Fibreglass Boat Project

[woody1]

Hi all. I have a 14ft fibreglass boat with a 50hp 1973 evinrude I picked up a while ago off my old friend ebay. I will be working on it for the next few months so watch this space. I would love to hear any comments or tips you have.

Enjoy

Woody1

oh by the way, she has already been named - Woody1

[woody1]

here are the before pics [img size=500]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/boat_front_AFO.jpg

[woody1]

Check out all that fishing space!!! [img size=500]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/Image026_AFO.jpg

[woody1]

Trailer before [img size=374]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/17072007519_AFO.jpg

[woody1]

Had a whole lot of rust [img size=500]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/17072007524_AFO.jpg

[woody1]

Many hours of grinding and sanding

A few coats of primer and hammertone paint

new rollers

new winch

new wheels and hubs

now were road ready [img size=374]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/20082007679_AFO.jpg

[woody1]

[img size=500]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/20082007680_AFO.jpg

[woody1]

[img size=500]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/20082007688_AFO.jpg

[ellicat]

Looks like a good pickup Woody. It pays to be handy hey.

Feral has a thread you might find interesting - he basically built a boat and trailer from a shell.

Search his forum posts for \"Project\" and you should find it.

Cheers

[rayke1938]

Cant tell from the photo but if the windscreen is perspec and discoloured or scratched polish it up with brasso. It will come up good as new. You woll have to do it every few years but lot cheaper than fitting new one,

Ray

[Feral]

Looks like a great project.

You need to get some carpet, or better yet the slippery plastic runners they use these days onto the wood, stop your hull getting scratched!

[woody1]

I went through feral's post a while back and it actually inspired me to get off my ass and get into it.

Thats a great tip Ray. I was planning on fitting a new windscreen - it is actually off the boat at the moment. Taking it out to the water for the first time this saturday, so we will see how she goes

[ellicat]

I read Ferals post one long and lonely winter:P . It scared me:woohoo: and reminded me that I'm just a beancounter:lol:

[Brian D]

I made a post before but it's gone but you answered all my questions woody. Cool project.

Elli what you mean just? Nothing wrong with counting other peoples money, as one bc says to another.

[woody1]

Took her down to Dohles Rocks ramp and got her in the water for the first time. We were very impressed with how the trailer handled the road. Got it up to 110 with no worries.

Boat slipped off the rollers on the way off, so will need to have a look at that, but went back on fine. It wasnt sitting on the trailer properly to begin with because it was winched on from the garden.

it was very stable in the water, was able to walk around and lean right over the side with no worries.

Her are some pics

[woody1]

On the way down

[woody1]

Boat sitting in the water & younger brother [img size=500]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/P8300349_AFO.jpg

[woody1]

Outboard running [img size=500]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/P8300360_AFO.jpg

[woody1]

We gave the outboard a good long run for the first time. It took a few goes to get it started but once it fired up, it stayed running.

As the pic above shows there was water splashing out of a few places, and no volumes of water squirting out like a telltale. When flushing at home water comes out from lots of different places up the leg, especially where the bolts for taking off the lower unit are. I suspect it has been pulled apart and not sealed up again.

Next step is to see if it is pumping water (i assume it has a thermostat) and probably pull the leg apart, check the impeller and seal it all up again.

Woody

[Lozzel]

Woody ; Thats normal to have water coming out of the holes in the leg.

The part where the leg bolts together does not have a seal and does not have to be .

Where you have water coming out in the pic is an one of exhaust outlets (your main exhaust is through thr prop) and it is also your only water \"Tell tail\". All the early motors didnot have a seperate \"tell tail\" coming out of the cowling.

Looks to be pumping fine in the pic.It does have a themostat (or it should have) .Do not remove it but if you are not sure of it replace it with a new one.,2 strokes like to run at a certain temp. too cold and it will foul up the plugs.

On another note, I'd put some nylon strips onto the boards (skids) . It will protect your hull from rubbing and make it easier to slide off.

Laurie

[havarest]

top stuff, great to see boats get up and running not like mine........ but hopefully ill get there. . Great stuff enjoy