1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Thanks for tagging along been following your progress as well.
 

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

So after doing some reading last night a lite bulb came on. Someone said don't assume you have a big problem right from the start. Having had only 2 outboards prior to this one I had forgot about the ''dead man switch''. So part of last nights dreams were regarding this outboard. Didnt have time before Church but after we got home rigged a holder for switch and tried to start her up. Fired up on second try. Was about to video and realized we had no water out of ''pee'' hole. Shut her down and made plans to drop lower unit to get at water pump/impeller. Moved over to sanding transom and installing it.IMG_20130602_163339.jpg Got first six bolts installed and determined remainders needed to be longer than what I had purchased. Will have to pick up more during week to get transom installed all the way. Also did water test as it was finally not raining. Trouble areas sealed up well with G/Flex, found two other weepy spots that will need to get addressed. Cautiously pumped about motor. Really didnt know what to expect as po had purchased boat in pretty much state I had gotten her in. He had plans of re-doing her but didnt get to it. He said motor ran when he bought it but never had it out on water. Gonna spend some time in the Force Forums and see what I can find out.
 

Pmccraney

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1,734
Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Just checking in on you... Glad you go the motor to fire... The cooling part (water flow) can often be a routine/easy fix (new pump/impeller)...I'll be hoping that's the case for you...

I wish I had seen your post above about Gluvit.... Gluvit and Marine Tex (while both epoxy) are very different... However, all's well that ends well, because it sounds like you got your hands on a really good product for the job.

I'll try to check in more often..

PMC
 

lokonn

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Aug 8, 2012
Messages
443
Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Just checking in on you... Glad you go the motor to fire... The cooling part (water flow) can often be a routine/easy fix (new pump/impeller)...I'll be hoping that's the case for you...

I wish I had seen your post above about Gluvit.... Gluvit and Marine Tex (while both epoxy) are very different... However, all's well that ends well, because it sounds like you got your hands on a really good product for the job.

I'll try to check in more often..

PMC

Thanks for checking in. Stopped on the way in to work today and picked up waterpump/impeller kit. May not get to replacing it immediately as it seems we are having weather that is conducive to working outside. But at least I'll have something to go to when the rains come.
 

ziguan

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Jul 11, 2012
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41
Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

So...the plan that I had for the long weekend didn't exactly go the way I wanted. We made forward progress just not what I had hoped. Maybe the Guy with the master plans way of nudging me. It was a good weekend all in all, time with family, time with the boat, time to think about those that have protected the freedoms we enjoy, and an extra day off of work. We were able to get the splashwell out. That really made a difference working in the transom area. Should have thought about that earlier. Guess I was a little intimidated/scared about it coming out. It came out in one piece and made riveting and clean-up much easier.View attachment 195784View attachment 195785 We were able to get both transom skins cleaned up, straightened, filled any voids and sanded down. We still have to prime and paint. We got the angle riveted back on that holds the transom.View attachment 195790. . View attachment 195791 We also got the rivets back in that we had to drill out in order patch port stern corner. We need to gluvit the boat yet but are going to have to wait on weather for that.

could you please provide size or link to the solid rivet you have used?

thanks!
 

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

could you please provide size or link to the solid rivet you have used?

thanks!
Here are pictures of labels of what I bought. Got them online from McMaster-Carr. IMG_20130607_073106.jpgIMG_20130607_073120.jpg
 

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

We.have been working on the boat. This weekend got the transom installed, leaky rivets sealed and the boat turtled. Have also been working on the motor. Needed to do waterpump, starter solenoid, trim relays, thermostat and add a ''telltale''. It is a Force motor and they do not have the ''pee'' stream that everybody is used to seeing. We had gotten motor started but were unsure of waterflow so we shut down in less than a minute previously. We did not have benefit of motor running at time of purchase, so it was a roll of the dice, still is. Feeling better about motor after today. Still have to drain lower end fluid and see where that is. We do not have shift linkage hooked up as of yet but will soon. Had run home mid-day to get bottom of boat painted but when I got home I was about 15 minutes ahead of storm. Thinking ''just my luck'' I brought evreything in and stated to work on remaining motor stuff. Turned out to be a pretty rewarding day. IMG_20130608_154424.jpgIMG_20130608_154437.jpgIMG_20130610_075938.jpgIMG_20130610_075959.jpg
 

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

IMG_20130610_075950.jpgIMG_20130610_080009.jpgNot sure why pictures didn't comme thru in above .
 

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Getting to spend some time on the boat today. Taking break from sun and letting things dry. Got boat bottom scuffed, sanded and primed with zc.IMG_20130614_142142.jpgIMG_20130614_142157.jpg Once that was done and scuffed started to apply an automotive gravel guard or chip protector. Thought process here was we had some of this around from when we did bodywork at the shop, was not gonna be used, and thought it would provide some protection for on/off trailer, running down the road, and if we want to beach or have to beach the boat. IMG_20130614_144846.jpgIMG_20130614_153320.jpg Will topcoat with a Ford white and then clearcoat.
 

