Hello and I don't think this one will work.

HI there.. I've been lurking around the forums for a bit and thought I'd introduce myself and show off this jewel of a boat that I bought.
First off I'm a 44 year old self employed contractor living in NW Ohio. Married for 24 years with 3 kids all grown up. Years back I used to live and breathe boats and skiing but as time passed my wife and I simply drifted on to different lifestyles. Back in the day I restored a 65 Correct Craft Barracuda, a 70 something CC skier, an 86 "I believe" CC 2001, and finally bought a new Hydrodyne Grand sport Elite. That all ended about 8 or so years ago when my wife and I decided to sell the Dyne and just quit boating. (no real reason just kinda lost interest)
For the last few years I have been helping a friend restore a 68 Chris Craft sportster (woody). This has got me gettin the bug again to own a boat. Also we have been taking a few vacations to Dale Hollow in Kentucky where we rent a boat.
Well lets just face it. A guy can only take so much before he has to own his own boat again..

Anyways after thinking a long time I decided that a deck boat would be the best choice for us. Good for the occasional ski or kneeboard plus the ability to haul 6+ people for those beer drinking trolls around the local lakes. (and I think a deck boat would make an awesome Dale Hollow boat)

Well lo and behold I searched craigslist a while and found this 1983 Harris FloteDek. I wanted an I/O but this seemed like a pretty decent deal with an outboard so I bought it. The guy claimed it had a VERY solid floor. (which it did)(at least until I realized that a new floor had been put down over the old rotted one)
Then I found that the stringers were all but gone. I knew ahead of time that the upholstery was bad and the boat needed a going through but I really had hoped the insides were good. I can't blame the guy I bought it from. He didn't do the floor and didn't own it long enough to know. Oh well.. I think I can recoup my money by selling the engine (Johnson 115 that starts and sounds OK) and trailer.
I don't really feel like tearing into this boat that deep so parting it out is it's future.

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

Just wondering how much did it cost you?

You are obviously the DIY type of guy have you thought of rebuilding it?

Let me introduce you to my Friend Jay AKA friscoboater AKA the iboats resident DIY Expert and Masochist, he is also on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL02C318B574CD948D&feature=plcp

Here is the Thread here on Iboats http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=454460

if you are interested otherwise I understand not everyone is into the complete rebuild of a boat that is your choice I'm just putting it out there for you

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

I am not opposed to a complete rebuild.. Just not on this boat. The boat just doesn't THRILL me. I bought it hoping to just do carpet, upholstery, and a general fixing up. I found the overlaid floor while pulling the carpet.

The boat I was really looking for was about a 19-20 footer with an I/O. This boat is a 17. It would be a nice boat to fix up but I have learned over the years that if your not excited about the object your working on then it isn't fun. It's just work.

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

Yeah if you don't love it, rebuilding that boat would be a BIIIIIIGGGG project. Part it out for sure.

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

This boat was a BIIIG project!!! ALL new mahogany top and bottom. Most of the cross members are new. The main stringers were about the only good part of the boat.
It's a 68 Chris Craft Sportster 17. I'm about a week away from bolting in the engine and hanging chrome. WOOHOO!!!! 4 years in the making.

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

Sooo jealous of that woody its beautiful! Luv it! Congrats!

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

HELL-O and yes dale hollow lake is real nice lake ,since you already have the boat just put another layer over it and enjoy what you have or sell it like it is and maybe you get your $ back or you lose $ anyway enjoy dale hollow

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

I hate to spend the cash on the upholstery to put it over a rotted hull. I may ponder that for a bit though.
BTW: I am aimmaintenance. Evidently using my business name as my screen name is a no no.. woops.

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

I will NEVER EVER EVER EVER do another woody restoration as long as I live!!!!!

lol......it looks like a fantastic job.

but what a pita !

there are a few guys here that have done it.....and most have the same feelings about it that you do....lol

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

LOL Fair enough Do what your brain tells you, you know what happens when you follow your heart..LOL

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

Well i think out of site out of mind sure you know that the floor is not perfect but you are not going to fall thru it as longas it has three layer new carpet new seats cleaned up and floats and runs enjoy don't forget to put the plug in

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

I gotta ask.. How did somebody add to my #9 post? Sorry. I'm new to this forum and can't figure it out.

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

maybe you clicked reply with quote

Re: Hello and I don't think this one will work.

I only typed

"I will NEVER EVER EVER EVER do another woody restoration as long as I live!!!!!"

I don't know where the rest came from. Oh well, doesn't really matter..

The thing I learned about restoring wood boats is the fact that they "JUST FIGHT BACK!" The damn things just don't want to be restored. You'll be putting in the last of 20 screws and CRACK!! The board will split and your starting over. Or one board won't take stain like another board and be a different color. (of course these two boards will be RIGHT next to one another) The list of problems we encountered are endless.
The difficulties involved in wood boat restorations simply convinced me "THEY JUST FIGHT BACK!"

Thank goodness for beer. We have drank enough through this restoration to float the damn thing.