Westcraft and Glastron

[jpendergrass]

Hi folks. 1st post here. Let me start off by saying that if you have a car/truck, I can fix it. Been turning wrenches for 20 years. But marine stuff - notta. So I've got myself into a project.
Here we go : my inlaws gave me 1972 westcraft 16-17ft trihull with an 85 hp evinrude last year. It was stalling on them, they thought it was fuel. Well kinda. Turns out, fuel lines hard, fuel pumps leaking, starter solenoid intermittent failure, but mostly due to ignition. So I installed a new cdi, plugs, fuel lines and tanks, solenoid, etc. Runs great now, plenty of power. Now I found a 1979 glastron ssv-176 with a 78 merc 1400 with tilt/trim. Yeah, much better. Owner said motor noisy, redid floor and then bought a new boat. So I got her for a cool $300 with motor, no interior seating really.
Heres my plans: the westcraft has great engine, newer seats. I think I'll just swap over these to the ssv, put some carpet in her, and go boatin/fishing. Hell anything will float better than that damn trihull.
Questions will be soon coming I'm sure, but to start off with, where would I find some manuals on the 1400 so I can attempt to rebuild it this summer, a manual on the tilt/trim and electronics for the boat, and inexpensive upholstery and carpet? What are some the downfalls of the 1400 and worstcase cost to rebuild it? Anything I should look real close at on the ssv? I havent looked real close at her yet since its cold here in kansas, but plans are to be on the water by April or may latest.
Thanks for any input and wish me luck. Now I'm going digging into the forums

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

Hey now-don't be hatin' on tri-hulls, as you will find there are quite a few on here-mine included
Now that that's aside, sounds like you have quite the deal with the motor and able to switch everything around. I would be absolutely sure though that everything is solid in the boat before beginning cosmetic work.
Good Luck!

 

[jpendergrass]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

Thanks boatflipper. Not hatin on tri's, just that the last 2 i had beat me up. Hated em'. Anyways, when you say solid, what would I look for? Ive read about the stringers, but what about the flotation devices, how would I get a peek at these or the stringers? Is the 85 hp enough for this boat? And again, where do i find info on the mechanicals of the boat such as the tilt/trim, the wiring and the control mechanism?

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

Thanks boatflipper. Not hatin on tri's, just that the last 2 i had beat me up. Hated em'. Anyways, when you say solid, what would I look for? Ive read about the stringers, but what about the flotation devices, how would I get a peek at these or the stringers? Is the 85 hp enough for this boat? And again, where do i find info on the mechanicals of the boat such as the tilt/trim, the wiring and the control mechanism?

My boat had no foam in it, so your's may or may not have foam. If the PO(previous owner) replaced the floor-I am assuming due to rot-then I hope he replaced the foam if it had foam in it. if it didn't have foam you are lucky.
As for the stringers-first you must locate them under the floor. Once located, use a very small drill bit to drill through the floor, and into the stringers. If the shavings come out dry-you are set. If not, you could use the boat as long as the floor holds up without the support of the stringers, or you could go ahead and start ripping it up to redo the stringers.

About the electrical stuff-I have no idea. sorry.

 

[jpendergrass]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

Ttt

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

Forgive me but what does ttt mean???

 

[mark1961]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

And again, where do i find info on the mechanicals of the boat such as the tilt/trim, the wiring and the control mechanism?

In a workshop manual, preferably oem or clymers.

 

[jpendergrass]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

Forgive me but what does ttt mean???

TO THE TOP

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

Once again, I am completely lost. to the top of what? lol I have no idea what is going on. sorry

 

[jpendergrass]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

Once again, I am completely lost. to the top of what? lol I have no idea what is going on. sorry

okay. in a forum, if you want the thread to go to the top of the section due to wanting more responses or lack thereof, TTT......

Follow???

Now, manuals of the boat??? OEM or CLymer?? I've read a Seloc on the 85 evinrude, but cant seem to find any boat manuals

 

[mark1961]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

okay. in a forum, if you want the thread to go to the top of the section due to wanting more responses or lack thereof, TTT......

Follow???

Now, manuals of the boat??? OEM or CLymer?? I've read a Seloc on the 85 evinrude, but cant seem to find any boat manuals

I doubt you will find any relating to the hull, if you are after motor related info the factory omc manual would be best (oem), failing that clymers would be the next best, the majority of people around here seem to steer clear of seloc.

 

[jpendergrass]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

Mark1961, thanks for the replies. As far as clymer or omc goes, will those cover the tilt/trim, electrical, console/throttle box, etc.???? And it appears that those damn oem manuals are rather expensive.

 

[mark1961]

Re: Westcraft and Glastron

Mark1961, thanks for the replies. As far as clymer or omc goes, will those cover the tilt/trim, electrical, console/throttle box, etc.???? And it appears that those damn oem manuals are rather expensive.

I have a clymer for my 82 60hp, it covers all of the those items except the console/throttle box mechanicals, however, the electrical side of it is covered in the numerous wiring diagrams at the end of the manual.

The oem versions would have more detail than anything else hence the higher cost.