1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

[lmuss53]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

I think bunks would be cheaper, and I don't see why they wouldn't work just as well or better. My '97 Starcraft came on a bunk trailer. If it was good enough for them, it's good enough for me. My trailer has bunks and rollers, and I am considering using a roller galvanized trailer I have for the final trailer on my project. If it needs any work I will just convert to bunks. I also think the roller hardware can be adapted to the bunk trailer in many cases. You're right about looking at other trailers, go to a launch and look over someone elses trailer and you'll be able to see what you need for yours.

The toughest thing about those old Force engines is the parts are getting hard to come by. I always thought Force got a worse rap than they deserved. My opinion is that simple outboards don't die, you have to kill them. My friend owns a thriving marine repair business and has a 120 on his fishing boat. Good find on the parts motor, between that and the mechanic relative you should be just fine.

 

[wlg]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

Thank you WZ,Trooper and Imuss. I am really looking forward to getting back to work on my project. I was just at Bass Pro looking at the pretty new boats last night. They have an 18 deep v that I like, but at $17,000 it's not going to happen. Anyway, it was also on a bunk trailer. I also seen on line those roller bunks Trooper mentioned. I am going to take a harder look at them.

What do you think about guides? I am trying to plan and buy as much as I can over the winter so I can jump as soon as the weather starts to break. I have pin stripe to break and clean the lines between the white and blue paint. Can't wait to put it on.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

What is the grey angled stuff between the deck and the sides there wlg? I will probably leave that area open but if I want to close it off I like the look of your deck to side transition.

 

[wlg]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

That is aluminum trim that was on the original side panels. It keeps the side panel from touching the floor. My sides are filled with styrofoam to keep it from sinking so putting the panels back on was a no brainer for me. It also gives the interior a cleaner look.

 

[WeldZilla]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

Again I like the guide ons. I run in the river and am always loading with a side current. the guides make this simple especially with a roller trailer. Guide ons are handy if it is windy out. I had a 1991 Glastron on an easy loader bunk trailer with NO guide ons. the Glass boat was heavier and sat in the water deeper and was never an issue to put straight on the trailer. Aluminum boats are a bit like bobbers or sails. Little current or wind and they are moved about easily. Get the guide ons.

WZ

 

[wlg]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

Thanks WZ, I do believe I'm going to switch to bunks and guides. I was looking at those plastic strips you attach to the bunk boards to help boat slide easier. Anyone have an opinion on them?

 

[Kyleb100]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

+1 for bunks! I can have my wife put the boat on the trailer while I attach the hooks without worrying about anything.

Also, if you want to maximize room in the back of the boat, you might look into some flush mount pedestal seats. That way if you don't need all 4, you can take 2 out and leave one for you and the wife. And with the flush mount bases you won't have to worry about tripping over them. Keep an eye out on craigslist, they come up fairly frequently.

Btw, very nice job on the carpeting and vinyl. I like it.

 

[wlg]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

Thanks Kyleb, I have thought about the pedestal seats. I like the idea alot. I do not have the lounges bolted down yet. The peds swivel which I also like and I would have more floor space even with four installed. Just means I have to spend more money, but i'm getting use to that. Maybe I can trade the lounges for some of what I need.

Does any know where I can get some decent End caps for the lower rub rails? I need four. Mine are all eaten up from salt. This boat has been in salt water since 79 and is going right back to it when i'm done.

 

[Jon Sob]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

Hey wlg ..... just read your thread and and I must say you have a nice little project going there. I like the way you did the interior with the carpet. I am going to try and do mine the same way ... I hope it comes out as good as yours. Great job!

 

[wlg]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

Worked on the boat today. Needed to clean the cover off.

 

[wlg]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

As usual i'm always shopping for the project. I don't just shop local which is what led to my latest 200 mile round trip.

I was checking out Clist and found a set of back to back and jump seats that I just had to have. The seller was asking $399 0n Ebay and $299 on Clist. I already have a set of back to back, but no jump seats and the only problem with them is the color.

The wife and I headed out Sat. morning at 11 for what should have been a 1 1/2 hour drive. I will never use shortest route on the GPS again. I was driving from PA to MD. The GPS had us get off the interstate at the PA/MD line and put us on RT 45. I don't think I have ever driven over 30 miles that a town/city did not end. I said to my wife, where is the open spaces? We drove past the Baltimore Ravens Stadium. It took us one hour to go 13 miles. I had to call the seller to let him know that I was on my way. I was supposed to be there at one and it was now two.

Seller was a real nice fellow. Helped me load the seats and insisted that I take my dollar change.

