1979 181SS V5!!! Purchase, Resto, lovein' and someday boatin'

[chuckndiscs]

I have paid my dues and it finally paid off. I have been missing out on boats, searching for close to 5 years now, and holding back from buying to high and I finally got what will be MY BOAT! Now, I still have my 16' 79 SS BUT this one, when done, is my boat. THE BOAT. I have been wanting a v5 for as long as I have been a member here. Got it today and got it for a Jas deal!

Yes, it has a 470 but that can be improved (It spins and "runs").

Yes it has some work to be done but you cant start out perfect unless you pay for it.

YESSSSSS!!!!

 

[dozerII]

Congrats Chuck, at least it's a Merc and not WLOD

 

[chuckndiscs]

Thanks Dozer! I cannot WAIT to get at this. Literally got it over lunch, still sitting in works parking lot!!

One thing that already has me wondering - See the third pic, side shot from the back...the "mess" where the window strut hits the hull is the gas fill station. I have NEVER seen a mod where the gas is on the outside, like a car. I dont like it but that is my initial impression.

*** EDIT: I see it is just like your old boat in the "Well traveled 18' v5 SS" thread. Maybe it was standard? ***

FYI - This boat is HEAVY! Pretty sure its pretty wet

-Chuck

 

[GA_Boater]

You sound a little excited, Chuck. Calm down, she's only the V5 you've been longing for. :behindsofa:


She looks pretty good in the pics, but what plans do you have to make her all your own?

 

[classiccat]

Congratulations CnD!!!! :thumb:

yes, the side-fill is standard-V5 issue

 

[chuckndiscs]

No Title

My plans are to tear it down given I have a working 16' SS sitting next to the 18' in the garage. Then I hope to paint it, but I think I'm going to pay to have it done at an auto body shop. I know a couple guys -. Has anyone had it done? Good, bad, expensive?

Then new seats, removable casting deck up front. Gotta have the leg room when cruising with the family but need the place to stand and fish with the guys.

Thinking about a removable sundeck over the dog house... Something I can setup when anchored and remove when I need the rear jump seats... Is that what they are called??

I'm likely going to hunt down a 6cyl for this too. Hoping the 470 runs so I can part it out for funding...

Last thing is this has to have beer holders! Ain't nothing worse than trying to find a place to set your beer and can't find one cause your short and/or choose the floor only to have it compromised!

Lots of ideas bouncing around right now....


Oh, and one other thing. I got the new tin for $240!!! Guy was leaving town in 2 days. Couldn't get it started, and dad said to get rid of it. I took it happily after some wheeling and dealing.

Picture is it in the garage next to the 16'....seems happy!

 

[GA_Boater]

Now I understand the "jas deal".

Sounds like a plan for a mobile beer holder - Go for it! LOL

 

[Candutch]

Congrats on finally getting you v5! Looking forward to the restore, I'll definately be dropping in to check out your progress.
Great deal to, only way to do better than that is free.

 

[MNhunter1]

Helluva deal on the V5! The new set of frying pans will probably cost you more. It's interesting to see the difference in depth between the 16SS and 18V5. Do you think this is more related to the difference in the V5 hull, which I understand is marketed as a big water boat, or relative to the 2 extra feet?

PS - I'm with you on the beer holders.

 

[Watermann]

Welcome to the exclusive V5 club Chuck, they are as rare as hens teeth it seems nowadays.

Looking forward to seeing how she turns out, I love mine after a week of sea trials on my V5 you mentioned above.

Nice pair to draw to you have there!

 

[budski]

Nice

 

[chuckndiscs]

No Title

Finally got around to taking pictures of the paraphernalia that came with the boat. Some fun stuff!

I like the 1979SCModels document - I see two very familiar boats in it! (Cough - the yellow 16SS and the blue 18SS.

I can take more pictures if it would help anyone. I am also going to have to see the documents sticky - I forget how much for the 1979 / 1980 models was present.

Happy FRIDAY!
Chuck

 

[Watermann]

Cool docs you have there, maybe if possible scan them at high res and see if they can be added to the brochure section.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Cool docs you have there, maybe if possible scan them at high res and see if they can be added to the brochure section.

I have 4.4 GB pictures that zoom well and I can take them of all pages, books / documents but the site wont let me up load that big of docs.....

What to do?

I think Huron's are all links to offsite.....

Chuck

 

[chuckndiscs]

Got the spring work order from the PO. $3500 declined engine start / no start estimate!

Called the aforementioned boat shop and they tracked down the service manager. He said "Cracked block. Do you want a line item work order?" I said yep, just to see what this madness all entails but I'm not going to do it.

I haven't come confirmed yet, maybe tomorrow after we are done tooling around in the 16... But I'm only in $240 so I knew there would be work to be done!

$3500? WOW...

 

[Watermann]

Got the spring work order from the PO. $3500 declined engine start / no start estimate!

Called the aforementioned boat shop and they tracked down the service manager. He said "Cracked block. Do you want a line item work order?" I said yep, just to see what this madness all entails but I'm not going to do it.

I haven't come confirmed yet, maybe tomorrow after we are done tooling around in the 16... But I'm only in $240 so I knew there would be work to be done!

$3500? WOW...

That's a bummer but not really... wasn't that a 470 Merc? Time for a donor boat hunt. That boat needs a 4.3L MC. It's an easy upgrade, my Chief was the old MC too and the newer Alpha One is the way to go.

 

[chuckndiscs]

So... Perusing CL for a donor boat and came across this. Given, I don't know if it will start - condition but being it's everything from manifold to prop, would it fit? Overpowered?


https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/boa/6112508066.html

5.7L Mercruiser...

 

[GA_Boater]

Yes, it will fit. A 5.7 might be heavy for an 18' SS. A 4.3 V6 would be perfect.

Make him get the title in HIS name and when he can't, offer $400 or less because it's useless.

Except as a nice donor if the block isn't cracked because he doesn't sound very boat savvy.

 

[Watermann]

I would pass on it seriously, if nothing else the reason being is 1984 is the first year of Alpha One. I have to agree with GA too, on an 18'r a 5.7 would be pretty heavy and take up too much real estate.

 

[chuckndiscs]

So... a 5.7L is heavy like a 150hp 6cyl vs a 140hp 4cyl Johnson? The benefit gained from going v6 vs v4 for the 10HP vs extra weight is not worth it?