First revision of the new Beachcraft.

[Boomyal]

This boat has been sitting idle since I obtained it for the unbelievable price of 400$. It sits in a friends yard so I don't have daily access to it.

One of the things that really bugged me about it (beyond all the obvious needs) was the bow rail. There is absolutely no reason for a boat of this size to have a high, full, frontal bow rail. It did look kind of sexy but it was totally useless was actually a danger if you needed to get off the boat, over the bow. So I undertook to alter it. Here is the before and after.

My next quickie project will be to shorten the dog house. It appears that the bilge was built to accomodate a straight six (302 ford currently resident). As such the bilge and dog house are a lot longer than they need to be. As much as 4 additional inches added to the floor space between the dog house and front seats will make appreciably more room.

Oh, and by the way. Patience paid off. I just received the full factory manual with supplement, for this Outdrive and motor combo, off of ebay for 16.65$ shipped. They are very slightly used and in excellent shape. It was Manual #2 with a supplement.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: First revision of the new Beachcraft.

8) Nice cut, i never would have thought of starting there and it opens up a lot for that boat. o Look's at that short winsheild, maybe a tad longer............lol im sure you will do nothing but a great service to that boat. It will be intresting to watch.

Does that hull have a 20 degree vee? It sure look's like a serious hull, lol im sure when your done with boat, you will have to do something with that trailer, man it looks small.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: First revision of the new Beachcraft.

Looks like a great change. Let's see some interior shots.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: First revision of the new Beachcraft.

what is the silver disc, one the port side of center? one several of the colsed bows i have had, i put a thru hull fitting, inorder to stow the anchor line.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: First revision of the new Beachcraft.

Thanks Tailgunner but I didn't understand what you were saying about the windshield. I know what you mean about the hull. That's what got me excited about the little boat. It's only a flat 18' whereas my Gulfstream is 19'6"., yet it has the same 302 v8 in it. It's just a litlle bit smaller in all dimensions. (freeboard, width, length) I'll have to check the angle of the deadrise. It really looks like a scaled down version of a 19' 6" Sea Ray and they were always good looking old hulls.


Bob, I'll take some shots. That is the worst part of the boat. This boat is a '76. It is a prime example of why I bought my Gulfstream in '75. All of the vinyl is real shabby, the seats and bases are falling apart. My Gulfstream had none of the vinyl, except for the seats and the seat bases were molded fiberglass. (I'd love to get my hands on a set of salvage Gulfstream seat bases but those boats did not sell in my current area) All the rest is still original and still looks real good. I'll post side by side pics when I get the Beachcraft interior shots.

Your right about the trailer. I'm sure it is adequate but at mininum I don't like roller trailers. I'm not sure what I'll end up doing with it. I'm trying to keep this a low cost project.

tashasdaddy, I think what you are referring to is the gas cap. The tank is in the bow. I'm not so sure how good an idea that really is. It plays havoc with the trailer tongue weight

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: First revision of the new Beachcraft.

The winsheild comment was one of a over active imagination sorry

, i have been consumed with trying to get all the lines and angles right on a restore i am begining to bring to a close. But i cant help but wonder how swoopy that boat would look with a swept winsheild.