Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

[RICHARD5]

To the question of is it feasible let's just say I have $20K to blow on the project. It doesn't have to make financial sense.

Current boat is 1985 25' Hydroswift with 351W and VP 270T out drive. This is a heavy FG hull. In fact, the only reason I bought her from a life spent on Lake Powell is because she is heavy and well founded.

For several years I have toyed with the idea of extending the hull much in the way the mighty Oops did in his famous thread. The extension would be about 5' to give a larger back deck primarily for SCUBA diving around the islands off S. California.

Then, I have been playing with the idea of swapping out gas for diesel. I admit, one reason is the throaty roar. Having grown up around the US Navy I just want to replicate that sound. Of course there are other, more prudent, reasons but let's leave that alone for the time being.

Here is were the iboats community comes in. Before I ask for honest opinions directly related to the project, there is one other condition which presents a challenge. Namely, I currently don't have space for the project. I'm beginning to look into renting a space for a work shop to allow me to complete the project. The boat is currently 80 miles inland in the SoCal high desert (I-15 corridor) whereas I live 60 miles closer to the beach. I have not yet identified a likely space and am open to the following...

Which makes the most sense...to rent a space where the boat is now where rents are cheaper although I would have to factor in my travel time (one hour each way) or to acquire a space for higher rent in Orange County (where I live) in order to save travel time?

There is more to this but I thought I would get the iboats brain trust working on the problem for now.

 

[RICHARD5]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

FYI: I consider myself 'expert' as a FG laminator. Also, while I am quite mechanically inclined, including engine rebuilding, as example, it's been a few years. I have the tools and cherry picker, etc.

 

[RICHARD5]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

1.) Acquire leased space.
1A) Provide additional security (primary security provided by lease)
1B.) Provide 24 hr electricity and water by lease.
1C.) Provide First Aid station including phone numbers for Fire Dept/Paramedics.
1C1.) Provide appropriate rated fire extinguishers.
1C2.) Provide metal fire proof waste container.

2.) Mobilize tools and equipment to work space.
2A.) Provide materials to build work benches.
2B.) Build work benches.

3.) FLOAT
3A.) Provide materials for reconstruction.
3B.) Provide secure site for materials.
3C.) Provide measuring equipment for raw materials.
3D.) Provide storage racks for materials.
3E.) Provide clean-out for tools, cups, utensils, equipment.
3F.) Provide dust control equipment.
3E.) Non-toxic waste disposal provided by lease.

4.) Transport boat to work space.
4A.) Secure boat hull in place.
4B.) Remove trailer for other work (powder coating by other, rewiring by me)

5.) Remove fuel system, engine controls, wiring, engine.
5A.) Provide storage for items in 5.) (may be off-site)

5.) FLOAT
5A.) Stage all tools, equipment, materials.

6.) Cut hull.
6A.) Provide on-site storage for items in 6.)

That's all I got for the time being. It sounds anal, I know. But this is how it goes when contemplating work space under lease. I may as well consider short term insurance policy for liability only. Marinas these days are asking for upwards of a cool million. That could be gotten for around $600 per annum.

 

[RICHARD5]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

1.) Acquire leased space.
1A) Provide additional security (primary security provided by lease)
1B.) Provide 24 hr electricity and water by lease.
1C.) Provide First Aid station including phone numbers for Fire Dept/Paramedics.
1C1.) Provide appropriate rated fire extinguishers.
1C2.) Provide metal fire proof waste container.

2.) Mobilize tools and equipment to work space.
2A.) Provide materials to build work benches.
2B.) Build work benches.

3.) FLOAT
3A.) Provide materials for reconstruction.
3B.) Provide secure site for materials.
3C.) Provide measuring equipment for raw materials.
3D.) Provide storage racks for materials.
3E.) Provide clean-out for tools, cups, utensils, equipment.
3F.) Provide dust control equipment.
3E.) Non-toxic waste disposal provided by lease.

4.) Transport boat to work space.
4A.) Secure boat hull in place.
4B.) Remove trailer for other work (powder coating by other, rewiring by me)

5.) Remove fuel system, engine controls, wiring, engine.
5A.) Provide storage for items in 5.) (may be off-site)

5.) FLOAT
5A.) Stage all tools, equipment, materials.

6.) Cut hull.
6A.) Provide on-site storage for items in 6.)

That's all I got for the time being. It sounds anal, I know. But this is how it goes when contemplating work space under lease. I may as well consider short term insurance policy for liability only. Marinas these days are asking for upwards of a cool million. That could be gotten for around $600 per annum.



One reason why I even bothered to post this comment is for the benefit of anyone who may be considering a project which involves grinding, lamination, and/or engine swap. Now, I don't mind getting down in the dirt but this ain't an oil change like in the old days.

 

[RICHARD5]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

1.) Acquire leased space.
1A) Provide additional security (primary security provided by lease)
1B.) Provide 24 hr electricity and water by lease.
1C.) Provide First Aid station including phone numbers for Fire Dept/Paramedics.
1C1.) Provide appropriate rated fire extinguishers.
1C2.) Provide metal fire proof waste container.

2.) Mobilize tools and equipment to work space.
2A.) Provide materials to build work benches.
2B.) Build work benches.

3.) FLOAT
3A.) Provide materials for reconstruction.
3B.) Provide secure site for materials.
3C.) Provide measuring equipment for raw materials.
3D.) Provide storage racks for materials.
3E.) Provide clean-out for tools, cups, utensils, equipment.
3F.) Provide dust control equipment.
3E.) Non-toxic waste disposal provided by lease.

