14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

[crimsonbull57]

Hello all,

One of my buddies and I were cruising on craigslist and stumbled across a 14 foot TideCraft for $50 and we decided to go for it. We currently have it propped up on some tires outside of our work barn. Our plan is to move it into one of the bays for the winter and work on it and hopefully have it ready for the summer.

We are completely new to working with boats. We do have some friends who have some background working with boats. But part of the reason we bought it was to learn about them and have some fun. If worse comes to worse we can put it back on craigslist.

Here are some pictures




The boat measures 14 feet from the outside of the bow to transom. Which is about 11 feet long on the inside, and 4 and a half feet wide. As you can see we have no motor and are missing a lot of key parts.

At this point we are looking for any help, advice, criticism that you are willing to give us.
We planned on pulling up the carpet, taking the windows, cleats, and all the other hardware off, washing it down, drying it out. And then working from there.
The ideal end result would be to have it out over the weekend, maybe pull a tube or knee-board, and just enjoy being out on the water.

Please let us know what you think.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

You need to ask yourselves if you really want to invest $1000=$1500 in materials on a boat that doesn't have a motor, trailer, or controls... which could add up to a couple/few grand more, or at least another $1000.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

Welcome crimsonbull57,

Cool looking project you guys picked up...

You are in the best place on the web to get all the info you'll need to restore it...

Just be prepared for what you are going to find...for the price and obvious lack of proper storage, it is probably rotted through and through...Hey, I could be wrong and it wouldn't be the first or the last time, but you'll know as soon as you start tearing into it...

Keep in mind that a good running engine with all the trimmings and a good trailer are going to be a necessity, so if you decide to re-do this boat, start searching...this time of year folks are looking for the almighty Christmas dollar and good deals can be found...

As for checking the boat, you will need to start by drilling some core samples, mostly in the farthest back and lowest you can get to, into the deck, stringers and transom...if the wood shavings come out nice and dry and light colored, you hit the jackpot...if the shavings come out dark, wet and mushy...roll up your sleeves...

Once you figure out where you are at, start by doing some research, right here...http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...os-other-great-information-288451.html...tons of great info...

Then start asking questions and keep posting pics...

Good Luck and Have Fun!
GT1M

 

[eaglejim]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

Lots of tri-hulls being rebuilt this year (mine included) take a lot of pics and these guys will walk you through it.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

I think maybe I should explain a little more about what you guys have gotten yourselves into:

You've bought what is known as a "donor" boat. The person you bought it from more than likely bought it with a decent trailer under it, a motor that ran with the proper controls, and good steering system among other accessories.

The person you bought the boat from stripped all of these things of value off knowing that the hull they were on is rotten and in need of much repair. He put the parts he stripped off on another better hull and then put the shell of a boat on Craigs list for $50 for someone else to haul off to keep himself from having to dispose of it.

The boat hull you bought can be fixed, but the materials will be expensive (that's the 1000-$1500 I was talking about in my first post).

Start reading other fiberglass boat restorations in this forum and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[crimsonbull57]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

We definitely understand the work, and potential cost of supplies and equipment to restore this boat to working condition. On the same hand we are trying to do that on a budget, which I believe we can do if we are patient and put in the extra work.

We already plan on re carpeting everything and after examining the decking yesterday that will certainly need replacing.

If I could find a cheap fishing boat/trailer on craigslist, could we just take most of the gauges, steering, lights, and other equipment and just swap it over on to our tidecraft?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

Finding a boat you don't like as well as this one and swapping over all of the equipment is always an option.

When you remove the decking you'll find more rot below it, there will be rotten stringers that need to be replaced and waterlogged floatation foam to be replaced. There's also the very high probability that the transom is rotten and will need to be replaced.

But like I said before, everything can be fixed... and you'll have a like new boat for a bargain price when you're done if you do it right.

You're actually doing this right IMO, you know going in that your boat is in need of much repair and money. There are a lot of unsuspecting people that spend thousands of dollars for a used fiberglass boat only to find out later that they've bought a rotten POS and will need to spend a couple more grand and a lot of work to make it seaworthy... we see quite a few of these on this forum.

 

[crimsonbull57]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

There's also the very high probability that the transom is rotten and will need to be replaced.

But like I said before, everything can be fixed... and you'll have a like new boat for a bargain price when you're done if you do it right.

Glad to hear we're taking the right approach! :joyous:

Regarding the transom, since it is fiberglass could it be rotted out, or is there wood underneath. The fiberglass isn't cracking and looks in pretty good condition.

Also, how much cost/difficulty would it be to fix a seized motor? I found a 16 foot fishing boat with working steering, throttle and trim cables, also has a 85 hp Javelin motor but it is seized. It was only a couple hundred for the boat and motor together. Would it be practical to fix the motor?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

There's an 1-1/2" of plywood sandwiched in your transom, you can tell if it's good or not by drilling through the inside skin of fiberglass down low. If the shavings come out light colored and dry, it's good... if the shavings come out dark and moist, it;s bad.

I suspect the insides of your boat won't look much better than this one:
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...ass-transom-replacement-then-some-503113.html
It may look a little better, or a little worse.

