My Bass Boat Project

[MrSurly]

Inspecting the throttle and timing linkages I found the timing advance roller as well as the carb roller both partially or completely disintegrated.
While I was able to visit a local shop and pick these pieces up, in stock, (surprised and pleased!) I was struck by how crazy the prices have climbed! Near forty bux for these!
Wowzers!
But I was still glad to get ‘em!




with the proper diameter rollers and after going thru the proper adjustment sequence, the timing and throttle are both now able to achieve “wide open” again.

 

[catalytic]

88 horses means your boat will move. It looks fantastic and I like the colors better than the original. Plan for some dry storage. I have a large 20MM ammo-can and a separate smaller dry storage on custom mounts I fab'ed in my 14' Lund--it's always full, and the mounts allow the storage cans to be removed in about 3 seconds (so you can haul your stuff inland without unpacking)---turned out to work really well. Your boat is bigger, so maybe you can do something nicer.

One more thought---I don't know how much your boat weighs, and maybe it's heavy enough that it doesn't matter---on small/light boats it really helps to be able to slide your seat left/right so that your boat isn't tilted right when you're alone. I installed a sliding seat in my 14' Lund and it made a huge difference (Mine isn't built out on the inside so it's a lot lighter, though).

 

[MrSurly]

I have a large 20MM ammo-can and a separate smaller dry storage on custom mounts I fab'ed in my 14' Lund-

Tell me more about the mounts.

Also, according to the specs, the bare hull weighs 770#

 

[FMB4]

Ya, I can relate to the high prices of boat/vessel controls and control parts. Back in the mid '90s a friend was given a great 'deal' on a '78 or so 21' Sea Ray (IIRC) IO/SBC. The controls were in bad shape which cost him a bunch. Then he went to replace the weak alternator and was shocked at the price for a rebuilt replacement (marine rated of course). I, and another friend, did much of work for him, so he saved money in that way. Then he went and started the engine without a cooling water attachment...

 

[MrSurly]

Ya, I can relate to the high prices of boat/vessel controls and control parts. Back in the mid '90s a friend was given a great 'deal' on a '78 or so 21' Sea Ray (IIRC) IO/SBC. The controls were in bad shape which cost him a bunch. Then he went to replace the weak alternator and was shocked at the price for a rebuilt replacement (marine rated of course). I, and another friend, did much of work for him, so he saved money in that way. Then he went and started the engine without a cooling water attachment...

Ouch!

 

[FMB4]

Ouch!

He did this when we weren't around. The water pump seal wasn't very difficult to replace. It was a fairly nice boat once it was cleaned and fixed it up.

 

[MrSurly]

Things sure slow down when you get to the detail part! Making progress, though, I polished up the ‘glas steering console (not in this pic) , put some wires in, started in with the newest steering cable, a bit of progress made.

 

[MrSurly]

I’ve now run into a snag. With my awesome daughter stopping by to help, we carpeted all five of the storage bay lids which was a real pita as we were fully wrapping the carpet around the edges, just as the factory had done, clamping and gluing and.... then the doors won’t close!
Apparently the carpet I used is a silly millimeter thicker than what the factory used. On all three edges the carpet jams within the frames.
I am extremely upset about this and not sure the next move. What I did for now is trim all the edges so that the doors can close. They look awful when opened. They will rattle and fray, I cannot leave them like this.
I am truly bummed. The frames/doors/hinges are all fully welded; there’s no adjustment or fudge factor. There is 1/8” clearance on all sides. I have no idea what kind of carpet was on the doors originally as all the doors had lost most of it. The old carpet from the deck doesn’t appear any thinner than what I have. I’m thinking that maybe the original had astroturf on just the lids.
Now I have to do something as I hate this.
many ideas, anyone?
I’ve been thinking of Seadeck or rubber tread products to put on top, but that doesn’t fix the ugly bared edges of the doors OR fix the rattling.
I need some input...

 

[FMB4]

About the only thing I can think of is to somehow remove the carpet from the storage bay lids and start over with thinner carpet. I fully realize the you, of course, have thought of this approach as well. As a former auto electric/electronic shop operator I know very well that removing new or old glued down carpet can be extremely difficult (worked with a number of carpeted sub-woofer speaker boxes).

The only time I was able to remove such carpet with fair success was by lifting an edge of the carpet followed by applying heat to the glue/carpet and box surface with a heat gun. Edit: There should be several adhesive removers (3M?) that might work or, at least help with the removal of any residual adhesive remaining on the lids if you are able to pull the carpet off.


Otherwise, you might consider talking this issue over with some marine upholstery repair shops or forums.

 

[PassnThru]

The doors are aluminum right? I would think about taking the carpet off completely and polishing the top and leaving it that way. Maybe put a coat of clear on it or even paint them like you did the hull? Then run some type of rubber gasket around the channel that it fits into to tighten up the fit and eliminate any rattles.

 

[bradpac]

If you only need a mm of clearance can you shave down the thickness of the carpet by that amount? Take a few runs over it with some electric shears or something?

 

[MrSurly]

If you only need a mm of clearance can you shave down the thickness of the carpet by that amount? Take a few runs over it with some electric shears or something?

I had exactly that thought process last night, immediately AFTER I had trimmed all the edges out of frustration! I HAVE some great Andis grooming clippers and I bet that I COULD just shave the pile from the carpet. But now, I'll have to order and install it again, just to find out!
Yet another rash decision with a consequence...

 

[madison069]

I'm currently in a similar issue with the carpet at the joints myself. The carpet is installed and it does shut but it's really tight and you have to yank the door open. My goal was to clean the carpets really good and then decide what i want to do at that point. So I'll be interested in what your solution will be. The carpet I have has been on the boat for years so I was hoping it was a case of being full of dirt and grit that has expanded the carpet some. Hence why I was going to clean them really good.

