1986 Wellcraft Monte Carlo refresh

[trevtt600]

Well guys, I have been on the fence about starting a thread about the refresh of our 1986 Wellcraft Monte Carlo, but i decided what the heck. I am not sure how often i will be able to update the thread, but i will do my best documenting and capturing all of the updates i have planned in the next month or so.

The wife and I purchased our Monte Carlo (aka OttoPilot) last year Memorial weekend for a song... The boat had two new motors (less than 100 hrs) and came with a triple axle trailer. We paid for the whole thing what the trailer is worth. We purchased the boat from New Jersey and had to trailer it down to Norfolk VA. What a trip... But everything went well. Once the boat was home, the work started.

I did the ultimate no no, and purchased without the boat running, and a starboard motor the PO thought was locked up. I quickly determined it was not locked up during my inspection, rather the upper on the drive was locked up. I did a full outdrive service on both motors, bellows shift cable gimble and all. Replaced the exhaust on the port motor, new props, water pumps, belts etc...

Long story short, boat is running tip top and now its time for the cosmetic work along with some mechanical work that i did not get to last year.

Here is my list:

Bottom paint (paying someone to do this after im done with my work at home)
Paint the maroon strip (gelcoat is to far gone, and a little damage on port side bow that i need to attend to)
Control shift cables for both motors
Port motor circulating water pump hose (removing hot water heater)
Replacing fuel line and installing water seperators
Painting engines
Starboard drive u-joints
Spark plugs/wires
Align outdrives
Replace AC circulating pump
Teak Trim cleaning and sealing
Replacing interior carpet and possibly exterior carpet
Probably a bunch of other things will get done also, but this is what is on my list.

Most parts have already been ordered and are sitting in front one me as i type this post.

So there you go. Sorry for the long post, and I hope i don't bore everyone with this thread. Ill keep it up to date as best as i can. Now for a couple pictures for everyone. I know we all long pictures!!


Trever


First picture is transporting back from New Jersery, 2nd is how it looked when we got it in our back yard the first day, 3rd is how it sits in the yard as of yesturday, and last is when we put it in the slip in June.

 

[wolfsmurf]

Re: 1986 Wellcraft Monte Carlo refresh

Nice boat man, I could not even afford to fill that thing up with gas! Lol

 

[trevtt600]

Re: 1986 Wellcraft Monte Carlo refresh

Here are a few of the upgrades that are already done. We started redoing the interior cushions, and have the v-berth and dinnet cushions done. We have to finish the aft cabin cushions yet. Also painted the galley cabinets.

 

[thatguy]

Re: 1986 Wellcraft Monte Carlo refresh

looks good, your doing a great job! that should move pretty good with those V6s!

 

[trevtt600]

Re: 1986 Wellcraft Monte Carlo refresh

Thanks thatguy! I love doing this type of work. The boat does OK with these motors. Not a speed demon by any means. Cruises comfortably at 20 kts and had it up to 28 kts so far. I have a lot of work to do to get her to were I want her.

I bought a new/used Quicksilver 3000 throttle control today and plan to install that Sunday. Weather her in Norfolk has been pretty wet lately.

 

[thatguy]

Re: 1986 Wellcraft Monte Carlo refresh

My carver 27 runs the 3.7 4cyl twins with merc alpha drives, at 3000 rpm, im running about 18 kts, at 3500 Im about 23-24kts. 4600 (WOT) ill run 28-30 kts. By no means a speed daemon either. She only runs at those speeds due to a very shallow V. In the coming weeks I will be installing all new bellows, gimble bearings, and lower shift cables. If she wasnt for sale, I would be installing new controls, and the remaining cables.

The work on your Wellcraft is great. I was looking at a boat just like that right before I picked up my Carver. I really liked it, the have great lines, real clean look!

 

[trevtt600]

Re: 1986 Wellcraft Monte Carlo refresh

Its been a few weeks guys, and even with the poor weather we have had in Norfolk, I have been able to get some work done.

Both motors are now painted, new spark plugs, wires and everything reconnected. I have the fuel/water separator installed on the port motor, and will be installing on starboard shortly. I thought I was going to rebuilt the starboard carburetor, but I have decided to hold off. I was having a miss at RPMs around 3600, but after inspecting the plug wires and replace the spark plugs (which 2 plugs were loose and I could remove with my fingers ) I think the new wires and plugs will fix my issue. If not, ill get it rebuilt.

I have also started on some of the teak. I have the swim deck teak completed, and the other steps in the cockpit that had small teak pieces is also done, but I have not installed them.

I ended up installing a new to me throttle control, Quicksilver 3000, and have the new cables installed and adjusted properly.

Next step will be tidying up the engine room, cleaning and doing a little painting down there.

Once the weather warms up, I will start doing my bow repair and getting the stripe prepped and painted. I might need some help with the repair once I know what I'm working with.

So here are a few pictures of the progress I have made so far, enjoy!

Port engine before paint, and some after pictures of the port and starboard. Also the new throttle control.

 

[trevtt600]

Re: 1986 Wellcraft Monte Carlo refresh

We decided to install some black countertop sticky paper on the dash to reduce the glare on the windshield. Also a few pictures of the teak work so far.

 

[trevtt600]

Re: 1986 Wellcraft Monte Carlo refresh

I am going to fix my bow damage tomorrow. I opened everything up to see what I am dealing with today, and since we are going to have 4 or 5 days in the 60's here in Norfolk, I wanna get this done. I have a plan but want to run it buy all you guys/gals.



First picture is what I started with. Next picture is were it sits now, which I believe I am ready for some glass. Here is my plan...
The section of fiberglass that I removed will be filled in first with fiberglass matte along with the little whole down in the lower right corner. I will try to fill that almost flush with the fiberglass. Next I will lay a layer of 1708 about 1/2" overlap all the way around what I have just done. Then final layer will be 1/2" over the second layer and should about match up to the level of the original fiberglass, as I have sanded about 1/8" lower than the original to accommodate the new fiberglass. After that is all sanded it will be leveled with waterproof epoxy filler from Interlux and finally the whole stripe will be painted.

Does this sound legit to everyone? Please let me know what you all think.

 

[grewvin1]

Re: 1986 Wellcraft Monte Carlo refresh

Nice boat have a 1987 Monte Carlo with twin 5.7's picked it up last April. Keep up the posts interested in your methods of work. I'm dealing with a couple of blisters on the bottom of the hull using the West Marine epoxy cures like a rock. How is your swim platform? I have redone the teak as well but find there is no drainage for water where the teak slats sit and teak will go white after a short time. I have drilled drain holes with inserted nylon tubes sealed with 5200.