The Arrival
- Thread starter TunaHead
- Start date
lumberslinger178
God
what part of south jersey.... I lived on pennsauken for a period that was 5 min from philly just at the bottom of the betsy ross bridgereelapeelin said:Ooooo T'Head...you poop and fall back in DEEP DOOKEY...
Slinger...my best friend from SOUTH Jersey...grew up on dairy farm 20 miles east of Philly... ;D ...
TunaHead
Senior Member
The good the bad and the ugly...
The good news is that the hull/transom are sound. The Yamaha 150 V6 runs well and started up quickly and the trim works.
The bad news is that the boat has been neglected and in addition shows alot of the usual age related problems that come with a 20 year old salt water exposed craft. I didn't post yesterday cuz I spent all my spare time searching through the archives and reviewing the gallery photos (esp the before and after pics).
1) I want to replace the rod boxes (actually there is only one in there now). Looks like I can get those from Flounder Pounder without putting too big a bite on the budget. Any other good marine surplus dealers you can recommend?
2) The deck is solid but the hatch over the gas tank is soft. Any ideas? I opened the access hatch and the tank is metal. I can see crud accumulated on top of the tank. Any way to know if this is in good shape without pulling it out?
3) Bilge, livewell and raw water washdown pumps are not working. Neither are the running lights. I suspect this is a power issue and not that every one of these items is shot. It'll just take a little time to sort out.
4) The boat has the usual swiss cheese problems on the dash and gunwales that I see in a lot of the "before" pictures in the gallery. Whats the best material for filling these?
Overall I am very pleased. I've got the boat I wanted!
By the way... her name is Slainte (pronounced slawntcha) It's a gaelic drinking toast that's the equivalent of "Cheers".
TunaHead
The good news is that the hull/transom are sound. The Yamaha 150 V6 runs well and started up quickly and the trim works.
The bad news is that the boat has been neglected and in addition shows alot of the usual age related problems that come with a 20 year old salt water exposed craft. I didn't post yesterday cuz I spent all my spare time searching through the archives and reviewing the gallery photos (esp the before and after pics).
1) I want to replace the rod boxes (actually there is only one in there now). Looks like I can get those from Flounder Pounder without putting too big a bite on the budget. Any other good marine surplus dealers you can recommend?
2) The deck is solid but the hatch over the gas tank is soft. Any ideas? I opened the access hatch and the tank is metal. I can see crud accumulated on top of the tank. Any way to know if this is in good shape without pulling it out?
3) Bilge, livewell and raw water washdown pumps are not working. Neither are the running lights. I suspect this is a power issue and not that every one of these items is shot. It'll just take a little time to sort out.
4) The boat has the usual swiss cheese problems on the dash and gunwales that I see in a lot of the "before" pictures in the gallery. Whats the best material for filling these?
Overall I am very pleased. I've got the boat I wanted!
By the way... her name is Slainte (pronounced slawntcha) It's a gaelic drinking toast that's the equivalent of "Cheers".
TunaHead
willy
God
On the fuel tank you can go a few ways, one drain into 55 gallon drum, and put in fresh fuel, get a local recommendation for your area about a tank cleaning agent and put it in with a few gallons of fresh gas hook that bad boy up and take it for an extended ride on the trailer stopping and going so the cleaner get sloshed around and drain again into separate container.
If it is real cruddy what I would do is find your local tank cleaner facility and pay them to give it a full cleaning, they will drain, use special solution under pressure and clean, drain again and filter your old gas and put back in. Buy a few fuel filters and be prepared to change them for the first few times you take it out.
Electrcal wise it sounds like a follow that line time, trace the runs, label them with marked tape pull all fuses and inspect, often it is in line fuses that get you. They are not very moisture resistant. Most accessories go to a common ground connection block under the console and often it is the ground wire that is corroded or disconnected and causing a problem. I hate wiring, always was a pain in the arse to me.
There is a good how to post concerning doing the tank covers over on this site, fellow did a nice job. Did not look to bad for a do it yourselfer and a good first fiberglass project to do. It is removed and open and easy to see.
If it is real cruddy what I would do is find your local tank cleaner facility and pay them to give it a full cleaning, they will drain, use special solution under pressure and clean, drain again and filter your old gas and put back in. Buy a few fuel filters and be prepared to change them for the first few times you take it out.
