Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

[oldsub86]

Are there any threads on here dealing with rebuilding a transom to swap an OMC stringer to a Mercruiser?
I have a boat that I would like to hang onto but do not wish to put money into the old OMC stringer.
I have had quotes of $4K or $5K to do the job and I don't think I want to dig that deep so will need to do it myself.
Would love to see what others have done.

Randy

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

This should give you an idea of what you're in for...

http://www.sterndrives.com/omc_to_mercruiser.html

http://www.crowleymarine.com/Stern-Drives/Cobra_to_Alpha_Kit.cfm

 

[Skagen]

Jas did this with his Islander.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=369247

He could offer a lot of help

 

[boatnut74]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

This should give you an idea of what you're in for...

http://www.crowleymarine.com/Stern-Drives/Cobra_to_Alpha_Kit.cfm

This kit won't work as you are going from a stringer drive to mercruiser, that kit is for the cobra drive. The other link gives a good description of the steps involved to fill in the hole.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

Fiberglass or aluminum hull???

 

[boatnut74]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

From looking through his previous threads I think it's glass.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

$4 - $5 K???

Jeepers man!

I'll prolly spend about half that rebuilding my WHOLE boat (including the giant Stringer Drive hole at the stern).

Course, writing a check is waaaayyyyyy less work than DIY if ya want to go that route

 

[oldsub86]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

Fiberglass or aluminum hull???

Yes, it is glass.

I have been thinking about this for several years now. Would like to fix it.

 

[oldsub86]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

$4 - $5 K???

Jeepers man!

I'll prolly spend about half that rebuilding my WHOLE boat (including the giant Stringer Drive hole at the stern).

Course, writing a check is waaaayyyyyy less work than DIY if ya want to go that route

Yes, I hear you. The quote is just to rebuild the transom. Does not include anything else. I need to find a donor boat of similar size etc.

Anyone paint their fiberglass hulls? I am not crazy about the avocado green color.

Randy

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

Hi there.

There are at least 3 omc stringer to merc conversions on this forum right now(including mine..see link below)... maybe more. 4 if you count boatnut (see above), who I think has resolved to make the switch too. Jas is probably the farthest along (although he got sidetracked with a cool little o/b project that is getting wet tomorrow...we hope). then see rrumba's IMP thread. I have purchased my new merc set up and will be rebuilding the transom (filling in that big hole) in the next few weeks. Rrumba has done the transom work but is still looking for his new driveline. I am not exactly a seasoned pro, but follow the threads I mentioned, if you want to see what's involved.



Good luck.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

Yes, I hear you. The quote is just to rebuild the transom. Does not include anything else. I need to find a donor boat of similar size etc.

Anyone paint their fiberglass hulls? I am not crazy about the avocado green color.

Randy

I painted mine. Used Pettit Easy Poxy on the hull and Rustoleum with Acrylic Enamel Hardener. Haven't splashed her yet but was very pleased with the results so far. If I had it to do over I'd use the Valspar Tractor Enamel sold at Tractor Supply on both the top and bottom.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

On my Islander Stringer to Merc only parts of the process will be relevant as she is a metal boat.

Boy, I kinda like that green hull. Looks Kelly Green to me. I think she'd look real classy all shined up


(let the record show, that was a positive comment on a glass boat)

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

I just got back from the emergency room!!! I thought I ate some BAD Turkey, but it turned out it was just the shock of reading a Positive comment about a Glass boat from a Tin Can Admiral!!!!
Seriously though, The only place I think Green looks good is on Armed Forces Landing Craft and I'm pretty sure they are NOT Glassers!!!!!

 

[oldsub86]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

I just read Patrick's thread from beginning to end.

I can't believe the story on the acquisition of the boat!

I feel pretty fortunate. I was given the big green boat, on the trailer. 1972 Slickcraft SS215. 225 HP small block GMC engine. One owner boat. Always kept in a boat house etc. Top and interior is in very good condition. Had to haul it 30 miles home but had no troubles despite some old and questionable tires.

