"Before" photos of my runabout project

[threedeesmax]

I just posted a bunch of "Before" photos of my boat project, a 15-ft. 1961 Red Fish Shark. Take a look and tell me what you think:<br /> http://myboatproject.3dup.net

 

[Boomyal]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

If you are going to restore it to original it appears that you have an excellent base to start from.

 

[threedeesmax]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

I'm sticking as close to original as I can.

 

[Pun]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

Looks awesome! I love the lines of that boat. Looks like it's gonna be a b*tch to work on tho. Hopefully, the transom is ok. Man, that's gonna be a beaut if you bring her back to original. Good luck.<br /><br />On a side note. May I offer some webpage advice? Stack the images on top of one another rather than having em side by side, so people dont have to side scroll when they look at them. Alternatively, make a thumbnail gallery.<br /><br />Also you may want to remove your email addy from the contact page. There's bots out there that are gonna farm your email address and spam you to death. If you must have your email there, make it a mailto link or just change it from xxx@yyy.com to "xxx at yyy dot com".

 

[one more cast]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

cool boat. can't wait to see it finished.

 

[geekomatic]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

That is a cool looking boat! I love those lines! It screams RETRO! Looks like a great project.If you decide to get rid of that windsheild, let me know .

 

[threedeesmax]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

Pun,<br />Thanks for the advice - I'm making the changes you suggested. The site will look weird for awhile...<br /> You'll be amazed to see how well the hull color came back, after using the Scotch-Brite pad and Ajax method. It doesn't look like it's brand-new, but then the boat is 44 years old. <br /> And the transom is solid as a rock.

 

[Mark42]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

Red Fish,<br /><br />I have seen boats of your style and vintage for sale on the web at some classic boat sales sites. Those big fin auto styled boats are very collectable and command high dollars (up to $6000) in full restored condition. So I think you got yourself a very desirable project on your hands! I have classic boat envy!<br /><br />Neat site. Looking forward to seeing your project progress. Just one comment of caution: Because it is a collectable boat, I would take care to not make any changes or modifications that are destructive in nature. Like cutting the dash to install a stereo (I know, I know, I cut holes for my guages, but my boat is not as collectable as yours is).<br /><br />It's always great to hear the scotch brite pads and scrubbing brings back a shine. I take it you also used a polisher? <br /><br />You are really going to draw some stares when you launch that baby! Good luck with the project.<br /><br />Mark.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

Sweet boat, looks like you just have cosmetics to worry about. I had an early 60s classic with a big ol' Merc inline 6 hanging off of the back, and I always got comments at the ramp, even from people with expensive new rigs. I assume you have gone to Fiberglassics.com, there a few chaps there with your boat. Good luck with it..

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

Boat looks great. The lines are realy cool. Like an old 57 chevy. Check those water skis they may be vintage also.

 

[threedeesmax]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

Mark42,<br />Yes, the Scotch-brite and Ajax technique worked like a charm. It took roughly 30 to 40 hours of intense scrubbing, polishing, and waxing, ALL BY HAND, but the results are worth it.<br />After scrubbing, I used a 3M fiberglass restoration product that combines rubbing compound with a hard wax. The first coat was absorbed by the gelcoat; then I added a second coat, followed by three coats of a hard carnauba wax. It has a deep luster now, and the transformation is amazing, to me at least.<br />At some time in the past, somebody drilled two holes in the lower middle part of the dash to install a bracket for a drink holder (the bracket is marked "Bar Buoy"). Don't know if I'll fill the holes or install another drink holder in its place.<br />Plans are to add a removable stereo system behind the dash, where it won't be seen.<br />I need info on replacing the old wiring and prepping the motor. It turns by hand and has compression, but there's no way I'll start the thing without working it over some, like kitting the carbs, replacing the water pump impeller, changing points, plugs, wires, oil, etc. This is my first boat and my first outboard motor, so I have a lot to learn.

 

[threedeesmax]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

Jason,<br />Fiberglassics is the only place I've found any info about my boat until recently. There's now a man building a web site dedicated to these Red Fish brand of boats: it is at www.redfishclassics.com<br />He just recently started the site, but it promises to become a good source of info.<br /><br />Big Poppa,<br />Yep, the skis are vintage wooden types that I will restore but probably not use!<br /><br />I also want to add a bimini-style top that sits low and attaches at the front to the windshield. These boats were offered with fiberglass tops and with canvas tops, but chances of finding an original that I can afford are slim.

