1986 ThunderCraft project

[86Thundercraft]

Hi guys,

I have a visually nice 86 Thundercraft which we have enjoyed for the last 3 years. This past weekend we putted around the lake and talked about boats.

I am wanting something bigger this is my 3rd boat and it just feels too cramped at 16'.

Anyway I got to thinking about it, I will just hang on to it and freshen it up some new carpet, new seats etc.

So yesterday I pull the seats and carpet and find that the floor is pretty much shot it has alot of soft spots and a few areas cracked all the way through including the fiberglass

I've been through this before with a old glastron that I "patched" up and to be honest I dont know if I want to do it all over again.

This boat is a bowrider so I already know the deck would have to be seperated, motor removed (evinrude 90hp) etc etc.

The wife is saying replace the carpet and seats and keep riding for another year or two and then junk it for the motor and trailer both in excellent shape.

What would YOU do? I like the boat but is it worth it? I am thinking of getting a bigger boat but this one has been so reliable I wish I had never pulled the carpet........lol.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Re: Go all out or forget it?

The wife is saying replace the carpet and seats and keep riding for another year or two and then junk it for the motor and trailer both in excellent shape.

I think in this case I would listen to the Capitan. That is, if you enjoy boating, more than you enjoy fixing.

Spending a little more on a good used boat, is always cheaper than restoring one that has seen better days. This you already know.

You also already answered your own question.

You want a bigger boat. Even if you fix this one, you will still want a bigger boat, but you will have so much time and money tied up restoring, you will still be stuck in a boat that is too small.

Enjoy it one more year, save some money for a newer one, and then part it out.

P.S. Don't forget to tell the Capitan that you are going to follow her wishes, and use it one more year, before upgrading to the bigger boat that she wants.

 

[86Thundercraft]

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Thanks for the reply,

you are right I would rather spend the time on the water. While I like the boat it is not my love.......lol.

The glastron I restored took me almost a year working every weekend and some evenings under a spotlight that was true love

With a 2 y/o and a demanding job I truly dont have the time I either.

I think I will just replace the carpet fix up my old seats and keep boating for a couple more years hope she doesnt go down like the titanic

 

[86Thundercraft]

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Well,

I have flip flopped like a politician and I have decided I am going to go ahead a fix this boat the right way.

My logic? I have a great motor, trailer, hull and everything works! Its been a cheap boat to own and operate and takes up no room to store..

I'm going to need some help on this so I will post pics please chime in with advice and tips they would be most appreciated

I spent a couple of hours this afternoon looking things over and removing all my boat items life jackets etc and it looks like the boat was quite well made back in 1986.

I have a couple of questions right off the bat....

1. How am I going to remove the evinrude 90hp off the boat? I imagine it weighs close 300lbs?

2. I removed and end cap and pulled back a small section of rub rail the deck is pop riveted to the hull from what I can tell about every 6 inches. Is it simply drill the rivets out and use screws or rivets when I put it back together?

Its quite easy to see how the damage started....under the front bowrider section they placed carpet between the fiberglass and floor. Over the years of having wet life jackets and anchor ropes etc the carpet is saturated between the fiberglass and floor.

I plan on doing all the side panel upholstery myself and the bowrider seating area. I cant decide on carpet or not for the boat interior and I will purchase new back to back seating.

Thanks I will put some pics up tommorow.

 

[cdnfthree2]

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Re: Go all out or forget it?

1. I believe the flywheel should accept a threaded lifter ring. Then a chain with an engine hoist or something you can fabricate from wood or metal with similar strength and function to lift it.

2. Driiling out rivets probably the best way to go. I'd just drill the heads off and punch them though.

 

[ne7800]

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Re: Go all out or forget it?

your in the right place for a retoration the people here can answer any question you may have

 

[86Thundercraft]

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Here are a couple of pictures from about 2 years ago so you can see what I am working on.

I will put some more recent ones up tommorow........

I want to do it right so I can see more of this from last weekend.

 

[109jb]

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Re: Go all out or forget it?

What is with the links to "the dumb test"??????????? It asks enough personal information to allow identity theft. I would suggest that a mod remove at least the links.

 

[86Thundercraft]

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Re: Go all out or forget it?

What is with the links to "the dumb test"??????????? It asks enough personal information to allow identity theft. I would suggest that a mod remove at least the links.

Sorry I think that is just a "imageshack" thing,

I am not very good at posting pics imageshack has always been the easiest for me....

Anyway looking at the pics does anyone think this boat would be a good candidate for this type of project? I love this thing http://recaffeinated.net/skankybeast/page1.html

I fish quite often and the extra fishing room up front would be great!

 

[109jb]

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Yep. Right clicking, it looks like an imageshack thing. Try switching to photobucket or one of the other photo hosting sites. As for the boat, it looks like a nice boat worthy of repair.

 

[86Thundercraft]

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Re: Go all out or forget it?

Well I got quite alot done today,

hopefully you can see from the photos what I have in mind?

Once again advice or suggestions from the pros are more than welcome.

The game plan from here on -

1. pull the floor and replace what ever needs replacing/finishing trimming fiberglass in the old bowsection.
2. line the floor with herculiner/linex (NO CARPET)
3. patch my cut on the passenger side gunnel.
4. reupholster all the trim.
5. redo the steering/guage console perhaps carbon fiber or stainless.
6. measure and install a "pontoon" style lounge on the passenger side running longways.
7. install single seat for driver leaving the area behind free for coolers etc.
8. rewire and reinstall stereo and speakers.
9. make cover for below splash well.
10. more to come I am sure.............

pics.........

 

[86Thundercraft]

Re: 1986 ThunderCraft project

Next weekend I will start pulling the floor. It looks like three seperate pieces of wood the front section and the middle section will need to be replaced the rear I am not so sure it feels very solid.

Obviously I wont know much until I get down into the foam but I am hoping fingers crossed the stringers/frames will be ok I dont think its going to be as bad as I had orginally planned.

Hopefully with the new layout we will have quite alot more room to move about the boat I have not decided yet if I will build some type of small raised casting deck for the front. It would be nice to have a spot to put the trolling motor battery and anchor.

I could use some ideas for seating most of what I am finding is too big, I am open to suggestions (padded coolers, homemade bench etc).

I thought this might take me 12 months to finish I am going to try and stay with as much as possible and have it wrapped up for mid to late summer next year