1987 Glasstream ProBass 1550 'restoration'

[Three Dot Knives]

Warning - Long Read
Ok-so I inherited this 1987 Glasstream ProBass 1550 with 40hp Evinrude VRO from my dad who passed away in 2015. He bought it new in 1987.
Since about 2010 (last registration I could find on it) it sat in his barn. My dad was particular about his stuff-always kept up on it. The down side is, when he passed away, the barn started to populate with feral cats...lots of them. This went on for years. The boat sat uncovered-although the barn was enclosed. I guess the good side of this was, no mice. Bad part-lots of cat poop!
So fast forward to three months ago...my brother and I inherited the house and property in 2015, three months ago we sold. Three weeks ago, I made plans to go pick the boat up.
I researched what I might need to get it to make the trip from Tennessee to North Carolina (~400 miles). I bought two new tires mounted on wheel from Tractor Supply. I packed our truck with tools (all kind of sockets, meter, pry bars etc..) floor jack, straps, grease... I probably over packed LOL.
I knew the tires were gone, and the lights probably didn't work. We (our youngest son-17 years old-was going with me) had three days...two would be spent mostly driving. The plan for day 1 was to drive straight there, change out the wheels/tires, pull the boat out of the barn and clean off the poop and whatever other trash may be on it-to get a first hand good look at it. We arrived around 2pm (thankful for going from EST to CST and getting an hour of daylight back).
Side note-my niece was renting the house, so we had a lot of pictures and info before making the trip.
Once there, we executed the plan. Swapped out the wheels/tires, and got the boat out. Then we scooped poop off with a horse feed scoop we found in the barn-there was a lot of it. We took papers out of the storage, cleaned off so much trash...and looked it over really good before pushing it back in the barn for the night. Then it was off to the hotel...30 minutes away.
We decided to go through Chic-fila for dinner-while there, my 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 was making a squealing noise in the left front wheel area. My mind was spinning now. We are 400 miles from home trying to get a boat back and I might not even make it back with my truck.
I had to make a plan. I spent the night at the hotel in front of the computer-going through what ifs and what it might be on the truck. I narrowed it down to front wheel bearing/hub or brakes. Hoping and praying for the later. I searched the big three auto parts stores in the area for brake stuff and a hub assembly just in case-even researched what tools would be needed for the jobs...since I knew I would be doing this at my dads old place with no way to get anything once I committed to the work.
The next morning, I went out and started looking at the left front. I noticed the back of the front rotor was 'chewed' up really pad...like metal to metal on the pads-maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought. We then went to the parts store and bought roughly $600 in parts and supplies (two rotors, brake pads, tools, hub assembly). The next stop was Academy Sports for a front bunk roller and trailer 4 pin to 7 pin adapter. Then to Tractor Supply for a magnetic trailer light set (because of the truck repair-I knew I wouldn't have time to work on the lights). One last stop at Wal-Mart for a 100' hose and some Dawn dish detergent.
We made it to dads old place and the truck was sounding worse. I pulled the boat back up and closer to the house where the water was. The plan-my son would start cleaning the boat while I started working on the truck. Well-to shorten this 'novel' up...the truck needed the hub assembly and I put the rotor on and replaced the front brakes. Amazingly, I had brought my heavy jack from home-good thing I did, because the two small ones my dad had wouldn't even lift the truck.
Needless to say, three hours later, the truck was done! My son did a great job on cleaning the inside of the boat up as much as possible-at least for the road trip. Some may ask if this was necessary-and yes, for several reasons. One, to see if there was any major damage that would negate even taking the boat. Two, let my son be involved in this 'father-son' project. And lastly, give us hope!
So with only a few hours of light left, we replaced the bunk roller, checked all the straps, removed the bearing buddies and checked the bearings/grease them and installed the magnetic trailer lights. It was better to tow the boat to the hotel so we could leave first thing in the morning.
I will condense this even more to get to the boat stuff....
The trip home had issues. We lost the magnetic lights several times...they just didn't stay attached to the fenders. So for about three hours we went without lights on the trailer. We also had no trailer tag. Oh well. The right side of the trailer also had wood/carpet before and after the fender-this somehow came detached and was dragging under the trailer. Thankfully we saw this when we stopped at a rest area. We finally made it home with only minutes to spare before it was completely dark. Thankfully, our truck has a 4' lift and bright LED taillights!

