Man vs. Boat (season 1).

[Pmccraney]

Okay guys:

I'm taking on a project that is officially over my head. First Project Boat: It's a 1975 Chris Craft Lancer. I know pics are mandatory (and video is preferred). You will have plenty of both. I have gone through some of the more "legendary" threads on this site (FriscoBoater, WoodonGlass, Oops, Archbuilder...)... So, I know who you guys are and what you are capable of; I am calling on you heavyweights (and fellow lightweights) for help and guidance along the way.

This will NOT be one of those threads where I impart wisdom and experience to the DIY masses... Rather, it will be one of those threads where the experienced guys "laugh" with me (at me) as I take this on. Perhaps other can learn from my mistakes that I will surely make along the way. There is no point in doing this (or anything really) if you can't have fun with it. So, I will do my best to keep you entertained, and you feel free to say whatever you want... (critique is welcome; humor is preferred).

For all you "pragmatic" folks (lol....if there are any on this forum)...., I am aware that this not the wisest of undertakings. I am fully aware that this is a 1975 boat, with an OMC Stringer outdrive (okay, first "can of worms" officially opened) and that no one will want a restored boat with one of those, so just part it out and find something else. There, I said it, so you don't have to... That being said, I love this boat, I plan on keeping it until it sinks (which may be at splash time), and I managed to get a $300 boat from New Hampshire to Mississippi through Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, so I'm committed to this vessel for better or worse.... (that's also a funny story).

Plus, I am considering an OMC to Merc conversation (there went the second can). I know my key-hole is too big; there is no conversion kit pre-cobra, and there are a host of other issues and hassles that come with that (transom work, etc...). However, since I plan to keep the boat for a long time, I think I may have to bite the bullet and do it.... That issue (concern) is one of the primary reasons I am opening this thread.

I look forward to making some new friends, learning a ton, cussing a little, and laughing a lot.

Also, don't expect me to burn through this project; I practice law for a living; have 4 kids; borrowing "shop space," tools, etc... (and did I mention I don't know what the heck I'm doing). Could take awhile, but should be fun.

Stay tuned - vids below!
~Patrick

Here a few youtube videos for your viewing pleasure:

1. The initial launch (hold your water about the life jackets; should have been on, but they were right be my feet, so was the fire extinguisher); The funny thing about this was that I had to manually remove the outdrive bolts to the tilt gear because the motor was shot (another stringer blessing I'm told). Screwing those back in at the launch (under water) was quite a sight. Hence, Merc conversion comment above, and my friend (searay owner) laughing hysterically that it cranked and ran.

2. My son driving (those are coast guard approved bat man pajamas by the way)>

3. Initial Overview of the boat (fire away with thoughts, suggestions, insults, etc...)>

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Stringer OMG it still works? Whats up with that. I know many will give you all forms of cain over the drive. What engine is in there? You might be abel to convert to a merc. If you fix the boat and use the outdrive you currently have will you give up on the boat or junk it if it gives out? If no then just run the thing. know of about 15 of those things still in service. Some are on deck boats and we all know how big a pain on of those are to push. On the up side what a cool looking boat. I bet that your kid will remember driving that boat with dad forever. When is the next update?

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Stringer OMG it still works? Whats up with that. I know many will give you all forms of cain over the drive. What engine is in there? You might be abel to convert to a merc. If you fix the boat and use the outdrive you currently have will you give up on the boat or junk it if it gives out? If no then just run the thing. know of about 15 of those things still in service. Some are on deck boats and we all know how big a pain on of those are to push. On the up side what a cool looking boat. I bet that your kid will remember driving that boat with dad forever. When is the next update?

Thanks for stopping by. Engine is also original. 1975 OMC-dressed Chris Craft Crusader, actually a small-block chevy, 307 (235 h/p). I'll post some pics and videos of the engine tomorrow.

The boat was actually well-kept in dry storage every time it was not in the water for the past 21 years. I think that is why everything still works.

Floor is very soft in spots (bulk head in ski locker is rotten) so the the first "resto" pics/video will be demo, grinding, etc....

