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  1. LaqueRatt

    88 Capri Restoration (Splashed 08/2022)

    Just finished reading your thread. Every bit of it. Good stuff! I've restored bikes, sleds, and cars. Never a boat though. I can lay glass, but never done anything on the scale you did. Awed by your skills and dedication. A lesser man would have given up. Got a few questions if you don't mind...
  2. LaqueRatt

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Guess boats really lead a hard life when you think about it. All that bouncing around probably will eventually make any joint fail no matter what it's made out of. So many ways for moisture to sneak in. I'll bet a big outboard bouncing around and pushing on a transom might inevitably destroy...
  3. LaqueRatt

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Words of wisdom! Actually I'm hoping and praying I don't end up in a project like this. My goal is to simply avoid a project, but beginning to think any glass boat over 10 years old likely is starting to deteriorate. I had no idea a fiberglass boat had so much wood in it. Doesn't anyone make a...
  4. LaqueRatt

    Deadman Switch?

    Thanks, that's quite helpful. With a couple carabiners, I can move it from boat to boat as needed. Wish could think of a similar idea for a kill switch. Guess each motor will need to have it's own.
  5. LaqueRatt

    Deadman Switch?

    Cool, thanks Airshot. That gives me some ideas. What about attaching points? Approx length? For the kill switch magneto ground, guess I'll need a kit or something? I can prob figure out how to ground the coil, but don't think have anything to use for the coil part.
  6. LaqueRatt

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Started reading your thread. Think I'm hooked. Gonna need some popcorn for this......LOL So far I'm just flat out amazed how that boat is constructed. What an ugly mess. Hope this story has a happy ending!
  7. LaqueRatt

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Wow, that's pretty crazy Matt! I'd have never thought a glass boat hull would deteriorate. So do I have this right, "fiberglass" boats are just wood boats with some glass slapped over it? Geez, what a crappy was to do something. Seems like it would be simpler and even cheaper just to make them...
  8. LaqueRatt

    Deadman Switch?

    Funny you mention windlass. I just googled that the day before when I saw the term in a boat ad. Never heard of them. We had cabin cruisers when I was a kid, but can't say if we had one of those or not. Maybe on the big ChrisCraft, but we didn't have that one for very long. Looks like these are...
  9. LaqueRatt

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Thanks for the solid advice gentlemen. Assuming I'm talking to guys, but who knows these days. I figured decent looking boats for next to nothing would be a bad bet, but would like to know what to look for in case I run into a rare gem. Lots of farms out my way, not too rare to find old boats...
  10. LaqueRatt

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Sounds simpler to get the inboard motor loose than I was thinking, but yeah, the tall cherrypicker thing is what was making me think it was a lot of messing around and maybe harder than pulling a motor out of a car. Can any old Chevy be adapted if necessary? Good running SBCs seem to be...
  11. LaqueRatt

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Wow, you guys are a wealth of wisdom. So glad I found this site! I get what you I/O fans are saying about maintenance and of course, buying a brand new boat would be a whole different ballgame than picking up a $700 beater boat. I agree the glass boats are nicer looking, some are almost....sexy...
  12. LaqueRatt

    Deadman Switch?

    Lots of food for thought. Thank you all. My main motor is a 65 Fastwin 18, my spare is a 66 Sears/McCulloch 14. I suppose it would be smart to hook a kill switch up to both. Next year I plan to let the kid run the boat a little bit and learn how to shut if off if Papa goes overboard. Do I need...
  13. LaqueRatt

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Just curious what you guys think. I bought two old boats this summer and have 3 motors. Heading into winter I'm seeing fairly decent looking boats for sale cheap, some are free even. Most are fiberglass and many are I/Os. Now I don't know the first thing about an I/O, but my thinking it they are...
  14. LaqueRatt

    Deadman Switch?

    First year boater here. I have old motors with no deadman switches. Is that the correct term? I see newer tiller motors have like a coiled line that I think you clip to your clothes that shuts the motor off if you take an unplanned dip into the lake. Getting to know my two new boats and motors I...
  15. LaqueRatt

    Winter Storage

    I totally appreciate all the tips from you seasoned mates! As for ethanol free gas, I envy you guys. I'm also into classic cars and motorcycles and there's guys on a lot of forums who say they have no issues when the run ethanol free gas. Unfortunately I'd have to drive an hour to find the...
  16. LaqueRatt

    Help IDing Trailer

    Thanks for idea. Was looking at it earlier and thinking something like that might work. Then straps straight out the back around transom, or around the sides be better? Seems like I see a lot guys got em going down the sides pulling the boat forward. Then I need some type of safety chain or...
  17. LaqueRatt

    Help IDing Trailer

    OK, cool. Never thought about a farm supply. We have a Tractor Supply nearby, maybe they have 'em. Even though there are handles on the back of the boat, I can't think of any way to really use them. I'd almost have to crawl underneath the boat to get to them. This is where the shortness of the...
  18. LaqueRatt

    Help IDing Trailer

    The fenders are very solid pieces. I'm hoping to adj the axle a bit to center them better. Kind of at a loss what else to do about them. Can you just buy fenders? They definitely don't fit the wheels correctly and one shows signs of rubbing the tire. Prob when a big bump is hit. It doesn't rub...
  19. LaqueRatt

    Help IDing Trailer

    I know this thread has been dead for a few weeks, but was looking at the trailer today and I really would like a better way to attach the straps. Any ideas would be appreciated. Is extending the trailer my only option here? This just doesn't seem all that secure to me. I plan to keep it so...
  20. LaqueRatt

    Seat Cover Ideas?

    Those look really nice! Thanks! Was hoping for something a little cheaper, but they look well worth the money.
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