1958 Lonestar Malibu

[bunker108]

Engine is mounted. 18 gallon tank getting stuffed into the bow.

 

[RMClark]

I don't have anything to add. I am just in awe of this project. I can stare at that boat for hours. Really looking forward to seeing it all together and on the water.

 

[bunker108]

Fuel tank is mounted and plumbed. Just need to run the fuel line from the tank to the engine. Mercury remote showed up so need to measure for cables and tackle the steering!

 

[bunker108]

Got the windshield trimmed and mocked up!

 

[bunker108]

View attachment trim.5D91D990-B4FC-4D82-BEEF-9E4B44EC15B1.MOV
A little update. Steering is done. We also got the Merc fired up today. So that mean we we able to run the fuel line, got the battery mounted and the remote mounted. We would have splashed it today but I ordered the wrong control cables. Still need to build brackets for the windshield and wire it for lights, stereo and bilge pump. We are getting very close.

 

[RMClark]

Thanks for the update. I was wondering how it's coming along.

 

[bunker108]

The boat is officially rigged. I got the control cables installed today. The interior is going back in. Working on wiring for the lights, stereo and bilge pump. The list is getting shorter every day.

 

[bunker108]

 

[bunker108]

Still need to wire up the lights and bilge pump. If I can get that done today I will put it in the water tomorrow.

 

[bunker108]

Wiring is not one of my strengths but hey...the bilge pump works and so does the stereo. Lights will have to wait but I'm hitting the lake tomorrow!

 

[RMClark]

It has been quite a journey! I'd like to see a pic of it on the water.

 

[bunker108]

It has been quite a journey! I'd like to see a pic of it on the water.

Coming right up. On my way down to the lake now.

 

[bunker108]

It's a good little boat. Hit 32mph with the 40hp Merc.

 

[bunker108]

Pretty good shake down run. I ran this thing all over the lake for about 3 hours. Just need to get the windshield installed.

 

[RMClark]

Very cool. Looks great out on the water, cruising along.

 

[bunker108]

 

[bunker108]

Well that is a wrap on this boating season. She's cleaned up, just need to stabilize the fuel and maybe fog the engine. It was awesome to finally splash this old girl and she didn't disappoint on the water. Looking forward to next year.

 

[Pierce89]

Very cool project, thanks for sharing! How is that 18 gallon gastank doing in the bow? I'm trying to figure out where to install one on my 1960 Lonestar El Dorado and was thinking about the bow. But it has a cabin so I'm worried about fumes. What are your thoughts?

I'm also interested in how many rivets you had to rebuck or replace when you got it. Did you rebuck every rivet just incase?

 

[bunker108]

That 18 gallon tank is probably a bit big to tell you the truth. That new Merc sips fuel. But the boat is well balanced and runs great with the 18 gallon tank up in the bow. I'm not sure what came stock in the Malibu. Fumes also aren't bad but with the vent up there you do her the occasional smell of fuel.
We didn't replace or rebuck and rivets. All we did was seam sealer on the inside and that was it. The boat is very dry and even after several hours in the water there is only a little water in the bilge.

 

[bunker108]

The windshield is mocked up and in place. Still needs to be fully secured but this boat is getting there. Haven't had the chance to put it on the water yet this year.