Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Glassmaster 18'

[NEStriper]

Hey guys. I picked up an 18' Glassmaster w/ working 90hp Mercury and now I'm looking at creating the to-do list. I'm on a seriously tight money and time budget. I want this boat to be able to be splashed by late April, essentially doing the most minimal work possible to get her in the water. This is a boat for striper fishing in New England (mainly NH and RI) and doesn't need to be pretty yet, just fishable!

The floor seems, for the most part, structurally sound. There is only one noticeable soft spot where the fiberglass has started to peel. Transom seems very solid. She needs at least one seat with benches to come later. Most people on this boat will be there to do some fishing or diving and comfort comes second, at least for now. I'm about ready to mount a cooler to the floor and throw a pad on it for the captains chair.

Here are some pics of her a little snow covered. That has since melted and I can provide more detailed pics. If this was your boat, what would you do first, other than the very needed cleaning?

 

[Gibbles]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Starcraft

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Starcraft

If it were me; I would take the engine and controls off, and remove the windshield...

If the trailer looks solid, keep that too...

Junk the rest, and start looking for a better boat needing an engine

A tin starcraft is another story... but your looking at alot of work with that one...

And I can see that you will need a new steering cable, thats $100+ right there

Soft spot in the floor bad enough to cause the fiberglass to peal up prob = alot of water/weight you cannot see and prob stuck in the floatation foam...

If you want a restore job, and you like that boat.. by all means, start reading up!

 

[NEStriper]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Starcraft

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Starcraft

I've already spent too much time here.. Wrote Starcraft instead of glassmaster!

I took a look earlier today and it needs a whole new hydrolic steering box. It's just gone. That should be expensive. The outboard looks great inside, and only needs throttle/shifting cables. Picking up mufflers today because eventually I'll need them.

 

[oops!]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Starcraft

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Starcraft

hi ....welcome to iboats....

im confused.....are you keeping the boat or going to a tinny?

the steering box. is actually quite cheap new....150 i think with cables..

used....they are a dime a dozen.....and its not hydraulic.

as far as just a fishing diving rig.......you say you are going to add a cooler, a captains chair....

what else are your plans>....did you want to thorw a coat of paint on it to make it look pretty?....or are you just wanting to get on the water ?

one thing is certain bud........get a trap on it soon ....or you will be doing a deck stringer job by the spring !

 

[BWT]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Glassmaster 18'

The floor seems, for the most part, structurally sound. There is only one noticeable soft spot where the fiberglass has started to peel. Transom seems very solid. She needs at least one seat with benches to come later. Most people on this boat will be there to do some fishing or diving and comfort comes second, at least for now. I'm about ready to mount a cooler to the floor and throw a pad on it for the captains chair.

I guess to be honest, I would do a bit more investigating on the structural condition. Comfort may come second, but safety needs to come first (even more important than getting out fishing ) A good day fishing still sucks when you're swimming back to shore or getting hauled in by someone else. If there is a soft spot on the floor, there are probably other things as well. Poke around and look for things that don't seem right. Take pics and ask lots of Q's...

Good Luck!

~BWT

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Starcraft

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Starcraft

If it were me; I would take the engine and controls off, and remove the windshield...

If the trailer looks solid, keep that too...

Junk the rest, and start looking for a better boat needing an engine

This.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Glassmaster 18'

Welcome NEStriper,

First thing I noticed is the band aid repair to the transom, that aluminum plate is on there for a reason...usually means the transom is shot.

You mentioned a soft spot on the deck, in my humble opinion, that is just another indicator of underlying rot issues.

I have to agree with everything that has been said by all of the others that have already popped in here...

If you want to keep it, check it carefully and thoroughly...Safety on the water is just as important as safety in the air, except instead of falling out of the sky when you have a problem, you may end up visiting the great Neptune himself...

What seems like a minor issue on dry land can quickly become a major catastrophy on the water far from shore...

Now, if after all is said and done and you decide to keep this boat and restore it, everyone here at the Iboats dry dock will surely help and cheer you on.

Best Regards,
GT1M

 

[NEStriper]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Glassmaster 18'

Upon reflection I think the best idea is to look for a new hull. Thanks for the advice for those that have chimed in. Getting the outboard running well is the primary goal and as long as that checks out, I'll be looking for a boat sans outboard.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Glassmaster 18'

Find an aluminum Starcraft!!!! (or equivalent)

 

[NEStriper]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Glassmaster 18'

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2656662998.html

Thoughts?

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Glassmaster 18'

Seems like something to go look at and poke and prod and jump around on and make sure it is what it is, then make a lowball offer, haggle a bit, come to an agreement and haul it home...BUT Wait, don't order yet...

1-Is this what you really want...
2-Are you 100% your 90 horse Mercury runs and is sufficient or not too much power for this rig...
3-Is the trailer it sitting on safe to travel, what with a wobbly wheel...might be just a bent axle, bent rim, or it could be a bad bearing that might smoke itself on the ride home and leave you by the side of the road...
4-Can you use your trailer for this boat
5- can you sell one or the other trailer to recoup some of your cash...

That's all I can think of for now, but I just want to point out, that there are several things to consider before you jump on it...

Only with the best intentions,
GT1M

PS- on a positive note, a tinny is supposed to be much easier and faster to retore than a glasser, so this should weigh heavily on your to do thoughts...

 

[Gibbles]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Glassmaster 18'

That looks like a great deal there IMO

The first picture it looked like an SS, but its not...

Check the hull rating, I bet thats rated for no larger than a 55hp

but your on the right track!

And I wish I could find deals like that around here!

That boat would be perfect for my FIL

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help me create a "to do list" for my new (to me) Glassmaster 18'

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2656662998.html

Thoughts?

Too much for a trailer that probably needs an axle and a boat missing most of its parts.