Seized motors are usually basket cases and not worth the effort.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

A seized motor all depends on how and when it seized. If it seized under power then more than likely it's done for unless the PO shut her down IMMEDIATELY and then did some post maintenance on it. If it seized due to lack of use and neglect then I MIGHT be brought back to life. Question the OP and see if they will give you the details. Hope for the best and expect the worst. Javelins are NOT the Top of the Line Motors but... Not the worst either. If you're working "On the Cheap" it might be worth looking into. I'd try "Negotiating" for $100 bucks. I got my Boat Motor and Trailer for $250 and the motor was a Runner.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

A lot of folks love and prefer fiberglass boats. From an ownership/use perspective, I prefer them... However, from a restore perspective, they are more difficult and more expensive than a good old metal boat (not to mention the safety issues and itching that you will have to address)... Most people go through the pain of a full gut fiberglass restore because they are sentimental about the boat (e.g. it was granddad's ole boat, they have just fallen in love with the boat, or they are already pot committed, etc...). Without that type of motivation, they can be hard to finish (I speak with experience). Plus, you will spend way more than the boat is ever worth...

Again, I'm not trying to be negative or to discourage you one bit... I just don't want you to make the same mistake I did, which was stumbling across a cheap old glass boat; spending a year of my life and several thousand bucks restoring it --> only to decide I could go at it a different route...

If you want to get on the water cheaply and fast, I would consider the $50.00 a "learning tax" and find yourself a serviceable tinny with a trailer and preferably with a working outboard. It might require a little more upfront money than your current $50.00 investment, but it will save you a lot of time and money in the long run...

Whatever you decide, we'll back you and help you 100%!!!!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

A lot of folks love and prefer fiberglass boats. From an ownership/use perspective, I prefer them... However, from a restore perspective, they are more difficult and more expensive than a good old metal boat (not to mention the safety issues and itching that you will have to address)... Most people go through the pain of a full gut fiberglass restore because they are sentimental about the boat (e.g. it was granddad's ole boat, they have just fallen in love with the boat, or they are already pot committed, etc...). Without that type of motivation, they can be hard to finish (I speak with experience). Plus, you will spend way more than the boat is ever worth...

Again, I'm not trying to be negative or to discourage you one bit... I just don't want you to make the same mistake I did, which was stumbling across a cheap old glass boat; spending a year of my life and several thousand bucks restoring it --> only to decide I could go at it a different route...

If you want to get on the water cheaply and fast, I would consider the $50.00 a "learning tax" and find yourself a serviceable tinny with a trailer and preferably with a working outboard. It might require a little more upfront money than your current $50.00 investment, but it will save you a lot of time and money in the long run...

Whatever you decide, we'll back you and help you 100%!!!!

Hush PM!... now everyone is going to want to own a tinny!:laugh:

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

No....Not Every one! Just the ones that like to Bleed instead of Itch!!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

No....Not Every one! Just the ones that like to Bleed instead of Itch!!

We bleed on both types of restorations, if you work hard enough and long enough on a fiberglass or aluminum boat you will draw blood at some point.

Part of the "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" that go into these projects.

 

[crimsonbull57]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

Based off the markings by the stearing console it says that the max HP we can put on it is 85.
I have a lead on a javalin 85 hp motor. Would that be enough to kneeboard or pull a tube?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

It should be plenty.

Once you dig out all of the waterlogged foam and rotten wood from your boat and replace it with new dry material your boat will be much lighter and should fly with an 85 on it.

 

[crimsonbull57]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

Question: I found a good priced motor, but the carb is having some problems. It's either clogged or needs replaced. Would that be a relatively easy/inexpensive fix?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

That's pretty typical of a motor that's been sitting for a long period. You'll need a rebuild kit, you can probably order one from the iboats store.

You can probably find out how to fix it in one of the outboard motor forums on here too:
Engine Repair and Maintenance

What brand is it?

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

If a deal sounds to good to be true, chances are it is....9 out of 10 deals or NOT deals at all but money pits! A word of caution, when considering any motor, hire a mechanic to go look at it with you and let them run some test with it before purchasing it. What could start out as carb issues could end up being a complete rebuild that will cost you 2K. It's just like boats, 9 out of 10 deals are not really deals at all....they're just hand-offs to a new owner who doesn't realize he just purchased a "hole" to throw a 1K to 2K into it just to get it on the water safely.
The guys who've posted have hit the mark on this boat you've got.....no controls, no gauges, no motor, no trailer.....it's been stripped....and guess what for $$$, now guess who's going to have to fork out the $$$ to put it all back on the boat? YOU. IMO I'd look for a different boat and learn from this mistake (please don't take it in the wrong light...we all make mistakes like this in our life). We're just here to help you save your money for something that's worth investing in...IMO this is not a boat I'd dump a dime into. There's plenty of boats out there for $400-$600 dollars that have a trailer, gauges, controls and an engine that just need some updating/repairs to them.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 14' Tide Craft (Model 402) Restoration Project

Don't forget to check compression!!!