Thanks,
Patrick

 

[lowvlot]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Very cool boat!! I for one love the lights up under the bow. I would definatley make sure those stay!! I am very excited to watch this one come together!!

 

[Outback Jack]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

The boat was actually well-kept in dry storage every time it was not in the water for the past 21 years. I think that is why everything still works.

Floor is very soft in spots (bulk head in ski locker is rotten) so the the first "resto" pics/video will be demo, grinding, etc....

Patrick

Welcome to iboats, there is alot of people here to help you during your restore. Nice boat, I like them dock lights, I have been thinking about adding something to mine. That is what gets me , mine was kept in dry storage too, never had a soft spot when I checked it out to buy. Run it for a year and decided it was a good boat and was ready to paint it and clean up the vinyl. I found my boat was damp under the deck. Basically put me on hold for everything. I could have taken up the deck and let it dry out for the summer if we had the weather for that. Then I could have proceeded with everything as planned. other then finding the side transoms deteriorated under the floor. I thought I tapped it good , but I just didn't have the experience of the tapping sound with a rubber hammer. Actually I tapped more around the outdrive and it is solid and just missed that spot. I laugh I look at the stringers that are in the shed that I took out of the boat, they have dropped alot of weight and only one was compromised on the top edge. I ended up putting cleats on the sides of all my stringers to fasten the floor down, because if you use the edge of plywood to fasten too you are compromising the laminates in the plywood right away. If water ever comes in again it will gradually get there. Basically the helm chair pedestal swivel cut a hole in the plywood and was wetting down the top of that stringer. Then I found 32 1-1/2 holes they used to fill the foam not sealed under the carpet. So water from swimmers etc or a rain was getting under the floor . The foam has all limber holes plugged , so nowhere too go. It could have been fixed differently if we had the weather and time to wait to dry out completely after deck removed. The floor actually was work to get up and come up in one piece, so it was solid. Basically everything I took out of the boat is all dried out now and solid .But when I first took the deck off I decided to jump in and do a full restore because we enjoyed the year on the water with this boat.

Do what you have to do with your boat . When you take it apart you will find things the manufacturer did that you don't like and you might find other things that should be fixed properly, fix them and ask lot's of questions. Don't expect this to be done over night. Myself I had 5 years of building fiberglass products, doing it 8 hrs a day maney years ago. Forgot how long it takes to do. Don't get discouraged.

The good thing is you are jumping in with a plan and when you are done you will appreciate all the work you put into it.

There is lot's of experience here that are willing to help you out and check out the sticky at the top of the forums, alot of good info.

Good Luck
Jack

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Very cool ride, except for the stringer.

Was it just the sound quality or is that a valve rap I hear when you were cruising?

It's gonna be a long road on the restore, don't get discouraged. When you are done you will have a quality piece you can be proud of. Looking forward to following this one.

 

[alligatorgars]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[produceguy]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Nice boat and I really like the lights in the bow. I'd bet theirs some wires behind those light and would be easy to run them to your toggles.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Very cool ride, except for the stringer.

Was it just the sound quality or is that a valve rap I hear when you were cruising?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

@sqbtr and @ gator - yes, there is definitely a "rap" or "rattle" (it actually got significantly worse after cruising for a few minutes, so we quickly retreated to the dock). Not sure if it is a "valve rap" (because, quite honestly, I don't know that that means). Again, my technical vocabulary is limited to words like "drill" and "phillip's head" (once we get past that, uhhhhhh, not sure). I told you this was going to funny.....

Thanks to all who have chimed in with words of support. I checked out your threads and like what you guys are doing. @sqbtr - where are you in VA? I lived there for 3 years (lexington), while in law school. Love that yellow bayliner and your land cruiser (I drive a 200), but love the older models. Your electrical work looks very clean. May need to lean on you for some electrical help down the road as a switch over to a two battery set-up and install a stereo/speakers and some courtesy (led) lights.

I will post some more videos over the weekend.

Thanks and have a good weekend to all!!!

