Just bought a Reinell

[PCUK]

Greetings from the UK.
I've just bought a late 70s Reinell V-204 for a top to bottom refit (picture below). This will be my fourth project boat. I'm now downsizing from a 40 foot steel/aluminium flybridge cruiser. (you lot might call it a trawler!)(Second pic). Can no longer afford the gallon a mile fuel consumption as even commercial diesel is now costing ?5 (about 8 dollars) a gallon.
Now this Reinell seems to be almost unique as there is one for sale in Dawsonville with no engine and that seems to be the only other one around. So would any other owners like to come forward and tell me what these boats are like.
All the best,
Peter
View attachment 115103

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Just bought a Reinell

What drive does it have? We had a 75 24' cuddy way back when. We had no problems with it except that it had the OMC stringer electric shift which would eventually be a big headache. Hopefully you don't have an OMC stringer.

 

[PCUK]

Re: Just bought a Reinell

I guess the stringer was standard as this is what was fitted when we picked the boat up. It was coupled to a GM 6.2 V8 diesel which had been put in in 2005. Obviously a completely unsuitable match - even if the leg had been in usable condition. Anyway, it was not important as the leg was one thing that had to go. I reckon in its day the stringer was a pretty impressive piece of engineering as even after 40 years it has some nice design concepts.

I will be fitting a Volvo 280 Duo-prop that will match the engine power output. What I like about the boat is the layout which is the best I have seen on a boat of this size and despite the age the hull is in perfect condition with no blistering or any serious damage. Basically, when the renovation is finished all that will remain of the original boat will be the hull and superstructure and interior furniture as everything else is being redone. I intend to re-use the engine as it seems OK and they are pretty cheap to replace if needs be.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Just bought a Reinell

So you have some transom work ahead to make the hole smaller!

So what did they use for manifolds on that engine?

When we bought our Reinell, they were also using Volvo and I thought they were also selling them with Mercs.

 

[PCUK]

Re: Just bought a Reinell

Well Bruce, there is not too much to do as the hole is only just too big. But obviously even a slight difference will need some work. The manifolds on the engine were made by a now defunct UK importer and converter who was pretty crap to be honest. (Can I say crap on a US site?) However they are stainless and look OK at the moment. I've got to fit a raw water pump on the engine as it previously used the pump in the OMC leg. I'll also be fitting a clutch driven emergency bilge pump onto the engine so several brackets to fabricate. The engine and drive are the minor areas of the refit. The biggest job will be re-trimming the entire interior with teak panels and a padded vinyl headlining. At the moment I'm stripping off the old antifouling in preparation for an anti-osmosis epoxy treatment. Luverly!!!