Electrcal wise it sounds like a follow that line time, trace the runs, label them with marked tape pull all fuses and inspect, often it is in line fuses that get you. They are not very moisture resistant. Most accessories go to a common ground connection block under the console and often it is the ground wire that is corroded or disconnected and causing a problem. I hate wiring, always was a pain in the arse to me.
There is a good how to post concerning doing the tank covers over on this site, fellow did a nice job. Did not look to bad for a do it yourselfer and a good first fiberglass project to do. It is removed and open and easy to see.
macojoe
Administrator
1. Rod boxes, FP is the place to go, so you good there.
2. That is a problem that all have! It has been fixed here many times and there is a couple of threads about it, Easy fix!
Gas tank can be pressure tested in place, But I have never done it, again not hard, unless it leaks, then we have done that here also! Harder fix buy very do able !!
3. Sounds like you are going to do what we have all done, REWIRE! You can do it, but just have to go slow, and tag everything as you go.
4 Dash can be replaced with 1/4 starboard, in most cases you can go to your local mariner (I Did) and they will let you go to there scrap pile, I got enough for my dash for $10.
As for small screw or bolt holes, I used Formula 27, filled every thing nice!
Sounds like you have some work ahead of you, but its all perrty stright forward!!
I have had my boat since 1998, and there has not been one year that I have not fixed something!! Some cause i needed to, and stuff that I just wanted to do.
Good Luck, start with one project at a time, you will have the boat a long time! Enjoy it!! What you don't fix this year will be there next year!
2. That is a problem that all have! It has been fixed here many times and there is a couple of threads about it, Easy fix!
Gas tank can be pressure tested in place, But I have never done it, again not hard, unless it leaks, then we have done that here also! Harder fix buy very do able !!
3. Sounds like you are going to do what we have all done, REWIRE! You can do it, but just have to go slow, and tag everything as you go.
4 Dash can be replaced with 1/4 starboard, in most cases you can go to your local mariner (I Did) and they will let you go to there scrap pile, I got enough for my dash for $10.
As for small screw or bolt holes, I used Formula 27, filled every thing nice!
Sounds like you have some work ahead of you, but its all perrty stright forward!!
I have had my boat since 1998, and there has not been one year that I have not fixed something!! Some cause i needed to, and stuff that I just wanted to do.
Good Luck, start with one project at a time, you will have the boat a long time! Enjoy it!! What you don't fix this year will be there next year!
TunaHead
Senior Member
Actually better than I expected. It's amazing what a little extra attention and cuddle time on the couch will do. I'm really pushing the envelope though cuz I'm about to pull the trigger on a GPS/fishfinder combo on Ebay (Garmin 178C).
I emailed her about it a few minutes ago and here was her reply:
"‘OK. Seems like the best deal to me. (as if my opinion matters in this, but awfully sweet of you to pretend). "
I stopped reading at "OK".
I emailed her about it a few minutes ago and here was her reply:
"‘OK. Seems like the best deal to me. (as if my opinion matters in this, but awfully sweet of you to pretend). "
I stopped reading at "OK".
Y
yankiwi
Guest
Good stuff Tunahead ;D
I am glad you got her across the continent in one piece...
A little fix up here and there and you will have a great boat.
I am glad you got her across the continent in one piece...
A little fix up here and there and you will have a great boat.
lumberslinger178
God
tuna we want some more pics ...... we need updating brother!!!
reelapeelin
God
OK...went back and looked at pics...remove all gauges, wiring to fuse-box and old plastic dash...dispatch all to dumpster quickly...
DECIDE what and all gauges, gang switches, etc you want to put IN your new dash...lay 'em out on a towel or somethin' in the general way ya wannem in the boat...easy to change mind in this stage...
take jig-saw and REMOVE all fiberglass that WAS behind ol' black plastic, LEAVING a 3'4" lip all around perimeter, to which you will attach new dash material...
Some guys have had GREAT results from BACK-painting plexiglass and installing gauges, etc...others have used Starboard...you leanin' one way or another?...
DECIDE what and all gauges, gang switches, etc you want to put IN your new dash...lay 'em out on a towel or somethin' in the general way ya wannem in the boat...easy to change mind in this stage...
take jig-saw and REMOVE all fiberglass that WAS behind ol' black plastic, LEAVING a 3'4" lip all around perimeter, to which you will attach new dash material...
