23' 1970 Uniflite Express Hardtop Cruiser - Resto

[Rustedbrit]

Basically all the plywood in the cockpit was trash, through rot or UV damage. The main bulkhead (mahogany ply) is solid and will stay. I was able to source some Okume marine ply for the replacement panels - problem was it is a very light and new, where the bulkhead ply has age. I decided to use a potassium permanganate solution to age the okume before finishing w/ pettit 1015 - here are the results:

stained board leaning up against the raw ply.


stained board w/ varnish on left. Top right is raw okume ply. bottom right is an original piece of varnished mahogany ply from the boat.

 

[mickyryan]

omg I was reading fast and thought it said kid for sale not kid for scale I was thinking mods gonna come down on ya for selling on forums

 

[proshadetree]

Micky thats funny. I tried selling my kids, heck tried giving them away but they always beat me home. Looks to be a close match on your wood selection.

 

[Rustedbrit]

The drive can be run in any direction, but the oil pump has to be rotated correctly to do so. I have the manual so maybe i can post some verbiage from that.

Ha mickyran - some days though.....

panels going in...

 

[Rustedbrit]

Slight variation where the helm sits, but that'll be hidden by the console anyway.

 

[Rustedbrit]

From "Velvet Drive
Marine Transmisson
Service Manual
71 C - 72C Direct Drive
and Reduction Ratios
1 .5: 1, 1.88: 1, 1.91: 1 , 2. 1 : 1 ,
2.57:1, 2.91:1"

Pg 2: Forward. The forward clutch is applied hydraulically
when the shift lever is placed in the forward
position. This connects the input shaft to the output
shaft. The unit then transmits power at a 1 to
1 speed ratio in the same direction of rotation as
the engine (See Figure 3)

Reverse. The reverse clutch is applied hydraulically
when the shift lever is placed in the reverse
position (See Figure 4). The applied clutch holds
the ring gear. The input shaft and sun gear,
driven by the engine, drive pinions, which drive
the carrier output shaft. The output shaft turns
opposite to engine rotation at a 1,1 to 1 speed reduction
ratio for model 72C, and 1 to 1 speed ratio
for model 71C.

Pg25: STEP 35. Install pump assembly (40) on top of
adapter (47) and align bolt holes.
[4] CAUTION: Position pump housing with cast arrow at top pointing in the
~ same direction as engine rotation.
Thread four boits (41) into adapter (47). Tighten
in a criss-cross pattern to final torque specified in
Table 4.

 

[Rustedbrit]

Engine was setup for I/O - had to convert it to use the inboard trans - flexplate and compatible bellhousing is all it took.

Here's the before and after - not much to look at...

 

[Rustedbrit]

Began work on the helm console - removing that old vinyl was a PITA!!! The fiberglass shell shined up nicely though.



The vinyl in this pic is teak - didn't match my wood color though. Durabak on the footrest. New buttons, binnacle, ign switch.

 

[Rustedbrit]

Got some bling from Speedhut.

 

[Rustedbrit]

Restored Helm.

 

[ezmobee]

Awesome job so far! Those black hatches look sharp with the wood.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

So out of curiosity, what kind of time lapse are we looking at here? How long did it take to get to this point. Looking very sharp.

 

[mickyryan]

man awesome job so far really liking whatya doing:0

 

[laurentide]

This is a fantastic boat and you're doing great work so far. I love this project, thanks for letting us watch. You'll be able to go anywhere in this thing.

 

[proshadetree]

Very interesting on the drive. Not owned one in years. I know the gearing is different in reverse slower by a half turn I think. I had missed the part of needing a new prop. That will be a reverse rotation prop , correct.

 

[Ned L]

Very nice work! She will look like new by the time you are done.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Really nice work. :encouragement: She looks like a great family boat. Looking forward to seeing more progress..

 

[Rustedbrit]

Thanks everyone. Been on the project since Aug this year - can really only work the weekends though.

Orig. Helm Seats are shot - Garlick makes a close replacement but they are not cheap!! B.O.A.T....amiright?? Have an idea of how to make new ones - i'm going to let it percolate a bit and report back.

 

[Rustedbrit]

Speaking of seats - Anyone have info on this hinge? Each seat has 2 that allow it to fold down vertically against the gunwale. I'm missing 2 of the triangular mounts.

 

[Rustedbrit]

Factory brochure that was given to me with the boat - weird it shows the cruiser w/ I/O...maybe it was just an option?