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33 Outlaw Outboard conversion with Bracket!
Ok… So most of you have following my rebuilds over the years as I bought a 98’ 33 Outlaw with 12hrs on new long block 454 mag efis (for sale still.. shown on other thread) 2x 385hp (770 ttl)
Summary: Wrapped hull a few years ago, also replaced vinyl and recently replaced cabin interior.. All new except for headliner.. didnt want to tackle that monster. Found termite damage last winter and sprayed boat and then found more in cuddy. Ended up having to letting termitex fog boat. On a plus with termites, the wood is dry and they eat between the plywood. Ended up replacing the stringers on side of the tank and bulkhead. Treated with CPES (penetrating epoxy) then used Epoxy to layup everything. Was expensive but it made me a believer. Center stringer was soft between motors.. ended up drilling holes every 6 inches and filled up with CPES and let harden. For all the non believers.. I just cut the middle stringer back a foot to let them put a new higher Knee against stringer and, holy crap, that thing is solid! Imagine wood layers of plywood with epoxy in between.. SOLID!! In the cuddy, I pumped the lil stringers with epoxy again and replaced the floor.. Again treated with CPES before using Epoxy to tab down. Treated all wood with CPES in the couches when I rebuilt and recovered with XT skins!! Front center bulkhead was treated and epoxied too. Also found 2 spots of wet balsa coring in the hull.. 1 below the tank and 1area in the cuddy. Cut both out and replaced with treated wood and epoxy! Epoxy is pretty expensive, but after using it, that stuff works great! Probably have about $3k in epoxy! After finding the lil wet spot, shes getting a new transom and cut the short stringers back 2ft (under motor) and the center back 1ft, so we can add Knees. they have a guy in Belgium that put 2-400s on 10 or 12” jackplates, but I didnt like that setup, so we are going the more transitional 30” bracket, with 4” manual Jack plates. Basically this whole damn boat has been gone through now that I have had it over the last 11 years.. Both motors rebuilt, 2nd was just finished but getting reversion? And couldnt find where it was coming from. Possibly hairline crack in #4, where I originally had low compression. a few weeks ago, a friend and I drove to NC to pickup my newer Outboards. 2x 21’ 450s with 920hrs. 650 of those hours are at idle or high idle and another 150 were below 3800. They were part of a quad set and well taken care of! BellHart Marine in Wilmington NC. Dwayne, owner, was great to work with and was really helpful!! So, this is work in progress. Bracket should be here by end of month. Transom done in a few days. Steering and harnesses in a week or so. Pics coming next!! Before everyone starts asking.. Im expecting mid to upper 70s… 75-77ish? Not really concerned with wot, but would like to cruise 55-60 when I need too! Ran 68, but then in 02, they raised the X and increased speeds to low 70s. Plus raising x more with setback and 130 more hp and should lose 8-900lbs! |
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...722721ff0.jpeg
Epoxy layup with new stringer boards https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8500bbc68.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d6891432d.jpeg For sale! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...601d87ea6.jpeg Gutted transom for new work! https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4e11b5413.jpeg At shop getting new transom and stringers with high knees! https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e4019c544.jpeg Bravo 1 drives for sale. Thats the anode on the front. Looks weird. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...57e11f6db.jpeg Measuring for bracket. |
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...dc58bdad8.jpeg
Guy from Belgium.. lil baby knees. More torque than the 400s.. I needed some strength!! https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c68be85dc.jpeg His backup plates https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2223ff5d2.jpeg Bobs machine jacks with setback. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0edddc02d.jpeg Old dash that I made for GPS. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...67046e0da.jpeg New panel I made for gps and Simrad. Didnt want to have to split screen to see GPS and Gauges https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...69cd8c92eb.png Bracket coming. Gloss black! |
Thats all I have for now. I’ll post pics of jack plates as they arrive, should be tomorrow and when I get boat back from shop! Thanks to Blue Dot Marine in New Orleans for all the Help!!
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Way cool project!
