could this be one of the worst boats ever built ???

[monriverguy]

Well i just drug home another project boat and after tearing into it i see many flaws in the way is was made.
It is a 1980 amf crestliner fish hawk. Does any one out there ever own one or have any info on these boats?

Here is a pic of her when i first got it home.

 

[monriverguy]

Ok so here is what i am not liking, first off the transom ,it is only 1 1/4 thick with out that wood on the back. Did it come the factory with wood on the back? number 2 the stringers are 24 inches apart seems far apart to me . number 3 it had what looks like a live well up front so now it is just a thru hull fitting (a big hole) in the boat.

I am going need every ones help to make this baby float again. any info and advice is more then welcome.

thanks to all

 

[GA_Boater]

You new boat is suffering from an almost fatal case of POD!

 

[monriverguy]

What is POD ?

 

[Scott Danforth]

you bought a 39 year old neglected boat that has been hacked and abused and butchered

plus it was put together in the 80's when they didnt really care. on top of that, boats have a 15 year design life.

boats do not come with a big wood patch on the back - that was added by someone

rip all the rotten mush out of the boat
remove the patch
replace the transom wood on the inside with two layers of 3/4 ACX ply glued together with tite-bond III
re-do the foam
re-do the deck
go boating

 

[GA_Boater]

What is POD ?

Prior Owners Disease - Often fatal. The huge hunk of wood on the transom is a symptom.

You got a lot of work ahead of you. She is a tinnie, so luckily the disease shouldn't be terminal.

 

[MTboatguy]

You can bring her back, it will all depend on how much you want to spend and how hard you want to work. Gut her and then start laying things out like you want.

Get rid of that big piece of wood on the transom, don't belong there, the Starcrafts use a patch of wood back there, but much smaller.

Make sure when you tear into it, that you check for pinholes in the hull, even the Starcrafts develop them over the years and if you have them, you will have to fix them.

Good luck and just remember there is a cold beer while bobbing around the lake waiting at the end of this rainbow.

 

[monriverguy]

Thanks for all the support everyone as far as the hull goes its seems to be in good shape no holes have done a leak test, this is a part welded and part rivet hull witch i find kinda strange . as for the transom that is one of my concerns as the factory transom is only 1 1/4 thick and maybe 7 inches high.and then there are the stringers 24 inches apart it did have foam in it but i have removed it. (see pics)

please keeps the ideas coming guys cause i really want to get her to float it will be my winter project.

thanks again

 

[Frey0357]

Hello Monriverguy!

Don't worry, from one Tinny guy to another your vessel can be brought back and float once again.

As already stated that giant wood plant strapped to the back of the transom is NOT original and IMHO should not be replaced. Personally I would work to replace that transom with a thicker plywood core that is properly sealed. If additional support is still needed for the transom and motor I would seek out an aluminum plate (this is what I did and it serves as a tool for strengthening the transom even more!). Does the motor on the back exceed the manufacturer's recommended motor maximum?

...I would provide a photo of mine but I get an error everytime I try to upload a pic....

I can only suggest that you also remove all the rotten foam and replace it with new foam (sheet stuff works well, stood up on end) and cut to fit.

there are a few more steps, but will serve as a fun winter project.

Frey

 

[GA_Boater]

I don't see any stringers. I believe what you are calling stringers are ribs.

It appears the X-brace takes the place of stringers.

The transom thickness can't be measured by the cap. Take the cap off and see what's under it. What is the max HP rating?

 

[monriverguy]

The max hp rating is 45 hp it has a 1984 35 hp johnson on it now, there are 3 knee braces on it but they go straight to the hull no wood between them..

 

[Scott Danforth]

rebuild it as it was designed

the kne braces, splash well, etc. all work together

 

[jacktrut]

Now I know what Santa gets up to in the Summer! lol!! (Noticed the sled in the back ground)

 

[monriverguy]

well fishing on the river has about come to the end around here time to get started on this boat, My first thing i want to address is the thru hull fitting where there use to be a live well. here is a pic of what i am dealing with... I just want to plig it up or remove it and patch the hole , it is below water line and in the front of the boat what do you all think my best options are for this......

Thanks again to all

 

[Scott Danforth]

if your not going to use it, ever, weld a patch in the hole.

if you plan on using in the future, cap it.

 

[monriverguy]

what would i cap that with? should i put a shut off on it some how???