1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

[Deep Sea MDV]

Hi all. New guy here to the forums.

I just aquired a 1989 Bluefin Spectrum w/ 85 HP OB yesterday. The decking is shot so that is the first thing to accomplish. I was wondering if anyone has an ongoing or completed project that wouldnt mind giving me a heads up on anything to keep an eye out for. It is an aluminum hull.

I have not removed all of the decking yet. From the windshield back it seems to be shot. Forward seems ok. I have no idea what the foam looks like yet either. From what the guy said that I got it from, there are no hull leaks and the engine runs fine. Time will tell I guess. First step is to get the deck squared away. My plan is to get it ripped up and check out the foam/floatation and make sure that is in good shape then fit up the decking with ply wood. I think I am going to seal the wood with some sort of epoxy type resin then figure out if I put carpet down again or some sort of non-skid type material. Non-skid is probably better for fishing.

It has the back to back type seats currently. If they clean up well, I may keep them, but that is still a debate. I am considering puting swivel type seats in it versus the existing back to back style. Again, this is something I will figure out after the decking is repaired.

It has a walk through wind shield and it seems to be in good shape. The decking forward is solid. We shall see how far the bad decking goes. I assume, since gravity rules, that the forward decking is likely ok. It has three storage areas up forward though I am not sure if there is a live well or if it is just storage. I haven't gotten that far yet.

If anyone has done this and would like to share some experinces it would be greatly appreciated.

Deep Sea MDV

 

[acarter92]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

Welcome to Iboats, I happen to have that exact model and year, except mine has a 70hp evinrude on it. When I got mine it was a rotten mess. I stripped mine down to a bare hull and started from scratch. I turned mine into a runabout, which suits my type of boating best? I attached a pic below of what it now looks like (really nothing left of the ?Blue Fin?)


Your best bet is to go over to the restoration forum for all your rebuild questions. Your boat has solid foam under the floor (they spray it in from new) if it?s still original. Chances are it is water logged (mine was). Once the floor is up it?s easy enough to remove and replace with whatever your choose? It?s going to be pretty tough to remove the floor without removing the upper deck also, because the lower deck goes all the way to the front under the upper deck. Chances are once you start tearing it apart your find that most of the wood is at least partially rotten?
They came with a livewell from the factory, but someone may have removed yours or turned it into storage.


Austin

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

I have a feeling this will end up in the resto forum and I'll join in then.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

Welcome aboard.

iboats Blue Fin forum may also help you out.

Blue Fin Boats

 

[Deep Sea MDV]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

Thanks acarter for your input. Your boat looks great. The seat you have is kind of what I was thinking about putting in mine. Still lots to do before I get to that stage though.

I started ripping up the decking last night. It is pretty bad. The foam seems to be intact, but I think it is too early to tell. Likely a good idea to change it out since I am there.

I was looking up the foam/flotation on teh forums and I see that folks do a lot of different things. I was thinking closed cell would be best for not soaking up water. How hard is the foam to get out?

I had enough battery power to get the engine to go up and down, but not enough to turn it over. (The curiousity is killing me if the engine actually runs) I have the battery on my trickle charger over night. It should be fine for the weekend.

The prop has had the life beaten out of it so there is another couple hundred I guess to add to the fun...lol.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

You should post pics of your boat for the best help.

You'll need to core sample your foam with a piece of PVC pipe, cut a couple notches on one end and push and twist it down through the foam to the bottom. When you pull the pipe out there will be a plug of foam in it that you push out then feel for dampness moisture.

To remove the foam a pointed shovel will remove large chunks quickly.

You should change the lower unit lube on that motor to make sure the old lube isn't milky colored.
Changing the impeller (water pump) is also a very good thing to do, lots of videos on youtube about how to do it.

 

[Deep Sea MDV]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

Outstanding idea about the core sample adn shovel Jigandgrub! Thanks for the idea.

The lower unit oil and impellor was on my list of things to. With what I have seen so far, I am certain it should be replaced.

I will put some pics up later in the weekend once I get things removed. It is currently a hot mess right now. Although maybe I should get a pic of it as it sits with the seats loose and the decking partially removed. Might make a good before and after pic.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

I will put some pics up later in the weekend once I get things removed. It is currently a hot mess right now. Although maybe I should get a pic of it as it sits with the seats loose and the decking partially removed. Might make a good before and after pic.

We love the derelict boat porn!!! The nastier and more torn up they are, the better we like it!... and it does make a good conversation piece when you show them the horrible "before" pic and then the nice new and clean "after" pic.

I forgot to mention in the above post to check your transom for rot too, that's another important structural part of your boat that may need attention.

 

[acarter92]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

Thanks acarter for your input. Your boat looks great. The seat you have is kind of what I was thinking about putting in mine. Still lots to do before I get to that stage though.

I started ripping up the decking last night. It is pretty bad. The foam seems to be intact, but I think it is too early to tell. Likely a good idea to change it out since I am there.

I was looking up the foam/flotation on teh forums and I see that folks do a lot of different things. I was thinking closed cell would be best for not soaking up water. How hard is the foam to get out?

I had enough battery power to get the engine to go up and down, but not enough to turn it over. (The curiousity is killing me if the engine actually runs) I have the battery on my trickle charger over night. It should be fine for the weekend.

The prop has had the life beaten out of it so there is another couple hundred I guess to add to the fun...lol.

Like jigngrub said, you should core it to be sure. If it is bad it will probably be towards the bottom of the foam. It will bust out pretty easy once you get started....

Don't forget to put some muffs on that engine before you start it (if you didn't already know that)...

Austin

 

[Deep Sea MDV]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

I am hoping to be able to get the majority of the rip out done this weekend. Time is at a premium for me now (too much work).

The mouse ears I have. Thanks for the advice though. I spent a substantial amount of time on small boats when I was active duty. Though major repairs like this I did not do. Mainly just operated the boats and simple maintenance.

Hopefully Sunday I can really dig into it some. That is when I will get the pics. I have only run my shop vac in it some so far. Got rid of about 50 lbs of leaves and gumballs. That was a mess!

 

[acarter92]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

I am hoping to be able to get the majority of the rip out done this weekend. Time is at a premium for me now (too much work).

The mouse ears I have. Thanks for the advice though. I spent a substantial amount of time on small boats when I was active duty. Though major repairs like this I did not do. Mainly just operated the boats and simple maintenance.

Hopefully Sunday I can really dig into it some. That is when I will get the pics. I have only run my shop vac in it some so far. Got rid of about 50 lbs of leaves and gumballs. That was a mess!

Good luck, keep us posted....

Austin

 

[Deep Sea MDV]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

Ok. Got the aft decking up. What a mess! Forward decking whick I thought was ok is shot too. I stomped my foot and went through it. I am going to try to attach pics. This is going to be a good bit of work.

 

[Deep Sea MDV]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

The pic files are too big dang it. I gotta figure this out... Strong like bull, Smart like dump truck!

 

[Deep Sea MDV]

Re: 1989 Bluefin Spectrum 1700

Dang it. All of the files are too big. I will take more pics using a smaller pic size tomorrow night. Grrr..... Dang computers/cameras/technology......