1966 Boston Whaler Sakonnet Custom

[Jet Wrench]

She's starting to take shape! It has been a while since I last visited. I have been working very hard to get the old girl ready for sea trials before mid July! My wife thinks I am too focused and should give it a rest! If I do, I will never get her in the water until August! That won work! So far I have completely sanded the hull and interior down, filled all of the holes, removed and replaced the brass drain with PVC and sealed, applied a non skid to the interior (sand color), bought a new Teleflex cable for use with the center console, custom made an aft stern light base, scored a reproduction bow nav light from a friend of my Dads, never used!, re-wired and specd my console for lights, CMC trim/tilt relays, C/B box, lighted switches, voltmeter, water temp, binnacle mount OMC throttle/shift, tach, instrument lighting, port, starboard and front lighting (flush mount installed in the center console, completely went through a 75 Johnson 70HP (rebuilt the fuel pump, fuel lines, replaced a cracked coil, new water pump, serviced gear case, repaired rectifier wiring, burnished all engine grounds, plugs, rebuilt the carbs and painted the cowling to original Johnson colors). What I have left to do is prime and paint the console and hull (Interlux), mount my console, install the CMC trim/tilt and engine and terminate my mechanical and electrical connections. Its coming along and finally see the light and the end of the proverbial tunnel! I just shot the center console this morning. I would rather practice on the console, then have the experience for the hull! I can now fully appreciate the many hours of labor that someone puts into a project such as this! Here are some pics I have taken during the process up until now. Lots of work, but worth it! http://picasaweb.google.com/gff1961/WhalerRefurbPics?authkey=Gv1sRgCKGPkPWP2sm65QE&feat=directlinkHere a a few pics of the project.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1966 Boston Whaler Sakonnet Custom

Looking very nice!

LOL so, you can appreciate what a "restore" is all about. I will admit that I have had days myself where I have promised myself that I would never do it again.

 

[Jet Wrench]

Re: 1966 Boston Whaler Sakonnet Custom

Thanks Bob,

You really don't realize what you're getting into until you start! I understand why a boat cost's as much as it does now. Lot's of detail. I'm lucky so far, not counting my labor, I'm into it for about $1800.00. Lot's of improvising! Heck, the paint and anti skid was about what I paid for the hull! The engine was $100.00, the parts to bring her back cost twice as much! I was fortunate that the owner of the boat I got the engine from told me to take whatever else I needed, so I got the tach, controls, gas tanks, hardware, stern light and whatever else I could strip from the hull. I managed to throw a rod on the original power head (my fault). I over revved the engine and before I knew it, the damage was done. I picked up another engine in Louisiana for $100.00 with tilt/trim, didn't need the T/T, so I sold it on Craigslist for $100.00, so it was a wash. Now I have a parts engine! Waiting on the gasket that goes between the powerhead and lower unit, then I can put it back together. I was able to get an anchor, 150' of anchor line, bumpers and a 12 gallon fuel cell with the last engine. I should get the boat primed and ready for paint next week.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: 1966 Boston Whaler Sakonnet Custom

Thanks Bob,

I should get the boat primed and ready for paint next week.

Hello m8...

DONT PAINT !!

A 66 BW... Gel it. keep origional. ... ... .. IMO....

Trust me.. Ive allready restored a 66. yes a pain with all the stress cracks all over..you will never ever keep paint on that boat without failures in the paint !. GET IT GEL....

YD.

PS. I Gelcoated/sanded/buffed the 66 in 3 days.. origional color... ( he had someone make mohogoney CC custom ) looked sweet...

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1966 Boston Whaler Sakonnet Custom

After painting my glass deck I agree, paint will look like junk before you get it in the water. Stay with the gel, especially with a valuable design like a whaler. Great to see the yacht doc back.!