 

[FMB4]

Yet another rash decision with a consequence...

If I had a nickle...

 

[Michigan Mike]

Can you get some thin aluminum angle to go over the existing carpet and wrap around and cover the exposed edges of the door? I am making the assumption that the angle is thinner than the carpet.

 

[MrSurly]

Can you get some thin aluminum angle to go over the existing carpet and wrap around and cover the exposed edges of the door? I am making the assumption that the angle is thinner than the carpet.

I actually did a mock-up of that last night...couldn't get comfy with the look.

 

[MrSurly]

I THINK I have found what will serve as my solution; while cruising the boat dealers I noticed that a couple of G3 boats had an embossed sheet vinyl (supposedly non-skid) material over the deck. It was good looking, somewhat soft, and most of all *THIN*.
Some web research has me convinced that it is Marideck Marine Flooring (non-porous Solid PVC) as sold here: MARIDECK .
Available in 34 mil and 80 mil. I have ordered some samples.
I am banking on this stuff to save my day by using it to only cover the lids and let it make a (hopefully) pleasant contrast with the installed carpet. I also found it on Amazon but with a hefty minimum purchase. the link above appears to let you buy as little as one foot by six foot.
for my use, three by eight.
Can't wait to get the samples (which are actually NOT free)

 

[MrSurly]

sorry forgot pix

 

[MrSurly]

For now, the lids have carpet and look OK. They’ll stay like this until I get the Marideck.

 

[snyder]

Looks great

 

[Jayman17]

MrSurly, you sure did a nice job on that carpet install. Very neat and tight looking, it looks factory fresh.

Jay

 

[FMB4]

Absolutely Top Notch work MrSurly. Thank you for the time and effort you've invested in this outstanding thread.

 

[MrSurly]

Thanks, guys. The credit for the detail work is due my daughter. She has come by and spent a couple of evenings helping me get caught up a bit. She has the patience and the OCD to redo all the seams I did and make them blend right in.
she’s amazing.
Today as I’ve been working on externals, pumps, trolling snd anchor wiring, she’s been doing more carpet, plus installing the waterproof LEDs for storage well lighting....

 

[MrSurly]

Wish I could fix the pic rotation issue

 

[MrSurly]

Rolled it out to get ready for a Monday afternoon trip to dip it in the water.
Replaced the starter ($60, Amazon)

Looking fairly complete!

 

[Krfjkm]

I hope you have great first float! Nice work!

 

[Jayman17]

Looks fantastic, hope the first time out goes smoothly. Fishing too or just a boat ride?

Jay

 

[FMB4]

Wish I could fix the pic rotation issue

That's OK with me. I'm usually pretty 'sideways' by about 7 PM these days.

 

[MrSurly]

Only had a short while (sunset) but it did super! Runs out well, all of the gadgets work. I'll be going earlier today, need to make timing/throttle adjustments. Speedo says 48 MPH.... but it has more. Hopefully, today I'll get video.

 

[MrSurly]

Only had a short while (sunset) but it did super! Runs out well, all of the gadgets work. I'll be going earlier today, need to make timing/throttle adjustments. Speedo says 48 MPH.... but it has more. Hopefully, today I'll get video.

Bad news/great news day!
Unable to run to the lake today due to massive storms in the area.
decided to take this time to install new plugs and also fo a compression test because I need to have some clue how worn out this old engine is.
I was absolutely *shocked* to find the compression was 135~145 psi!!!
I really lucked out there! I fully expected it would be 95~ 105 or so, reflecting on its high hour history. I was so surprised I actually checked the gauge against others and it was good!
I’m really pumped up sbout this (yeah, pun, I know)

 

[FMB4]

Those are some nice numbers. Evinrude engines have a very good reputation as does Johnson.

 

[FMB4]

Btw, my wife just looked over your project thread (a first ever IIRC). She is, like all of us, impressed with your work. She also likes the color (her 2020 Nissan is a very similar metallic red).

 

[MrSurly]

Thanks for the kind words!
I'm one of those people who are bad about starting but *not-quite-finishing* projects.... but because of my lady friend’s recently expressed interest in the boat and where we could go with it, I had the determination to complete this one.(!)

 

[MrSurly]

I rec'd the samples from Marine Vinyl (Marideck). Pretty interesting material,,,
I'll see what my daughter thinks about the choices, but I can predict that we will be using ONE of these.

 

[FMB4]

I'm one of those people who are bad about starting but *not-quite-finishing* projects.

I'm sure that you have a lot of company in here MrSurly. I too am a 'never can quite finish anything err... project kind of person. The thing is that I like working on various projects even though I don't always 'finish them'. Not sure why this is.

That said, you've posted a super project thread here in the GJ forums (and I've followed a ton of vehicle, MC, boat, tool, etc, project threads over the years (including vintage farm implement project threads).

 

[MrSurly]

I got samples of the MariDeck in two thicknesses and in three or four colors/textures. I also got samples of a different product they have called "luxury Woven" which has a 'felt' backing about 1/8" thick.
The luxury woven is amazing looking stuff. Wow. I mean I REALLY like it.... but the price is too much for me as just the small amount I need for these doors would run over $200 once I buy their glue, delivery etc.

SOoooooo.... I'm down to three choices, all from the MariDeck line: solid grey; grey/white/black digi-camo look; dark red/black/grey that they call 'wine'.

I'll have to see what she thinks.

 

[Jayman17]

Uh, are you aware we like pics at GJ? How about a couple pics of the samples so we know what you’re talking about.

Jay

 

[MrSurly]

Good call! Soon as I get home I'll lay 'em out and shoot 'em.

 

[MrSurly]

 

[LXCam]

$200 is small price to pay for perfection. Live a little