I have not drilled holes in the stringers etc, but it appears to be solid. I am told that the stringers have been rebuilt once.

The engine was toast but if I change it out that won't matter much. It was permitted to run out of oil and that pretty much ruined the whole engine. I have the drive off and the motor out and partially disassembled. The crank and the main and rod bearings are badly scored.

However, we are into winter and I don't have any place to work on it during cold weather so nothing will happen any time soon. The boat is 175 miles away at the lake. About all that I can do for now is to keep my eyes and ears open for a driveline donor boat.

I have acquired a couple of other boats as well that also need my attention. Both aluminum. An 18' Starcraft with another OMC stringer but with a 140 HP 4 cylinder engine that needs the bearings and seals on the intermediate shaft changed, and a 20' Lund - also aluminum that needs all of the wood replaced - floor, dash etc - Mercruiser with the 165 HP inline 6. Also an Edson with the newer version of the OMC stringer with another small block Chevy that has been frozen and cracked. Stripping it for usable parts and hauling the hull away. Sold the leg off of it last summer.

Randy

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

Slickcraft used a lot of teak in their boats, how about some interior pics.

If you don't want to get into it I'll be glad to take it off your hands

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

I have acquired a couple of other boats as well that also need my attention. Both aluminum. An 18' Starcraft with another OMC stringer but with a 140 HP 4 cylinder engine that needs the bearings and seals on the intermediate shaft changed, and a 20' Lund - also aluminum that needs all of the wood replaced - floor, dash etc - Mercruiser with the 165 HP inline 6.

Now we are talkin Randy!!!

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

Are there any threads on here dealing with rebuilding a transom to swap an OMC stringer to a Mercruiser? Randy

Here ya go:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=475895&page=2

Good luck!

 

[oldsub86]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

Now we are talkin Randy!!!

I really like the Starcraft Islander. I just have not been able to find one locally for reasonable money.
I looked at one a year ago that would have been great except for a big dent in the port side that the owner did not tell me about before I drove two hours to look at it. The rest looked good and the price was not totally silly. I just could not see a way to properly fix it.

My past boats have all been aluminum. A couple of early 60's Starcraft Holiday 18 footers with outboards. Good boats but too flat at the back so cannot handle rougher water as well as a deep V can. Also had a 14' aluminum Crestliner way back when and we have acquired 3 different boats for my younger son - all aluminum. His current boat is a 16' Alumacraft Dominator - side console fishing boat. Nice boat but I prefer bigger.

The Slickcraft is my first glass boat and I probably would not have bought it. However, as I said, it was given to us and that made the decision very easy.

Randy

 

[oops!]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

hi randy....

as far as the transom conversion......it is approx 40 hours work for a novice.

you can just fill the round hole and put in a merc key hole setru.....however stregnth suffers, as stress is placed on the actual hole joint. however it can be done easily.

the proper way is to remove the current transom and replace with a fresh new one.

......you have a few things going for you here.....
1.the transom you now have is not rotten,,,so removal will be easy....it will pull away from the hull skin with just a little bit of prying....it will come out in one chunk.
that will take about 8-10 hours grinding off your re build.

you will have to make some slight modifications to the stringer so accept the merc system....but that is minor imho.

a doner boat is the way to go.....you are looking at an insurance write off...or a boat that has tree trouble
insurance or doaner boats can be picked up for under 2k.

the cost of the transom swap will be below 500.

painting the hull is easy with a hvlp and some imeron paint....cost....500

good luck with what ever you choose to do with the hull

cheers
oops

 

[oldsub86]

Re: Filling the hole on an OMC to Mercruiser conversion?

Slickcraft used a lot of teak in their boats, how about some interior pics.

If you don't want to get into it I'll be glad to take it off your hands

Some teak. The fuel tank cover in the floor is teak as are some of the trim boards along the sides etc.
The doors to the cuddy cabin appear to be mahogany.

Randy