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Looks like you're gonna have a nice boat when you're done! I've always liked the older Chris-Crafts and they have a good rep.
As for the 'Oh My Christ' drive, don't let all these black anchor guys scare you. While parts may not be as plentiful as merc stuff, there are still lots available. I have been able to get everything I've needed so far either from my local JohnnyRude dealer or through NAPA which carries Sierra brand parts. Regularly replaced parts like seals, gaskets, bearings, points, etc. are all easily gotten. There may be a couple of things you may have to look for used like cast pieces or housings but they can be found too. Having worked on my in-laws mercruiser and my '76 OMC, in my opinion the OMC's while perhaps not as 'robust' are a simpler system to work on for the DIY'er and not without their advantages. Things like tighter turning radius, drive raises higher which makes changing props on the water easy (Been there! ). Swing by the OMC forum and we'll be glad to help you out! Good luck and have fun!

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

I live in the great town of Marshall, lovingly refered to as Gods country. About 45 miles out of DC.

Fond memories of Lexington and the Maury river, I was a whitewater freak when my back could handle it. Good to meet another follower of the FJ series.

Good group of people here, even the OMC followers . Penta power is where it's at, go for a big block with a DP . JMHO

 

[Gator1996]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Hey great boat. Its in 100% better shape than the one sitting in my driveway. Good luck to you I'll be watching your progress.

 

[U.S.S. Too Tall]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Pmccraney, beautiful boat. I cant wait to see your next pictures of tear down. I also have a old OMC stringer drive, and I am very interested in your plan for that. Either way that you decide to go with it, I would like to see all of those pictures! Good luck and keep posting!!

 

[oops!]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Very cool ride, except for the stringer.

Was it just the sound quality or is that a valve rap I hear when you were cruising?

.

lol....you heard that too eh?....i think its worse than valves tho....kinda sounded like a wrist pin slap !

hi pmc......welcome to iboats

man vs boat eh?........you arent intending on eating this thing are ya? lol

ok....couple of things....DONT EVEN THINK of keeping the stringer drive......heres why....you said "you loved the boat and you were gonna keep it forever" ....(fantastic reason for a restoration btw) ....now....if parts are hard to get for them now......how hard is is gonna be in 5 years? 10 years.....and in 15 years when the guy in the batman suit says "dad i need the boat for a couple of hours" .....and promptly runs the ss minnow aground ruining the casing of the drive?

so.......start looking for a merc set up. (we will get into that in a bit. there is more to "changing it over" than at first glance.

now,,,,,we gotta talk about WHAT YOU WANT TO DO TO THE BOAT....im kinda sketchy on the details. you talked about loosing the docking lights....( i would keep them btw, they are VERY HANDY. if you dont like the "big white eyeballs" in the front, we can swap them out for a nice classy looking pair of chrome ones.
you also talked about doing the rub rail and the fiberglass and the gellcoat...and wanting to paint it.

im going to try and talk you out of painting it....(the only reason to paint a boat is if you dont like the color) gellcoat repairs are easy, and after you get thru with the everything you are going to do with the boat.....it will be a snap for you.
and we will expand your vocabulary from "drill" and "phillips head" to "hot batch", "itch", and "cat rate".
we will also expand your wifes vocabulary to include phrases like......"thats all you think about is that damm boat" and little love phrases like..."get those filthy coveralls out of my washing machine".

so.....are we talking about a full gut restoration here?.....or some lip stick?

depending on the answer to the above question, will determine how to proceed with the project...there is lots to consider here....like time and space and tools as well as being away from your family for many hours at a time...as well as how totally thought consuming this little project is. perhaps "batman" can help daddy and you turn this into a father and "batman" kinda thing?

what ever the out come of the "man vs boat" duel......this is gonna be a fun one.....

welcome aboard

cheers
oops

 

[HopinImFloatin]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

love the boat, love your positive attitude(you'll need it), love the dock lights; you mentioned in your last video about a drivetrain swap being "practical"...well, its a boat and NOTHING is practical:facepalm: and with that said i'm with oops, swap to something with a solid future. Cant wait till you start your project, i get bored in the winter and now i have something to watch! Take your time and do it right and it wont wear out in
your lifetime. TONS of help in this forum from VERY knowlegeable (sp) people. good luck

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Okay: I'm already having a blast with this, and haven't turned a screw or destroyed anything yet. Oops (of hull extension fame) even stopped by, and made me laugh pretty hard, so that's a Friday bonus; and I also have my first official "iboats friend." This is already "all consuming" as my wife thinks "iboats" is a just cover up for the bad stuff I'm not supposed to be looking at on the internet (and my billable hours are suffering as well). Yes, I have a BAD case of the bug, and quite frankly, I blame all you guys for making your high quality restos look fun and manageable.... Difference is, you guys have been tinkering with this stuff for years, while the only mechanical (engine-powered) equipment I have even owned is a Troy-Bilt lawn mower, and my only electrical experience is changing a few light bulbs...