So off me and the wife go. We decide to make a side trip for a few hours and when we go to leave there is snow everywhere and it's snowing like crazy. Can the day get any more interesting? We only have a hundred miles to go and people are driving like it's snowing out! :facepalm:

We decide to open up the boat and take out the old seats and sit the new/used ones in to see if it was all worth it. The pictures show the results. And the old seats are already on Clist with the emails comming in. Our seats should end up costing $99 plus gas and stress. I should also add the quality time I got to spend with the wife.

 

[Stephenatx]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

Took a quick look at your thread. Of course all of the thumbnails aren't working because of the problems the forum is having. I have read that Sylvan, Smokercraft, Starcraft, and Sea Nymph are, or have been, made by the same family. My son has an older 18 foot Sea Nymph and it is very much like the Starcraft. Any way am going to read through your thread later when I have a chance. Thanks for the comment.

 

[wlg]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

Hello everyone, It's been over a month since I posted any updates. The weather has been very cooperative here lately so many things have gotten done. I even worked on the boat.

I applied my stripes to the upper and lower edge of the big blue painted stripe and it really makes a difference along with cleaning up the edges.

Yesterday I removed the lower unit on the motor. I wasn't sure if I would have problems because my boat has been a salt water boat most of it's life. The lower unit works, but the skeg is broken off. I have another good unit that I put the new water pump on and installed on the motor. I put anti-seize on all the bolts. Not sure if I should have on the water pump, but did. There was one snapped bolt that holds the unit on. Don't know how that affects things?

Was going to change lower oil today, but it's raining. Also have fuel pump rebuild kit. I might wait to install. I want to see if the motor will run first. I replaced a corroded coil and need to replace the plugs.

I still have work to do on the boat, but without a running motor, well you know.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

Hi wlg,

Just came aboard and read through your thread...

Very nice overall work on your Sylvan, you exhibit excellent craftsmanship.

The paint job has turned out awesome, can't wait to see the pics of the extra stripes...

Great score on the seats, they look just right...and yeah, I learned that some Google Map time and a good 'ol Road Atlas seems to get me to where I want to go, a little less lost...:redface:

Hope the engine works out A-OK...

I like the simplicity and low cost of carpeted bunks, but rollers can make loading and unloading a lot easier...

I have seen these Roller-Bunks here on Iboats... http://www.iboats.com/Roller-Bunks/dm/*******.096314743--session_id.188852880--view_id.40434

I too, plan on putting Guide Bunks on my trailer in the future to deal with currents and wind...

I have used the Glyde-Sliks from Bass-Pro, on my old trailer, and they seemed to have made a big difference in easing the loading process...but then again, my old trailer wasn't the correct one for my boat, so I got a new used one...and just finished refurbing it...that's the one I eventually plan on putting the guide bunks on...

Looks like you might just make that June Splash date...

I'll be rooting for ya!

Best Regards,
GT1M

 

[wlg]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

GT1M,

Thanks for the compliments and words of encouragement. This has been an adventure for sure. I have never done a boat, so I must say it has been a learning experience.

I will post photos of the added stripes as soon as I can.

 

[bigtrout1949]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

You did a great job!! I have a 1984 sylvan that needs the transom replaced. How did you expose the wood and remove the splashwell? Thanks

 

[wlg]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

I drilled out every rivet and removed every screw that held the splashwell and transom in. I removed the corner caps and upper rubrail. I did not bend anything to get the transom out because i removed it all. The wood was stuck pretty good. I used a pry bar and worked it out from the bottom corners, going back and forth until it came free.

Take your time. Good luck with project.

Thank you for the compliment.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

Real nice project wig, I too prefer bunk trailers on an aluminum boat. The ones I have setup use keel rollers, as many as I can install. When set it up properly the boat rides on the keel rollers till is almost seated in the bow stop, then the bunks take the weight. This make unloading easier, as all you have to do is push the boat back a foot or tow and it then rolls on the rollers the rest of the way.
Glen

 

[wlg]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

Thank you Glen,

I am going to go with bunks when I repair the trailer. It will be cost effective and I like the weigh distribution of bunks over rollers. All the rollers and hardware need replaced. After doing some price checks it became a no brainer. I'm not trying to be cheap but, I already have about three thousand in the boat and it's not even in the water yet.

I'm still looking at a June splash date but, i'm in the process of moving and that has really slowed down my progress. I will have it in the water this year for sure

 

[wlg]

Re: 1979 Sylvan Sportster 18' open bow rebuild

I finally got the engine running. I also added a tell tail. I'm still not sure about how my controls work? I don't know how to increase throttle in neautral.

Should this much oil be in the water? I had to run engine in tote because muffs did not produce enough pressure. I don't think I ran the engine maybe ten minutes total.

Also patched small screw hole I found on underside of boat. I used an aluminum rivet and some waterweld epoxy.