4.) Transport boat to work space.
4A.) Secure boat hull in place.
4B.) Remove trailer for other work (powder coating by other, rewiring by me)

5.) Remove fuel system, engine controls, wiring, engine.
5A.) Provide storage for items in 5.) (may be off-site)

5.) FLOAT
5A.) Stage all tools, equipment, materials.

6.) Cut hull.
6A.) Provide on-site storage for items in 6.)

That's all I got for the time being. It sounds anal, I know. But this is how it goes when contemplating work in a leased space. I may as well consider short term insurance policy for liability only. Marinas these days are asking for upwards of a cool million. That could be gotten for around $600 per annum.



One reason why I even bothered to post this comment is for the benefit of anyone who may be considering a project which involves grinding, lamination, and/or engine swap. Now, I don't mind getting down in the dirt but this ain't an oil change like in the old days.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

We have not had a hull extension thread in a while . . . (what ever became of Oopps! ??? :noidea: )

Since you know the exact numbers, you could figure the difference in rental rates versus the travel costs. However, I would think that the rental rates would outweigh the travel costs.. If there are overnight capabilities to the space inland, you could plan out your time to do 2-3 days out there at a time, reducing the the amount of time and $$$ wasted in going back & forth.

So, I would tend to favor the lower cost space, if it had enough facilities that you could stay overnight on occasion.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

I'd seek an acceptable alternative to either. Something about 1/2way from you to where boat is stored now. Time would be the problem for me having it an hour away, more so then the expense of driving there. Besides in SoCal is 60mi an hour commute? I've driven Victorville to San Diego numerous times at various times of the day & week. It was never traffic free, just varying degrees of fairly slow :faint2:

I am less then 10min from where I keep a couple projects & have done some work on them inside a currently unheated space. I find it's much harder to make boat work time when I'm fairly busy, with them not at the house, and mine are only 10 or 12 min away. So any more then an hour round trip would definitely hamper my work efforts.

If the boats not currently there, I'd be looking for something no further then the Victorville~Palmdale~San Bernardino triangle based on your I-15 corridor route to the boat. W/ some effort you might score a fairly decent, currently vacant, work space.

good luck

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

I also think you're gunna need some HELP with this project so they'll have to get to the site as well. You NEVER remember everything and doing long distance "Gofer" work really becomes tedious on a project like this. You seem to have a plan and that's good but the Devil's in the details so I would encourage a LOT of details before you begin a long distance venture. I vote for closer to home. Also I don't think you told us how much of a Hull extension you're planning, and what Kind of a engine swap. Engines can get Expensive in a hurry especially on boats of this size. Heck a new 200 HP Evinrude ETEC outboard costs $10 grand.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

im probably in the minority here but id want the space as close to home as possible. After spending 10 hours in a day working on the boat an hour drive home will br tortureous and will slow u way down. If the monthly lease is cheaper but it takes an additional three months because of travel time u wont really save money. Not to mention more where and tear and gas money and the added fatigue. 20k is probably a low estimate considering you are wanting to do a diesel swap and have to rent space.

 

[GWPSR]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

Another vote for as close to home as is practical - There have been a surprising number of occasions for me to pick off small tasks when I had a half-hour or an hour free, rather than having to commit to a block of work big enough to justify travel.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

I keep my boat in a marina that is 1 hour away from my home. Driving to get something from/to the boat or if I forget a tool or? or?. Or?. has proven to be a hassle. Also, don?t underestimate the amount of fatigue and pain you will have after few hours working on that boat; an hour drive will feel much longer in this condition.
I know you dismissed the financial cost benefits analysis but I am really curious, if you have 20K to spend on this project, why not buying something close to what you want from the outset?

 

[RICHARD5]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

Those are great replies so thank you!

It's still a toss up about the space. Even though I imply money is no object I will watch where the money goes. That not spent on rent would go towards the boat or just stay in my pocket. Of course there is the prospect of higher travel costs. If I could arrange living quarters it would really help. In fact, if that could not be allowed then I might just suck it up and pay the higher rent to be closer to the project. However, I don't like the prospect of feeling hurried because of a higher rent. BTW: rents between Victorville and Orange County are significantly different. I still have time to work the costing.

Woodonglass makes a great point about needing help. I don't know anyone where I am nor where the boat is. I guess I'll have to make some friends...even though that sounds like I would only do so to use them. This reminds me of how everyone wants to borrow the guy with a truck. I've always had trucks so I sure know about that.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

You might be surprised!!! I put an ad on Craigslist for a ShopHelper. Someone that would be interested in learning about Woodworking and BoatRepair to help me around my shop and learn about the trade. I had over 25 phone calls of all different kinds of guys wanting to interview. I finally found the "Right" Guy and he's been "Helping" me out for over a Year now. Not quite sure which one of us has learned the most. He's quite a guy himself and has a lot of skills too!!! We've become very good friends. My wife thought I was crazy for doing this but it worked out quite well. I met the guys for coffee at Bass Pro after initial phone interviews. It was an interesting process. You might consider giving it a try.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Hull extension and engine swap...still in evaluation phase

When I bought my first rental home it was right across the street from the house I lived in. And it was a serious project rental, so all my tools and time was spent on this project for 3-4 months after work and on the weekends. I cant tell you how much better this project went because it was close to home with my tools in my garage and my work shop area. It also was extremely nice being able to just go spend an hour working on what ever, then back home, or spend a day and walk back across the street. The more convenient you set the location up, I bet the quicker and cheaper it will get done. Rental cost's are real, but don't forget how much your time is worth too. Got any pictures to share with us snow bound crazies?

 

[RICHARD5]

Wouldn't you know that after several years of putting off this project, just as I get serious my brother says he has found a buyer for the boat. Said buyer drove by and liked what he saw. Oh well. Think of the money I saved!

 

[Scott Danforth]

now just buy a bigger boat