All that said, it's officially 4-0 on the lights, so they are staying! (polls are closed on that one). Actually, they were one of the things that drew me to the boat when I first saw it, but then when they didn't work, my mind started to wander. I do LOVE THE chrome idea - ....let's bling it out a little...that will happen. See, you guys are already adding value...

Below is another video I shot yesterday to explain more about my thoughts for the project> (I know there is water in the bilge..the pump works but didn't get all of it). I also mixed up words (horizontal and vertical). I definitely intend to "do this right" (no lipstick job)... and am willing to take my time (and will need to for budget and time reasons). My parents live on a lake 5 mins away, and they have a pontoon and ski boat already.... So, that's good for taking my time and being patient, as we have access to the water/boats already. So, this is more "project" than recreation outlet for me. I have a friend that is loaning me some shop space and he has all the tools I'd like to have, but don't (air compressors, grinders, paint booth, HVLP, etc...).... I've got the tyvek suit and respirator (check!). Since I don't play golf or hunt (part of the marital contract for most southern men), I figure I can slip out for a few hours a week (with Bat Man in tow) and still be responsible towards my family, work commitments, etc... This is GROUP PROJECT and so WE are going to build this thing together. I sweat it out while you guys eat popcorn and laugh at the buttoned-down lawyer trying to restore his boat:

 

[U.S.S. Too Tall]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

I would say that you need to figure out what is going on with the rod knock, or valve lash or whatever that noise is, before you can decide if you wanna keep that engine. I am sure that it cant be a huge deal to fix whichever problem it is. But I would be bummed out if I fixed the problem only to replace the engine and outdrive shortly after.

Then again, I am not one of those "experts", I am just a guy with alittle car experience, trying to learn my boat, through other peoples boats! lol

Good luck friend!!

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

If you're anything like the rest of us, a few hours a week won't cut it. There's at least a few hours a week of beer drinking involved in one of these projects.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Hey mccraney! Welcome to iboats and the total madness man!

I'm not a glass boat guy, I'm a metal boat guy. So, I know I have no absolutely vote on your project buddy.

But if I did...

I would absolutely, positively NOT rebuild that whole boat around that OMC Stringer only to replace it down the road with a Merc driveline. No way. You'd be throwing good money after bad, and really be working against yourself in the short, and long run. Don't do it man. Rebuild her right, rebuild for a Merc

I had one of those blue bombers in my project with the white leg sticking out the back. I taught it how to fly...

Then I sold it to a fella (for more than I paid for the whole boat actually) who was desperate for parts as he was rebuilding his rig. Just like you my friend. Don't be that guy

Welcome, cheers, have fun, rock on!

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 1).

Yea small block chevy. You can swap that over to a merc setup easy. You can keep that mill or find a new whatever you chose. Find out about the engine first. Whats wrong with it. Adjust the valves to see if it is valve knock old small blocks loved to eat cams. At any rate small blocks are still cheap. If you can find a complete setup good deal if not just find the out drive, transom plate and shift linkage. As of yet there are plenty of small blocks and lots of OMC stuff. But in ten years who knows. There are a ton of boat with the ls setup currently used in cars and truck so when the drive cruds out swap it then. It will just be i the tail of your boat. Do what your budget allows. I would fix the engine first or see what it takes. It is a small block chevy for cruds sake they are cheap to build and a dime a dozen. I gave 150 buck for my 1995 truck engine and have run it for 3 years no problem. Just keep the carb and ignition marine approved. Dont junk that old block someone might need it. Selling that out drive and the engine could help finance a swap if that's where you want to go.