Crestliner Sportfish Project

[McGR]

For some time now, I've been admiring all of you weekend warrior boat restorers. I apparently got bitten by the bug. First it started by innocently browsing Craigslist and eBay for boats, with little to no intention of actually buying one (I've already got a perfectly good boat and several motors). Anyway... about a week ago I saw this Crestliner on eBay that caught my eye. I decided to float out a $3000 bid thinking that I'd certainly be outbid. To make a long story short, I won the darned thing.

After a long day of driving on Saturday (about 500 miles round trip), she's safely tucked away in my garage. This boat was originally owned by the State of Indiana Conserviaton Police. While most of the important things are in reasonable shape, the boat spent alot of time out in the elements uncovered. The motor appears sound (120psi x4), the trailer is fine (galvanized Shorelander), however the interior is basically shot and the hull needs a good painting.

In short, I've got my work cut out for me this winter. The boat is fairly rough right now (the photos don't do it justice - it's probably worse than it looks), but I hope to have it restored and looking sharp by the spring.

Here's some pics:

Edit: The quality of these pics are very poor - the boat is more beat up than it looks.

 

[McGR]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Another slightly better pic:

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

HAHAHA we got another one guys !!!! lol

your right she dont look to bad !! so hows the deck ?? transom?? John

 

[McGR]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

I'm just getting into the assessment phase...

I started poking a screwdriver into the transom early this evening. There is some rot in one area of the lower transom. It appears to be somewhat localized in a somewhat non-load bearing location. I'm hoping I can maybe get lucky and just cut out the cancer and seal off the exposed wood. What do you guys think? - Wishful thinking perhaps.

The floors definalty took a beating from being outside. Fortunatly, the entire boat has vinyl floor covering. There is definatly some rot present around the seat bases. Again, I'm hoping I can get off easy and just replace some limited sections. We'll see...

 

[system-f]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Most of these don't apply to a tinny, but you might as well read them. (thanks Lowkee)

The 10 steps of restoration denial:

1. That soft spot just needs a patch
2. The foam will dry out
3. It's just the deck, the stringers are fine
4. I don't have to pull the engine; I can work around it
5. The transom feels solid
6. I won't have to remove the cap, plenty of room
7. I will just buy a couple of gallons of resin
8. $1,000 is plenty for a job like this
9. I should be on the water by the end of the month
10. I need a beer! Nothing is going as planned!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Nice snag. Real nice motor. I predict, with the proper amount of work...you will have yourself a $20k boat for about $5k.

 

[sprintst]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Welcome aboard you crazy bugger. Join the rest of the obsessive compulsive types over here.

I was talking about restoring the boat and the wife chimes into the conversation that I'm not going to be doing another one again. I may have over obsessed at times.

Next time I'll buy a bigger boat and drag it out over a much longer period of time to enjoy the process.

I still think it's a better hobby than booze and broads

 

[fishrdan]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

What year, model and length is your boat?

I'm working on an 01 Crestliner and the seat bases have an aluminum plate below the wood deck, so even if the wood might not be 100% the aluminum plate is there to back it up. My decks were 1/2" treated marine plywood (regular plywood treated for marine use, not marine plywood that was treated) and felt a bit springy in a few places. But that was just because of the 1/2" ply, as none of my plywood was rotted.

I picked up some black 7/16" (they didn't have 1/2") braided nylon rope from Lowes to replace the rotted poly rope in my rub rail and it looks 100% better than the twisted poly rope. I'm hoping it lasts longer than the poly rope, but at least it won't scratch the *ell out of you like the rotted poly rope does.

Have fun with the rebuilt,
Dan

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Nice rig ya got there

The windshield looks great I agree that you will have a 20k boat after wome blood, sweat, tears...and beers

Congrats on the nice find. Great forum for advice on boat restoration tips

 

[McGR]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

System- Thanks for raining on my parade. Can't I just stay in denial and pretend that the motor won't fall off?

EZ - Thanks for the encouragement. I'm hoping that by the time I'm done I'll have a really nice rig "on the cheap". Since winning the auction, I've been vascillating bewteen "what the hell have I gotten myself into" & " this thing will be great when I finish it off". Hopefully the latter will hold true.

 

[McGR]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Thanks for encouragement everyone...

The rig is as follows:

Motor: 95 Evinrude 90hp 60deg. looper
Boat: 95 Crestliner Sportfish 1650 (16.5)
Trailer: 95 Shorelander Galvanized

I pulled a few deck boards this evening. Even though they were a little soggy, they didn't appear to be rotton. I'll let them dry out and take a closer look. As fisherdan mentioned there is aluminum below the pedastal mounts. That's a big plus. Thanks for the tip on the rub rail - mine do need replacement. More to come as the project progresses... (or regresses?)

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Nice boat! Check the rub rail prices before you plan on replacement

Crestliner is still in business so parts and stuff might be available

 

[mikezohsix]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

you'll find your way through it with the help of people on this forum!

 

[timfives]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

I'm just getting into the assessment phase...

I started poking a screwdriver into the transom early this evening. There is some rot in one area of the lower transom. It appears to be somewhat localized in a somewhat non-load bearing location. I'm hoping I can maybe get lucky and just cut out the cancer and seal off the exposed wood. What do you guys think? - Wishful thinking perhaps.

The floors definalty took a beating from being outside. Fortunatly, the entire boat has vinyl floor covering. There is definatly some rot present around the seat bases. Again, I'm hoping I can get off easy and just replace some limited sections. We'll see...

Hey, Congrats, that boat has some fine lines, and i'm sure she'll be a beauty when your done with her. As for the transom, I'll tell you what people told me, if there is any rot in it replace it. It is probably the one thing that you shouldn't skimp on. No one ever gets the wood out and say "oh that aint that bad" So just my two cents anyway. And of course i'd like to share the misery of someone else doing the transom as well

Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers

Tim

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Mc good lookin boat there . The transom should you decide to replace it there is a good tutorial over in the Starcraft forum in the Tips and tricks section that should be pretty much the same for your crestliner as it is for the Starcrafts .


Rick

 

[redfury]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

I'd rob my 401k to buy that boat for that price...nice find!

 

[McGR]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

So I started diggin in a little deeper today. Let the fun begin...




It looks like I have a transom rebuild in my future &%*$!!.



Anyone ever tackle an welded transom like this? I guess if I grind off the welds the transom cover plate should lift off? Everything else should be fairly normal - right? I'm definately not looking forward to pulling the 300+ lb. motor. Oh well... (thinks to self - why did I get myself into this?)

 

[83vert]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

We certainly have enough starcraft guys around here that will be able to help you out. Good luck, looks like a nice find

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Mc the cap on the transom doesnt look welded in from what I can see in your last picture . I see little silver circles ontop of it which should be screws holding it down . I think you are thinking the splashwell ( which shouldnt have to come out ) when you replace the transom wood . You should be able to pull the rear corner caps off and then the piece that runs across the top of the transom should come off . I will leave you a link here to the Tutorial I mentioned earlier which I think will help you with your replacement .


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=342521



Rick

 

[McGR]

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Re: I Hung Around This Forum Too Long - See What Happened

Rick:

There are several screws on the cap - those should be easy to remove. However, there are also welds on the upper/corner portion of the cap. It looks like I'll probably need to grind the welds out, which is really unfortunate as the original welds were very nicely done.

Thanks for the link - I'll check it out.