Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

RotaryRacer · Aug 3, 2004

Hi, I've been lurking for a while. Great site. I was recently given the boat pictured below. I was pretty much planning on cleaning it up and selling it and splitting the profit with the giver. Well, I started thinking that it might be fun to have a little boat to haul around and use in several lakes. Well just as soon as I started spending money on the thing I realized how soft the floor was.

I am looking for opinions. Is this boat worth the time, effort and money of replacing the floor and probably the stringers? That is 76 Evinrude 70 hp that by all accounts runs well. I actually plan on doing a little water worthiness testing tomorrow. Let me know your opinions. Some more pictures. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/rupertjamal/Saf-T-Mate/100_1323.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/rupertjamal/Saf-T-Mate/100_1320.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/rupertjamal/Saf-T-Mate/100_1319.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/rupertjamal/Saf-T-Mate/100_1318.jpg Thanks

Dunaruna · Aug 3, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Hi rotary racer, Clean looking boat! The price is right, the motor runs o/k, trailer looks good. Check the transom for flexing & cracks. If the transom is o/k then its a no brainer IMO. Aldo

RotaryRacer · Aug 4, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Thanks Dunaruna. BTW the transom seems very solid. I will look at it a bit more tonight when the boat is in the water. I have a question for anyone. Would it be wise to get a piece of plywood to put down over the floor so the boat can be used for the rest of this summer and then tear into the project this fall/winter. The floor is on the verge of breaking right through....at least it seems like it when I stand in certain places.

Mark42 · Aug 4, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

I think that is one cool little boat. If you feel that you have the ability to replace the floor, then I would do it! That boat looks to be in great shape. Bet it was keep stored out of the sun and given regular maintenance. Guess it would be OK to put some plywood down as a temp fix. The resulting boat you get from your efforts will be well worth it. Mark. PS, nice neighborhood!

RotaryRacer · Aug 4, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Thanks Mark. The boat was originally stored outside. The top side where the covers didn't cover it is pretty oxidized. I am able to clean that up though. The hull has been repaired in a few spots that may need some more attention. The last 7 years the boat has sat in a garage unused. I think there has been water in the bilge all that time. I know the floor is rotten but can't determine if the stringers are damaged. I drilled a few holes in the floor and the stringers feel solid but from under the boat the hull seems pretty flexible. This may be normal for this boat but I can't be sure unless I tear out the floor. I really don't know if I have the time for the project right now.

RotaryRacer · Aug 4, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Double post

gspig · Aug 4, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Is it worth it from a selling point? You would probably break even on materials. If it is for your use, only you know that. Why don't you do as planned and put plywood down on the soft spots and use it for the Summer. You will know pretty soon if it is worth the effort to repair it.

mellowyellow · Aug 4, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

boats are cheap and easy to find, but that is a great motor if it's been taken care of. my cuz has same model, 2 yrs. newer and never does a bit of maint and the thing runs great every year.

thehermit · Aug 4, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Racer, That is one clean lookin boat and motor. I assume fresh water use. But if you like the boat and it is what you want in a vessel than by all means delve intoit. I'm with mellowyellow that motor looks clean. I would be carefull approching it from a biz standpoint it is rare that you get back what you put in (especially in time) aka..hole in water that you pour money in...but fun!

tmcalavy · Aug 4, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Hey Rotary, Geez, I would swear you hauled my boat and trailer off, painted it orange and hung an Evy off the back. I've got a 73 Ebbtide bowrider identical to your boat, only its white and green with a 50 hp Merc 500 hanging on the back. Sweet little boats. Good for up to four folks cruising, or 2-3 fishing. We really enjoy ours. I'd throw some ply down and check her out on the water. Only way to know if you like her enough to do the floor and stringers. If so, tear into it...reference Jason J's posts on the Skanky Beast rebuild as a guide and a book called Runabout Renovation by Anderson. My floor is sound but when the time comes, I will do a rebuild...unless I have pontoon fever at the time. Clear skies, bound for Shang-hai....TWM

RotaryRacer · Aug 4, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Thanks everyone for your input. I had the boat on the water today. Well I was pretty impressed with the motor. It has sat unused for 7 yrs and seems to be running pretty good. It has a bit of a slow speed idle problem. I think a plug is getting fouled or it is simply running too rich. Once it gets going though it really zips right along. That is a lot of power for a little boat. The boat on the other hand is really iffy. It seems very flexible. It could just be I'm not used to an old boat. But I think the floor being basically non-existant really makes the boat too flexible. I actually really like the boat. Now I just need to decide when to start working on it...and I need to find a small money tree. Really probably won't need to be too big though.

RotaryRacer · Aug 9, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Well I know for sure I need new stringers now. I cut a hole in the floor to find rotted wood everywhere. Planning has begun.

Indymike · Aug 20, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Hi Rotory, I have a 73 16' Saf T Mate that I'm planning on going through. Just bought it and had it on the water once. Feels very solid but its 30 years old and probably needs new stringers and such as well. Going to give it a go this winter. Would you be able to post some pics of the bunk board set up under your boat? I have a shorelander tilt trailer as well and I think the previous owner of my boat monkeyed with the set up. Just dont like what I see . Thanks and good luck ! Mike

Evinrude Boater · Aug 24, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Rotary Racer, be carefull using a boat without proper hull support. Hitting waves can damage the hull leaving you with more than stringers to replace. Also, flexing of the hull might result in lots of fine cacks. Better to fix now before you make it worse.

RotaryRacer · Aug 25, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Indymike: I haven't had a chance to get the camera out to take pictures of the trailer yet. I will soon. Classicboater: Thanks for the warning. After I put the boat in the water one time and decided I liked it I took it out and have since starting the tear down. The boat can't be used until I get it rebuilt.

BoatBuoy · Aug 25, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Check the trailer bearings! Check the trailer bearings! Check the trailer bearings! before you tow it again. Bearing maintenance now can save you many headaches (and money) in the spring.

Indymike · Aug 25, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Thanks Rotory I'll keep my eyes peeled. Mike

Harker · Aug 26, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Better put a waterpump kit in it too if it's been sitting for 7 years...don't want to fry that motor.

RotaryRacer · Aug 27, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Thanks guys for the words of advice. No picture of the trailer yet. (soon though) I will be getting to the motor soon. Waterpump is the #1 priority.

RotaryRacer · Sep 18, 2004

Re: Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Indymike, I took some pictures of the bunks and rollers on the trailer. I can't pull the boat out of the garage yet but hopefully you can see enough. Let me know if you need anything else. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/rupertjamal/Saf-T-Mate/100_1533.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/rupertjamal/Saf-T-Mate/100_1534.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/rupertjamal/Saf-T-Mate/100_1535.jpg All, If you interested I took some more pics of the boat with the floor and two stringers out. Pretty ungly under there. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/rupertjamal/Saf-T-Mate/100_1531.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/rupertjamal/Saf-T-Mate/100_1527.jpg

Saf-T-Mate Rebuild? Worth it?

Lieutenant

Admiral

Lieutenant

Fleet Admiral

Lieutenant

Lieutenant

Chief Petty Officer

Vice Admiral

Petty Officer 1st Class

Rear Admiral

Lieutenant

Lieutenant

Petty Officer 1st Class

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Lieutenant

Rear Admiral

Petty Officer 1st Class

Chief Petty Officer

Lieutenant

Lieutenant