1985 Cig Questions
 

I purchased a very original '85 cig 20. I have a couple of questions for anyone that knows this particular vintage well.

1. What kind of paint was used in the bilge area?

2. I also want to replace the fuel sending unit but even after I have opened the filler cap to vent the pressure of the contracting/expanding fuel, it doesn't seem to alleviate the pressure when attempting to unscrew the sender the unit from the tank. Are there any other tricks or have any of you experienced this type of problem or have a remedy for it? The boat was out in the sun all day yesterday so I am certain the gas expanded but I am still confounded by this issue since opening the fill cap should take care of the pressure.

Thanks for any input.

Jim

In 1985 the red in the bilge area was gelcoat.

I can't help you with the fuel problem sometjing doesn't sound right though.

Mark

Thanks Mark. Yes the bilge area is painted red. Is that standard for that year or just the original owner's preference? not really important but interesting to me. the important part is what kind of paint and you answered that for me. thank you it is much appreciated.

As far as the fuel sender issue, I think I have got that one under control. This is what I learned just in case someone here runs into that issue.

1. Make sure the boat is level
2. Open fuel fill cap
3. IF full tank is too full, syphon out some of the fuel
4. Do the preocedure in the morning while the boat and fuel are cool
5. Follow the directions with the unit precisely

Jim: could you post some pics of the boat, good luck with it, nice boat...Matt

Hi Matt, Thanks,Here are a couple of photos. I don't have any recent pics since commencing the refurb job. I'll post those when I get done with it. I currently am waiting for the interior to be done by bilt rite and have a few more things to do in the meantime.

here's another

last one till she is completed.

Jim: very nice, is that teak down the bow and on the dash? How deep are the bow locker on the boat? I used to have a 20' Donzi Minx and it always seemed to me that it was very similar to the 20' Cig. Does yours have a small block? Good luck with the resto...Matt

Thanks and yes, teak on the deck and dash. Cleaned, Brightened, and put the first coat of oil on it just yesterday. The difference from the photos is night and day. The storage locker forward of the dash is about a 1- 1 1/2 ft wide and runs the entire deck from port to starboard. Probably 1- 1.5 ft deep. Pulled the interior and cleaned everything pretty good. Might need to compound the finish a little in some spots and the rest of the detailing still need to be done.

Don't know the specifics of the motor but it is a 350 small block with a performance cam of some kind. It is said to pump out 325hp. I'll believe it when I run the boat to see the performance. It has an alpha ss drive with 25 pitch cleaver. I am sure I'll have some more testing to do and a different prop with a lab finish will get those last remaining mph out of her.

Jim

Oh And the best part of this particular '85 cig is that is only has 168 original hours and the original hour guage is still in operating condition. I am swapping out the original guages for livorsi platinum guages. still keeping the original guages and might send them away to be refinished. if I ever get around to selling it, I plan on selling it in totally original refurbished condition. Man I can't tell you how anal and picky I am about my boats and their condition. It is kind of sad actually.

Jim

Oh and funny you said you had a minx. the cig 20 and the minx are my two favorite 20ft boats. When I was looking to buy there were no decent minxs around.

I really enjoyed the Minx, people could not believe what that boat would go through in terms of rough seas, it was well built and well designed as I'm sure your Cig. is, I would not be surprised to learn that the Minx is a version of the 20' Cig....Matt

For comparison purposes.

My Minx is at Force 10 as we speak having the engine installed.

JGB, what side of the bay do you live on?

I'm in south St. Pete, near Maximo Marina.

the deck is very similar just some minor differentation. I think the hull bottom may be identical. The only real difference I can see is that the minx may have an inch or three more freboard or at least that's how it looks to me.


Jim

Here is a pic of the minx stern.

here is the minx straight up, almost.


Someone always said the cig 20 is a streched donzi 18 so your theory fobes may be very close to actuality.

jim

I've also read in my ramblings that the Minx is a 52% version of a Top Gun. :confused: :confused:

wow you may even see the crease where they may have added the freeboard on the minx in that last photo.