Huge score on the motors! Im in Ohio and there has been an older 32’ w/OB conversions floating around for sale. I think 300 Verados. Looks nicely done but only seen pixs. Id think a 32 is too heavy for 300’s. Would make for a huge boat though! |
How much did you pick the 450's up for?
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Cheap!! Lol. Messaged you.. I dont like to post amounts over the interweb!
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Originally Posted by nailit
(Post 4895452)
Cheap!! Lol. Messaged you.. I dont like to post amounts over the interweb!
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Hey Kefurr!!
Yeah, we were out of power for a couple days, and had to get son to help wife as I was in INDY for a few days during the storm. My boat mechanics shop took a direct hit… they are safe and unharmed, but shop isn’t so good. |
We were through Biloxi a couple wks ago.
All goes well, we’re about a yr away from retiring to that area. Spent 3 days in Gulfport then followed the Coast east. We really liked Moss Point and Gautier. Looks like you could spend decades boating down there before seeing the same thing twice!
Originally Posted by Kefurr
(Post 4895467)
survive the storms over your way? I just saw some footage and a lot worse than what we had over here in Biloxi.
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Originally Posted by Twin O/B Sonic
(Post 4895517)
We were through Biloxi a couple wks ago.
All goes well, we’re about a yr away from retiring to that area. Spent 3 days in Gulfport then followed the Coast east. We really liked Moss Point and Gautier. Looks like you could spend decades boating down there before seeing the same thing twice! |
Always enjoyed your upgrades over the years you really have a badass boat! And now it's going to be even better! So excited for you!
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Following!
crazy project man. Very ambitious. Can’t wait to see how it comes out!! |
Twin O/B Sonic
Yep, nice area.. I would probably go a bit east.. AL/FL state line is where the water gets clear! Orange beach isnt too bad either. |
Al has no real estate taxs on people 65 and up.
The term “fixed income”, upon retirement really hit home this winter. So if income is fixed, all I can do is reduce cost of living……..
Originally Posted by nailit
(Post 4895569)
Twin O/B Sonic
Yep, nice area.. I would probably go a bit east.. AL/FL state line is where the water gets clear! Orange beach isnt too bad either. |
Originally Posted by Twin O/B Sonic
(Post 4895577)
Al has no real estate taxs on people 65 and up.
The term “fixed income”, upon retirement really hit home this winter. So if income is fixed, all I can do is reduce cost of living…….. |
Transom almost done!! I also bought some 3” x 1/4” alum angle for backing plate just above the Knees across the whole transom.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...89545d060.jpeg 3 New Knees. L and R are back 2ft from transom to make that include match the center. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...183a17e84.jpeg Will paint the transom black after I put the black bracket on. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a2d16dc83.jpeg Looks like this, but without the lil ladder bracket and added handle bars around the side to step on Kplane to climb up! |
That looks really good!
Did you do anything to top of transom? Your knees compensate for vertical loading bout not horizontal. Your bracket will help a lot but only to top mounting/bolt line. Remember with OBs they’re trying to peel the top of the the transom off under load. On my Checkmate IO to OB conversion, I did similar knees to transom as yours and also added two layers of 11 ply Okume, 3/4” ply, glassed together (two layers of 2oz mat) and laminated to top of transom. Can barely see it in this pic but it’s there. W/the OBs, the loading totally changes. Especially the big/heavy 4 strokes. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2f555ef2e.jpeg |
I have a piece of 3x3 1/4” angle that I will tie in the transom all the way the the hull sides. Past the end of the bracket, which is 78” wide and probably tie in the rear Eyes as well.
He stopped the Knees right below where the Angle “backing plate” will be. I thought about running running some more angle from the backing plate down to the 2 side stringers for added strength and they also put 3 layers of plywood laminated together instead of the normal 2 that it had.
Originally Posted by Twin O/B Sonic
(Post 4895812)
That looks really good!
