1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

[Puddle_jumper]

Well after reading & reading on here for weeks, I went out and came home with a project boat. A 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 w/125hp 87' Force.

This is my new rig in need of lots of TLC:

I'm planning on making a little more of an open floor plan, making it a starboard console and losing the port console & windshield. Not a restore but a remodel and update for my needs.

The original floor is shot. The po replaced the rear third of the floor but that will have to come out since the rest is totally rotten.

The transom is more solid than I expected but does have a soft spot high on the starboard side that the nails for the aluminum cap pull right out on. The splashwell has slightly pulled away on the port side of the transom too. So that needs to be redone especially knowing the condition of the floor and other wood inside.

The interior of the boat was basically held together by tons of silicone from the po and the existing carpeting.

I am planing on leaving the bow tank as is & in place during the gutting and working around it- it is in there much better now than I will be able to do myself later.

Judging by the number of walnuts I have cleaned out of the boat, I'm fairly certain this was the boat used to train all the water skiing squirrels you see on tv.

 

[Puddle_jumper]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

And the work begins:



Here's a shot of the floor:

And the bow tank:

BTW, you guys make this look way easier than it is. Lots of little questions as I was removing this or that that resulted in some iboats searches. Some of the things, like a tricky steering wheel removal, I tackled and accomplished. Other things, like the fuel tank, at this point, I'm throwing in the towel and will work around.

Before I totally remove the floor (it's not coming out in complete pieces) I am making templates using cardboard. Once that comes out, the list of questions will begin...

 

[wlg]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

I like your project. Aside from the floor it seems to be in decent shape. Then again, pictures always have a way of making things look better. You are going to have a good time with it. It will consume you.
I can't help you with the gas tank, mines mounted on deck under splashwell. Running wires was fun. I should have taken the side panel back off to do that.
Keep on asking, You will get your answers. Keep the updates with pics comming.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

that is one heck of a tank !

welcome to iboats !

the tank should have a flange on it.....this flange is screwed to wood in the floor.

it also looks like they have shot foam in between the tank and the hull.....if the flange is removed....its just the foam holding it in.

the foam is a pretty good glue.....it will take some doing to get it out.

 

[Puddle_jumper]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

Thanks guys.

I took the front flange off of the tank and put 200lbs of gristle into it and couldn't get it to budge.

The tags on the tank aren't legible but from what I can figure (it's an odd shape so I didn't go the calculator route), it's a 19 or 20 gallon. The po made a very ambitious last fill up- there has to be atleast 15 gallons of 2 year old mixed gas in there. Anyone have any suggestions on where to properly dispose of the gas?

Made some progress on the templates and foam. I would have been chipping away for hours to get all the foam out but pulled out a digging spade and had the foam out in 15 minutes in nice, big, easy to clean up pieces.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

Man,you lucked out! Most here spend a good portion of a day (or longer) pulling it out in little chunks.

If the PO replaced just the back 1/3 of floor, I'd bet it had a belly tank instead of that out of place bow tank. Depending on the condition of the fuel lines. I might consider putting it back, depending on weight distribution. But I don't know Tinny's at all, nor Bluefin boats.

That deck under the tank looks like it's shot too, tank may need to be removed to get that deck out & new back in place.

A good scrubbing & some Gluvit & you'll be about ready to re-deck this baby!

Good luck, good looking boat!

 

[lmuss53]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

I'll no doubt get hammered for this, but I would burn that gas in 5 gallon batches in my work truck. Check it to see that it is not all full of water or smells like old varnish, but if it looks and smells like gas I would use it. Your truck will never know the oil is in the fuel, I burn off all my boat gas in the car or truck at the end of each season. 5 gallons of the mix and 5 fresh will run like a charm.

I think that tank was made for that boat and that position and I'd probably put it right back there. I do think it will have to come out to fix what's under it.

My floor looked like yours, I wish I would have thought to make templates before hand, it would have saved me a lot of time later.

Good progress, keep it up.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

Hey PJ, great project you have there! Nice deep hull, very seaworthy.

On your fuel tank, I'd try to siphon the fuel out to make it easier to wrestle out of there.

Old fuel around my place usually helps get a bon fire started

I think that tank is a great fit for your rig, I'd definitely put it back in there.

You made quick work of that foam

Rock on man!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

Great project. With that nice big 19' I think I'd consider making it a center console as opposed to a side. Our late fellow moderator tashasdaddy made a Blue Fin into a CC and it was pretty sweet http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=133279&p=1309305&viewfull=1#post1309305

 

[Teamster]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

I'll throw my 2 cent's in,...............

I would also just use the gas in my car or truck,....

I think I would look for a belly tank to free up room in the bow and to move the weight back and down,...

A side console leaves the boat more open for things like fishing, Of course I'm not a fan of center consoles,...

BUT, And the regulars know this is coming,....lol...Tiller?????,..................

 

[64osby]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

Great looking project, I like the Blue Fins.

There are a lot of tinny boaters based in Michigan on this site. Where is home and your dry dock.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

That's going to be a beaut of a tinny when you get done with it!

