did I get junk or not????????????

[tds1774]

I Just got a Johnson 19ft surfer. Im not sure what year late 60's or early 70's. everything is there, but the bot was full or pine needles & leaves there was ever a tree growing in it! the floor is rotten of course but it has all mechanical workings complete, all the poles for the canvas'. canvas is there but dry rotted and brittle. it also has a 4 wheel trailer that is in excellent condition, just a little surface rust. nothing a wire brush and some paint can't fix. The last time the boat was registered was 1993. So... I need the knowledge and expertise of you great people. 1- did I get a rotting pile of junk or a salvagable project? 2- can a person still get parts for these boats? 3-Should I scrap th boat and keep the trailer?

 

[RL Gman]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

Although not an expert on the site (as you can tell from my post count) but I'm fairly certain you posted this in the wrong section. Sounds like a better fit in the general discussion area. Granted, a mod will probably move it for you.

To answer your questions IMO:

1. Sounds like junk.
2. Dont know, but probably.
3. Really depends on what you're looking to do: You want a project, keep both. You want a trailer, keep the trailer scrap the boat. You want a turn key, scrap both and start over.

v/r Gman.

 

[ken_23434]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

Welcome to iBoats.

There is another forum on boat restoration and building. That forum has info/pictures of people replacing the floors, foam, transomes etc... I would do some reading on that forum to get an idea of what you need to go look at and how much work it will be for you to make the repairs.

You did not mention anything about the motor and drive in your boat. If you posted that info, the people reading this forum might be able to give you advice on the parts and concerns with the motor and drive.

For what it's worth, my boat was a freebie the wife got through Craig'slist. I had lots of dry rot, the motor was complete junk, needed seats, various electrical issues etc... The hull and outdrive turned out to be good (about the only parts). It's been on the water the past couple seasons for me, after a few dozen hours of work. When I got the boat, it was JUNK. Now, it's slightly better junk.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

http://hhscott.com/evinrude/all_omc_boats.htm
http://www.ultimate.com/omc-boats/

they have a bit of a cult following.

I think one of each model belongs in a museum and the rest in the landfill.

They were the roughest riding boats ever made. Trihulls with the helm seat right at the front... what were they thinking? If you have any man-boobs, wear a bra.

And then the whole OMC electric stringer thing kinda adds insult to injury.

 

[Bondo]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

I think one of each model belongs in a museum and the rest in the landfill.

Ayuh,.....

 

[QC]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

Welcome aboard tds

I agree with the rest here, so much so that I am going to move this thread to the Boat Restoration section. Let's see what those boys have to say. Good luck!

 

[jonesg]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

Keep the trailer.

 

[MyViewGS]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

Keep the trailer.

+1

MyViewGS

 

[redfury]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

Probably a neat boat, but you won't want to do much with it unless you plan to upgrade the power on it to a whole new drive system and plan on putting HOURS worth of work into it.

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

I'd love to see a picture of the boat. By the way, how much did you pay for it?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

Probably a neat boat, but you won't want to do much with it unless you plan to upgrade the power on it to a whole new drive system and plan on putting HOURS worth of work into it.

and you can't really on those.

the transom on those boats was very thin... less than an inch as I recall, and doesn't lend itself well to any modding because of the way the decking and stringers sit

The boat was designed around the stringer mount drive system. Would not be a candidate for a modern drive system that pushes the boat by its transom.

 

[redfury]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

and you can't really on those.

the transom on those boats was very thin... less than an inch as I recall, and doesn't lend itself well to any modding because of the way the decking and stringers sit

The boat was designed around the stringer mount drive system. Would not be a candidate for a modern drive system that pushes the boat by its transom.

What about replacing the transom with knees to the stringers? I mean, if oops can make a 24foot boat out of a 19foot boat, then I'm sure that weird little boat can be made to handle a modern outdrive ( how about a jet ski motor?! )

 

[Mark42]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

Sounds like you have a project. A two or three year project. And what usually happens is more money is spent to restore the old boat than it would cost to buy a few year old running boat that just needs minor work (gel coat polish, some hardware repairs, etc)

So, if you want to get on the water this season, dump the boat, keep/sell the trailer, and go looking for a boat in running condition. In this economy, you should find used boats going fairly inexpensively.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

What about replacing the transom with knees to the stringers? I mean, if oops can make a 24foot boat out of a 19foot boat, then I'm sure that weird little boat can be made to handle a modern outdrive ( how about a jet ski motor?! )

sure. lots of options for the creative mind.

if one could find a banged up twin engine seadoo challenger and swap the power over... would certainly be a head turner.

 

[redfury]

Re: did I get junk or not????????????

sure. lots of options for the creative mind.

if one could find a banged up twin engine seadoo challenger and swap the power over... would certainly be a head turner.

See, NOW we are talking!