My New 16' 1977 Ski Barge

[spanky543]

So last night about 10 pm we made it home with our new family project. It's a 16' Ski Barge with a 75 hp Johnson Stinger outboard. We went to pick it up yesterday around noon and we didn't make it home till super late. We had to re do lights, buy a smaller hitch, take the motor off the transom, and get straps to strap down the boat lol... after a few trips back and forth to the store of course. Needless to say it was a very long day to make a great story lol.

So back to the new project! Today I'm going to grind off the 1-7/8" ball coupler to bolt on a 2" one. I am also going to take the new lights back to the store since they don't work and get a new set. I just got them Friday and the left led light is just bad. I want to try to find a fold away tongue bracket so the boat will fit in the garage today too if I can. I am going to try to build a motor stand if I have time.

The boat is going to need a new floor and stringers. The transom feels solid except where the stringers attach so I will have to figure out how to reinforce that attachment when I open up the floor. The gunwales feel solid they just seem to have a little wobble and flex in and out. I am thinking of having an aluminum rail built for her or maybe trying to add a fiberglass rail that is 2-3" wide for some added rigidity. I will get some pictures posted shortly!

 

[SeaDooSam]

Welcome to iBoats. Sounds like a nice project. Enjoy it. Lots of other people restoring boats on here.

 

[Scott Danforth]

without pics it didnt happen...

 

[jbcurt00]

Dont be ssurprised if the transom needs to be replaced once you 'open it up'.

Good luck w your project

Welcome to iboats

Been a while, how are the rest of the Lil Rascals?

 

[spanky543]

No Title

So here is ths boat... and I ground down the old hitch coupler this morning. I need to bend the tounge out a little from where it was welded. I ordered a swing away tongue kit today and it should get here by Tuesday!

 

[spanky543]

Okay, so I measured again and I don't think the boat and trailer will fit in the garage without removing my workbench and cabinets against the back wall. How can I get the boat off the trailer and into the garage to work on it? I am a big guy...and I dont want to make a hole in the hull lol. How do I need to support under the boat to be able to work in the boat off the trailer? I am going to take the trailer into the back yard to work on that one...I need to remove the springs, axle, and some of the runners to de rust and repaint... I can man handle it into the back yard I think...well I hope lol. I have to redo the lights and etc also.

 

[DFord143]

Usually what guys do is built a cart of sorts to put the boat on during the restore... especially folks that don't have the room for the trailer in their garage. There are about a million or so ways to do this so really you'll have to do a bit of research as to what you have access too and can fabricate. Some guys go to town at the hardware store with 2xwhatevers and casters, repurpose carts/vehicle dollies, etc. Far as getting it from the trailer to dolly, you can either hang it from your rafters in the ceiling, out with the trailer and in with the dolly, or lift and block methods.

 

[spanky543]

So I was super excitd today to get my swing away trailer bracker in 3"x4"! Got it for 63$!!!! I get home today and open the box....inside is the gently used bob from Fulton that is the 3"x4" swing away bracket rated for 7500 lbs!!!! But to my surprise inside the the Fulton box.... a 3"x3" bracket..... :-(

I will be calling Amazon to try to get the correct replacement...

 

[Baylinerchuck]

That sucks. Those swing away hitches are really nice. Nice find at that price.

 

[spanky543]

That sucks. Those swing away hitches are really nice. Nice find at that price.

So I got a refund and they said I could keep the swing tongue bracket. Anyone want or need a swing arm for a 3"x3"? I am going to buy a new one when the refund processes

So look what I found at a fiberglass shop! Got it for $50!

 

[spanky543]

I forgot to see if anyone has added the flush rod holders to a center console like this? I was thinking of adding a fiberglass clad bump out on the bottom with the rod holders. Like these... almost like the consoles on the Mako boats.


.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Nice score!!

 

[spanky543]

So I picked up a trolling motor today and tomorrow I am going to pick up a seat cooler so it will be coming together in my head any way...

I almost have the engine stand done and once I get that done I can move the boat in the garage and start working on the interior. I got all the stuff to put the coupler on the trailer. I'm going to put that in the back and start that one next!

It's supposed to freeze tonight so work today has been slow lol.

 

[spanky543]

So I was able to finish the motor stand. I think I am going to add an outrigger with wheels. Thankfully my brother in law was over to help pick it up.

I also picked up some more gear today. Got a cooler rack, swing back seat, and a cooler seat. I am not sure if I can salvage the cooler... so on a whim today I stopped by the Rtic warehouse and picked up a scratch and dent 65 quart for 25% off! The swing back cushion looks to be fair. It needs a new zipper and I was thinking of doing the spray vinyl restore. Has anyone doneeds that on their vinyl?

Let me know if I should do the outriggers on the stand...

 

[spanky543]

I will post pictures tomorrow they are not working on my phone right now

 

[spanky543]

Tried again...no luck...and I can't delete the post lol.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

I've never tried the vinyl repair but I'm curious how it works. I have a couple spots I need to do some temporary repairs on my boat. New vinyl is not in my budget for this year....

 

[ezmobee]

I was thinking of doing the spray vinyl restore. Has anyone doneeds that on their vinyl?

I did on all the combing pads on my Hydra Sports. They were white and badly stained with like mildew/mold stains. Came out awesome! and seemed to hold up well through the season.

 

[spanky543]

This on is 350 kb


This one is 912 kb


Ok my pictures will not upload past a thumbnail... they range from 300 - 900 kb. Can anyone help me out? I cant upload the pictures I have taken from my phone. I was able to do some earlier in the post. Do they limit you?

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Yes, you are limited by size. I have an iPhone and use an image resizer I downloaded from the App Store. I typically resize my images to 1900 x 1425. This is really close to the maximum allowable file size. I usually do not use a PC, so I don't embed images directly to the thread like some do. I choose to use my phone for all pictures. Just easier for me to do it from one device than sit in front of a PC.