Got The Itch Again....
 

After buying the Mrs a 36' Mainship aft cabin so she had a door to the toilet and a place to plug in her curling iron......., I got to missing our old twin O/B 24' Sonic that many of you know from my "5 days and 4 nights on a 24' cuddy in the keys" story.
https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...-keys-%3B.html

She also got sick of my whining and watching me lust after every go fast boat I saw on Lake Erie by our cruiser ;)
I started half ass shopping a yr ago and was looking at everything (O/B or I/O) up to 30'-ish.

During my shopping I was reminded of what drew me to the O/B vees from the start. Most are huge compared to a similar sized I/O.
So to get a twin I/O vee that was any bigger than my old Sonic, I was looking at 32/33' boats which my ole faithful, paid for, 220,000 mile 1/2 ton pickup would not enjoy towing.
Adding a new tow pigg to the equation did not compute.

That took me back to the smaller O/B's.

Had enough of the 24' Sonics and one other design I always wanted was a mid/late '80's 25' Checkmate Convincor.
They offerd them in twin O/B back in the day but in doing so, they added a splashwell for the motors which eliminated the sun lounge which I want.
The sun lounge for hanging at/on the boat and for its copious storage under it once the car motor is gone.
So my plan has always been to buy an I/O boat and convert it to O/B.

So step one of the plan is under way.
Bought a '86 25' Convincor w/a popped stroker 454 and Bravo.

I will either order or build a swim platform/bracket or have one built and screw to the transom and hang two motors on it.

We recently moved and lost my shop in doing so and am a month out on the new one being built so collecting parts for now.

Haven't bought motors yet but am close. Probably starting w/old school, low budget carbed, OMC V-6's in the 225 - 250 hp range.
Should put the boat in the 80 MPH range on pump gas w/bullet proof motors and be a screaming orgasm to drive.
Once its dialed Ill probably go shopping for a pair of used 300 E-Tecs which Im a huge fan of.

Ill post updates for those interested once they start happening.

Feels good to be back.

Think Spring!

Gary

I really like the colors on that boat. Let the build thread begin :ernaehrung004:

The colors and the aluminum trailer sold me.

Headed to Fla in a few wks w/an empty utility trailer and some $$, to go parts/power huntin.

Most fun I ever had boating was anchoring off the beach, steaks on the grill, bon fire, shooting stars then a night on the hook.

Night #2 to dock and unload the folding bikes and head out.

Killer winery on far side of Pelee and nice one on Kelley's too.

And of course Scudder Beach Bar on Pelee.

Nice platform to start with, although I cant wrap my head around pulling the big block :)

Look forward to watching the progress!

Thought about it until crawling in to winterize it.

Crawled out and said Fk that 😎

Should look something like this.

Great idea. I'd do the same to my 27ZR except if OSO found out, I'd probably be assassinated.
Nice laid back writing style too, thanks for taking the time.

RR

Great to have you back man!!!! Looks great. Time for a trailer up to Georgian Bay!

Love this a man with a plan, can't wait to see how this unfolds, always loved your adventures.

You should have told her there`s a door to a toilet and an outlet for your curling iron at the marina bathroom, NEXT!

Can’t wait to see what adventures this boat brings us...

Jays boat ran good with the big block been out in it alot fix the motor and leave it in there ,,

So, we spent two wks in Fla and towed a trailer down looking for motors and a bracket.
Hit the Dania flea market too but only scored a new set of fenders for the trailer after all that digging ;) (Dania was a waste!)
Probably draw up plans have a bracket built at a local fab shop. Justintocars has a hookup ;)

On motors, our 4 yr old chocolate lab got an infection in one of his legs and that wiped out 1/2 the kitty for the motors.
Plan now is to stay on my buddy that I sold my '98 3.0 liter 250 HP Ocean Pros to until he digs them out of his barn. They had 250 hrs on them, all orig, when I sold them to him 5 yrs ago and have been untouched.
I have one 3.3 liter, 300 HP hot rod powerhead I already built and can do a second and would be a direct replacement for the stockers. As in, add on 100 hp's.