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Got the basecoat and clearcoats on. IMG_20130614_201628.jpgIMG_20130614_201643.jpgIMG_20130614_201726.jpg Second picture will give you an idea of what finish is like. If I had to do it all over again I would have eased up on coating a but and gone with single stage or rustoleum type product. Materials were basically free. In the sun it looked as if I had good coverage, even had Joe look it over for light spots or misses. While I was clearcoating sunlight changed and saw a few areas that needed more base. With light fading I finished up clear and will deal with light spots later. Was trying not to have to wait for a long period for drying but, live and learn.ecau
 

jonesy76

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1988 bluefin sportsman 1950 inboard

1988 bluefin sportsman 1950 inboard

I have a 1988 Bluefin sportsman 1950 with a 140hp inboard I was wondering if any of you guys can tell me what size the gas tank is? also possible ways to fix gas gauge and speedometer as both are not working. thanks in advance
 

lokonn

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Re: 1988 bluefin sportsman 1950 inboard

Re: 1988 bluefin sportsman 1950 inboard

I have a 1988 Bluefin sportsman 1950 with a 140hp inboard I was wondering if any of you guys can tell me what size the gas tank is? also possible ways to fix gas gauge and speedometer as both are not working. thanks in advance
Mine was a bow mount tank and it is 19 gallons, I would tell you to test out the sender in the tank to make sure it is functioning. Procedure is here in forum in a bunch of threads.
 

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Got started on the trailer. If you remember I was thinking trailer was a little narrow for the boat. Also didn't like that boat sat so high.IMG_20130628_172518.jpgIMG_20130628_172502.jpgDecide to get wider axle and make new xmembers to fit new axle and hopefully get boat lower on trailer. So far dis-assebly has started and fabrication has begun.IMG_20130629_113735.jpgIMG_20130629_113751.jpgWill have more as things progress. Hopefully rolling by the weekend. Wish me luck!
'
 

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Fouth of July this year was different from past. Joe is away at a 6 week music campand Mike didn't want to get involved in the fireworks so we had a nice dinner on the deck and watched the neighbors fireworks show. I did get to spend some time on the trailer today though. New axle is in, new xmembers are in, and the corresponding splice for side rails are in.IMG_20130704_102143.jpgIMG_20130704_160650.jpgIMG_20130704_175212.jpg The trailer got approx 18'' wider, which I'm hoping will get the boat lower on the trailer and make for better tow, launch and load. Looking forward to finishing up the fabrication part and see how the boat fits. Then prep and paint. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July.
 

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Well we are not gonna make completion on the fabrication by this weekend. Sometimes I don't know what I am thinking when I set timelines! We do have it on its feet. Hubs and wheels installed. Temporarily added the tongue jack to the front in order to move it out of stall at work. Still have a xmember to install, clean up welds, install tongue, install fenders. Using temporary lights currently, will also have to run that stuff after test fit of boat. Forgot to take picture of trailer on feet, will do on Monday. Hope all are making progress or enjoying weekend.
 

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Here is how she sits tonite. 3rd xmember fabricated and installed. Waiting for tongue and fenders. IMG_20130708_174946.jpgIMG_20130708_174957.jpg Sorry for the dark and mysterious photos. Shop light were off and I thought there was enough light coming in thru windows. Tomorrow hopefully the toungue.
 

lokonn

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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Well she comes home on Saturday. Before:IMG_20130628_172518.jpgIMG_20130628_172502.jpg After:IMG_20130712_223846.jpgIMG_20130712_223933.jpg Still have to size tongue an install new coupler. Lights primer and paint can be done at home. Looking forward to test fitting boat and being able to work at home again.
 

Johny25

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Feb 8, 2012
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Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Nice work so far :) will be following this thread until the end as I just bought a 88' sportsman 1950 and will be doing a full resto also. Basically identical hulls from what I can tell. Your pics have provided me with a lot of info before actually tearing into mine. Looking forward to seeing where you go with this. Thanks for posting all the pics. I will be doing a thread just like this when I begin mine this fall :)

(oh and to the guy above with the 140hp on his 88' 1950......I believe 130hp is max rating on the boat in case you didn't know and so you don't get into insurance troubles)
 

lokonn

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Aug 8, 2012
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443
Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Glad to have you along Johny! Boat work will resume after I get trailer prep'd, painted and 'lectrofied. Welcome aboard questions and comments always welcome. Is the 1950 outboard or I/O? Did it have livewell and where at? Looking/thinking about positioning on that. I would really like to be done before you get started!
 
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