'78 17' Crestliner Nordic Restore (First boat project)

[eboat85]

OOps, I transposed a few numbers and sent you a link for 1987 and not 1978. Eric

 

[Weirdboymike]

Once again thanks for the input. I have decided against the 125hp Force and am sticking with the motor I have 1977 70hp evinrude as I feel it is reliable and I know that motor like the back of my hand getting it to where it is today. Unfortunately I have not had any further progress. I still have half of the adhesive on the hull to remove but I do have all the foam out. It has been kinda miserable here weather wise and just busy with too many projects. I got my rivets and am excited to get cutting the wood. First thing first though... finish the tedious task of removing the remainder of adhesive. Just about at the turn around point where I can start putting stuff back in the boat vs taking it out. Nice milestone to be at. I did notice some pitting too directly under the transom wood so I will be cleaning and taking care of that.

Here is another question for you however. I am thinking about ordering a 1'X4' sheet of 1/8" aluminum to put over the back of the transom. Originally there was a 1/4" thick plywood. Would you advise against this for any reason?

Also I am an idiot. The boat is actually a 1977 Nordic 18BR which I guess I could see how I got that mixed up (the year I was just off on by 1) and I figured the 17 because it is just a couple inches over 17'. My apologies and feel slightly embarrassed by that.

Not sure why but for some reason I always seem to have trouble loading pics here. Not much new to see now anyway other than a hull with not splashwell or foam.

 

[eboat85]

No Title

Mike, what part of MN are you in? Sounds like you are having the same type of weather that we are dealing with in La Crosse.

Now is the time to plan out what improvements you want to build into your boat. I think you were thinking about a live well. I added a removable ski pylon and rewired to add a new bilge pump and perko switch setup. It's easier to set the road map now then after you set the deck.

I understand your desire to add aluminum to the back. I heard someone say that a plate on the back is the sign of a patch for a bad transom. In the world of the old Crestliners it is protection against the "can opener" effect. The dynamics of the engine over the 10" transom board on mine allowed the engine under torque to twist and dig the lower tabs of the engine mount into the aluminum stern. When the motor was removed I pounded out the dents and added a 1/4" aluminum mounting plate for the engine to spread out the load. 1/8" aluminum plate won't do much. I am sure it is overkill but, oh well.

As for the engine on your boat. 70 will seem a bit weak on a hull that size. If I remember correctly, my 1972 17' Starcraft was rated at 85 hp. While the Force might not be the best choice maybe a 115 Evinrude V4. (Non-VRO) would be a good option if you ever find a nice older one. I think I found on line that the 1977 18BR is rated for 120 hp max. Do you still have the rating plate in the boat?

Lots to think about. Just one bite at a time and you will be fine. ;-)

Eric

 

[Weirdboymike]

Luckily I didn't have much for dents in the stern but did have a couple slight ones right where the old rotted transom was, but pounded those ones out easily and right away. I believe the rating is on the boat (I remember seeing it but not what it said), I think it falls in line with the 120 I also found on line. I do have a hard time "divorcing" the motor from the boat as the motor is the original that was put on the boat and I know that it is reliable. Since I am on a budget for now, I think I will keep the 70 on it as it does get me where I need to go fairly quick but it does lack the power to pull a tube (that's for sure). I am keeping an eye open though for a good deal as I could sell the 70 and get about the same year motor for just a couple hundred more than I could sell the 70 for. It really is a great motor. I am out of Lonsdale MN and actually pass through La Crosse every once in a while (average once ever 1.5 months) for work on my way to Tomah (work for Toro out of Bloomington).

I do plan to put in all the hoses for the fore mentioned live well ahead of time and plan to keep the center decking easily removable for a just in case situation (where I might find myself routing something else up there).

I am inquiring about larger motors for decent prices currently but not locked into anything yet. Wish people believed in (or trusted others enough) having a trial period for older motors instead of all sales final.

 

[Weirdboymike]

just another mention... The transom was only 1.25" thick! I will double check the bracket it fits in but that was what the wood measured.

