Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

[ChristianMariner]

Hello, All. I had my eye on a boat on craigslist, and finally talked the owner down into my price range. They sold the motor ( the one on it was too big ) and I picked up the boat and the trailer. There is no boat like it anywhere on the net as far as I can see. I don't know if that means its an oddball, or what. It is a 16 foot, made by Newman 1968.
No idea if it has a model number or not. I am very new to this. I don't know how to determine what size of motor I need, I do know that whatever I get will be used - I am on a tight budget, but will be saving for something. I also have a friend who fixes motors on anything, boats, motorcycles, caterpillar tractors ( His Job ), so I might get some help from him also.
The old motor was an Johnson, so I think that means that my steering linkage will fit another Johnson. Does that sound right? I have a 1/2 ton GMC full size short bed pickup. 2wd, 4.3L 5 speed, I don't think I will have any problem towing this little boat. I just wired up the trailer lights today and I am about to go pick up the boat tonight. I paid $300 for this, it has current reg and the trailer is PTI.
Any help would be appreciated and if you could point me to the right forum ( I don't know what kind of boat this is even called... a runabout?)
Thanks
-Chris

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

Well now that you bought it it's time to go through it thoroughly. Check the floor and transom for any soft spots. There are anumber of ways to do that and can find all you'd ever want to read about it in the restoration forum here. That should be the very 1st thing you do.

As for looking for an engine by the size of that boat in the picture, which has a 115hp Johnson on it that was said to be too big, I would be looking for a late 70's to late 80's Johnson or Evinrude 70hp. They're plentiful, easy to work on and find parts for. The 2 cylinder models will be underpowered and the V4 are much heavier. Also is the control unit for shifting and throttle still in the boat?

For what it's worth there is a starting point.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

This is a runabout - but 'runabout' is a generic term, usually applied to small boats, without a cabin, that a have a windshield and steering wheel, and that are normally small - 14-19 feet in length. Literally, they are used to 'runabout' the water.

What is that decal on the side near the stern - it looks like "Hannah", but the pictures are too low resolution for me to read.

Once you have taken bonz-d's advice on what to look for - read through a bunch of the restoration threads - that will be a great place to start. Once you begin work on the boat, start a thread there - you'll get lots of good advice.

 

[limitout]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

looks like a monark but the emblem on the back end on the side is the boats name.

it will be a "monark ??? footer" whatever the hull measures from transom to the point on the front deck.

they are built solid as a rock so I would think you are ok with up to a 90hp-100hp on it but with the weight of the new 4 strokes I would try to buy a 2 stroke if you can find one to save on weight. I wouldn't try using less then a 50hp or it might not be enough and I think 70-75hp is just right on those boats

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

Thank you all for the responses. The emblem you have asked about is the MFR. It says "NewmaN". I just got the boat home and noticed that the floor is fiberglass, not wood. Hopefully it will not be soft, I will check. The transom somehow doesnt seem to have any soft spots, it sounds "sharp" ( not dull ) everywhere that I knocked on it. Maybe I got lucky. I never get lucky, but I am optimistic. I am going to drop the boat in the lake in the morning and just cruise around with my 40# thrust trolling motor and make sure she doesnt take on any water... I will let you guys know if the floor has any soft spots. If not, I will start a post in the restoration forums, this boat has no rips in the seats, all the chrome, glass, etc. It might turn out to be a reletively good first project. Looks like there are products that will help the faded gelcoat, too. Thanks again, I will give more details soon.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

Somewhere in the deep recesses of the forums, someone had a Newman they were doing a restore on. Not the same boat, but same manufacturer. You may wanna' do a search for that thread and see if there's anything on the company.

Good lookin' boat. Should be a nice project.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

That is a nice looking old boat. It the structure is sound start scrounging for a cheap motor.
Personally I like old motors on old boats, but newer is easier for parts.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

Found a thread on Newman Boats that might be useful to you.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

I would be a little concerned about water soaked foam and/or rotten stringers even though the floor is glass. The first picture may be a bit deceiving because you and the pup are on the same side of the boat, but it appears to be riding very low in the water. If you look at the stern, there can't be much freeboard in the splashwell area. Hope I'm wrong, but you should still investigate this before spending a bunch of money on restoration.

