Project "I wanna fish"

[codertimt]

Well, I thought I'd make a quick post about my project boat. It's a 1986 Challenger 172 Fish & Ski. Have yet to get started with much, been sorting out what I'm going to do motor-wise. Nothing as exciting or extensive as most on here as it seems quite solid. Nonetheless, it does need some work...

More pics and information can be found on my blog. I'll try and update this thread when and if anything exciting happens...

 

[oops!]

Re: Project "I wanna fish"

heh heh heh....let the good times roll !

whadda ya got to do to it......


lots of help here

 

[codertimt]

Re: Project "I wanna fish"

heh heh heh....let the good times roll !

whadda ya got to do to it......

lots of help here

Not too much...it's amazingly solid for such an old boat. So it's a pretty short list.

1. Repower - Using my even older '77 85HP Johnson. Kind of glad I'm using it though. It's been in the family since 1986 on various boats...almost like a brother.
2. Carpet and Upholstery - Carpet is in quite a few sections and there are alot of hatches...so it will be a bit of a pain. Vinyl is only the bow seating and cushions. I will probably just fold and staple that. The rest is just 4 fishing seats...
3. Polish? - Been reading a bit about restoring the metalflake and I think I'm going to try the 320 grit wet sanding and then buff and polish. I'll see where that gets me...
4. Hull repair - There a couple of decent fresh looking scars on the bottom of the boat. Might have happened at the same time he took out the lower unit? So I'm thinking I'll do some filling with epoxy on those.
5. Electronics - Lastly, just make sure bilge pump, aerator, lights etc are working right.
6. Go fishing.

Wow, even a short list looks long when you type it all out. I don't see how you guys have the patience for the long term projects...

 

[maxum247]

Re: Project "I wanna fish"

What's the story on the Mariner?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Project "I wanna fish"

Don't start sanding with 320, it's too coarse, try 600 first, it will be much easier to get the sanding scratches out. Only go to 320 if the 600 won't do the job.

 

[codertimt]

Re: Project "I wanna fish"

What's the story on the Mariner?

When I got it, I knew it had a bad lower unit. Also missing power trim...all electronics for trim in place though. Got it home and it fired up and idled...if a tad rough. Never heard an inline 6 before, so didn't know how smooth an idle it was supposed to have.

Even though I had originally planned to use my old motor, I decided to just go ahead and spend the money on a used lower unit. I knew it would do much better on the boat than the old 85.

Decided I should really check compression before buying the lower unit and am glad I did. #6 had only 30psi and metal flakes on the tip of the spark plug. So hopefully the my 85 will at least get me on plane...

 

[codertimt]

Re: Project "I wanna fish"

Don't start sanding with 320, it's too coarse, try 600 first, it will be much easier to get the sanding scratches out. Only go to 320 if the 600 won't do the job.

Good to know. Thanks for the advice.

 

[maxum247]

Re: Project "I wanna fish"

My nephew had a 20 foot Privateer with an old 85hp. Evinrude on it, that boat is quite a bit heavier and bigger than the boat you have there and it flew.

I think you'll be surprised at the speed you'll get from the 85 if it's running well!

 

[5150abf]

Re: Project "I wanna fish"

My 2 pennies, I would try rubbing compound on the paint before I sanded anything, every scratch you put in the boat you have to get out.
Hit it with a buffer and good quality rubbing compound first, oxidation is usually pretty easy to get out.
If you do have to sand as ondarvr said 600 wet/dry with lots of water.
Looks like a nice boat, enjoy your project.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Project "I wanna fish"

Don't start sanding with 320, it's too coarse, try 600 first, it will be much easier to get the sanding scratches out. Only go to 320 if the 600 won't do the job.

I had a simular prodject and was told by the paint guy at the marina to use no less than 1000. I would research alittle more before you get the sander out. and I total agree with 5150abf I would start with a light rubbing compound (white).
Denny

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Project "I wanna fish"

I should have said don't start with anything coarser than 600, it's always best to start with the least agressive method and that would be buffing. In the pics of the boat it looks like more than just buffing will be needed though.

 

[codertimt]

Re: Project "I wanna fish"

Again, good information folks. I haven't really done any fine sanding/buffing like this, so it's really helpful to me. I will probably just try a rubbing compound first and see what it gets me. I'm not really going for a "shines like new" finish or anything. Just want to clean and clear it up a bit.

Thanks again.
Tim