Skinny water conversion.

[reka12]

Ok everyone. You guys suckered me into it by making it sound easy (and actually it was not too bad!). A little history... <br /><br />It started out by finding a 1982 15 hp Evinrude on the street being thrown away as trash. I talked with the owner who said "take it, it does not run". Figuring it would be a lesson in mechanics for my 13 yo and with the help of Paul, JB and others on this forum, we got it working and sold it to a coworker. A short while later, I bought another coworkers little beater boat. A '70 14.5 foot SeaCraft Fiberglass boat, '70 Evinrude 25 tiller and trailer. $500 bucks. My son and I thought it would be a great river, lagoon and lake boat to putter around on.<br /><br />Thanks to this forum, we got the motor running sweet. Took it out on the first trip and the engine started throwing parts, a prior repair on the hull started leaking and the trailer got a flat. Feeling like a lollipop and really deflated, my son and I contemplated what to do with the hull since the powerhead was trashed.<br /><br />One morning we were out bass fishing on our Larson 210 LXI (not the easiest but you do what you have to do, right?) we starting discussing what we liked about the little hull and what we wish it would do (like float). What if it had a center console with remote steering? What if it had a front casting deck? What if it had foam so it would float if it filled with water? What if it had a reliable motor? What if it had a bilge pump, baitwell, trolling motor, tach, etc. etc.<br /><br />So, after posting a few questions on buying a used motor, type (weight was the issue), and other questions to the forum, I ran across a '03 Merc 25EL remote on ebay. $1500 with controls delivered. So, I bought it and committed to spending the summer working on a project with my son. <br /><br />Well, we are putting the what ifs into reality. We are rolling along and getting to the end. I have been lurking, searching and posting a few questions and we have had a blast working on it together. I have spent more quality time with him this summer than all last year combined. He has shown some really great mechancial skills and has had good ideas.<br /><br />So, I thought I would share with you all what we are doing. I know some of you post your pics on shareaproject. So here is the link:<br /><br /> http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,79,00.html <br /><br />I welcome your comments and criticisms. Can anyone tell me how to post a picture using shareaproject or recommend another location to store picture to be able to post here?<br /><br />Thanks Mike and Michael.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

Life will not ever be better than that. ( Did you give him his own set of keys ? ).

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

What a great project. You guys did an awesome job on that boat.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

Now thats what I am talking about. I am a sucker for a cc conversion....Great job!

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

Terrific project Mike/Michael !! You must be proud.<br /><br />I'll take a moment to explain how best to post an image here at iboats, using a link to one of your images as an example:<br /><br />It is important to try and link to an image that is not too big. Even better is to link to an image using a thumbnail. That way, the viewer can choose to see a higher resolution image or not.<br /><br />The IMG tag is very handy. To use it you simply need to enclose it within square brackets [ ] as follows:<br /><br />{IMG}http://www.shareaproject.com/slideImages/1315.jpg{/IMG}<br /><br />Replacing the {} brackets with [] brackets gives:<br /><br />

<br /><br />To display a thumbnail image link instead, you need another link to a smaller image. In this case you need to use URL hyperlink code in square brackets as well:<br /><br />{URL=http://www.shareaproject.com/slideImages/1315.jpg}{IMG}http://www.shareaproject.com/tutorialImages/1315.jpg{/IMG}{/URL}<br /><br />The first image file listed is the full size target, the second is the smaller thumbnail.<br /><br />Replacing the {} brackets with [] brackets gives: <br /><br /> <br /><br />Notice that you can click on that image to see the larger image.<br /><br />Typical code:<br />{URL=http:// fullsize.jpg}{IMG} http:// thumbnail.jpg{/IMG}{/URL} <br /><br />Hope this helps.