I will post follow ups to this thread...

 

[Three Dot Knives]

Truck repair...
Also-forgot to mention, I purchased a battery while in Tennessee and connected it to see what of the electronics worked (bilge and aerator pumps, lights, engine crank).
Engine cranked, but nothing else worked. I knew after roughly 13 years, the fuel system would need cleaned!

 

[Three Dot Knives]

Day 1 back at the house...
Clean out the fuel/battery well (not sure what you call this area). Removed the fuel tank, drained it and cleaned it. Removed the oil tank for the VRO and cleaned it...didn't drain it yet. Remove batteries. Another forgot to mention-the key was still in the boat from when my dad last parked it!!
Before and after pics

 

[Three Dot Knives]

Day 2 - vacuum carpet...scrub scrub and scrub. Add new gas. Replace fuel line and spark plugs. Try to start engine. It started!!! It would only run for 10 seconds then die. I did a lot of reading on the net and found out pushing the key in would prime the fuel system and pulling up on the control bar would raise the idle...still only 10 second of running.
So after troubleshooting, I found that I didn't put enough gas in it... and it was sucking air. Remedy-fill tank. starts and runs perfectly.
I don't really care for the VRO system. I would rather mix my own gas. This way I know the oil is in there and I don't have to worry about a pump failing me unknowingly!

 

[Three Dot Knives]

Question-after the motor runs for about a minute, the OMC controls start making a buzzing noise..like an alarm. I have read it is either an overheat or low oil alarm...how can I determine what this is? Because of it, I am not going to run the motor anymore until I can remedy.
Thanks in advance...John

 

[Three Dot Knives]

Day 3-work on electrical. The lights, pumps and trolling motor do not work. I went through all of them. After about 3 hours I gave up and ordered new pumps...not giving up on the trolling motor yet.

Day 4-after some reading on this and other forums, found I had the grounds for the switch panel hooked to the positive terminal on the battery. Also, that cured the aerator pump.
The front red/green light and rear pedestal white lights needed the contacts clean-both work as should now by the switch.
The bilge pump is no good-which stinks because I really wanted to keep all as it was new,,I guess for nostalgic sake.
The same was true with the Evinrude Scout trolling motor. Cleaned up the electrical socket and the connector-works like a charm now. Still need to clean out all the mud dauber wasp nests!!
Does anyone know what thrust this has? And if it is 12v or 24v volt? It seems to run slow...??
Thanks, John

 

[Three Dot Knives]

Day 5-clean and more cleaning
Also removed decals and compounded the paint, applied a cleaner wax and ceramic coating to the top side and inside-what a difference!!
I also reattached the carpet inside the rod storage and small storage.
There's no doubt the carpet is done. I have cleaned and vacuumed it so much-but it must go. This will be the next stage before she sees water.
At this point, everything on the boat is working as it should-except the motor. But I feel confident this will be resolved by then.
I also need to repair the trailer lights and get the title.

