1989 Bayliner Capri 17' Restore Conversion from "L" Drive*UPDATED 9/30/08*

[DrCox]

Well folks,

Here it is, The broke beast of a bayliner. The minute I pickd it up I starting doubting my ability to do this massive of a job. I am motivated though and what better way to learn than to dive right in Ehh?
Looks good from afar though...

so starting with my biggest worry then working my way down.

Damage along the Keel outside. I have not researched the extent of repairs this will take...

Continued next page...

 

[DrCox]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Next is going to be Interior. there is not a square inch of fabric that isnt rotted out:

 

[DrCox]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

And now...The silver lining to my dark cloud hehe...


Ergonomic Swim Ladder
TONS of cup holders (I think I counted 10,)
Totally Kick ***** Stereo:

So guys, whatduya think? I am thinking I am in over my head hehe, I better start swimming..

"Let the Refit begin"

-DrCox

 

[orthoguy]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

You sure have a long road ahead! Nice vinyl, was that the aligator skin option?

 

[maxum247]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Well! You do have your work cut out for you! But all appears to be repairable. The transom can be repaired to accept an outboard motor if that's what you choose to do, but it will take time, some skill and patience to get it there. With the knowledge of the people here on the forum it can become a reality. If you decide to carry on, take it step by step!

Read up on how to protect your eye's and lung's before starting the project as you will be working with fiberglass resins and cutting and grinding fiberglass itself if you decide to carry on with the project.



max!

 

[DrCox]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

You sure have a long road ahead! Nice vinyl, was that the aligator skin option?

You like? I can let it go for $9000. Not a penny less. It was a custom option so...

So Tell me if this is a good way to start: Rip everything out from the inside down to just the cap and hull.

**Also, what do I do if the fuel tank has fuel/water in it. Just lettig it drain down the gutter is obviously not an option, what have the rest of you done to handle this situation?

Thanks again all, I am excited!

-DrCox

 

[maxum247]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

First get out the camera and take a lot of pictures before, during, and after it's apart don't throw any away even if you think there bad, you'll need them later you'll see! Take pictures of every step along the way, you say that's too time consuming, wait til you need the picture of what wire went where and all of a sudden the time you spent taking pictures pays off, just think of the time saved verses having to figure it out, picture's now don't seem to be such a hassel when you just saved three houres because you had the picture, man what a releif!

 

[oops!]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

ok.......where do we start......um......first of all.....the interior and the radio are the last things to worry about right now.....

are you going to do the i/o to ob comversion?.....good choice....

the gellcoat repares are a snap.....well get to the cosmetics later.....

the first thing is to strip her and see what kind of shape the hull is in....stringers......foam.......

and you said conversion.....this means yard out the L drive and sell that monster for what ever you can get for it.

then rip the cap off and lets go to work on the transom.......its a long 6 month project.....but you can be boating with a great boat soon.

there is a little book called runabout renovation by jim anderson.....mine sits in the bathroom......a grade 8 read....but it covers all the basics....for specifics....read here.!

nice boat doc

cheers
oops

 

[DrCox]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Took a small break to check forums,

Yeah Oops!, the radio crack was a serious joke, last night I needed a laugh and a couple of beers hehe.

Anyways I am well rested and am going to start pulling off the cap. Get more pictures back soon,


Cheers!

-DrCox

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Ok, in the other thread we were talking about offset motor brackets. Here is a simple picture of a simple bracket. No swim platform involved. It is basically a rectangle shaped box that attaches to the back of a transom and then the outboard motor mounts to the end of the bracket. Lets the motor tilt forward without having to cut a splashwell into the transom, plus other performance benefits. This is how it would be done on a regular I/O setup.

Here is a transom bracket more like what I was thinking would work for your boat.

Think that the platform would be cut to conform to the shape of the transom at the level where your swim ladder platform is attached. That would give it a factory or custom look.

The lower part (the center section) of the bracket would be like the one above, but it would extend all the way down and fill in the recess where the L Drive was. That would effectivelly make the bottom of the boat extend to the transom, and not have a big hole back there.

Of course, you will have to make it yourself, but I think it would be a fantastic addition to the boat, and give you back the space where the old powerhead used to reside inside the boat.

I think one of the most practical and cool aspects of doing this is you get to build a piece to add to the boat, and not hack up the origial boat much at all, keeping the nice lines, the gel coat (which just looks like it need a polish) and that saves $$$ and time.

If you notice on the boat above, all they did was fill in and prime the hole where the outdrive came through, and then added the bracket. Not much modification to the boat itself. That leaves time and money for new interior, seating, gauges, wire, gas tank, bimini top etc.

