1988 wellcraft bowrider to cuddy" conversion (Splashed)

[82rude]

mickyryan funny,im the exact opposite.Iwill never own another closed bow boat .You can never predict the actions of drunks but when you fall and knock yourself senseless its time to change boats.Everybodys needs are different but for my needs a closed bow is very impractical.None the less that doesn't keep me from app and enjoying a job well done like yours.

 

[mickyryan]

yeah I'm not talking about a console boat those are different but if you load 4 people in a 17 ft bow rider in front chances are you nose diving its all about different strokes , but I do like the bigger bow riders , I guess hull shape is big deal too

 

[mickyryan]

I saw other day a 25 ft bow rider that thing was awesome I can relate to all boats though once I realise what ones purpose is for the boat , even a kayak

 

[77GlastronMT]

I'd like to see how you mounted that swim platform, I've been wanting to do that to mine.

 

[mickyryan]

I will take a pic but i took and first decided my location, then on outer edge i measured down to chine from the mark subtracted 2 inches and that was my back bracket , its 24 inches wide so i made the top mounting bracket 20 inches .
Knowing i had boat sitting as it would in water i used a level and measured my 45 angle drilled and used stainless bolts and washers and locknuts .im presently looking for stainless steel wire to tap on each bracket and then to out drive to keep it from rotting

On another note got last side painted tonite now just hoping rain holds off for a other 2 hrs then im golden till next months wet sanding

 

[kcassells]

Nice grouping on the dash. Looks nice!

 

[mickyryan]

thanks but I'm going to have to redo gauges I think , they are just too old and since I am relying on them I might replace with all new , using same holes of course
switches, I still like the old toggles from yesteryear
things I got left are
adjusting shift linkage
finishing motor box
boot stripe
installing windlass
figuring out the windows on top I fear might be too flimsy and really would rather have glass in the two front pilothouse windows so I can add wipers! I am thinking I might have to go with strait glass then build out frames to accommodate curvature

 

[mickyryan]

if this hurricane/tropical storm or whatever it is hurrys up and passes by I might dunk her this weekend to do a shakedown.

 

[sphelps]

It's supposed to clear up and be real nice this weekend after stormageddon passes ... ... :lol:
Just glad that thing turned away from Louisiana ... They don,t need any more rain right now that's for sure ...

 

[mickyryan]

yeah , problem is I painted boat so I guess I got to wait three weeks before I can dunk it since I used valspar duramax acrylic , came out nice, cant wait to wetsand and see how it looks with some polish on it

 

[mickyryan]

took my boating safety course tonight , hadn't taken one since I was 12 or 13 in Maryland got a 93% I goofed on 3 questions by clicking wrong box too fast lol

 

[mickyryan]

well hmm cant seem to get that back cyl up just yet , rest are 130 but number 4 is at 60 its rising just slow I guess , we will see if it can get up to spec or a rebuild in my future

 

[Pusher]

Would running marvel mystery oil in it help with things?

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Hopefully it's a sticky valve or carbon deposit. A good soak in sea foam may help.....fingers crossed.

 

[mickyryan]

yeah I been running it on muffs seems to be getting better I'm betting over time it will reseat might do the bon ami trick as a last resort before I rebuilt it lol

 

[mickyryan]

stuff that totally irritates me I had to remove outdrive again because all the sudden I had no reverse, upon removal the gimble bearing came out with the shaft I was like hmm that's not right so looked inside sure enough a lil bit of water ,bellows is sealed only thing I can think is I didn't get a good seal on the 4" rubber oring so I got new one glued in with bellows adhesive and will see how that goes
starting to hate outdrives more and more I am wishing it was a strait inboard lol. or gasp a outboard...naah not that desperate just yet .
I don't know though a outboard would make this 17 ft boat feel huge inside wouldn't it ....

 

[kcassells]

Too far into it now Mick...I know you will just make it all come together. Cause you can.

 

[mickyryan]

ok so fired boat up tonight as I been doing, after removing and reinstalling drive and there is a noticeable wine coming from the brand new gimbal bearing, I did recheck alignment had perfect grease splines all the way around it, and yeah I did grease it rt after I installed it are some aftermarket bearings louder then others? I did spin it while it was out and could feel the bearings rolling around but felt normal. seems the wine doesn't change pitch it is just there I did the check with a pole against the housing and can hear motor spinning but no squeals or any ticks or grinds so I'm just wondering if this outdrive is going to be loud?

 

[mickyryan]

blow bye is getting to be less and less so I got my fingers crossed but seems it is just taking time for everything to reseat after all those years of sitting, I took valve cover off and side cover off and inspected , you could eat off this engine I was impressed with that aspect . if oil gauge is right she sits at 20 at idle maybe 25 then hits closer to 40 on higher rpm , I really wish I had mechanical gauges I feel they are way more trustworthy.

 

[Pusher]

Sorry can't help with the whining sound. Doesn't seem right but I don't know engines.

I'll throw a WAG out there... Is the bearing slipping on the shaft itself...?