Did you do anything to top of transom? Your knees compensate for vertical loading bout not horizontal. Your bracket will help a lot but only to top mounting/bolt line. Remember with OBs they’re trying to peel the top of the the transom off under load. On my Checkmate IO to OB conversion, I did similar knees to transom as yours and also added two layers of 11 ply Okume, 3/4” ply, glassed together (two layers of 2oz mat) and laminated to top of transom. Can barely see it in this pic but it’s there. W/the OBs, the loading totally changes. Especially the big/heavy 4 strokes. |
Sort of like this.. but that was before I ended up with a new transom and figure the backing plate will help distribute the load across the transom in addition to the bracket itself.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...320aeb571.jpeg
Originally Posted by Twin O/B Sonic
(Post 4895812)
That looks really good!
Did you do anything to top of transom? Your knees compensate for vertical loading bout not horizontal. Your bracket will help a lot but only to top mounting/bolt line. Remember with OBs they’re trying to peel the top of the the transom off under load. On my Checkmate IO to OB conversion, I did similar knees to transom as yours and also added two layers of 11 ply Okume, 3/4” ply, glassed together (two layers of 2oz mat) and laminated to top of transom. Can barely see it in this pic but it’s there. W/the OBs, the loading totally changes. Especially the big/heavy 4 strokes. |
I like it.
On my second 24’ Sonic, twin OB the factory screwed the pooch on reinforcing the transom when converting it from single IO to twin OB. The top of the transom was bowed out approx 2”! I hooked three come alongs to the top of the inside of it and continuously added tension, keeping all three banjo tight for 6 months while I restored the boat and added knees. I was only able to pull out one inch! Your work looks excellent though!
Originally Posted by nailit
(Post 4895829)
Sort of like this.. but that was before I ended up with a new transom and figure the backing plate will help distribute the load across the transom in addition to the bracket itself.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...320aeb571.jpeg |
I dont see the new transom bowing backwards like that. Between the 3 layers of transom and the knees are just below where the angle as backing plate. But I will probably tie the backing plate to the center and outer side stringers where the motor mounts were using more 1/4” angle!
Got boat home today and epoxied a piece of kiln dried 3/4” to mount the P and S rigging centers on the S rear side hull. I’ll put a couple coats of CPES and probably put some gel coat on it. I also cut out another piece 18”x 48” to mount the helm harness and slide into the Dash panel. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...63d643c53.jpeg
Originally Posted by Twin O/B Sonic
(Post 4895849)
I like it.
On my second 24’ Sonic, twin OB the factory screwed the pooch on reinforcing the transom when converting it from single IO to twin OB. The top of the transom was bowed out approx 2”! I hooked three come alongs to the top of the inside of it and continuously added tension, keeping all three banjo tight for 6 months while I restored the boat and added knees. I was only able to pull out one inch! Your work looks excellent though! |
Making some progress. Bracket also shipped out today.
Remounted tabs and powered up. Pulled old harnesses out, just need to figure out the accessory power. Harness came in, but missing a few pieces, but enough for now. Mounted rigging centers, installed 1/2” fuel pickup and fuel line. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b47908338.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...00dc00791.jpeg |
Made key and kill switch panel. Also redid glove box but didnt take a pic. Bracket is below as well, but they wrapped before I got the finished pic.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e0d218ae2.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f208c4c05.jpeg |
Made some more progress!! Bracket came in and now it’s installed. I will still add some angle down to the stingers for extra strength and made the binnacle mount also.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...bbcdf6234.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1f8ced345.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7ac798332.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c51d06ba9.jpeg |
As for set up.
I went look at a friends Donzi and his hull was 2” below his cav plate and he says he runs his best at 3” higher but gets loose. . But he is also twin step, so I figure lifting the boat by jacking the motor us is causing that. Mine is currently 3.5” below cav plate, but I may raise the motors on the jack plate to get me 1.5” higher and not have to jack up so much. Since I'm at 3.5 from Cav plate, Prop shaft is still deep at 5” below hull. Props are Rev 4’s, they came with 23.5 P Rev 4 xp. I also have 25’s that were on my B1’s also. |
Subbed for this awesome build. Really curious how this thing runs when it is all done.
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Everything looks great, looking forward to the water test.
