Newbie Rebuild" 1988 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 w/ 100HP Merc

[Renderwurx]

 

[Renderwurx]

OK Guys... need some input and help. I need to think abo-ut getting some instruments... I know I need a tachometer and fuel gauge. Do I really need anything else?

 

[chevymaher]

Depth gauge.

 

[Bayou Dave]

Might want to think of a fuel and volt gauge combo.

 

[Renderwurx]

Both good suggestions. I will have a fish finder/.GPS for depth, and my switch panel has voltage meter on it... so I think those will be good enough for those uses.

 

[hct4all]

Looks great

 

[eggs712]

I like it! It'll look badass when finished out.

As far as gauges go, the new smart gauges with speed, fuel, tach, etc combined save dash space, but may be cost prohibitive. A GPS speedometer would be another good option. Lastly, if you eventually want a stereo, they make marine stereo head units that fit like a standard gauge so they won't clutter the dash.

 

[Renderwurx]

I like it! It'll look badass when finished out.

As far as gauges go, the new smart gauges with speed, fuel, tach, etc combined save dash space, but may be cost prohibitive. A GPS speedometer would be another good option. Lastly, if you eventually want a stereo, they make marine stereo head units that fit like a standard gauge so they won't clutter the dash.

Thanks guys! Eggs... I think the GPS fishfinder will work for a speedometer, but I'll definitely look into the combo units for comparison. And yeah the stereo thing I have considered. I almost bought this one when it was on sale but delayed too long... will keep an eye on it.

 

[oldrem]

Thanks guys! Eggs... I think the GPS fishfinder will work for a speedometer, but I'll definitely look into the combo units for comparison. And yeah the stereo thing I have considered. I almost bought this one when it was on sale but delayed too long... will keep an eye on it.

I've had my eye on that same radio for awhile now. Not far enough along to pull the plug on it, but really looks sweet.

 

[Renderwurx]

Yeah it is... and with the bluetooth feature you can play toons from the phone.

As far as gauges... I think this may work for me...

 

[Renderwurx]

Time for an update... took a cold weather break... but can't use that excuse for past month or so. But vacation, family illness (all good now), etc... eats away at the days.

Still I managed to Get Gluvit applied. I turned the boat upside down with the help of a few friends. Then painstakingly (or so my back says) applied gluvit around every single rivet. Around 1000+... using a q-tip. I brushed it on the seam rivets, and used a syringe to apply it along the seams themselves.

I guess most people apply to the inside... but I figured I'd be different. I plan on doing an "in water " leak test and if there are any leaks missed by areas unreachable from outside, I'll get them from the inside. I really am not worried about leaking much anyway as an earlier boat fill leak test revealed only a single slow leak.

 

[Renderwurx]

I also finally got around to picking up a sheet of 3/4" Marine Ply to make a new transom from. Cut and glued. I have a bunch of lead I bought to melt for sinkers, so that was my weight system. Over the next day or two, I will fit it in the transom slot (I need to bevel the very ends a bit with a sander) and mark/drill the splashwell drain holes, engine mounting holes, and the eye bolt tie-down holes with a drill press.

I feel as if once I get the transom and splashwell back in... the project will really take off in speed. I don't plan on a showroom restore... I just want to get my boat customized, seaworthy, and ready to fish.

 

[Renderwurx]

The console is about finished. I gave it a healthy coating of old timers, carpeted the sides, then the back top and front in one piece. I used 3M 77 spray adhesive... spraying first the wood a decent coat, then the carpet. Allowed them to dry tacky then rolled the carpet on with a hard roller.

I am replacing the rack steering with the Teleflex no feedback rotary set, found a nice used binnacle mount control set, 2 new xtreme control cables, a new combo gauge with RPM, Fuel, and voltage.

The switch panel also has a voltage reading and some handy phone charging ports. Garmin Striker 5DV fish finder. And a marine radio that came with the boat that works great.

All I need to do now is paint the grab bar, cut the plexiglass windshield to fit. I'm considering making it only attach to grab bar... then I can attach the grab bar with knobbed bolts allowing me to easily remove the grab bar/windshield for winter storage.

 

[Renderwurx]

It was meant to be... because I had a section of JUST enough 3/4" marine ply left over from the transom sheet to cut a piece to fit in the bow under the nose piece. Now i just have to find a sheet of aluminum (anyone got a source for old street signs!) Or maybe a half sheet of diamond plate... hmmmm

 

[oldrem]

I really like that bow plate support - I may copy that setup for mine

 

[Renderwurx]

I really like that bow plate support - I may copy that setup for mine

Thanks! I plan on eventually getting a nice GPS trolling motor and wanted a solid mounting surface. My boat happened to have 2 aluminum brackets already under there that were 3/4" below the lip... so it all just came together.

 

[oldrem]

My Sylvan has the exact same setup. Originally it just had 2 pieces of 1x6 attached for support, so was going to copy that. Your design makes it so much better.

 

[Renderwurx]

Yep... looks familiar. Shot of the tabs on mine before cleanup.

 

[Renderwurx]

I cleaned and primed the out side out the transom two days ago... now I have cleaned the inside and applied JBWeld to any pitting (quite a few spots). Used a putty knife to spread it smoothly. hopefully can prime it this afternoon.

 

[Renderwurx]

I was able to get SOOOOO much done this weekend. But it was all the little piddly stuff tht really doean;t warrant photos:

Painted the grab bar for the center console
Installed bar clamp light mounts and the LED flood lights on the bar
Primed the inside of the transom slot
Scrubbed, degreased, and primed the transom inner skin
Scrubbed, degreased, and primed the splashwell
Scrubbed, degreased, and primed the bilge pump mounting plate
Went around the gunwhale and replaced/added rivets where needed
Oldtimer's sealed the bow noseplate
Trimmed, sanded, and drilled the transom. Ready to seal finally!
Ran to HomeDepot and picked up some various nuts/bolts for mounting the gauge/steering assembly
Even spent some downtime cleaning misc parts I intend on using with the boat... like these bumpers: