bought first boat

[hoggsback]

I finally bought my first boat. Here are a few pictures of the condition. It needs a good cleaning as you can see. Can you all give me some ideas on how to get this thing back into shape for use?

The carpet is pretty bad but I don't know if I need to replace it or if it can be cleaned?

The wood is also not in great shape. Can this be sanded and sealed again? or should I replace it also?

Any other suggestions please? I am very mechanically inclined and a diy'er but have never owned a boat.

[iffy]

Hey, nice Tyee there. That will be a fun project for you and a really nice boat when you get done. It looks like the carpet is shot. Get some decent marine carpet and replace it. As far as the wood goes, try some teal oil and see if that doesnt get it looking good. If it doesnt, you will need to replace it. The exact matching plywood is quite expensive though.

I see the boat has a Tiger Marine (New London) sticker on the glovebox. They are great people there and will help you find the parts and things you need. Old T-man will know how to come up with what you want. Good luck!

[Ufatz]

Looks like a nice old boat. Marine Spar varnish for the wood, couple coats. Remove old carpet and let the sub-surface dry, then put new carpet. The white painted surfaces can be redone with a high quality marine paint. Take yout time and your new boat will be BETTER than it was when new. Have fun.

[fishin58]

The first thing I did with my Ol'Tyee was rip out the side council on the left side. It makes a huge difference for room and fishibility. I would not even think about putting it back in there. Since this is FISHINGminnesota, I would assume you would use it more for fishing then skiing. I do not see a major purpose for the council in these boats.

[hoggsback]

Thanks for all the replies. I will be fishing only in this boat. That is an interesting idea on the console removal, hadn't thought of that. I think I will replace the carpet and try to clean up the wood.

Where can a guy get decent marine carpet for good price?

[HaywardBound]

If you do remove the console, you won't have anything to snap the cover to. Also have to think about your passengers, and the elements (wind). I don't think I'd get my wife out as much without a windshield. (On second thought, maybe that would be a good thing?)

PS...The seats are installed upside down.

[hoggsback]

Yeah, it hurt the first time I sat down!

I don't think my kids would go out as much if I had no windshield on that side. Good point.

[BoxMN]

Hoggs,

When you do the carpet, make sure to check the plywood for any softness. If you plan to keep the boat for awhile (and why not, very nice boat) it might be worth it to replace the floors as well. You would still have nice "forms" to trace the new floors from. Just a thought, as it would cost a bit more ($80 per 4x8 sheet) but you would only have to do it once.

IF you would replace the flooring wood, I would suggest vinyl flooring. We used (Contact Us Please - hehe, funny auto editing they have here) D0t Deco brand on a rehabbed pontoon and a rehabbed Alumacraft boat, and it worked out GREAT! I will never buy another boat or pontoon with carpet after having vinyl, for many reasons. Just a suggestion. But you would prolly have to replace floor to use vinyl, as you won't be able to get the old floor smooth enough for the vinyl to be used unless you go new wood. Also, don't use treated wood against any aluminum, but marine plywood works great and worth the extra price.

Nice boat, and after you do some of your own touches you will truly make it your own personal boat, and that is rewarding. Have fun!

[hoggsback]

I have another question. I am not able to turn my motor with the wheel. I looked under the console and see a metal bar looking thing the wheel attaches to. Coming out of that is a hard plastic hose/tube that runs to the back and into the steering mechanism on the motor. I see two grease nipples on the steering part on the motor. I lubed these up but still no turning the motor.

What is in this hard plastic tubing? fluid, cable, nothing?

Any help appreciated on fixing this.

[iffy]

I suppose your steering cable is froze in the steering tube on the motor. You will probably need to get it out with a hammer and if you can get it freed up, just lube it good. If not, you will need to buy a new steering cable. Valv can probably help you out with that or any marine shop would have one.

[marine_man]

Quote:

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I am not able to turn my motor with the wheel.

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I presume when you say this you mean that you can't physically turn the steering wheel right?

If that's the case iffy's right on - it's likely that the steering cable is froze which almost always means replacement.

It's not a difficult task to do, but is a lot of work. Remove the rack from underneath the helm (there should be 4 bolts & nuts holding the rack to the helm). What I ususally do is cut the cable off at the motor to make removal easier. Then remove the old cable and the portion that is installed into your motor, measure the whole cable and get a new one - then re-install the cable.

About 3/4 of the time you have to lift the motor off the transom to get it installed - sometimes you get lucky though and get by without having to - it all depends on the boat.

marine_man

[BoxMN]

Quote:

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What is in this hard plastic tubing? fluid, cable, nothing?

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I think that is just a cover that keeps the shaft from poking out when you turn the wheel to the left (?). I just keeps it in so it won't poke anything where it should not.

New steering is not htat hard, as mentioned, and it might be nice for you to know it is all new and safe and "Tight". I think it will be about $120-170 for the whole steering system which you might not need the whole system, depending on length, etc. The other guys would know more. I put a new steering on my pontoon and it was 15 feet I think, and about $160 for cable and helm at a local boat dealer - not sure what cable only costs. Was pretty easy, but READ THE DIRECTIONS for sure, as there are some steps that need to be done in order to make sure wheel is centered properly.

Good luck,

[hoggsback]

I figured out the problem. The cable blew through the tubing under the helm. I took the whole cable out and am looking for a new one. They are not cheap I am discovering.

I have since taken everything out of the boat, removed the carpet and am getting ready to install the new carpet. The wood I have is only plywood with laminate over it. I have to replace it all with solid wood board.

With new wood and carpet, it should be a new boat. I found several places where the mice once had a nice home, including the motor. Several places where they chewed on the wires. I'll have to wrap the wires in tape to prevent a short circuit.

[iffy]

If the cable blew through the side of the jacket it's because it was frozen and thats usually always at the motor end. Expect to pay at least 100 for just the cable. I would consider a whole new system for the 170 or so. As far as replacing your floor, plywood is whats supposed to be under the carpet. Don't go replacing that with real boards. They would warp and twist like you wouldnt beleive. Is your plywood rotted out? If so, get some 3/4" AC plywood and make new pieces using the old stuff as templates. As far as taping up wires goes, you would be way better off replacing them. A marine environment is just about as harsh as it gets, and taped up wires will provide you with many headaches. Its really not that difficult to rewire a boat. After all, its going to amount to considerable time and expense to ressurect this boat, why do it halfazzed? Good luck.

[Valv]

Come on over my place and you'll get all you need to fix your boat at less than 1/2 price.

Better yet, if you bring boat we can check everything fits.

[hoggsback]

I'm replacing the wood trim, not the floor. The trim is plywood veneer and is rotted.

valv- I'll look you up next time I head South.