E-tecs would be plug and play too, for in the future. Harnesses...., everything.
And they are getting cheap. Maybe a pair of 300's in a yr.

Weather still sucks here in Ohio and new shop hasnt been started yet but hoping late this wk.

I had never had 2 Strokes until I bought my 30 Concept. It's rigged with 225 Optis. I was blown away by the torque they have. I am a believer now. I love my 2 strokes and now that I have switched from merc's Opti oil to Penzoil XLF, I don't mind buying the oil for it. Plus winterizing is a breeze.

Loved your Sonic, this one should be great as well. Love the way you use them as well. "Things you can't do on your $300,000 center console"

Thx guys. Im getting excited.

lowpsi, a 30' Contender is a great boat and Optis are great motors. Ive been an O/B guy all my life and it has gone from racing, to hi perf 17' - 20' go fast hobby, to business, to 24' vee bottom hobby again etc.

As a hobby, it has allowed me to play with a style of boats that I otherwise could not afford to "own". I'm a blue collar guy w/a blue collar budget and although I drool over that high zoot I/O boats like everyone else, they are beyond my means w/o making it my only hobby which historically I do not appear to be able to do ;)

vtsteve, thank you sir. Hearing from more and more people showing interest in the project and style of boating.

Interestingly, I did almost same thing 15 or so yrs ago.
Thought I wanted a nice cruiser w/a nice dock. Did that and realized I hated being at dock and that the logistics of getting in/out of dock (especially single handing) ruined the idea of a "boat ride".
On top of that, being under way at 15 or so mph......, w/a destination thats on the horizon....., and still is 30 mins later.........., tortured my constitution ;)

I sold that cruiser (after 2 yrs) and bought my first twin O/B 24' Sonic and never looked back.
The thrill of the ride was back. Changing destinations mid course was now fun again. The satisfaction of running a fast boat fast, that rewarded driver input/ability was back.
The challenge of getting a small boat across Lake Erie and back in questionable water/weather was also back.

How about these, past fun runs?

Of course the 5 days/4 nights in the Keys.

A 4th of July anchored off of Pelee Island on the Canadian side of Lake Erie watching their fire works, displays on 3 other islands plus the beach of Cedar Point amusement park simultaneously all while mother nature displayed a raging thunderstorm on the horizon in the background as to show whos boss.
All from the back of the Sonic.

The beach of the same island, only boat there and watching so many shooting stars that you get bored.

Same island, first of season, beach covered w/driftwood-firewood and the bon fire from hell.

As above, morning after. several boats came in over night, making the Mrs a 3 course breakfast on the beach when a couple walks by off a 44' Searay when the man stops and looks at my K-Mart grill, looks at our tiny cuddy cabin, looks back at the grill/breakfast, looks at his gorgeous boat then looks at me and says, "I had cereal for breakfast" and walks away :)
Guessing his wife punched him in the side.

As above, the rare weekend we/perfect weather, boat runs perfect, youre on your A game, sun set, anchor, island music, cocktails, and your wife gets that twinkle in her eyes, end youre on the beach ;)

Tying up at marina on north end of Pelee (30 mile run) and deciding its too nice of day to punch out so making the statement (loud enough for neighboring cruisers to hear) that we should go to Leamington (Ontario mainland) for a beer. 15 mls away.
The comment is met w/laughter from neighboring captains enjoying their martinis.
2 hrs later we returned w/bar coasters from the Leamington pub.

Etc, etc, etc..........

One of my favorite pixs. First of April, in Ohio after a long/cold winter and a serious case of cabin fever.
Scudder Marina Pelee Island.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7f0b2e1986.jpg

Scudder Marina

Hey Gary I know how you feel... I tried the cruiser thing. When you get older you feel like going that route but not being able to get somewhere in a reasonable amount of time sucks. I miss my 300xs outboard s but they were only 70mph on my 30 Cary.