Here is another boat, you can see how the center section does not go all the way down to the keel, the drain is left exposed. In your case, I thought it would be good to have the center section extend down right into the L Drive recess, filling up that space just in case it will make the boat handle funny or add extra drag.

Although I suppose it is not necessary, you could just make a fiberglass cover to go across the bottom, and leave the back open.

This link will take you to Dads Marine where you can see many other boats that they have put brackets on. Some are really nice.

Anyway, might give you some ideas...

http://www.dadmarine.com/picturelnk.htm

 

[DrCox]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Mark,

Thanks for that visualization. That is an AWESOME Idea!

Oh, Get this. Today, I put a tape measure on it to see how long it was...Its a 17 Footer woohoo! That means more max HP on the outboard hehe.


So is there a way for me to edit the post title so it says "1988 17' bayliner resto?"


Thanks all, taking a little break, the little woman bought me a Nintendo Wii...so I am going to take a break for the evening,

Cheers and thanks again!

-DrCox

 

[maxum247]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Hey! Wait a minute! You get a boat and a Nintendo!
I was lucky to get the boat!

max!

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

There are some consequences to adding a motor bracket that you need to plan for:

1) the boat is now about 3' longer (including outboard) than it was as an L-Drive.

2) The weight distribution on the trailer is now different. There will be more weight to the rear, and the tongue will be too light. The boat will have to move forward on the trailer. That means moving the winch post farther forward maybe as much as 2 feet. That means you won't be able to open the hatch on your tow vehicle once the trailer is connected.

3) The bunks may have to be moved for propper support of the hull. Generally speaking, bunks should be even or extend past the transom, not stop short of the transom. If they are short, the weight of the boat can bow the hull over time, making the boat handle awful.

4) To get the boat set up right on the trailer, you may end up having to buy a larger trailer or have the tongue extended 3 or 4 feet. But you won't know until the bracket and outboard are all mounted on the boat.

5) New control box, longer cables(throttle, shift and steering) and wire harness mods/extension will be needed to reach the motor on the back of the bracket.

Just something to think about and plan for. These are actually minor issues, becasuse other than added expense (and you would need these items for any method of mounting a new outboard) they are basically just "bolt on's".

 

[DrCox]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Yeah I was looking at the trailer yesterday. It does not appear to be the right one for the boat. It has those rollers on it. The ones astern are a series of rollers on a flat metal mount, but no matter how you mount them the seem to ride on the ridges of the hull, not the flat area,

I will snap some pics and either toss them here or on the trailer forums. Worst case scenario I just build new bumpers with capret on them and call it good.

Anyways off to finish removing stuff so I can get the cap off today. Thanks again!

--DrCox

 

[DrCox]

Friends Found During Removal...

Friends Found During Removal...

Was making decent progress until I found the original tennants:
Looks like its time for me to go get lunch, and poison.

Funny thing though, I have spent the last 2 days beating the crap out of the hull and making all kinds of noise / vibrations. Thank god they are tolerant hehe.

-DrCox

 

[oops!]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

that boat looks pretty clean doc........you may have dodged a few bullits

 

[DrCox]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

that boat looks pretty clean doc........you may have dodged a few bullits

Hoping so Oops

So I took all day to get the boat off of the trailer, but finally got it. Pulled it out in the driveway, going to sell it on craigs list. There is no way I will be able to fit 1-3 more feet n that bad boy. its narrower than I would like as well.

(These are not the permanent supports, just high ones I used to get trailer out from underneath, going to make ones with more side to side stability.)

Cheers!

-DrCox

 

[DJ]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

That's definetely not the original trailer. The original would have been a galvanized bunk style.

 

[DrCox]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Yeah I didn't figure it was original, but either way it needs to be replaced



-DrCox

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Re: 1988 Bayliner Capri 15' Restore, I/O Convert *pics*

Bayliner typically sold their boats as a "Boat, Motor & Trailer" package. The OEM trailer goes by the brand "Escort" and were made by Bayliner. They are galvanized, very low slung and specifically designed for the Bayliners they carry.

Keep an eye out for one on Craigslist, or maybe pick up a salvage Bayliner with trailer and toss the boat. The Escort trailers are very well built trailer.


BTW, if you intend or end up replacing the floor and stringers, be sure to measure the beam and screw on some 2x3 braces across the gunnels and consols to keep the two consoles in their proper location or you will have a very hard time getting the windshield to mate up properly and the walk through panel will not close right. Bow riders often spread open when the floor has been removed and that totally messes up re-assembly of the windshield.