Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

[HopeSheFloats]

Howdy everyone, thought I'd drop in and say Hi and that I'm pickled tink to have found this wonderful site with such friendly knowledgable folks. I've bit the bullet and I'm about to begin my trip through the twi-light zone of saving a little landfill area for something more fitting{like politicians..lol}.

Found this 1979 Imperial Tri-hull, liked the looks and the price was right, and being as I needed something to keep out of trouble{the wife's hair} ...well you all know how the story goes.

Anyway's, nice to meet you, give me a short bit of time and I'm sure to drive you all batty with questions and dumb idea's, I do know how to use the search function, but sometimes it gets so lonely out here in the garage that I'll ask anyways just to see if anyone's listening. Hope to keep up with some photo's of the adventure and to maybe offer something back once in a while
that may be helpful. I've fooled with woodworking most of my life, most of all I like playing guitar and songwriting, so I can definitely relate to any blues that may arise in this challenge.

This is my 6th used boat but my first attempt at improving something other than where to sit the cooler, have never glassed anything but the ladies on the beach, and 21 years of marriage to the same woman has to prove I can stay
thru the good and bad...wish me luck and I'll try not to be so yakkity yak next time............

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Here I go, feet first

Re: Here I go, feet first

few more pix...

 

[singinout]

Re: Here I go, feet first

Re: Here I go, feet first

Hey! Welcome to iboats! Looks like an interesting project. I'm redoing a trihull as well, altho its smaller. Wat does it have for power? Inboard? Outboard?

Gud luck on your project! And yes post pix! Makes the thread much more interesting! Btw, could you resize your pix to 640 x 480? Alot of ppl on here dont like to click thumbnails to view the pix. (i was told to resize mine when i started my thread too)

Keep the posts cumin!!!

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Here I go, feet first

Re: Here I go, feet first

Thanks Singinout, sorry I did forget to mention the powerhouse...'79 JohnsonV4 115hp, turns over, has good spark at all 4 but have'nt tried it yet or checked compression, no rush as that could be a winter project. Or maybe fit it out with something newer/lighter.

When I originally sized the pix at 640/480 I got the 'file too large notice' will have to learn photobucket or such and how to imbed them...{?}

I'm off to see what you've got via your link....Cheers

oh yeah..17 footer

 

[singinout]

Re: Here I go, feet first

Re: Here I go, feet first

Yeah Photobucket should do the trick. Thats what I use - its not too hard.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Here I go, feet first

Re: Here I go, feet first

OK anyone, how'd I do on resetting the photo's?{1st post only so far, waiting on reply}...Thanks for taking the time

edit...grrrrr...need to resize back up...yes I'm having tons of fun

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Here I go, feet first

Re: Here I go, feet first

Hey, if I can figure out posting these pix correctly, guess I might stand a chance of actually restoring this.

 

[Robert D]

Re: Here I go, feet first

Re: Here I go, feet first

Nice project. Nice price. Go for it! I'm still working on a '72 Reinell tri-hull. The worst work is all the curves...a lot of hand sanding. Strangely, while the hull is very thick as fiberglass was cheap in 1972, the stringers were only glassed part way up. Not even glassed to the transom. Tear it down, and you'll find ways to improve it and wonder why the factory didn't do it to begin with. (Probably $$$$) Remember, an improvement that may cost the factory 50 dollars is huge when calculated against mass production....but for us, it's a cheap improvement that may add years to the boat. (Like filleting corners. Some just bridged the corner, with air pockets. Works great for a couple years. Do it right, you'll add a couple decades. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

Thqts a good looking boat actually fo the Money thats a Great looking boat .


Rick

 

[singinout]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

Hey sorry I didnt help you out! Looks like you got it figured out! THANX!!! Can see alot more detail! Hey thats a great boat you have! Will make a terrific project! Im almost jealous of you! Specially since you got it for $50 less than I paid for mine!!

Im def gonna follow this thread!! Bestest of luck!!!

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

No sweat Singinout, appreciate your checking back. You look like you've got a cool project going on yourself.

Thankyou too Robert D, yes...do it right or go home

Thanks Rickairmedic, me likes it mucho 'currently' lol

 

[mcgyver11271962]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

Too Cool,
I paid $250 for mine also, it is (I think) a 1975 Imperial 15' trihull. Just got my lumber today and some fiberglassing material. Mine only has one stringer down the middle of the floor and I got that all cut out and a new one made and plan on glassing it in tomorrow. Welcome to iboats can't wait to see your progress.

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

Very nice find, she will look real sweet when your done.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

Nice looking boat and if the compression checks out that's a REAL good motor and a good match for the boat. I wouldn't be in any hurry to trade it up for something newer.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

Be certain to put bolts thru that wood on the engine stand. The V-4 weighs in at about 300 lbs. Additionally you will have to bolt the V-4 to the stand...... nice looking boat

 

[eight tracker]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

Nice buy!It looks like you shuold be able to seperate the cap from the boat to make working it a lot easier,love the color vintage 70s,good thread to follow would be OOPs on his hull extension in this forum,will be watching
have fun!!! tom

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

Thanks Mcgyver, Imperial rules {lol}

Thanks KeepNitreel, With the help from this site, how can it not

Thanks Ezmobee, Yes, I've read some folks here really like the V4, I hope it{the motor} turns out worth investing in and ya...one thing about me...never in a hurry, folks come to expect it if you are{lol}

Thankyou Bob VT, super tip as I was just going to gently ease 'er down with the picker an watch & listen for complaints, Will do and I appreciate your thoughts

Thanks Eight Tracker, an yes I've already been reading OOP's thread as well as a ton of others...what a great site to learn from.

 

[Nico2112]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

Can I join too?

Nice looking boat mate. I'm sure it will look great when all done!

 

[chrishayes]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

love that steering wheel, and the faded color. My 78 ford truck will be that color one day. Keep at it and keep posting!

 

[jonesg]

Re: Here I go, feet first {w/pictures}

watch out with that engine stand, that looks like 2x6 , my v6 split that in half along the grain like it was balsa , only the skeg resting on the base kept it from dropping.
laminated ply is better for the heavier horses.

nice boat, given the choice between buffing all that glasswork,
I think green is better than blue.