Glassmaster Resurrection

[rheagler]

I spent most of this weekend cleaning up the Glassmaster I picked up at a yard sale last saturday. The motor fired up without too much of a fight one night last week so the weekend was spent cleaning and figuring out what it needs to be "waterworthy". The boat does need some floor repair but I am looking to get on the water while there is some summer left, the floor can wait until the off season.
The boat was last used in 2004, the guy I bought it from attempted to use it in 2005 but the throttle cable broke right after launch, so he parked it at his in-laws and it sat there with a big inflatable tow behind thing, water skis, vests, 2 tanks with about 8 gallons of fuel between them and all the spiders, leaves and other junk that 2 years of exposure can bring until last weekend. The boat actually cleaned up pretty nice. I took out the seats and side panels and scrubbed the mold and mildew off the best I could. Vacuumed out the leaves and spiders. Cleaned up the spilled fuel from the bilge area, one of the tanks has a microscopic leak.
So far, it looks like all I need to get the boat in the water are control cables, steering cable, bilge pump and get the lights to work. All of the rope cleats are shot, and the windshield support arms are held together with electrical tape. I'm sure as I get further into it I will need more, but I think I did pretty well for $200!
These are before/during pics. I will take some some "after"s this week.

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Glassmaster Resurrection

Can't see the pics but take your time getting the boat water worthy. We're pulling for you.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Glassmaster Resurrection

I Cleaned up the spilled fuel from the bilge area, one of the tanks has a microscopic leak.

That can kill you, which would ruin your summer;

get that fixed 1st.
Good luck

 

[rheagler]

Re: Glassmaster Resurrection

That can kill you, which would ruin your summer;

get that fixed 1st.
Good luck

Luckily the fuel leak fix is an easy one, leaky portable tank goes in trash, new portable one takes it's place

Bill - I'm not sure what is up with the pics, they were working when I posted.
Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Glassmaster Resurrection

I can see them now. That looks to be a fun boat.

 

[rheagler]

Update on Glassmaster Resurrection

Update on Glassmaster Resurrection

I'm getting closer to being waterworthy.
The new control cables are in, the throttle and shift were pretty straightforward, the steering cable was a bear. It was stuck in the tilt tube so tight I ended up cutting it off on both sides, removing the tube and taking it to my friends auto shop to use a torch and an air hammer to drive out the cable remains and the steel rod I got stuck in it trying to pound it out. Makes you believe in steering cable lube.
I replaced the rats nest of wires with my own rats nest with a fuse block with a grounding buss under the dash rather than everything electric having it's own ground wire going back to the battery.
I replaced the bow light, stern light, bilge pump, horn and all the switches.
I refinished the teak step pads with 4 coats of polyurethane and replaced the windshield brackets.
Seats are in, although I will redo them better when I fix the floor.
I'm definately getting closer, the goal is to have it in the water by wednesday, although next weekend is probably more realistic. In the meantime, more pics!

fuse block

new rats nest

seats are in!

 

[rheagler]

Re: Update on Glassmaster Resurrection

Re: Update on Glassmaster Resurrection

It is now officially waterworthy. Put the boat in the river this afternoon and it worked pretty well. Started easy, rode nice - if thats a term that can apply to boats. I am happy. Should have taken pictures.

 

[gregtobin]

Re: Glassmaster Resurrection

Looks like the same boat that I have. Mine has a '74 Merc 1150. I spent a lot of time on the floor, put in new seats, and re-wiring. I also had to put in new throttle cables. It had sloughing bottom paint that I sanded off and repainted with blue lacquer.
Still have several things to do - including dealing with the windshield that is coming apart. Both of my windshield supports are cracked.

The in-hull fuel tank must have had a leak as a previous owner disconnected it and we use 6 gal tanks under the transom. When I replaced the floor, I could have dug out the old gas tank ,but I was on a low budget.

performance-wise, mine goes about 33 mph and can run at least 2 h at around 20 mpg on a 6-gal tank.

enjoy
Greg

 

[rheagler]

Re: Glassmaster Resurrection

Greg - I would be interested in seeing pics of yours. What length is yours? Mine is 15'. I have had mine out a couple more times since the first run. The 2nd time out it ran great for 10 minutes and then fell on it's face. I rebuilt the carbs and fuel pumps (should have from the beginning) and after that it is back to running better than the first time out. I should have taken my GPS to check speed, but I managed to run the 6 gallon tank bone dry in about 3 hours. Should have also taken a camera. Now that it is running well, I've been getting fun stuff for it. I picked up a depth finder and a hydrofoil yesterday. If it stops raining I'll be able to install them. I think I will go out one more time without the hydrofoil and with the GPS so I can see if it makes a difference. I'll take a camera too.

 

[gregtobin]

Re: Glassmaster Resurrection

Mine's a 17'6" boat with the 115 hp Mercury. I have none of the snap-in pads that I've seen in some of the pictures.

I'll have to figure out how to post and then show off my boat.

Considering what it looked like a year ago, I'm pretty happy with appearances now. I have new white back-to-back seats, new floor with blue exterior carpet (should have used paint), and a lot of new wiring. I can fit two (and if I squeeze) three 6 gallon tanks under the transom. I usually run one dry and then switch to the second one and head back.

What motor do you have and what does the hydrofoil do?

 

[rheagler]

Re: Glassmaster Resurrection

I have a 50 Hp Mercury. According to the package the hydrofoil is supposed to provide up to 50% fuel savings, greatly reduce bow rise, remain on plane at lower rpms, provide faster planing with heavy loads and give increased stability with a smoother ride. two of my friends have them and swear that it works to help keep up on plane with less power and get more fuel economy. I have seen plenty of comments on the forum hear about them being worthless and not doing any of the claimed things. The one I got offers a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee, right from the store where I bought it. So I figure the worst that could happen is I lose the 10 minutes it should take to install it and maybe have 4 small holes on the cavitation plate of the motor.. I'll give it a shot, I've never had a problem drilling holes in vehicles or buildings. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Glassmaster Resurrection

Since "finishing" I've been taking the boat out quite a bit lately. It makes it real easy that the boat ramp is only about 1/4 mile from home. The addition of the hydrofoil seems to help a lot with fuel consumption, that and I've been better about not using the throttle as an on/off switch. Anyway, I finally did take some pics out on the water, although it is kinda tough taking pics of the boat in the water while being in it - I hope that made sense.

At the dock

Upriver from Burlington Island

Hey I can see my house from here!

In the cove