 

[threedeesmax]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

Just a side note: I paid $375 for the boat, motor, and trailer. Counting waxes, Scotch-brite pads, and Ajax, I still have under $500 in it. Hopefully the cost of getting the motor running won't cost me a fortune, but I will do all the work I can myself.<br /><br />Here in the backwoods of Oklahoma, I've seen several old '50's-style boats sitting next to barns or in the "back 40." Considering their restored value, I may just have to start a little boat business on the side!

 

[robpoe]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

A friend of mine saw the pics and about went crazy on that motor. Said it was really cool and rare.<br /><br />*ymmv .. dunno*

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

Not too shabby! Did the boat have removeable seat cushions? I'm guessing that was not a cheap boat when new, there is a lot of hardware on it, and power tilt and trim too!

 

[Pun]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

Good job on the website, Wayne! One other suggestion. (sorry to meddle). You may want to put "next page" "previous page" links at the bottom of your picture pages. That way people dont have to scroll to the top again to change pages.<br /><br />Man, I'm totally overwhelmed by the lines and character of your boat. This will be a fun one to watch! Keep us updated please!

 

[threedeesmax]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

CalicoKid,<br />Yes, the original seats slid into brackets on the fiberglass seat bases. There ain't nothin' left of 'em, but from information I found at www.fiberglassics.com , I have pics of the original seat upholstery, and a factory brochure states that the seat colors were white and silver.<br />The basic boat sold for about a thousand bucks, but I don't know what the cost was after all of the options were added. Does anybody know if the horns and spotlights are add-ons or factory items?<br /><br />Being a newbie to boats, I don't even know what "power tilt and trim" is! Somebody give me a hand and explain it, please.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

First - great boat. I envy your project. It's going to be a gem. Heck, it already is a gem.<br /><br />RE: power tilt and trim...<br /><br />You probably know that your engine has a "hinge" that allows it to tilt up and down. <br /><br />Your engine has an electric/hydraulic adjustment ("power trim and tilt") so you can adjust it to whatever position suits you, whenever you want, and tilt it full up... all from the comfort of your captain's seat! ("one hand on the button, the other hand wrapped around a cold beverage.")<br /><br />Trim refers to the angle of the engine. "Trim Out" means the shaft of the engine is trimmed out from, or angled away from the transom (tilted up a little). Often the button for this adjustment will be labeled "out" or "up" or might even have a symbol showing the bow of the boat going up.<br /><br />"Trim In" means it's adjusted in towards the transom. Again, it might be labeled "down" or "in" or a symbol of the boat's bow going downward.<br /><br />The trim, or angle of the engine affects how the boat rides. Trimming out tends to push the stern down and bow up. Trimming in tends to lift the stern and push the bow down. Depending on your hull and how it's loaded, it's common to adjust the trim in when taking off and probably differently (out) once it gets on plane. It might be adjusted differently in choppy water vs. smooth. All this is to maximize accelleration and/or top speed performance, smooth the ride in waves, reduce porpoising, improve handling etc. <br /><br />Tilt is rotating the engine all the way so the prop is up and out of the water - when the engine is not running, of course. It is the most "extreme" outward trim if you want to think of it that way. <br /><br />Engines without power trim and tilt have a pin with holes for various positions on the mounting bracket that you use to manually adjust the trim - you'd have to pick the best compromise position for your own use and generally just leave it there. You might change it for specific situations - e.g. maybe different for water skiing vs. cruising in choppy water. To tilt, you need to pull the engine to the full tilt position and lock it into place.<br /><br />Most power tilt and trim units have a way to avoid trimming all the way up to the "tilt" position so you won't accidently trim it out too far while underway. Some styles have different buttons for trim vs. tilt. My current system has a single button, but somehow it won't trim past a normal operating position when the boat is underway. Probably some sort of forward vs. neutral thing.<br /><br />Again, wonderful boat, keep the pictures coming!

 

[vipzach]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

That is one cool boat! I would love to see it in action. If you are ever going to be on a lake a little further North (in Ok). I would love to see it.

 

[threedeesmax]

Re: "Before" photos of my runabout project

D.,<br />My boat does have a pin with holes for various position on the mounting bracket. CalicoKid noted in one of the above posts that my motor had tilt and trim, but I didn't know it.<br />There are a few "mystery switches" behind the dash: two are cylindrical twist switches, and one is a big button. None are marked, though. The controls have an ignition switch and one button. There is also a push-pull switch on the dash, to the right of the steering wheel. When pulled, it feels like a multi-position switch.<br />Tell me where to look on my motor to identify the power tilt and trim. Man, I need a picture to understand this!