1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

[lokonn]

So I have been around iboats since I bought a 1991 Alumacraft Trophy 170 in July or August of last year. Spent way too much on the boat initially and spent alot of time and additional money getting it functional. We had a good time with the boat and I learned alot here and working on the boat. In Late November after getting the boat tweaked, I had the urge to try to sell it. I had re-done all the electrical, added a rod locker, painted consoles and got the 115 Mercury running well. Things at work were not going well and I thought lets see if I can improve the family cash flow. Listed the boat for more than I thought was possible and ended up getting a price that allowed me to get everything I had in it plus about a grand, not counting my time. It was kind of bittersweet in that I got what I needed but now didn't have a boat to fish with, and my 15 year old son was wondering what the heck I was doing. I explained that we could get another boat when the time was right and listed all the short comings of the current boat. I could see in his eyes that he was having a hard time and thinking ''here we go''. Well things at work got worse and it turns out that the cash in the bank came in extremelly helpful. We have gotten things back to current and he and I have been pouring over Craigslist looking for a boat. I figured this time I was going to look for something that had to be a re-do for a couple of reasons. Number one is that I can't seem to leave well enough alone. I am always wanting to tweak or re-do something to make it better or serve another purpose. Number 2 was that I just can't afford to spend the kind of money they get for new boats, wish I could , and all the best to the guys who can, but I do not live in that world. Number 3 was that I found I really enjogyed working on the boat and getting it to the way I wanted. As a result here I am with a boat that has a bad floor, bad transom, questionable motor and is a complete blank canvass. I'm excited, my son is excited and we are looking forward to the process. We will take as many pictures as possible, maybe a video here and there and welcome your input and advice. Hopefully we will be able to post initial pictures tomorrow as we begin the process of making this boat our own.

 

[lokonn]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Kind of confused on the picture posting process. Not sure if anything is going to show up. But here goes.

 

[lokonn]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Will try to figure out how to get full sized pictures in the next batch.

 

[Teamster]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Tagging along,...............

 

[joe423]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Nice looking boat So far it's been fun working on it with you dad!

 

[lokonn]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

OK, so yesterday was a great day. After getting the boat almost two weeks ago we finally had a block of time to do something. I need to say from the start that I have twin boys who will be 16 tomorrow. Joe has grown into the fisherman of the two. I think I scared Mike with the first boat being too small. With the 2nd boat he never got a chance to go out on it. His decision, but that is how it went. He seems more comfortable with this boat, size wise, so time will tell. Joe and I were able to get the tnt motor to function, all though it wants to leak down, get the o/b motor off and onto a stand we built. We also removed left over transducers off of the transom. Drilled out screws and rivits and were able to get the rotted wood out of the transom. Heck of a day in my book.

 

[lokonn]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Was able to get the transom out in 3 pieces, and the way this transom is set up the inner sheet of aluminum comes out after all the screws are removed and gives you a pretty good template for new transom. Some of the fasteners were in really tough spots but thanks to limber 15yr olds we were able to get them out. Hopefully pictures to follow in the morning.

 

[lokonn]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Here is a short video of us removing the 125 Force off of the boat and onto a stand we made with the help of iboats.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

That's a GREAT Motor Remover!!! Everyone Should have one of those.

 

[lokonn]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Here are some more pictures of what was left after the transom came out. Hardware was shot. As I said before the transom came out in three pieces along withe a few healthy handfuls of mulch. Question to anyone that may know... the splashwell draintubes were plastic, at least what was left of them, has anybody had any success with the plastic tubes or am I better of going with the brass/aluminum style?

 

[lokonn]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Yeah Buddy! That tractor comes in handy for more than I ever thought about. We also used it to break the transon free. Put a couple of hooks in the best part of the wood and lifted. From there we were able to pull it out by hand.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

You've got an aluminum boat, so, I'd use aluminum tubes. Here's how to make your own tube installation tool...

 

[64osby]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Looks like a great project and a nice hull to work with.

Stand, tractor, helpers, making it look easy.

 

[lokonn]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Thanks for the tool plan woodonglass! I wasn't very impressed with what was left of the plastic draintubes on this boat, but when I searched them, more plastic than anything was coming up. I'll keep looking and get the aluminum tubes. The ones that were on my Alumacraft were in good shape and that was a 1991.

 

[lokonn]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

New question. I have ordered my epoxy, should be here by end of week. Trying to make sure I have whatever materials I am going to need when the time/need comes up. Gluvit...from what I can figure it would seem like I will need a 8lb/1 gallon kit. Coverage rates sounds like about 125sqft/gallon. Is that what everybody has run into in practice? At the price of this stuff I don't want to have a bunch leftover and be forced to buy another project just to use it up.:lol: Also what has been best product for patching transducer mounting holes and such, short of welding? While hull is not perfect by any means I dont want to add more waves from warpage.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

I think most everyone get by with just a Quart of the Gluvit. Seems like it goes a LONG way. You can get the aluminum drain tubes right here on iBoats...
1-7/8" Aluminum Drain Tube - Moeller 021002-188D - iboats

Lots of methods used here on the forum for patching. A lot of guys use 3M 5200 and then fabricate aluminum sheet and rivets to sandwitch the 5200 between the two plates. Simple and effective. I'm not a "Tinner" so I'll let them speak to the patching in more detail.

 

[lokonn]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Sorry double post. Still getting my way around all this.

 

[lokonn]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Looks like a great project and a nice hull to work with.

Stand, tractor, helpers, making it look easy.

So far so good. It is a blast having the boys involved. Thanks for stopping by.

 

[64osby]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

Also what has been best product for patching transducer mounting holes and such, short of welding?

Patching methods vary, are you mounting a transducer or need to use any of the holes?

A thin backer sheet and JB Weld is effective, sand the excess off the face of the transom.

If there is a large area, a sheet can be coated with 5200 and riveted to the transom skin.


If a thin coat is applied a quart of Gluvit should be enough

 

[Teamster]

Re: 1987 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 - The Fun Begins

After you get it patched up I would consider mounting one of these for future transducer mounting,...

Cabela's: Cabela's Transducer Mounting Plates

I have seen some homemade mounting boards made out of cheap plastic cutting boards,...