*Cleaned out the live wells and the pumps came in today-they will be installed tomorrow.
I also ordered a cover for the boat and motor. It should be here tomorrow.
At this point, here's what I have in the boat so far:
-battery $100
-wheels/tires $250
-magnetic trailer lights $70 (although useless now)
-trailer plug adapter, wire extension and bunk roller $45
-cover $89
-pumps $59

I still need another battery, carpet and to fix the trailer lights. I know this is probably more in the boat then what most would spend, or even consider what it might be worth-but this is a sentimental journey for my first...I get to spend time on a boat with my son, just like my dad did...and it's the same boat.
*I am also considering upgrading the switch panel and adding a Lowrance fish finder.
Another note-we live right across the street from a 3,000 acre reservoir. We lived in this house thirteen years ago, while they were actually making the lake. We since have returned three years ago to purchase this house (1910 Farmhouse on 7 acres). We have spent two of those years remodeling the house. Now in my 50's, I think it's time to relax..LOL
View attachment IMG_1982.MP4

 

[airshot]

Very cool boat, thanks for the pics !! Being an older glass boat, take a little time to check the transom and stringers for wood rot. Being stored inside, you might be luckey and they are still solid. But...wouldn't want any dissasters to effect you and your son's enjoyment..

 

[Three Dot Knives]

Very cool boat, thanks for the pics !! Being an older glass boat, take a little time to check the transom and stringers for wood rot. Being stored inside, you might be luckey and they are still solid. But...wouldn't want any dissasters to effect you and your son's enjoyment..

Thanks you Airshot!!
What’s the best way to check for rot?

 

[airshot]

One good way is to drill from the inside a small hole ( not thru !). and examine the wood fibers or chips and see if they are dry and not musty smelling or wet. Rot takes place from the bottom up so drill as low as possible. If the wood is good, fill the holes with marine sealant. Hopefully you have acess to the stringers and transom low down near the bottom of the boat. Good luck !!

 

[Three Dot Knives]

One good way is to drill from the inside a small hole ( not thru !). and examine the wood fibers or chips and see if they are dry and not musty smelling or wet. Rot takes place from the bottom up so drill as low as possible. If the wood is good, fill the holes with marine sealant. Hopefully you have acess to the stringers and transom low down near the bottom of the boat. Good luck !!

Question-can rot happen without the boat being out in the elements? So even if it was under cover the wood can rot?

 

[airshot]

If the wood was ever soaked and not thoroughly dried it could still rot. Due to age and wood being enclosed in glass resin, it is something that should be tested. Sounds ugly, drilling a small hole but a simple test that could keep your boat from severe damage with you in it. If the boat has spent it's life in a garage, your odds are pretty good you will be fine. On an old boat, one never knows if the boat has had any water sitting inside. Fiberglass itself is not waterproof, the gelcoat makes it water proof, in the older days, mfgrs did not use gelcoat on the inside very much, so if water was left inside, it gets absorbed into the fiberglass. If your boat was always dry inside, you shouldn't have a problem, but one never knows for sure. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Three Dot Knives]

Ok…that’s makes it a lot easier to understand. I will take some pictures tomorrow of locations on the boat and post…and you can tell me if this is where is should test…
What side hole? 1/4“?
Thanks again and Happy New Year!!

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Yes 1/4" hole is all that's needed.

 

[airshot]

Remember not to drill thru, you just looking for trapped water/ moisture and the condition of the wood chips comming out. There is wood inside that fiberglass which acts like a skeleton. Fiberglass is not that strong without a skeleton. In modern glass boats, they make fiberglass logs and panels to be encased in more fiberglass instead of wood..

 

[Three Dot Knives]

Good news...got the boat registered this week!! 1776NC will be on the water in the spring hopefully-after a few other items are addressed: checking for wood moisture, upgrading switch panel, adding fish/depth finder (taking recommendations for around $200-used preferably) and removing the VRO system...

 

[briangcc]

Cheap...Garmin Stryker 4 plus. I have one, came with my Chap. I don't like it - too small of a screen and very basic GPS functionality. I did mention its incredibly cheap...even new.

Personally I'm looking at replacing it with a Humminbird Helix of some sort. I still need to sell my admiral on the 7" sized screen...the (3) $50 gift cards to a sporting goods store should help make my case as (2) of them are from her father!

Probably move the Stryker to the bow area so the yahoo (me) using the trolling motor can see what we passed over.