My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

[KAM247365]

Hey everyone while I was Deployed my wife was on the search for a boat for me and well she found me a 79/80 Tri-Sonic. Its a project boat for sure but the price was right I have only seen it in pictures so I have been searching around trying to find info on them. She says it has a 165 hp in it. I can work on engines no prob but it is missing things like the doghouse and it needs a lot of the vinyl replaced. I will get a better look at it next weekend when I get home. If any of you have ideas on how I can make a doghouse and know where I can find info on it please let me know. Thanks and wish me luck.


I will be posting pics all through out the restoration -Its going to take a lot of work.


KAM247365

 

[Fisherball]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

I'm going to guess that on a 30 year old fiberglass boat you'll need to check the deck, transom & stringers for rot & wet foam.

 

[Luhrs28]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

I have 2 comments:

1) Thanks for your service to our country.

2) Man you've got a GREAT wife!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Phew! Buying an old I/O boat COULD have been a real bad move as there's a number of really obsolete powerplants out there. However, your wife SCORED as the Mercruiser 165 is a great package with still good parts support. Good luck with your project. Welcome to the forum KAM and also thanks for your service.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

DITTO on your Service!!!! Definitely check the Stringers and the Transom. Having just undertaken the upholstery work on my boat the upholstery on this boat is and will be extensive and costly. Doghouse will not be too much of an issue. Plywood constructon with fiberglass mat and resin coating and then upholstery. Like EZ said PowerPlant is a Good One. 2 to 3K and lots of Elbow Grease and you'll have a boat that'll last for years and years.

 

[rickryder]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Welcome to iboats! Thank you for keeping our country safe! We are here to help with any questions and direction you need getting your boat up and running!

 

[KAM247365]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

After sending my wife out to the boat to investigate she was able to get me a little more info on what exactly I have. I am the proud owner of a 1973 Trisonic 1900 Riviera with a 165 HP Mercruiser.

 

[rickryder]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Congrats! Cool looking boat. Keep us informed on it and let us know how we can help you on any rebuilding.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

That'll make a nice rig when done.....Great wife you have there, mine just shruggs her head when I buy something and says "Oh great another project". And thanks for serving your country.

 

[KAM247365]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Just a quick question is there a "boat junk yard" near middle Tn. I would like to go check it out to see if they might have other Tri-Sonics or have boats similar to mine. Need to find a intact doghouse for reference on how its built. So I can design my own. Okay thanks.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Not sure about boat junk yards but I found this Partial Pic on the web. It might help give you an idea.

 

[KAM247365]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Ok thanks I think I found the same ones online and downloaded them all for reference.

 

[KAM247365]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Ok upon initial assessment this boat will be a complete cap off resto the transom is rotted the deck is as well it has foam in it so it will be safe to say that the stringers are gone as well. Ugh so much for making it out on the water this season. But it is a good thing I wanted a project to tinker on well I have it now. LOL I will ask for advice and tips throughout the process of rebuilding it. More to follow

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Kam,

Make sure to get ALL the safety equipment. Respirator, Gloves, Tyek suit etc... You will be doing a LOT of Dusty work and this stuff is VERY damaging to your lungs. WE don't want anything happening to a WARRIOR like you!!!!!

 

[KAM247365]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Advice well taken, got most of it. Where is a good place to get the suits at? Is there a specific cartridge I should use in the respirator?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Lowes has the suits. Use baby powder befor suiting up and tape around the wrist and ankles and you won;t itch so much. What Make and Model respirator r u using? Check their web site for the right cartridge for fiberglass dust.

 

[KAM247365]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Where can I get info specific to trisonic boats? I will need wiring diagrams, diagrams of the steering controls. Does the Mercruiser manual cover the complete outdrive system to include the trim system?

 

[oops!]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

first off.....thanks for your service bud. and congrats on the boat.

that boat may be a little more work than you think at this time.
first off get a real mercrusire manual....not a seloc one, but a merc one.

second.....when you get home....get the boat....take a ton of pics of it and we will guide you....this summer you will be having tons of fun.

the doghouse is a no brainer....not tuff at all. lets see pics first and we can go from there.

 

[KAM247365]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

Okay While dodging the rain storms I was able to put the boat into the pole barn. After working on the house for a few days. I was able get some time to check out what kind of work I have ahead of me. Some good news is that someone did a lot of the tear out work for me. Unfortunately they did not finish it. They just put some wood back in and went out to the lake, I guess. Here are some pics of the project I am working on.



When I have more time I will be taking out the windshield and all controls and will start to prep the cap for removal. Should I remove the engine before I take the cap off or will it matter? My wife is upset that she got this boat for me but I am going to have fun rebuilding it. And I tell her this will be a lot of fun when its done.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: My First Boat Resto- may need some pointers.

When you are done you will have a top notch boat you have the confidence in to safely take anywhere you want! You probably could not find a new boat as well built as this site will teach you to build that one. Years of trouble free service. Speaking of service, thanks for yours! I can ***** about how screwed up our government is cuz of people like you!!! (& those bitches might actually help it get better.)