bouyhunter

There are better ways I could spend the money, but I'm gonna do it anyway.
After selling off the other two boats, I'm still left with an '86 19' Wellcraft American.
Currently has a 140 hp 4cyl with an Alpha.
I'm seriously considering dropping a V8 and doing some glass work to make her look a little more offshore.
It's a nice little boat, and it ran 45 with just the 4 cyl.
I know I'm crazy to put the money into this, someone PLEASE talk me out of this.
I really don't have the $$ to be playing with a big boat now, and this one is mine, and just sitting in the back yard. I figure I should do SOMETHING with it.
Anyone have a 5.0 or 5.7 that you would let go cheap??
Also want to do some gauges and throttle - I'm looking for used stuff, I don't want to put too much cash into this project.
I'll be calling on some of the locals for some help putting this thing together (Allen4isaputz, Thrillseeker, Reindl, Birddog...)
I've been out of the water for 3 years now, I don't know how the trailer queens do it. I'd be stumbling and drooling out the left side of my mouth if I had a boat ready to go and never hit the water.
I bet Trick marine can hook me up with some decent trim tabs. Hint. Hint.
So, can anyone help with some used hardware to put this together??

R Addiction

DON'T DO IT MAN!!!! Did that work?

bouyhunter

Didn't work yet,
I can't afford another boat, and this one is just sitting and rotting away - am I being stupid?? I just want to get back on the water next year.

R Addiction

Well since you put it that way!! Any boat is better than no boat. I have a 25 AT, 21 Pontoon, and a 10 ft. Avon Tender. The last 2 cost me $3200.....Gotta love it So you need a small block now do ya? What kind of $ do you want to spend ( I work in the Automotive repair trade) I'll look around for ya.

bouyhunter

I think a V-8 , nothing crazy, would make this thing run pretty good.
I've been hammering the wife for a new boat for a few months (I really want Thrillseekers 28 cig ) but just can't cough up the money right now.
We had a 25' Baja and a 27 Wellcraft cruiser, got rid of those and this is what we're left with.
I just want something to play.
I'm looking to spend as little as possible, I don't want to put alot into this little boat ,just something to have some fun.

R Addiction

I'll keep my eye out for something.

375stinger

Lets see some pics of ur project boat

cuda

You looking for a turn key engine, or one to build?

375stinger

http://secure.offshoreonly.com/geocl...php?a=2&b=3172
a good price on a 7.4 liter

glassdave

iTrader: (1)

thats a no brain'r DO IT!! . i pick'd up this little gem to play around with this winter. i was originally just going to hop up the 4 cyl but at am now putting togather a small block. may also stick a jet on it just for fun . i figured it would be nice to have a small "toss around" boat for the river and out at Woodtick island at the end of the Maumee. post some pics man, lets see it


by the way this is a 76 American 16 footer. 140hp merc and an aloha. if you decide to put a small block in yours you may want to change the upper to a 1:50. yours will hold up fine but it has a higher gear set in it.