Here is a restoration I did, made a dive boat out of her 21' chief turned out awsome

[PKomrowski]

This boat when done was an awsome dive boat, would go like stink loaded with divers, and had an awsome set up for setting up tanks, 2 place the motor cover and a bench seat for kitting up for a dive, great boat entry handrails and step, with a perfect dive ladder for gaining access from the water. I also installed a post on the bow for tying off to wrecks to hold the boat straight on the wrecks. This boat was rebuild from the rivets up. It came in handy to be able to weld aluminum. I have included some before and after picts, it started life with a 4 cyl 120, and I put a straight 6 160 hp, both mercs, the 160 was a bran new rebuild from oil pan to carb.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Here is a restoration I did, made a dive boat out of her 21' chief turned out aws

Well now that boat looks familiar! Excellent!

Hey PK, how about the rest of the photos buddy???

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Here is a restoration I did, made a dive boat out of her 21' chief turned out aws

Those straight six motors are good ones.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Here is a restoration I did, made a dive boat out of her 21' chief turned out aws

That's a nice rig for diving, those big Islanders are perfect for that use. Keep warm in the cabin after surfacing and get some coffee going

Love the canvas on there, Jason yours would look great with full side curtains like those too.

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Here is a restoration I did, made a dive boat out of her 21' chief turned out aws

Good job and nice work!

Don't forget tank holders...don't want them slopping around.
That's on my list!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Here is a restoration I did, made a dive boat out of her 21' chief turned out aws

Love the canvas on there, Jason yours would look great with full side curtains like those too.

Agreed.

Winter of 2011/2012: Canvas, swim platform, rocket launchers

But, I need not get ahead of myself. I still have a long way to go buddy. Shoot, I still need propulsion

 

[PKomrowski]

Re: Here is a restoration I did, made a dive boat out of her 21' chief turned out was

Re: Here is a restoration I did, made a dive boat out of her 21' chief turned out was

I made a few mistakes that I would not repeat again.

First I used 3/4 inch treated plywood for the deck, that made it way, way to heavy. I would use 1/2 marine ply and if that was not strong enough lay some biaxial cloth and fiberglass it. It really made it strong, I dive tec, and we could gear up with doubles, and 2- 80cf stage tanks on and you would not feel the deck move under your feet at all.

I also would not use carpet again, wears out gets dirty, all around just didn't' like it.

The best way to secure tanks, and this is absolutely the best way, is use an extra weight belt with a simple weight belt clip, and run it (no weights on it of coerce) around the tank valve and through a brass draw handle mounted so its just above the tanks. This is easy to do , cheap takes a second to secure them and release them, and they will hold the tanks if you hit AWWCRAP weather and waves.

The motor was awsom, but it should have been it was completely new, but the block and heads and they were baked and blasted, everything Else was new.

Here are some more Pict's, and a before picture as well.