1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Mountain_Man

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
172
Well Guys Here we go

A very green newbie here. I've never owned a boat before and ended up with a project. I'm starting with the planning part since I have no idea where to start or which direction to go in. I've been following the threads here for a while and have a clue but really appreciate expert advice. (two heads are better than one, heck, the more the merrier)

My story:
My cousin, retired in Ga. and deciede he need a retirement project. He bought a boat. After he took out (whatever) and threw it all away, he asked if I was interested. I drove down there with a grease gun and trailer light kit to have a look. After the initial gasp, I offered him $100 for the whole kit and kaboodle. One day of trailer maintenance and I headed home. BTW my cousin is about as intelligent as cousin Eddie in Christmas vacation. The day before I arrived he painted the "bare metal fin" and any other unpainted pieces of metal on the outdrive.

So I now have this 1985 Glastron/Conroy X-19. It has a Merc/GM 140 HP inline 4 with a Alpha-1 outdrive. From the looks of it, someone started stripping it before. There's virtually no deck left, and rotted stringers. No seats to go by and most of the emblems are gone.

My cousin said that he and a mechanic replaced the starter, and alternator, and had started the motor wich ran fine, minus a needed carborator rebuild. They claim that the engine is good, and the outdrive has very little wear. Supposedly, the boat sat in a back yard for over 15 years with no cover.

boat.jpg


My skills:
I am an electronics technician who has ended up self employed installing computer network cabling, fiber optics, and A/V systems. I've rebuilt a couple of Motors, toyed with 4 wheelin', love woodworking, and like to fix stuff. Retired from the military (Air Force) and settled down in the NC mountains. Right where the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses from NC into VA.

OK, the rest will come out later. Like I said, this is mainly fact gathering and planning at this point. I've got pics of how I bought it. and wanted to get some more this week, but it's still full of snow from the 18th. I've been playing with the dash in the house while the weather is bad. I reverse engineered (drew up a schematic) for the instruments and have an idea of how it all fits together.

Boat-1.jpg


I'm also trying to figure out where to work at. I turned my garage into a woodshop, and closed in the walls a couple of years ago. I have a barn that's full of crap (stuff) 20 years worth. I'm figuring on cleaning out the center isle of the barn, and putting up some temp plastic walls and ceiling to sort of create a clean area. I'm probably going to depend on the weather for temperature control, so glass work won't happen until spring, If I get that far by then.
 

Mountain_Man

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
172
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Here's a couple of pics of how I found it.

DSC04454.jpg


DSC04452.jpg


IMG00382-1.jpg


DSC04453.jpg


DSC04455.jpg
 

Mountain_Man

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
172
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Here's the concept drawing I've come up with for the new dash panel. I'm figuring on Lexan, with a black surface, and etched embellishments and text that would be backlit red when the panel lights are on. Ideas or suggestions?

Dashboardw.jpg
 

archbuilder

Vice Admiral
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
5,697
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Mitch, the dash layout looks cool! Looks like you have a ways to go......I know that feeling! I'm excited to see your progress!
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Looks like you have your work cut out for you. The boat has nice lines though and I think is well worth the effort to fix up. Good luck with it. You dash layout is very cool.

Please resize your photos to 640x480. You can do this with one click in photobucket and you won't even have to do anything on the iboats side to reflect the change. Thanks.
 

Mountain_Man

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
172
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Thanks for the tip, I'll go figure it out.
 

83ProLine

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 23, 2008
Messages
105
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Man, I had to get out a map to figure out where Lowgap is - never heard of it! You can practically step across the street into Virginia!

New stringers. . . new deck. . . you have the whole works ahead of you! Clear out that barn and start gutting.

Good luck!

Regards,

James
 

Mountain_Man

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
172
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Yep, Lowgap is about 10 miles outside of Mount Airy, affectionately known as Mayberry. The local Radio station plays old time country, and bluegrass every night from 6 - 12.
 

micks110

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 14, 2009
Messages
879
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Mitch,
Good luck with the restore. I was in the same situation before I got my boat- my second garage was a mess from the previous owner's 60 years worth of wood and junk and my 6 years of junk from our house renovation.

I ended up cleaning it out, moving in the boat, and putting in a double barrel stove for heat. You'll get there eventually- but when you start taking stuff out of the boat, and taking off the rub rail- you don't want to stop- there's just not enough hours in the day it seems! I have to do all my work after the kids are to bed starting at around 8 every night. It doesn't hurt either that the wife lets me go out almost every night!