52% Gun? I just don't know!

So it's 4'2" wide?

I knew when I posted that that some smart azz would say that!:D

im sure your glad is was not me.......

Nah, I discount everything you say.:)

That's Frog SA to you Joe. :D

Hi,
I also have a 20' Cig,the fuel tank sending unit is at the rear of the tank. I have replaced my Tank ,Tip the front of the boat down and the fuel will run to the front . The fuel capacity on My boat is 60 gallons so there may be a bit still in there. I believe your boat came from The Detroit Mi area.

Rob

Hi Rob, Very cool! I will certainly give that a try! Thanks a lot!

I don't know for sure if it was detroit, but I know the previous owner would keep it at his winter home in Lake Wales, FL and I believe he was from Michigan. However, I purchased it from a gentlemen in Wisconsin only a few weeks after it was delivered to him from the owner in lake wales! Kinda sucks that the boat was so close to me down here but had to pick it up from wisconsin. ****! Anyway I'll be happy when I finish her up. Of course the interior will slow me down waiting a few weeks for it.

Thanks for the heads up on tilting her forward to complete the fuel sending unit replacement. I appreciate it!

Post some pics of the 20 when you get a chance. Thanks,

Jim

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

I just got Her out of storage.It is a 77

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

Dash

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

Transom

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

Engine

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

Apparently they came with the wheel on both sides?

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

My Boat has a Left Hand TRS Drive and I believe that the Driver is also on the left to help balance the Boat.

Rob

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

Rws, it looks like your exhaust exits much lower than JGB's. It that because of the TRS drive?

Here's a Minx transom shot for comparison. It is high like JGB's.

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

My exhaust exits at the Original Location ,Right at the Waterline. It had 3" tips when I got it and I changed them to 4".If I ever change the boat to a Bravo setup then I will probubly also move the exhaust up.When the wind is behind you and you are idling a fine mist will sometimes enter the Boat.

Rob

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

That's one thing I miss about my old 242 Formula, the exhaust was below waterline at idle, and above it on a plane. Makes it much nicer to listen to the radio and talk while going through long idle zones. The 302 is loud all the time. :(

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

In 1985 Merc had a small block that was called a Tempest that was rated at over 300 hp as opposed to the 260. It had all the good parts in the motor. I bet that is what is in your lil hotrod

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

The engine that was in my Minx was the exact same as the 300 Tempest, except it was fuel injected and rated at 320 horses. As Otis said, all good parts; four bolt mains, forged rods, forged pistons.

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

Otis I don't know for sure. I am assuming it was a 260 with an aftermarket cam. I'm not that mechanically inclined so I couldn't tell by just looking at it and at this point I'd rather believe it to be a 260 than the 300. I really hate diasppointments! ;) The performance will tell, The previous owners claimed 65 mph( and I assume that it is a speedo reading) Again I rather not expect too much than be disappointed so I figure I will be seeing 60 mph on gps. we shall find out in a few weeks. :) If it does 65 I would imagine it maybe a tempest if not...260 w/cam it is! I'll keep you all posted obviously.

Thanks,

jim

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

RWS, sweet ride! She looks real nice. Is that mahagony on the deck and dash? Looks nice. What kind of HP going through the trs? Sorry if you mentioned it and I missed it.

Hope you will be having a great time with it soon.


jim

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

cuda , yes steering on both sides, I tend to see more of the LHS around. I rarely see the RHS ones around.

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

Hey cuda, how can you say the exhaust is in a different spots on our cigs? I haven't posted a pic of the stern of the cig. I did post the stern of a minx though for the cig/minx comparision.

Here is a pic of the stern of the cig 20

Re: 1985 Cig Questions
 

But it does appear higher. :)


Here's a shot of the power. Can someone tell anything from it? Other than it being a lil dirty? :)

Jim