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

I would be a little concerned about water soaked foam and/or rotten stringers even though the floor is glass. The first picture may be a bit deceiving because you and the pup are on the same side of the boat, but it appears to be riding very low in the water. If you look at the stern, there can't be much freeboard in the splashwell area. Hope I'm wrong, but you should still investigate this before spending a bunch of money on restoration.

I thought that also ( the pic is the PO ). After taking theboat out today ( with a trolling motor ) I saw that the boat leans if 2 people are on side. The boat was AWESOME. I also jumped up and down on the floor, couldnt find any softspots. It is solid. Anyways, pics and video coming soon. Just got back, will read through the other responses, thanks all!

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

I took it out. I made a video ( I make video's as a hobby ). Here is my day with the boat! Also, I will be starting a thread in the restoration post area, thanks for the help here guys!

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

While you have no motor on the back you may want to actually check your transom in a better fashion. I'm not a fan of tapping, but a few test holes drilled from the inside, down low will give you confidence. Then work your way up to make sure it's all good.

It looked like someone added a plate to the outside of the transom, that usually means it was weak at one time. Let's hope it means nothing and you are good to go. Maybe it was to support that big outboard you mentioned.
I love the boat, has very nice lines and appears to be in very good shape.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

Interesting vid. Boat looks good!

 

[79Renken]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

That's a nice looking boat.

Congrats!

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

The only thing that looks better on old boats is wood. They all look sharp. Sadly, they don't fit my needs as they were never designed for offshore and the large ones of age don't look so good.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

The only thing that looks better on old boats is wood. They all look sharp. Sadly, they don't fit my needs as they were never designed for offshore and the large ones of age don't look so good.

My dad was a sucker for wood boats. Just was to cheap to ever buy one.

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

Thanks all! I am very pleased with how she looks, that is what motivated me to buy this one.

While you have no motor on the back you may want to actually check your transom in a better fashion. I'm not a fan of tapping, but a few test holes drilled from the inside, down low will give you confidence. Then work your way up to make sure it's all good.

It looked like someone added a plate to the outside of the transom, that usually means it was weak at one time. Let's hope it means nothing and you are good to go. Maybe it was to support that big outboard you mentioned.
I love the boat, has very nice lines and appears to be in very good shape.

I tapped it because that is what everywhere I said told me to do. My friend noticed some fiberglass work around the corners of the stern, under the paint. I think someone has replaced the transom. I didn't drill, but I did take a sharp screwdriver and started to poke at the wood behind the fuel tank, it is solid. I think that someone liked this boat enough to replace the transom and the floor already ( since they are both solid ). The PO's don't have the previous history of the boat, unfortunately. They bought it and soon after found that the motor was illegal ( too big ) for the boat so they separated the two and sold them, and bought a different boat. I have friend who knows boats ( he built the sail boat he is living in now ) I am going to have him give it a once over for me also. Thanks again!

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

I moved to this restoration thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...n-easy-restore-i-hope-16-runabout-631242.html

Thanks for the interest guys!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

wait--do you have a title for the boat? If not, stop and get one--if youcan--before spending time and money. It is n't easy and you may hve to prevail upon your seller to do a "lost title" replacement--if he had one.

And you know it's bad luck to change a boat's name so you are stuck with that one, pilgrim.

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Newbie. New Boat. No motor. Needs work. Where to start?

wait--do you have a title for the boat? If not, stop and get one--if youcan--before spending time and money. It is n't easy and you may hve to prevail upon your seller to do a "lost title" replacement--if he had one.

And you know it's bad luck to change a boat's name so you are stuck with that one, pilgrim.

Yes, I got the title, and I talked to the DMV already. She will cost me 26$ total to transfer into my name. I know, I lucked out.
I didn't know it was bad luck to switch names. I will stick with it, I guess LOL.