I had no clue either when I started my thread- I barely ever even rode in a boat before. You will learn a ton from all the helpful, knowledgeable people on this site- I'm sure you've learned a ton already just from reading up on here.

Well Good Luck and I will be following along.
Mick
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2448363#post2448363
 

BobsGlasstream

Commander
Joined
Sep 11, 2009
Messages
2,128
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Mountain_Man,
Glad to see that you have started your thread.
A couple things I would love to point out.
1. I love that skid deck, very cool red neck deck. :D
2. I don't think it's fair that a lot of your destruction phase is already done. :p
Just think of all the fun you will miss.
So, Get that barn cleaned out and get to it. I just have a tarp over my boat and I still work on it, on the nice days, I'll roll the tarp back and have a convertible. :p. Good luck man, I'll be following your progress.
Bob
 

Mountain_Man

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
172
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

OK, This is not fun. It's been 10 days since it snowed and it's still full!

Sorry for the night shot, but I travel a lot during the day.

Dsc04732.jpg


I was thinking, since I haven't actually seen this thing running, should I make that a first step before tearing anything down? Already got the gauges off but that's not a problem. Cold weather is though. We need an Indian summer already.
 

system-f

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2008
Messages
667
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

I was thinking, since I haven't actually seen this thing running, should I make that a first step before tearing anything down?

Yes, I would make sure that everything is good with the mechanics. Your outdrive LOOKS beautiful. Unlike most restores on here I actually had a very uneventful half season on my boat before tearing it completely apart and since I knew the mechanics were good well...the rest is just glue wood and glass.
 

Mountain_Man

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
172
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

According to the guy I got it from (my cousin) it runs well and is mechanically sound. (who really knows)

I've noticed one minor crack in the lower block. (typical location on this motor) but no evidence of serious damage. The prop and shift mechanism passes the directional lock check, and the gimbal bearings have no slack. I guess I'll do a test run as soon as I get a day off and a warm day at the same time.

Meanwhile, pics to come soon, I promise,
 

BobsGlasstream

Commander
Joined
Sep 11, 2009
Messages
2,128
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Mountain_Man,
OK, we will wait for pic's. but not to long. :p
I hope that all test out good for you.
Bob
 

Friscoboater

Captain
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Messages
3,095
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Awesome you have a thread. I like th boat man and it will be well worth it when you are finished. Is that paint original. it is very Miami Vice. I really dig it, but then again I like that kind of stuff.

Just jump right in man, it is fun and hell at the same time.
 

Mountain_Man

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
172
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

I have a question, since the stern of my boat is still full of snow, I'm looking at the gauge/switch wiring inside. I've got a switch position that I can't figure out. Any one have an idea what I'm missing?

DSC04645-1.jpg
 

Alpheus

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 3, 2009
Messages
1,759
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

OK, This is not fun. It's been 10 days since it snowed and it's still full!

Where are you at? Are you at a higher elevation or what? I am in VA Beach and We had no snow at all...
 

Mountain_Man

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
172
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Take 58 west all the way to Galax. Go south 10 miles just across into NC. I live right below Cumberland Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
 

Mountain_Man

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
172
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Weather's not cooperating, and I've been busy out of town all week. I have been shopping though. Thanks to all of you, I know what to buy!

I also found out that Autozone, Advance Auto Parts and O-Reily auto parts carry the same electrical stuff at way different prices, Price varies by item and the same store is not consistently cheaper that the others.

Mrs Santa got me the toe kick saw and belt sander from Harbor Freight. I picked up the double HVLP spray set, and a 4 1/2" side grinder from Tractor Supply. I've ordered a set of Teleflex "Lido" gauges for the new dash.

I scored at Advance auto parts. FriscoBoater bought the leds, so I was looking also. The kid at Advance sold be a 5 foot long pair of under car LED's bi color (yellow/White) for 15 bucks! I looked them up on line and they retail for $145.

One of these days I'll get some work done, but for now, I'm gathering stuff.
 

BobsGlasstream

Commander
Joined
Sep 11, 2009
Messages
2,128
Re: 1985 Glastron X-19 Complete Restore

Mountain_Man,
Great score on the lights.
I feel your pain on the weather too.
It was 26 here last night and only in the teens tonight. :mad:
You will really like that toe kick saw.
Just make sure where you are cutting it will go through the hull very quick. Trust me I know. :(
Hopefully you will get a break in the weather soon.
Bob
 
Top