New to boating with a not so new boat...

[Pulse121]

Just thought I'd post a quick hello.

Been around the water all my life, jetskies and some sail boats. But this is my first boat.

Wasn't sure if it was for me so I went on the "less expensive" side (I know, pay on the front end or pay on the back end, either way you still pay ).

Picked up an old Browning Monte Carlo 2 with a Mercruiser 228. The engine seems to run well, has a new starter, battery and impeller. Also came with most of the covers and the most important part of the top, the part that'll give me some shade while I'm at the controls.

Downside is it's going to need some interior work...Okay, most of it replaced. And I'm going to have to put a new floor in it. But I knew that going in. Not thinking it's going to be easy, but, once the off season hits, I can start ripping in to it and, hopefully, learning some things.

Oh, forgot to mention, I got the boat for just over $2K. Out here that usually only gets you a hull. Worse comes to worse I'll find a Glastron, or something, next season and put the sterndrive and all in it. But I'm hoping it'll not come to that, the Browning has a nice shape to it.

Anyway, hi all and if anyone knows anything about brownings (I've found nothing on the net about them) feel free to share.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: New to boating with a not so new boat...

Welcome aboard iboats...

You should start now reading the posts in the restoration section on floor and stringer replacement. Check your transom for rot as well.

There is nothing on the boat that can't be fixed so if you love the lines, get ready to dig in!​

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: New to boating with a not so new boat...

My Browning
Not the best design or craftmanship in the manuafacturing of production boats. That's probably why they went belly-up.
Glad it's gone and outta my life. I hope yours is in better shape.
Welcome to iBoats.

 

[Pulse121]

Re: New to boating with a not so new boat...

Thanks for the tip. Already read through your page once, when I go to work on the floors it's on my list to read again.

Wanted to post an update. We've been working on the trailer. It's a good trailer (tandam axles, steps/stands all down the sides, etc) but it was in wrecked condition.

We've replaced the berths, cut off two, poorly, welded mounts, added two more adjustable mounts (had 4 adjust and 2 welded) and added new inner fender covers.

We floated the boat into a friends pond. It floated for 48+ hours without gaining a drop of water.

After we got the boat back we, being careful and using a tractor with a lift on the back, set the berths to match the boat. We then set it's center front/back.

The only thing left on the trailer is to cut the top off the neck and weld on a longer stop. I'll also replace the winch. The one on there works but it's ratty.

Also, someone had cut the center out of the very back of the trailer and welded in a U shaped piece. I'm guessing they had a boat with a low outdrive. We closed that back up as well.

End result? The trailer still isn't pretty and I still need to do a complete rewire and slap new lights into it (not to mention new tires!). But it's rock solid now and the boat sits perfect.

Once the trailer's done I'm going to be lazy for a month, or so, and start taking the boat out. Couple of shake down trips up and down the river. Once it starts to get cold I'll start ripping apart the interior.

Plans are to gut most of it. Jump seats are junk, some of the floor is junk, carpet is trashed, etc.

So I'm going to re-wrap the bow seats, replace the "sleeper" type lounge seats with newer captains chairs and cover/replace the doghouse/jump seats with a large bench and sundeck like some of the newer boats.

Carpet won't go back in. Once I've got the floor, and sides, the way I like them I'll drag it down to the truck shop and have the floor rhino-lined (or line-x'd, whichever works best).

There are also a few "running" type fixes I need to do. Battery needs a box and tie-down. Blower needs new ducting. Also thinking of rebuilding the carb. All in all, not to bad on that side. Engine runs, prop spins, boat floats.

My goal is to have less then $4000 wrapped up in a decent running boat. Right now I'm at, around, $2500. Once I get the planned work done it'll be time to enjoy it for a season (hopefully all, or most, of next year). Then, if it gets enough use, we'll move up to a more expensive boat.