I ended up going crazy and built big cube inboards with Arneson surface drives .

You could be the most realistic, down-to-earth performance boat owner/ modifier on OSO. I'm not an outboard fan, but I love things that "make sense" and after reading your post about the space and cost to own of a small O/B Vee I am re-thinking my BBC builds for my Formula 272.
Good luck with your project!

Gary, you give a unique perspective to boating that's just closer to what I like. Remember we used to boat and camp on a 22' Stingray, so a bit diehard. Your choice of boats makes me saddened that they don't really make those anymore. I never really figured out the desire for huge IO boats with big cabins that nobody used, and I guess with the demand for CC's, nobody else is interested now either.

My perfect boat that someone else's budget would pay for. Right here baby.

Thx again guys. Its been a fun ride.

Cary, I feel your pain ;)
PS, a real 70 mph in a 30' boat is flying!

VT, I agree. That style boat has exploded on Lake Erie too. Those that have a cottage and dont need a cabin on their boat........, 30'+, center console.

For us econo guys, heres some old pixs of makin it happen on a budget.

This one started it all for me. '1969 19' Glastron Carslon. Huge cabin. Would sleep 4!
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f87422e11a.jpg

The first 24' Sonic. Towed by a virgin. '69 Polara rag top w/a 383.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2392c5c564.jpg
The econo tow pigg. Lost a really well paying job and had to go into survival mode.
Sold most of the toys (the Polara and a '68 440 6 pack Super Bee) but kept the boat.
Wrote it off as attitude adjustment. How could I be expected to find another job w/a bad atttude?

Bought this van off e-bay for $500.
Had a smog 305 in it. I swapped in a 300 hp Jasper 350 off craigslist.
The manual said the motor wouldnt come out the drivers door.
They were wrong.
Installed a 3.73 posi, headers and had a custom bent dual exhaust built.
After re-selling old parts, I think I had $1500 in a killer tow pig, while unemployed ;)
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9faee707f1.jpg

W/a small trailer boat on Lake Erie, you put the boat in the water about 50% of the time.
The rest of time we tow the boat/camper w/us, while bar hopping, ending in the boat, on the trailer while waiting on weather to break.
We closed the bar in the background and camped in the parking lot.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...390b6b979c.jpg
This was a fun one. A group of us w/small boats crossed Lake Erie to Leamington Ontario on far side of lake.
We got weathered in for 3 days.
Beginning of day #2 I awoke to calm winds and lake. Realized we had a 2 hr window of calm conditions first thing in morning.
Had a captains meeting to report my epiphany and vote to top off fuel, tie everything down and head south, butt crack of dawn, morning #3 for a 45 mile bonsai run for the US shoreline.
One captain agreed w/me.
The other 3 boats left PM, day #2, and straight into 8' to 10' waves. (a 42' Tiara left and came right back for shelter)
We watched our friends (21' - 25') form the breakwall. Was stupid and very dangerous.

The one remaining boat and I hopped the bus to town for a last day of fun.
We arose morning #3 to the hoped for calm weather. We hulled ass (60 mph) at terminal speed of boat #2 and headed south.
We pulled into breakfast at Kelleys Island (3 mls from mainland) the exact same time as the boats that left day before, into the **** storm.
They only made it to next island day before.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...96a71657a5.jpg

Yeah I think my Merc 300xs 2 strokes weigh 500lb ea. 18" stainless marine bracket an hydraulic jack plates kept the balance of the boat with inboards pretty similar

I think the Jack plates set motors back another 5-6"

Ahh, the Catawba inn, I love that place lol.

I wanna see some more pics of that glastron.... I dont think I have ever seen one of them. I was under the impression you had a Hydrostream with a cabin..

Jr.

Blah, blah, blah 2 stroke this, 4 stroke that - Dude just promise to keep that scoop on the hatch. Priceless! Great looking boat and I admire your practicality, determination and capabilities.

PS Your math skills are pretty good also! LOL