1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

digitizedsoul

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I just procured this boat, it had been sitting for some time and was bought from probably the original owners. I traded a 1996 1100zxi 2-seater kawasaki jetski for it.

IBoats reference on this model
http://www.iboats.com/Spacecraft__Super_Sport_V240__1981/bp/62b83951r2

Info on OMC Stringer sterndrive that this boat has (1981 mechanical shift variant)
http://www.glmmarine.com/30yearsomc.html

Phase 1:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62844491@N02/sets/72157626594681785/

Phase 2: (After dry cleaning with shop vac)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62844491@N02/sets/72157626613989795/

Phase 2.5: (Ford 302)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62844491@N02/sets/72157626770428942/

Phase 3: (After wet cleaning with bleach / degreaser)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62844491@N02/sets/72157626777954802/

Phase 4: (Outdrive removal, and old engine removal)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62844491@N02/sets/72157626766206685/

Phase 5: (Transom Replacment)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h65RL__Madc
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62844491@N02/sets/72157627010042592/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3yfB...el_video_title
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Of8pa7MOU


Engine Running!: (PRIOR TO DISCOVERY OF CRACKED CYLINDER)

Engine re-assembly after machine shop visit for a new block:

Engine installation into boat:

Outdrive Installed:

FIRST RUN!!!


I'm excited about this project for a few reasons.
1. This is my first boat
2. Spacecraft Boat Works is a very well known company in florida, but hardly known of elsewhere since their closure in 1991 (or 1993?) (along with a great many other boat companies at the time). I am very excited to be bringing one of these back to life.
They used to make the fiberglass nosecones used in the Space shuttle until they lost the contract and as a result began making boats.

3. Boats made of all fiberglass are EASY to clean / restore and bring new life back too due to no wood rot issues to deal with. I am finding this to not necessarily be true though due to the transom having wood.
EDIT: The entire transom had to be replaced, so that wasn't true at all.
EDIT: You know what forget I said anything about this being easy.

Any comments, suggestions or input would be appreciated.
 
Last edited:

ezmobee

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

It's called a Stringer drive.
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

Thanks mate, post updated.
 

Cadwelder

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

I just procured this boat, it had been sitting for some time and was bought from probably the original owners. I traded a 1996 1100zxi 2-seater kawasaki jetski for it.

http://www.iboats.com/Spacecraft__Super_Sport_V240__1981/bp/62b83951r2

PICS:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62844491@N02/sets/72157626594681785/

There is a new 305 chevy 5.0l OMC included in the deal which i'll be installing. As you can see, it's "new to you" but certainly not a new motor. It will probably need some work as well.


I'm excited about this project for a few reasons.
1. This is my first boat
2. Spaceworks Boat Works is a very well known company in florida, but hardly known of elsewhere since their closure in 1991 (along with a great many other boat companies at the time). I am very excited to be bringing one of these back to life.
3. All fiberglass boats are EASY to clean / restore and bring new life back too.

Any comments, suggestions or input would be appreciated.

#1 explains #3
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

I've edited my post to better reflect my original intentions when writing the statement. It appears that the above poster mis-understood me.
Hope thats cleared up.
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

Updated with new pics. Got a shop vac and went to town. Cleaned out the entire engine bay too, now just need to remove the old 305. Going to try and do that this weekend.
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

Wow www.sterndrive.info is such a great resource for this OMC stuff!!!
I haven't been able to find one part though, the big accordion looking bellows that goes around the entire outdrive at the transom. This evidently is what allows everything to move as one. I want to replace mine before moving forward since its an obvious dry-rot prone part.
 

Cadwelder

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

I've edited my post to better reflect my original intentions when writing the statement. It appears that the above poster mis-understood me, which resulted in his unnecessary and immature insult.

Hope thats cleared up.

Sorry, no offense intended, just that buffing and cleaning fiberglass can be very time consuming and hard work..
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

Hey no prob man! And yeah it can be quite a bit of work, but not nearly as much work as stringer replacement and re-glassing. Now THAT makes me wanna throw the towel in!!!
I don't mind a little scrubbing, pressure washing and wet sanding / buffing. You don't pass out from fumes, or have time limits haha.
 

ezmobee

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

So this boat has no wood in it?
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

From what I can tell not a single piece other then the teak doors, occasional teak trim (to place fishing rods on on the sides) and teak swim platform and kicker for an emergency outboard.
I am going to remove the aftermarket seats that were installed next and open up the main bilge panel in the floor. I believe that is where the fuel tank is, i'll know more once I get in there I guess.

From what I understand on boats like this, they used a steel beam or something else for the main keel stringer, and fiberglassed around it.
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

Let me ask you guys something, if you open the filler cap for the fuel tank (which hasn't been opened in probably 6yrs) and a MASSIVE vaccum nearly keeps you from pulling it off, and when you do it sucks cavernous air in, is that a good sign? :)

I take it as a sign the fuel tank is still sealed / intact with no leaks! Also it had 0 smell (not even a fuel smell) which means it was probably drained. I'll know more when I get the panel up this weekend but just thought i'd ask.
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

Well the weekend is here, I plan on working on the boat the whole time. Going to remove the old seats, get the floor panel up and check out that fuel tank.
I am also picking up the new engine and bringing it back to look at. I just realized that i'm missing a lot of random cooling hoses, fuel line and what looks like every single bolt for the bellhousing.
Hopefully those things won't be very hard to procure and at low cost.
 

ezmobee

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

It shouldn't have a vacuum if it was properly vented. I'd definitely be checking for a blockage on the vent.
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

Yeah good point, i guess i'd rather have a stuck vent then a busted tank though (if the choice were mine to make) so i'm still on the winning side :)

Just picked up a Ford 302 that is freshly rebuilt. Not sure whether or not i'm going to put the 302 or the 305 chevy in there. It would appear I have the bellhousing type deal for both so I can mate either one up to the stringer.

The OMC chevy in my pictures was pulled from a boat, no idea what shape it's in. This ford is brand new, so i'll probably go with it.
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

UPDATE:
Added pics of the Ford 302 engine.
Need to decide which one i'm going to use.
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

Yeah sorry first post has the link.

I am leaning ford right now, simply because it has an alternator, fuel pump and complete wiring harness (i pray it fits what's on the boat from the OMC panel)
The only thing it lacks are manifolds, not sure how pricey those are, I have the risers already.

Correction it also needs a water pump. The one on it is brand new, but is automotive and therefor sticks out WAY too far (pulley)

I wonder which one has more missing parts then the other LOL
 

digitizedsoul

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Re: 1981 "SpaceCraft Boat Works, Miami FL" 23.33ft 4100lb V240 Super Sport

UPDATE:

Added pics to the first post after cleaning yesterday. Bleach / Purple Power mixed with water was like a magic eraser!
 
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