Plz help w/ a few questions on a 1976 Omega Tri-Hull 18 ft. In/Outboard Fish/Ski Boat

[jbcurt00]

Capt, it might be time to change the title and move this topic over to the restoration forum....

I too would d be worried about whether or not moisture got beyond the cracks, same as Rick, rather then liquid electrical tape.

BTW: Marine wiring is not the same as what you can typically find from a non-marine supplier. Just like I/O engine components aren't the same as car/truck stuff.

 

[rickryder]

Yup boats are boats and cars are cars....we don't mix and match You can buy spools of tinned marine wire and rewiring a boat of your size is pretty easy...

I agree this should be in the Resto section....

 

[Watermann]

I have to say that the VP triple one barrel down draft carbs look very cool, "tri power" :thumb:

 

[Capt. Willie]

I agree, the power of three.


Most of my wiring problems are from the dried out rubber covering, and mostly in the Transom area. I drew up my own wiring diagram, and got most I.D.ed. Raining today, but 65-70 last week. Need to bust out another thousand for some parts and some fiberglass work, but for now, I'm working on finishing engine cover, and will open deck @ soft spot, etc......

It is turning into a resto, my list is shorter anyway.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Bump for Topic move.....

 

[Capt. Willie]

Then it's officially a Resto.

I tore out some of the deck today, the soft spot is worse than expected, (larger). Either they used scrap pcs. of plywood at Omega, or someone did a poor repair job.
It rained the other day, so some standing water in there. I bailed out most of it, and I'm letting it dry out to inspect stringers, etc.....I may re-do entire deck.:ballchain:

 

[RStewart]

Capt. it looks like you've got a good project on your hands. My boat has sat outside uncovered for quite a few years as well. It seems the damage is always worse than expected. Lol.

 

[Woodonglass]

Hey Capt. Welcome to the iBoats Dry Dock!!! Soft spots in decks of boats that have been left out in the elements are just symptoms of what lies below. 39 year old boats that DON'T need New Decks, Stringer, Motor Mounts and Transoms are...Almost Non existent. You can beat on em with hammers all day and THINK they're Safe n' Sound and then once you core sample them you find out they're rotten to the "CORE" I highly recommend you core sample everything to ensure you're not putting "Lipstick on a Pig" Safety must be #1 when you're out in the middle of the lake. There are some things you can take short cuts on and use cheaper materials and methods on and we'll help you with all of those. But... covering up Rot is NOT one of those!!!! We're not there so we can't MAKE you do anything!! Just want to make you aware of how critically important it is that all of the structural components of your boat are structurally sound.

 

[Chad Flaugher]

I hope you luck out! I opened my 74' Cobalt Tri Hull I/O, and found hollow fiberglass framing. Nothing there to rot as far as I can see... Maybe it's just the deck? Best of luck you you!

 

[Capt. Willie]

Thanks guys. Good advice WG...Ricky said the same. I'm sure now the soft spot was the result of an old repair the way the plywood was pieced in, etc.

I just have to open some access holes on starboard side to do the core sampling all around as it has a central beam. Carpet is stuck to fiberglass in some places so I haven't stripped all ....yet.

FYI: Omega gave no access to the bow eye hardware on inside....even w/ an owner-cut access hole, (about 4" x 4") it's tight, and seems to be missing a backing piece, another poor repair maybe, but it's on my list.

 

[Capt. Willie]

I'm missing 2 stringers on port side...:smash:.cutting them now, and will add new plywood for deck......but.from transom to fore of splash-box, all looks good, and starboard side of deck also. Will do core tests.........

I fixed the bow-eye.....and added better backing piece on inside for strength. :yo:

 

[Woodonglass]

I'd highly recommend to post some more pics of the substructure so we can see what you're seeing. It's a lot easier to give advice that way.

 

[Capt. Willie]

I haven't gotten to pics yet....but I read that 'Nitro 170' Thread and it really helped. I'm adding a third stringer on port side, and will temp. set plywood for 'working room' while doing the same to starboard side deck.

PS. Thanks for the link WG.....guess I better brush up on my fiberglass skills.