Like others have said, siphon the gas and use it on bonfires or something. I would also keep the bow tank, I'm sure you'll have enough weight aft with the motor, passengers, and equipment like coolers and such.

I'd keep it as a walk-thru and have a canvas enclosure made for it so I could fish and stay warm and dry on those raw drizzly fall and spring days.

If that was a glass boat with that kind of rot you'd be better off to just light a match to it!:facepalm:

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

Nope You can always fix a "Glasser" you can even "Stretch Em" without any special training or expensive tools.

 

[Puddle_jumper]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

Home & dry dock is in the Fenton area. This boat will make the occasional run to Saginaw Bay for Walleye & ducks.

I won't lie, a center console is a much nicer look, IMO, but not as practical for saving deck space. So the single console is still the plan. And, of course, the tiller would free up even more deck space but I don't fit into my gondolier outfit anymore.

I'm still deciding on the tank area. I think the tank will ultimately remain with the boat. I'm guessing it is original. The foam, hardware, carpet fading, and electrical clips all look along the same condition with no extra fabricated parts. The two uppermost flanges are riveted through the hull with what looks like original paint covering them. I did see on here someone else with the same style bow tank in a Blue fin (but I can't find the picture now).

The boat is 25 years old and the area where a belly tank would be was empty (could have been used for small storage items) so who knows, anything's possible...

The gas still smells good so I'm leaning towards using it as a laxative for my truck.

Here are a couple more shots under the tank area:

The wood in this area seems to be in good condition when poking and prodding with a screwdriver & cat's claw. I guess that makes sense since this area is mostly covered, protected, and not exposed to the elements. I was not expecting the extra piece under the floor.

Here's my dilemma/question:

The tank is very well secured (by the foam) in the bow at this point and I question whether I will be able to put it back in the same secure way. I am planning on replacing the entire fuel line but the fill line will have to be cut (it is hardened with two bends and stamped with a Coast Guard approval rating) and replaced. I'm not sure where (or if it's even necessary) to find the CG approved replacement. I'm also assuming the replacement would be more flexible than the existing one (I hope).

If I were to apply epoxy to the existing wood (both pieces)in place, would this be ok? Or, if I take the tank out, what would be the best way to get such a secure fit? A can of spray foam? Or, another option: take out the tank, leave the foam in-place and adhere it back (with)?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

I can help w/ some of the Q's:

Here's my dilemma/question:
I am planning on replacing the entire fuel line but the fill line will have to be cut (it is hardened with two bends and stamped with a Coast Guard approval rating) and replaced. I'm not sure where (or if it's even necessary) to find the CG approved replacement. Yes, USCG approved is required, health & safety of the waterway, you & yours

I'm also assuming the replacement would be more flexible than the existing one (I hope). Not particularly, softer, if the old has hardened, but not very flexible, even when new. Cuts down on having too sharp a bend, leading to flow problems or premature failure.

 

[pmillar]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

Nice boat to rescue there.

If you are looking to keep the 125 Force, my brother in-law has the proverbial boat rotting in a pasture (Four Winns) with a 125 Force hanging on the back. It ran very strong last I knew... about 8 years ago or so. You could probably get is pretty reasonable if you want (parts maybe?). The boat is outside of Ann Arbor,fwiw - if you're interested shoot me a PM and I will check with him.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

Kinda hard for me to see how that tank is in there but for my piece of mind I'd want it out, rebuild everything, seal up new wood with epoxy, reinstall tank.

 

[Puddle_jumper]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

Nice boat to rescue there.

If you are looking to keep the 125 Force, my brother in-law has the proverbial boat rotting in a pasture (Four Winns) with a 125 Force hanging on the back. It ran very strong last I knew... about 8 years ago or so. You could probably get is pretty reasonable if you want (parts maybe?). The boat is outside of Ann Arbor,fwiw - if you're interested shoot me a PM and I will check with him.

That could be a possibility. I'll be tearing into the motor soon. It took me forever to come up with a lifting eye for that motor. The motor ID tag has it listed as a 85hp (3 cylinders) but the powerhead was replaced with a 125hp (4 cylinders). Still don't know why there isn't an identifier on the power head. I will be using a flywheel puller with grade 8 bolts attached to the flywheel and an eyebolt centered with tapered nuts to keep it centered. I'm making a run to Fastenal to see if I can get a better eyebolt rigged and lose the tapered nuts.

Thanks for the heads up.

Made my outboard stand based off of this thread:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=266570
Great instructions/plans

 

[Puddle_jumper]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

Kinda hard for me to see how that tank is in there but for my piece of mind I'd want it out, rebuild everything, seal up new wood with epoxy, reinstall tank.

I think the main issue holding the tank is the foam. The upper two brackets holding the tank from above are not exactly tight.

I'm going to do some prying & grunting and give her another try.

I can help w/ some of the Q's:

Why is it the fuel fill line is stamped with the USCG rating but I've never seen a regular fuel line stamped like that?

Looks like the approved fill hose will cost around $20/foot

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 remodel

NuWave Marine has good deals on fuel line.