1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

dtnel

Seaman
Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Messages
58
I purchased the listed boat the other day. After one run at the lake for troubleshooting a minor engine problem (fingers crossed) I have noticed the wood floors aren't all sturdy and breaking down as I've had a door or two fall apart already.

A few ???'s


Is there anyone out there that knows how these Northwood boats are put together at the factory meaning do they have brackets that the wood floor either screws or rivets to when being installed before being covered with the outdoor carpet. I've seen plastic floors that are hard similar to like composite decks. Is this possible for a replacement with slip resistance? I have mechanical experience along with welding and fabrication as well. I have experience in rolling around in cow and pig post welding, repairing wrecks, stretching them.

Helped my dad build 3 boats over the years as a kid in Hawaii. Went from the first being a flying bridge 28 footer in the 80's to the 20ft Boston Whaler he built and sold and lastly a flat bottom boat. He lived by the motto that old sailors never die they just get a little dingy. He is retired Navy so the motto goes with the territory I guess. I have the drive. I know to use Marine grade plywood but what would I need to do such as sealing the areas I cut?? Any other tips, etc??


Any ideas on where I can find the NMMA Capacity Info on this boat as well since the tag mounted on the steering column has faded and the numbers are faded as well.


Would it be possible to make this boat more floatable, i.e. more foam or anything to help it be more sturdy, etc?? I know I've asked alot of questions but I'm trying to keep my brain drain to minimum so work does me good when I can due to back pain, etc. I have a 14yr old son who'll be helping dad and learning some of the stuff i learned from dad as well with the exception we aren't in Hawaii which is the bad part because that's where I learned with my father. Just passing on a little of the tradition.


A good solid material that I can work with would be good.
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,929
Re: 1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

Welcome to iBoats!

Pics really help us to help you! A Free Photobucket account is the easiest way to post your pics. If your deck is soft then the Stringers and Transom have a good chance of having issues as well. You will need to remove the deck first to gain access to the substructure below. If you have floatation foam and it's waterlogged it will need to be removed and replaced. It may or may not be structural. Again Pics will help tell the tale.
WelcomeAboard.jpg
 

bonz_d

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
5,276
Re: 1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

Aren't Northwood boats all aluminum or did they make glass ones too?
 

dtnel

Seaman
Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Messages
58
Re: 1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

Welcome to iBoats!

Pics really help us to help you! A Free Photobucket account is the easiest way to post your pics. If your deck is soft then the Stringers and Transom have a good chance of having issues as well. You will need to remove the deck first to gain access to the substructure below. If you have floatation foam and it's waterlogged it will need to be removed and replaced. It may or may not be structural. Again Pics will help tell the tale.
WelcomeAboard.jpg


I haven't removed the flooring yet. I am currently in the exploring stage. The boat does have a aluminum hull if that helps. I'm just curious as to how boat manufacturers secure the wood to the floor, i.e. stainless wood screws, bolts, angle brackets used for mounting. Stuff of that nature. I am currently trying to get the forward gear bearings pulled from the unit as they are pressed directly into the housing on the 48 spl model do the 1990 year model. I know what I need but it's a matter of finding that. I have a separate thread on that issue with gearing pics and such.
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,929
Re: 1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

Well you won't have stringer issues but the transom could still have issues. I'm not much of a "Tinner" so I'll "Butt Out" and let the "Tin Boat" experts get in here and lend a hand on this one!!

Good luck to you on your Rebuild!!!!;)
 

bonz_d

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
5,276
Re: 1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

Best way to find out is to just rip up the carpet. Many have the decking fastened with rivets and once the carpet is up it should be easy to determine. My Lund was riveted from above the carpet. I reattached with SS flathead screws under the carpet.

Here are a couple of pictures of the Lund with the decking out.

Lunddeck002.jpg

Lunddeck001.jpg


The Starcrafts/Smokercraft I believe have aluminum stringer like supports that run fore and aft.
 

dtnel

Seaman
Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Messages
58
Re: 1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

Best way to find out is to just rip up the carpet. Many have the decking fastened with rivets and once the carpet is up it should be easy to determine. My Lund was riveted from above the carpet. I reattached with SS flathead screws under the carpet.

Here are a couple of pictures of the Lund with the decking out.

Lunddeck002.jpg

Lunddeck001.jpg


The Starcrafts/Smokercraft I believe have aluminum stringer like supports that run fore and aft.

WIll I ahve to remove the steering console, etc?? I took pic the other night so I'll upload to Photobucket shortly then link to this page. Thanks for all of the replies so far. I have to mount a transom ladder today or tomorrow so I'll be cutting the battery box to the rear transom open to gain screw to bolt access. I have a hand pop rivet gun so I can refasten what I drill out in the battery box.
 

dtnel

Seaman
Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Messages
58
Re: 1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

Here's the link to my album which has multiple photos of the boat.

Width or I guess as they call it beam is roughly 77in and hull length is 16ft 6 in from bow tip to stern transom endcap.

2012-09-04_00-22-36_282-1.jpg


2012-09-04_00-22-36_282.jpg


2012-09-04_00-23-06_451.jpg


2012-09-04_00-23-41_508.jpg


I hope I linked it properly if not hopefully someone will let me know.
 

dtnel

Seaman
Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Messages
58
Re: 1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

More Photos,

2012-09-04_00-27-00_19.jpg


2012-09-04_00-26-54_499.jpg


Should I remove the port console and make it more of a flat bench / layout in sun / storage box area? WHat are considerations I need to take into account? I know it'l remove weight but wil it throw my balance, etc? I want to get some ideas rolling in my head so I can start day dreaming. I'm fairly decent when it omes to making wood cuts and doing routing. Don't know if there's a alternative material besides the expensive marine board that's plastic and wood? Kind of want to lighten it up since it'll be a storage area for Poles, tubes, gear, etc. I think a flip lid of some sorts would work good because I casn mount my fishing poles in the bottom side of the lid. Any suggestions? I'd probably section off the box area for ski, fishing tackle boxes, anchor stuff.
2012-09-04_00-27-26_806.jpg


2012-09-04_00-27-18_594.jpg
 
Last edited:

bonz_d

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
5,276
Re: 1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

Nice lookin rig! Have you determined how the decking is fastened yet?
 

dtnel

Seaman
Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Messages
58
Re: 1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

More Photos. I think some aren't displaying properly. I do know from reading pictuyre posting rules here in the forums that you can only upload 6 at a time but the last batch doesn't seem to be showing all of the ones I uploaded. I didn't upload 6 every time either though. I'll look into it more when I get done uploading so I don't get sidetracked from the task at hand.

Battery box area where I'm thnking there's some hidden screws holding the wood/carpet down. Need to check so I can install transdom ladder later today hopefully. Thoughts or comments appreciated so as to help me mfigure things out since I'm green a little when it comes to marine building techniques but a quick learner,

2012-09-04_15-32-14_861.jpg


2012-09-05_09-51-19_914.jpg


2012-09-05_09-51-29_508.jpg


2012-09-05_09-51-49_306.jpg


2012-09-05_09-51-55_988.jpg


2012-09-05_09-52-03_96.jpg
 

dtnel

Seaman
Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Messages
58
Re: 1992 Northwood 160 Pacer

Finally the end of pics for now,

2012-09-05_09-53-36_197.jpg


Port Side console rear side. Looks as if screws are fastened into the front open bow area?

2012-09-05_09-54-12_720.jpg



More screws same area on port or passenger side of back of console,

2012-09-05_09-54-25_563.jpg


Soft rear deck area below

2012-09-05_09-54-48_320.jpg
 
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