New boat owner

[twitcherz]

Hello everyone i just bought my first boat off my brother in law for a couple hundred bucks. I bought it with the intent to completely rip it apart and rebuild it. This will be the first project iv'e done of this magnitude but i look forward to it. Its a 14 ft boat with a Johnson 40 hp sea horse, not sure if it runs but time will tell i suppose. Anyways thought i would just introduce myself and let everyone know what my plan is. Not even sure of the year brand or model but here is the boat in all its glory. Been lurking on these forums for a bit now and look forward to the process.

 

[alldodge]

Could be a good looking old girl when she gets all done up

 

[Big Gee]

A 14 ft boat is a good size for a first project too.

Good luck with it and ask questions as you go.

 

[twitcherz]

My first question would be the rating plate as I understand it. It's a 14 ft comet made by traveler but from what I've found they stopped making boats in the late 60s and from the serial number i believe this is a 1973. Can anyone confirm this. Thanks in advance

 

[tedstruk]

There are a couple parts to check out. The transom is important, and if its bad at all, its going to cost a bit. Most used boats have a "Liars Keel". You should get a magnifying glass and do a complete check of that. If the coating on the keel gets ruptured, you will be in for a tough and costly job of replacing it or some of it. The keel is the backbone of your boat.

 

[twitcherz]

The plan going into this is to completely gut the boat and redo the transom stringers and floor. And if anything else comes up then that will get fixed as well. I plan on getting the cap and hull sprayed with new gel coat. Cost does not bother me I could be spending my money on useless **** and not learning anything. So I'm looking at this as a win win for me.

 

[twitcherz]

The only thing up to now I'm unsure of is the steering system. Can u buy new buy new cables for an older steering system like this and if I cant get this motor running I'll look at buying a new 40hp. Can you install a new motor with a older steering system like the one this boat has.

 

[alldodge]

The only thing up to now I'm unsure of is the steering system. Can u buy new buy new cables for an older steering system like this and if I cant get this motor running I'll look at buying a new 40hp. Can you install a new motor with a older steering system like the one this boat has.

Just buy a new steering system, you don't want to keep the cable steer. Look for something like no-feed back steering

 

[twitcherz]

Okay perfect. Thank you very much. Will start the dismantle early next week and going g to keep this thread updated with how everything goes. Going to give myself 12 months to complete this journey looking forward to it and cant wait to get started

 

[alldodge]

cant wait to get started

Hope you fell that way in another 6 months

 

[twitcherz]

I hope so to lol I rebuild a lot of things from dirtbikes quads and some engines in a few cars but never anything like a boat but I find the best way to learn to do something is to jump head first into the deep end and just give er.

 

[twitcherz]

Few pictures. Got the boat in the garage and motor removed. Motor is shot and winning harness was a mess and cut up. Leg was missing so I will source a new 40 hp or used with controls when the time comes. Also removed the rub guard and the channel that holds it on. That will also need to be replaced as it is mangled. Down the driver side of the boat was about 100 rivets trying to hold it into place and then once the channel was removed about another 100 rivets where the cap meets the boat.

 

[alldodge]

Yep, lots of 1/4 rivets

 

[twitcherz]

Is that normal and when time comes to replace the channel do I rivet the cap in place first then the channel I always thought the rivets holding the channel on place also go through the cap to the boat

 

[alldodge]

Normally the top cap is installed and some rivets (just enough to hold it) go in thru the top and into the boat hull. Then rail is laid in place and rivets go thru rail, top cap and into hull.

 

[twitcherz]

Okay so once cap is off and I can get a better look of much many holes there are should I fiberglass and fill all the holes in and drill new holes and is rivet the best option I was think of using stanless steel bolts with lock washers but I suppose they wont sit flush

 

[alldodge]

I use existing holes and rivets so long as there not wallered out. The issue is they are 1/4 inch so a bit larger then normal size, so need a tool

 

[twitcherz]

I'm limited for room so a cradle might not be an option for me so I might have to keep the boat on the trailer to do this work. Gonna finish removing cap tonight and am wondering to help keep some of the boats shape if I cut the floor and stringers back a bit from the transom can i do the transom first then the strip gets and floor trying to help maintain shape. I have taken measurements so far so when the time come to put the cap on. Any help or feed back is appreciated. I will get more pics up tonight for everyone.

 

[alldodge]

Unsure about yours, but my 17 ft Chrysler I gutted everything, then built transom, stringers and deck. Put the cap back on and it fit. My Chrysler was pretty flimsy so not much way for it to just bow out.

 

[twitcherz]

Do u have a link to your build thread