ArmedUnDangerous
Cadet
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2012
- Messages
- 19
I purchased a 1978 Beachcraft 17' Sterndrive closed bow runabout a few weeks ago. It was not running well when I got it, but now the engine is purring like a kitten and Im ready to start work on the interior restoration. I started another thread on the fuel delivery problem here - http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=538536, but this thread will pertain to the interior restoration.
I have NEVER done fiberglass work, and one project calls for HDPE welding, which I will also be learning to do on the fly. This forum will document all the trials and tribulations, successes and epic fails in my journey towards making this a nice fishing boat. I hope that it will assist others thinking about doing the same, with no experience. I bought this boat and a 1993 EZloader galvanized trailer for $800, and I hope to spend under $500 in materials.
I will be doing the following to make this a good fishing platform for the Columbia river:
1. Swingback cooler bench seat (Used... Im a cheapskate) up front, will need to put plywood down and glass it in to make a base for it.
2. Fabricate boxes for rear seats/battery. Will glass those as well.
3. Fabricate a livewell/fish box using high density polyethylene HDPE (I'll need to learn how to weld plastic for this, so it should be interesting!) and marine ply for a frame, then glassing it. Id like to put this in the center of the floor for better weight distribution and Id like it strong enough to stand on.
If this is too much of a problem I'll just fabricate another mount for a swingback cooler seat and install a second one in the middle of the boat and convert the cooler to a livewell. If I go this route I'll cut a small section of floor out with 45 degree angles, route hoses for filling and drainage tubes to the transom, then patch with marine ply and fiberglass that section. This may be the preferred route so that I can spot check the stringers near the drain hole in front of the engine compartment where they are most likely to have rot. Time and money will dictate.
4. new resin/glass cloth on floor, sanded smooth, and white gelcoat to finish.
5. some minor electrical fixes/upgrades - Fuel gauge or sending unit repair, tachometer isnt working properly, only shows about 50% of the actual engine RPM, LED lighting for bow and transom, HID headlights, halogen interior lighting, stereo/speaker install, backup battery and switch.
6. And of course I'll need to add a small kicker and a couple downriggers. That will come later, as time and money is being invested in making this a vessel worthy of being seen in public.
So thats the plan! Here are some pics of the Beachcraft as she sits currently. Actually I took the carpet that the previous owner laid in without glue or anything and the seats out. It is bare fliberglass now and appears to be totally solid, but the glass is rough. (forgive the watermarks, I havent registered the program I downloaded to reduce the file sizes):
I have NEVER done fiberglass work, and one project calls for HDPE welding, which I will also be learning to do on the fly. This forum will document all the trials and tribulations, successes and epic fails in my journey towards making this a nice fishing boat. I hope that it will assist others thinking about doing the same, with no experience. I bought this boat and a 1993 EZloader galvanized trailer for $800, and I hope to spend under $500 in materials.
I will be doing the following to make this a good fishing platform for the Columbia river:
1. Swingback cooler bench seat (Used... Im a cheapskate) up front, will need to put plywood down and glass it in to make a base for it.
2. Fabricate boxes for rear seats/battery. Will glass those as well.
3. Fabricate a livewell/fish box using high density polyethylene HDPE (I'll need to learn how to weld plastic for this, so it should be interesting!) and marine ply for a frame, then glassing it. Id like to put this in the center of the floor for better weight distribution and Id like it strong enough to stand on.
If this is too much of a problem I'll just fabricate another mount for a swingback cooler seat and install a second one in the middle of the boat and convert the cooler to a livewell. If I go this route I'll cut a small section of floor out with 45 degree angles, route hoses for filling and drainage tubes to the transom, then patch with marine ply and fiberglass that section. This may be the preferred route so that I can spot check the stringers near the drain hole in front of the engine compartment where they are most likely to have rot. Time and money will dictate.
4. new resin/glass cloth on floor, sanded smooth, and white gelcoat to finish.
5. some minor electrical fixes/upgrades - Fuel gauge or sending unit repair, tachometer isnt working properly, only shows about 50% of the actual engine RPM, LED lighting for bow and transom, HID headlights, halogen interior lighting, stereo/speaker install, backup battery and switch.
6. And of course I'll need to add a small kicker and a couple downriggers. That will come later, as time and money is being invested in making this a vessel worthy of being seen in public.
So thats the plan! Here are some pics of the Beachcraft as she sits currently. Actually I took the carpet that the previous owner laid in without glue or anything and the seats out. It is bare fliberglass now and appears to be totally solid, but the glass is rough. (forgive the watermarks, I havent registered the program I downloaded to reduce the file sizes):