 

[reka12]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

Thanks everyone. It has been fun. The lessons learned (which I have heard here before) 1. It will cost more than budgeted. 2. You need twice the amount of resin you think you will need. 3. You are going to itch from the time you start until two weeks after the final sanding. 4. Lowes and/or HD does not carry the quantity of sandpaper you will use. 5. Fiberglassing is pretty forgiving. Mess up, cut it out or grind it to size. 6. Sanding in the corners is tough. 7. It will take a lot longer than you planned. 8. Your wife will forgive you for screwing up the garage because you have spent so much time with your kids. 9. Laying the first layer of glass on wood in the hot sun will cause bubbles. Let the wood warm-up, lay the glass and move it to a shady spot or into the garage. No bubbles. 10. If your eyes get puffy the next day after working with the epoxy, you are developing an alergy. Use Allegra. It works. 11. Take pride in your kids work. It may not be perfect, but like he told me: "You have Mercedes Benz taste but Kia skills." Besides, nothing makes him more proud than showing his envious friends what he has done. 12. Use this forum! You cannot buy better advice than you will find here. Any question is a good question and no one will chastise you no matter how simple or obvious the answer to your questions is. Chance are, someone here has done it, broke it, fixed it, or, in the rare case where someone comes up with something new, will work hard to problem solve with you. <br /><br />Frankly, I do not know where some of you get the time to post and help out as much as you do, but I am glad for it.<br /><br />So thanks again. Without Iboats, I would have never attempted the project. We just can't wait until it is done (but is it ever?)! The final sanding was completed this afternoon. Painting is next. Putting all the parts on and wiring. Watch out reds, trout, bass, specks and Suwannee River Catfish, we are on our way!<br /><br />Cyclops2. You are right. Can't wait to spend the next phase (fishing and boating) with my kids. Funny story; when we put the original boat in the water, my daughter hid under the gunnels because she did not want her friends to see her in the boat (11 yo). Now she can't wait until it is done. And yes, he has completed the USCG course and has his license and he'll have his own keys.<br /><br />RodC: Thanks. I have read a few of your posts. Thanks for your input.<br /><br />JasonJ: When I look at your project, mine seems pretty simple. But it was one of our early inspirations!<br /><br />Mike

 

[reka12]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

Thanks AMD! I have once more learned something new. I will use it!<br /><br />Mike

 

[reka12]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

This is only a test to see if I have the picture posting down pat...<br /><br />

 

[reka12]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

WooWoo! AMD, Your the Man!

 

[reka12]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

First primecoat. We were really curious what the glassing job would look like with a coat of paint as the imperfections tend to stickout. We were really happy that most of the glass and tape jobs turned out as well as the original construction! The light...I can see the light!<br /><br />

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

The best to you and your family.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

reka12, that is a really neat project. What will the LEDs in the hull be used for? Do they light up underwater?

 

[reka12]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

Hey everyone! We are done! Pleae check out the pictures at share a project. The link is in my signature. Basically this is it:

<br /><br />Calico. Yes they light up underwater. We go shrimping on the east coast of Florida and hopefully they will be bright enough. But even if they are not, they're still cool looking!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

Very cool. glad to see it done. Of course, you realize that you now need to start another. It's like crack addiction, you can't just do it once. Good luck on your maiden voyage, try to get some action shots...

 

[reka12]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

You got it. My next project is painting the garage floor. The epoxy, paint and clearcoat drips are driving my better half crazy. Thanks.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

Originally posted by reka12:<br /> We are done!

That's a great project. I'm glad it came out well. One of the heartbreakers I see around here is folks get about 40% into something like that, then 'burn out', and it just sits for years and years.<br /><br />The only thing I can think to add is that when the salt water finally eats up the engine, get a 150-200hp V-6 next time around. <br /><br />Har, har, har,,,,,,,

 

[reka12]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

I like your way of thinking Winger!

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

Nice job!And yes a big job well done letting your son in on the rebuild.That is something he will have for life.Only problem with that is;dad what about the next boat?Thats a problem only a father/son would love.<br />Happy safe boating!

 

[Realgun]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

The epoxy, paint and clearcoat drips are driving my better half crazy

Yours too? <br /><br />I have a nice dripped outline of the floor I put in mine.

 

[reka12]

Re: Skinny water conversion.

You know, when I look at it (the garage floor), I only see certain times of progress during the rebuild. Looks ok to me. But...I always wanted the checkered flag garage floor pattern. (She can't complain about that, right?)