Some guys have had GREAT results from BACK-painting plexiglass and installing gauges, etc...others have used Starboard...you leanin' one way or another?...
TunaHead
Senior Member
Reel, I spent some time alone with her tonight. The V20 that is. I need to rant a little. Here as nearly as I can recall is my exact phone phone conversation with "Mark" the former owner...
Mark: The previous owner crossed the batteries and fried out the electronics. I am an electrician and have installed 2 new wiring harnesses.
Me: Oooohh Aaaaahhh!!!!
Mark: Yup, Everything is good to go....
Me: Oooohh Aaaaahhh!!!
What I find is the biggest birds nest of crap mismatched plastic coated copper I've ever seen. Oh... I discovered why the pumps don't work. The wires to them have been cut. (A small detail commonly over looked even by competent electricians) Hooked up the raw water washdown pump directly to the battery and she spins like a top.
You advice is well taken. All of the wiring will be replaced. What the hell... this way if I see smoke when I turn on the bilge pump I have no one to blame but myself. My goal for now is to make her safe and sea worthy for this season. Next winter she'll be put in the garage and the real work starts.
Don't get me wrong. I still love the boat. Just blame myself for being misled. Every problem I have found is fixable.
Mark: The previous owner crossed the batteries and fried out the electronics. I am an electrician and have installed 2 new wiring harnesses.
Me: Oooohh Aaaaahhh!!!!
Mark: Yup, Everything is good to go....
Me: Oooohh Aaaaahhh!!!
What I find is the biggest birds nest of crap mismatched plastic coated copper I've ever seen. Oh... I discovered why the pumps don't work. The wires to them have been cut. (A small detail commonly over looked even by competent electricians) Hooked up the raw water washdown pump directly to the battery and she spins like a top.
You advice is well taken. All of the wiring will be replaced. What the hell... this way if I see smoke when I turn on the bilge pump I have no one to blame but myself. My goal for now is to make her safe and sea worthy for this season. Next winter she'll be put in the garage and the real work starts.
Don't get me wrong. I still love the boat. Just blame myself for being misled. Every problem I have found is fixable.
Bygracealone
God
Tuna,
It'll be okay. I experienced something very similar when I bought my V. I traveled all the way from DC down to where Franco lives in FL to pick her up. I bought her off of Ebay. Talked to the owner, everything sounded great. I had to do the whole trip in like two days, so timing was tight. After driving for Lord knows how long, I get there and the tires on the trailer are cracked along the sidewalls even though I was assured everything was "good to go" for the long trip. The trailer lights were fried too. The boat was advertised as an 88, but the paperwork showed 86. The list goes on and on (and it got longer after I got her home and inspected her more closely). Well, after traveling all that way, I wasn't about to come home empty handed, so I bought it anyway. At the end of the day, I'm glad I did. I've done a bit of work to her and there's much more to do. But as the guys have said before, this is a labor of love. It's not an investment, it's a hobby. It's gonna cost you more than you ever could have guessed. BUT (and I'm still waiting for this part myself, but I trust the testimony of the others on this list) it's all worth it when you're out on the water on your very own V20.
You'll be okay buddy. Take a deep breath, investigate, make your list, and get to work...
Hang in there.
It'll be okay. I experienced something very similar when I bought my V. I traveled all the way from DC down to where Franco lives in FL to pick her up. I bought her off of Ebay. Talked to the owner, everything sounded great. I had to do the whole trip in like two days, so timing was tight. After driving for Lord knows how long, I get there and the tires on the trailer are cracked along the sidewalls even though I was assured everything was "good to go" for the long trip. The trailer lights were fried too. The boat was advertised as an 88, but the paperwork showed 86. The list goes on and on (and it got longer after I got her home and inspected her more closely). Well, after traveling all that way, I wasn't about to come home empty handed, so I bought it anyway. At the end of the day, I'm glad I did. I've done a bit of work to her and there's much more to do. But as the guys have said before, this is a labor of love. It's not an investment, it's a hobby. It's gonna cost you more than you ever could have guessed. BUT (and I'm still waiting for this part myself, but I trust the testimony of the others on this list) it's all worth it when you're out on the water on your very own V20.
You'll be okay buddy. Take a deep breath, investigate, make your list, and get to work...
Hang in there.