 

[Tnstratofam]

That is an odd size. Usually the transom on most tin boats is 1.50 inches. Two sheets of 3/4 plywood glued together will get that. If yours is 1.25 then you might have to use a piece of 3/4 with a piece of 1/2 inch to get the thickness you need.

We have a 75hp Chrysler on our 16SS and it moves us up the lake pretty good. I'm not sure how well it would do if we tried pulling a tube with it. I can see a 70 struggling on an 18footer.

 

[Weirdboymike]

I got 5/8" marine grade plywood I will be using for the majority of the boat so 2 layers of that will be perfect... if it actually should be 1.25" which again I will check by measuring the bracket that mounts around the transom. I did think that was odd though when I measured it.

As for the 70 I do get going pretty good actually. I have always been surprised by that. For the majority of the time I just use the boat for fishing so I'm never really in a huge hurry but like I said it does get it moving pretty good. I have never clocked it though. I will be on the look out though for a bigger motor for the once or twice a year it would be nice to pull a tube. My GF and her daughter don't like to go fast at all anyway... They prefer moving at about 1/3 throttle.... which is kinda frustrating at times as I want to just give her!! lol

 

[eboat85]

I have to agree, 1.25" is odd but if that's what it is......... You won't be able to fit anything bigger than original in the bracket without major modifications. With what you describe as your boating style, the Evinrude is a fine engine and will run a long time.

Once you have all that dialed in on the boat, then you get to spend quality time with the trailer! Unless of course you already did that. ;-)

 

[Weirdboymike]

The trailer does need a little work (mostly cosmetic). Everything is functioning properly and had new bearing 2 years ago, so maybe could put new ones in. I plan to do that when ever I decide to paint the boat as the boat will be suspended and the trailer will be free to work on. I will take the wire brush to everything I can and give it a new coat and inspect all wiring. It could probably use new tires too. Hopefully once done. The boat/trailer will be good to go for years... But then again a boat owner's work is never done.

If needed, I could probably bribe the guys in our proto lab and have them laser and bend up a new larger bracket, but maybe I'll save my pink slip for another project lol

 

[eboat85]

got that right! It's always something. I guess that's why we buy the boats that we do.

 

[Weirdboymike]

Just another up date. I started putting the foam in last night (after some honey do's of course) and damned if I didn't short myself on foam. I knew I shoulda got more. 3 Sheets in and a little over half the hull filled. I knew I should have got at LEAST 4. I will need to pick up 2 more sheets just to make sure I have enough now.

 

[eboat85]

At least it's easier to put it in than to take it out. Plus foams cheap compared to marine plywood!

 

[Weirdboymike]

Uconn out of curiosity how is your project coming? I hope to have the foam and floor done this weekend. But yet again the girlfriend has made plans for me...

 

[Weirdboymike]

Floor is in!!

 

[Tnstratofam]

The floor looks good. Nice to have something besides the ribs to walk on I'm sure.

 

[Weirdboymike]

That's for sure! Got tired of tripping over myself. lol. Hopefully I can get the transom and splashwell in tonight.

 

[Weirdboymike]

Not sure if I should start a new thread or not but I will ask it here. I am thinking at some point, maybe this year yet if I have enough wood left over, of adding a raised platform to the bow of the boat and putting a drop in livewell there. My question is... As long as I have the through hull livewell bilge under the waterline can I still have it towards the bow? Also as long as I have the through hull drain lower than the livewell it too should be good correct? Will I have any problems with water being forced through the drain/bilge when moving? Otherwise I will need to run the pluming all the way to the hull which would be quite a bit of tubing. If I did that I would just go through the gunwale. I suppose I could just add shut off valves.

 

[Weirdboymike]

Just for clarification this is the area I am thinking...

 

[eboat85]

Looks good Mike. I think I would need more than one bottle after a job like that.
Sorry, can't help with the live well question but I am sure there are others more experienced with this area that can chime in.

 

[Weirdboymike]

Forgot to post, but I got the splashwell and transom back in on Tues night. Haven't been able to get any further since (been out of town on business). I plan on getting a lot done on Sat (tomorrow) though.