Baja haven’t made many outboards and I’m 100% sure this build will turn out a lot nicer than the factory’s effort on a 26’. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4c3160e6e.jpeg RR |
Yep,. I saw that one. I like the look, and more than anything I am ready for the reliability….. BUT WILL MISS THE SOUND! I do have a sport mode at idle though! LOL
Wired up harness, clean power, power steering wires from APS. Just waiting on long steering hoses and pump. Loomed everything and routed, just have to tie up and bilge will be done. I will add some reinforcements angle just for piece of mine so I can “nailit” without worrying transom pulling off. Im 100% sure I would be fine, but might as well. Ready to hand motors now. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ae38838b5.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5c5ea3ee2.jpeg
Originally Posted by rak rua
(Post 4896711)
Everything looks great, looking forward to the water test.
Baja haven’t made many outboards and I’m 100% sure this build will turn out a lot nicer than the factory’s effort on a 26’. RR |
Made a lil progress today!
Both motors hung.. wired, but had issue connecting the Port, so I had to leave it to figure that out. Looks great! Still need to paint transom black to match hull sides, and clean up wiring… Oh. Waiting on tie bar brackets and need to hook up steering… Then sea trial! Lowest setting…. Cav plate about 1.5” above bottom of hull. Estimating, it will need to be about 4”-5” above for all around/hi speed boating. (Jack plate to 3-4 at max) https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...aab1d8524.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...94ee02b2e.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...10e0e151e.jpeg |
I think I Missed my support that I added! A lil overkill,but screw it!!
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...829ce87ea.jpeg |
Actually looks good. Curious to hear how it runs.
Are the AL angle pieces staying like that? You could incorporate them into fender holders somehow |
I need to figure out how to deck most of it for storage and I may hang fender hangers from the hatch or on sides or something.. Needs to be easy/quick access and only requiring minimal opening of hatch.
Yes, the angle will stay, its bolted to where my old motor mounts where. I will store everything else in there too… That will be after I get this bad boy running though!! Hopefully by the first of June as this month is crazy at work, with holidays, and other family functions.
Originally Posted by IGetWet
(Post 4897627)
Actually looks good. Curious to hear how it runs.
Are the AL angle pieces staying like that? You could incorporate them into fender holders somehow |
Looks really good!
Like it came from the factory. BTW, the above 26’, I think was actually built by/at Checkmate. If so, I was in it. Very nice for functionality but looked like a new deck on an d Baja hull. They ruined it w/that arch! IMO, they kinda lost their direction during their last decade or so. Keep up the great work and pixs! Agree on motor height. It should rip! |
well, looks like we found our problem with the port motor not connecting. If you change to the next Gen controls, there’s an adapter for the clean power that I needed.
The dealer I bought it through just figured it out on another client.Hopefully that comes in next week and I get back in town, I might be able to finish it. Also, to figure out where I can mount the power steering pump. |
1 Attachment(s)
Well. Tech was out sick on friday.. but I was able to “borrow” the G3 laptop and play with it. I put the new adapter on that plugs clean power to the motor. Messed with at the shop for an 1hr friday, then most of saturday…. Only to wake up at 230 and realized I needed to try something else.
Basically, the new adapter was a short 14 pin male/female with a clean harness. Finally put in on the motor and could see the PCM *hours”, but couldnt change the engine location. Despite talking to 2 Techs familiar with G3. I did notice that it couldnt see my Port CCM. So when I woke up this a.m. I wanted to pull the clean power off the port rigging center, since I pulled the STB to plug into the 14pin harness.. Well it WORKED!! Weird, but the rigging center clean power apparently powered the CCM (command control module) so the Port has just the Clean power in the Rigging center and STB will have clean power on rigging center and motor. Oh well. Cranked them both today!! Missing a harness for the steering pump and an orfice bolt and I’ll be in business!! Then finish cleaning wiring up and rigging hose assembled. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c5a1de611.jpeg |
So.. getting so close. Clean power harness and power steering harness should be in this week… so we should be able to sea trial this Sunday if I get the parts in and able to install everything.
EXCITED!!! |
You may want to consider changing out the 280 k plane bottom plates with 380 plates…..as far as everything has been shifted back now, the’ll give it more surface to ride on and their angle of attack is more subtle than the shorter tabs
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