AMMO DAWG
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2012
- Messages
- 226
I decided I need to get serious about getting my project boat and get her ready to launch in the spring/early summer and I usually stalk in the background of this site asking for occasional advice, so I'll give this a go and get some more good advice along the way. I have been messing on and off with this boat for over two years and have missing two boating seasons since I acquired it. What I have is a 2000 Rinker Flotilla, Tri-Cat style fiberglass deck boat, hull is in great shape, always been kept in covered storage (until I got it!) always trailered. When I purchased it, it was basically a hull with a Alpha 1 transom shield. The previous owner was going to convert it to an outboard and lost interest. I had a Volvo SX outdrive and transom shield from a previous project and most of a 5.7 Marine Power engine. Did some research and this boat came with both a 5.0 and 5.7 engine. After getting some advice on this site I decided to get rid of the Alpha and I sold my Volvo SX lower unit and decided to install a Volvo Dual Prop with a 1.95 gear ratio and the Marine Power 5.7 to power the Rinker.
This is where I pick up my project; boat is filthy from sitting around, so first order is to get it cleaned up. I will be trying to recycle wherever I can, the budget is tight, so if I get stupid a little kick is appreciated. The transom is in good shape, I find no evidence of rot, poked and drilled around good. The floor is good and solid; advantage to this tri-cat design is I can look down the inside of all three hulls (not sure if that is an accurate description!) and the structure looks good. The two engine mounts are just blocks, been trying to talk myself into taking off a piece of the top layer of fiberglass so I can have a look at the wood below. This boat has three bilge pumps, one centerline under the engine and one in each of the outside hulls. I’m going to reuse the two outer ones (tested them) since they are easy to get at and install a new one center line before engine install. The steering cable was locked up (rack and pinion) so I’m checking it out to see if it just needs a good lubing or needs to be replaced. Upholstery need replacing and I’m going to attempt to do that myself. I have access to an industrial grade sewing machine. With that I’ll get some updates in as I make progress.
This is where I pick up my project; boat is filthy from sitting around, so first order is to get it cleaned up. I will be trying to recycle wherever I can, the budget is tight, so if I get stupid a little kick is appreciated. The transom is in good shape, I find no evidence of rot, poked and drilled around good. The floor is good and solid; advantage to this tri-cat design is I can look down the inside of all three hulls (not sure if that is an accurate description!) and the structure looks good. The two engine mounts are just blocks, been trying to talk myself into taking off a piece of the top layer of fiberglass so I can have a look at the wood below. This boat has three bilge pumps, one centerline under the engine and one in each of the outside hulls. I’m going to reuse the two outer ones (tested them) since they are easy to get at and install a new one center line before engine install. The steering cable was locked up (rack and pinion) so I’m checking it out to see if it just needs a good lubing or needs to be replaced. Upholstery need replacing and I’m going to attempt to do that myself. I have access to an industrial grade sewing machine. With that I’ll get some updates in as I make progress.
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