What project ideas do you have for a hull like this?

[billh1963]

I have an opportunity to get a PennYan inboard tunnel drive hull like this for a decent price. It has new floors and a good engine and trailer and that's about it. <br /><br />I was thinking about this as a winter project. Does this have the potential to be made into a serious fishing boat? I don't know anything about PY's and thought I have heard they have great hulls. Am I wrong? <br /><br />What could you do (if anything) to a hull like this? <br /><br />

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: What project ideas do you have for a hull like this?

I'd say you have a fresh pallette to create anything you want. imagine your seating and storage and livewells and where they would best suit you then have at it.

 

[alden135]

Re: What project ideas do you have for a hull like this?

Don't let Wimperdink near your boat, he'll cut in half.

 

[Mark42]

Re: What project ideas do you have for a hull like this?

Tunnel drive has the prop in the tunnel and it is totally different that any i/o or outboard. I think they can run in very shallow water. But you really need to do some research on PY's before you buy that boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What project ideas do you have for a hull like this?

Ayuh,....... I Don't Know Much about them,.....Personally....... <br /><br />But,..... A Good Friend was involved with 1 up on the river,... It was a SBChrysler tunnel drive in a Wooden Hull,...... <br />It $UCKED,.... <br />Didn't handle At All,+ you Couldn't keep Gas in the tank.....<br />It Plowed a Bigger Bow Wake than the Freighters going down the river,.......<br />They bought it as an Antique,+ Sold it for Parts,........Bad, Bad News.........<br /><br />In the Pic.,....<br />That 1 looks like it's a Fiberglass Boat,.....I Donno.....<br /><br />If you haven't Done the Deal,........ I'd Keep Looking,......... There's LOTS of Projects Out There.......<br />I Landfilled a Beautiful Sleetcraft last year,.... Solid, but Rough hull,still had more "Trimmings" than that 1.... <br />Couldn't Give it Away,......... <br /><br />I'll Bet there's some Housewife, Somewhere around where you live, That wants to Give You CHEAP, A Pile of Crap in Her backyard, that the Oleman hasn't Touched in 2 Years........................ <br /><br />Don't Give Up,......... Just Keep Looking............Things that are "Common" are Much Easier to find Pieces For...........

 

[billh1963]

Re: What project ideas do you have for a hull like this?

Thanks, everyone. I've decided to pass on this opportunity....sometimes a good price will make you lose your sanity

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: What project ideas do you have for a hull like this?

Originally posted by alden:<br /> Don't let Wimperdink near your boat, he'll cut in half.

Yup Yup.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: What project ideas do you have for a hull like this?

Penn Yan hulls were very well built, heavy and seaworthy. <br /><br />The great majority of the boats they sold used their tunnel drive system. The tunnel drive systems are basically straight inboard setups with the running gear recessed in a tunnel. 90+% of the gear is protected by the hull. <br /><br />Like everything related to boat design, there are always tradeoffs. Great shallow water protection for the running gear, but poor efficiency and little steering control in reverse. <br /><br />I happen to have a 20.5' Explorer Outboard. They only made a few outboard models per year. It is a very solid boat and I'm in the process of restoring it. <br /><br />There is a small cult like following for these tunnel drive boats, but it is not a large group. While the hulls were solid glass, the decks were often balsa cored laminations. Over the years, water can get into the deck core (most commonly from screw holes) and the deck needs to be repaired. <br /><br />Here is a picture of a twin engine cruiser running just off the beach...<br />

 

[Mark42]

Re: What project ideas do you have for a hull like this?

Originally posted by Wimperdink:<br />

Originally posted by alden:<br /> Don't let Wimperdink near your boat, he'll cut in half.

Yup Yup.

You have been annointed "The One Who Cuts Things in Half". Go in Pieces.