.
So, I have been watching local craigslist ad's and found a 16' powered by a 1978 Merc. 800 Thunderbolt with hydraulic steering. The boat had been sitting for 6 years and the guy just wanted it hauled away - so, I stripped everything off the boat - the steering is smooth. I have a marine engine buddy and am having him give me the 411 on whether or not it is worth fixing. It looks good and it was a boat a guy brought down from Michigan and then he "disappeared." I know it was running 6 years ago so I am hopeful it can be brought back to life with a reasonable investment.
I got a windshield, controls, steering, motor and a ton of parts off that boat. (and I am going to cannibalize the trailer too!)
Then I located a 1964 Starcraft Fury with (most of) a trailer. The boat need to be totally gutted - but I got it for $70 - so, for a grand total of $70 I am starting the project.
I will keep this post running and hope anyone will pitch in their ideas as I am a total newbie with minimal experience. I have owned a few boats before and have done minor repair - but this one is a lot more.
As you can see, I will need to replace all the stringers and I want to put MORE glass in the bottom of the boat as it has quite a bit of flex now that I have it torn up. Figure I need that because I am going to add an 80 HP motor so it will need to be beefed-up.
I am thinking I need to remove the top of the boat just so I can really get in to the bow area - any advice there? Im hesitant to do it, but I think it may be worth trying.
Planning to cut the shield in 1/2 for a low profile look and going to strip the boat (which was originally blue) and paint it yellow with black and white accents.
dont know if I want to cut the transom out - thinking of just having a huge metal plate fabricated and seeing how that looks. I need to check the forums to see the best way to check the transom.
Anyway here are some photos - thanks for looking!
