Building a '93 Caravelle 1750 Classic Bowrider

[archbuilder]

Looks like you are making good progress!

 

[Reserector_]

This seems like a good time to recap. Here is a pic of what I started with, compared to where it is today. Also, some ads from 1993.

 

[kcassells]

Quote;
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...3#post10810773

you would be thousands of dollars and at least two years

Reply;
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...5#post10810795

I predict I'll be done with this in less than a year for under 5K

My comment;

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...1750-classic-bowrider?p=10810944#post10810944


OMG......…...really...…...People DO Just do it ya know!
He's already past your learning curve.

OMG......…...really...…...People DO Just do it ya know!
He's already past your learning curve.

Reserector....Thank you for kicking *** and doing a great job! Pleasure watching you do your project.
9 mos. and pure positive with excellen work. Any idea what you spent...

 

[Reserector_]

Oh, I remember those posts. I go back and read them from time to time for inspiration.

I actually started it 11 months ago. August 2019 So, I will go over my time estimate because I decided to slow down a bit and enjoy it. I was pushing myself, and there is no need to. I've been pacing it out and loving it all the more. Balancing life better, too.

I haven't updated my expenditure list, but I came out ahead here and there, so I splurged on things like new electrical components. But from the looks of it, I will hit very close to my $5K budget.

• I found a source for the throttle control parts I will need, so that will save me having to replace the whole thing.
• I still have the sterndrive to go through, but that just needs fresh seals, gaskets and water pump from what I can tell.
• Then there is the complete interior, including carpet, that has to be fabricated, but that is more labor than materials. Again, that is already figured into that $5K, including the new sewing machine.

Thanks for believing in me! Stay tuned...

 

[kcassells]

Good for you!
I stopped counting costs. I get pleasure from the progress I make, as slow as my arse is. Keep on posting.
Great Inspiration for alot of the newcommers.

 

[kcassells]

So when the time gets here...Fishing or sking first?

 

[mickyryan]

i hope ya block repair works out but if not id drop a ls into it ! but then ill drop a ls into anything that will still float after install

 

[Reserector_]

So when the time gets here...Fishing or sking first?

The wife and I just want to ride around. My two grown sons might let me drag them being the boat on something buoyant. We'll see.
I have a knee board, and enough experience to teach them the basics.

 

[Reserector_]

i hope ya block repair works out but if not id drop a ls into it ! but then ill drop a ls into anything that will still float after install

I'm starting to feel pretty good about it. I poured the coal to it on the first test run.
If you missed the video link, here it is again:
https://youtu.be/hex2y2v8zkw

 

[mickyryan]

here is the thing until that warms up you wont know , you will never warm up on a garden hose

 

[Reserector_]

here is the thing until that warms up you wont know , you will never warm up on a garden hose

It held a steady 175.

Anyway, I set timing by ear, as I am waiting for my shunt to arrive in the mail so I can set it by the book.
I adjusted the mixture by RPM because there is no vacuum port at all. At all.
It idles nicely, and accelerates as it should. It also restarts without human intervention.

I brought the boat around front, but it doesn't look like I will get the engine on the boat today. Too much going on.

I took it to the car wash, and to the scales at the truck stop.
Months ago I weight the trailer alone at 600 lbs
Here are two new weight tickets without engine or sterndrive.
One shows the truck with the boat. The other is truck only.

 

[Reserector_]

It sure was fun towing my boat all around as if I was going to the lake.

Here are more photos from this weekend.

 

[Reserector_]

Another milestone. The engine went in last weekend! That means that all of the research, measuring, calculation and blind faith produced a front engine mount that was in the correct place. Quite a relief to me considering that none of it existed when I first got the boat.

Still much to be done, but this is a huge step forward.


I've turned my attention to the controls. I was able to free it up and determine that it will be usable, so I ordered some parts for it. Many parts are no longer available.

 

[Reserector_]

I've finished refurbishing the controls. (This control is still available for $300 without cables.)

Once I got the parts moving (after sixteen years), I was able to disassemble the unit, clean, lube and reassemble this 3D puzzle. Not gonna lie; it was a complicated gizmo.

The trim switch kit and flat cover were still available to order. (I ordered those.) Most parts were not.

The trim switch kit came complete with a new handle cover. The red part had to be restored.

The cables are good and are hanging in the garage drinking in some WD40.

The mounting screw cover was still available, so I ordered one of those to complete the fresh look.

I finally was able to cross-reference this neutral safety switch. It's the last piece of the puzzle, and is on its way. This one actually still clicks!

 

[Reserector_]

The heat here lately has been so godawful that I have only made progress on thing that I can do indoors. It's been mid-70s at daybreak for weeks, and that doesn't last long. Mid 80s after an hour of sunlight. Humid, too. Knocking on 100's door by early afternoon.

So here's the plan:
I need certain things in place in order to drive the boat on a test ride. Other things can be done after that. my goal is to splash this thing by the end of summer, or early fall.

Engine runs, and is in place. - Needs alignment and front mount bolted down.
Stern drive needs an overhaul.
Attach cooler and add through-hull drain.
Fabricate dash reinforcement, kick panels and throttle control mount.
Instrument panel is working - needs install and fuse panel added.
Add a "shelf" raceway for cables and wiring. (At least on one side, for now) This will eventually support the side trim panels.
Wiring harness - Install and connect to lights and controls.
Add bow and stern lights
Controls - ready to install and connect cables
Mount and wire the trim pump and control box.
Fuel filler, vent, and all lines.
Battery and mount
Bilge pump and through-hull port.
Seat/s (at least one)

Out of all that, the only inside work is the seats, so guess what I will be doing....

 

[skuhleman]

Wow. Looking great so far! You went much further down the rabbit hole than I did. Lucky mine just needed a floor and upholstery. Mine was a 1995 1750. I did add a upholstered panel with cup holders just above those flat spots above floor level. I reccomend them as they added extra cup holders and some cubby areas that kept small stuff from blowing away

 

[skuhleman]

Here's the best pic I got before I sold it

 

[Reserector_]

Wow. Looking great so far! You went much further down the rabbit hole than I did. Lucky mine just needed a floor and upholstery. Mine was a 1995 1750. I did add a upholstered panel with cup holders just above those flat spots above floor level. I reccomend them as they added extra cup holders and some cubby areas that kept small stuff from blowing away

That looks sweeet! The wakeboard tower looks baller. Nice work on that upholstery.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Man, this is a fantastic read. Thanks for posting all the steps. Hopefully the motor holds up. I’m getting the urge to get some of my upholstery done in my Chap. Which sewing machine are you going to get? I have a home model that I used to sew my mooring covers. Although it’s a Singer heavy duty, I think vinyl is well beyond what this dude can sew. I had to “help” it through 3 layers of Sunbrella. I want to get a walking foot machine. I had a lot of trouble feeding Sunbrella through the Singer.

Also- you may have figured this out, but it takes quite a bit to harden Gelcoat. I had to put plastic grocery bags on my feet to keep the sock fuzz at bay. I also cut plastic sheets out when working in the boat. The final coat of Gel should contain surfacing wax, but even that left mine slightly tacky. Especially in lower areas of the hull, such as the bilge, and aisle in the bow. I kind of wonder if the fumes sitting low kinda of had an adverse effect on proper curing. Eventually I added a bit more heat and it cured, just kind of frustrating.

Excellent work, the boats looking great.

 

[Reserector_]

Man, this is a fantastic read. Thanks for posting all the steps. Hopefully the motor holds up. I’m getting the urge to get some of my upholstery done in my Chap. Which sewing machine are you going to get?
Also- you may have figured this out, but it takes quite a bit to harden Gelcoat.

Thanks! As far as upholstery goes, I will know more when I get started on mine. I bought a new machine, but I can't even recall the name at the moment. It is a heavy duty machine with a walking foot attachment. Not a true walking foot machine.
But I digress. Before I do you an injustice by spewing amateur advice, let me introduce you to Ted. He is a much more experienced amateur. Here is a great thread that will probably answer many questions. https://forums.iboats.com/forum/gen.../10805336-time-to-re-upholster-formula-330-ss

As for the gelcoat, my fix was to spread parting agent on it for several hours before washing it off. Same as you would do to finalize laminating resin without wax. Anything that seals the surface from oxygen will allow it to cure.
I brushed it on half of the floor and had to order another bottle. For a while, half of the floor was cured and the front half was like a glue trap. LOL