I'm stupid for doing this...
 

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??

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

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

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

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.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

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 :D 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. :D

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

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 :D ) 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.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

I'll keep my eye out for something.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

Lets see some pics of ur project boat

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

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

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

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

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

thats a no brain'r :D 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 :drink:. 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 :cool:


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.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

You should be able to pick up an SBC pretty cheap if you don't mind doing a little work. Hell, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting an SBC! :D

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

I have perfect running 4.3, it is coming out shortly....

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

Hyper, that 4.3 might do the trick.
Glassdave, missed ya in KW buddy, you still owe me that beer - or I owe you a beer, Hell, as long as there is beer involved...
I have a pic of the boat, but it's too large to post here, any help on how to re-size and I'll post it.
I'm gonna need you guys to push me to do this before I pull the trigger and start dumping money into this - funny thing is the wife wants me to do this - says I need a hobby, and actually thinks this will be cheaper than buying a new boat. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
It'll be fun, I've already thought about how I'm gonna blueprint the bottom in my little one car garage - Glassdave, I may need your help on some of this....

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

OK - I think I figured out how to re-size the pic - I'll try it.
I want to cut the windsheild off and go for more of a faring look, extend the deck back a little futherinto the cockpit, build a short sunpad...
I know I'm wasting money, but this might be a fun project.
When I get it done I'll be dragging this thing back up to Erie.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

37 stinger,
That 7.4 is probably a little too much for this boat - would be fun though!!!

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

If you want it I will let you know when it is out, and you are only 3-4 hours away.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

Hyper - that might be just what this boat needs.
pm me what kinda money your talking.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

The 4.3 is a good step forward from a 140/4cyl.

But.

If I were going to the trouble for a motor swap, it would be a 350 or nothing. The 4.3 is essentially a 180 horse motor. The 4 barrel makes 200+ horses, but it hasn't got the grunt of a good old 350. And a 350 is about the cheapest option out there. Has the best parts availability, etc..

Race fairing? I offer a strong NO suggestion to that. You will KILL the boat's resale and you won't even end up liking it...

Sunpad? Sure. Go for it. Sunpads with jumpseats on each side are an even better idea. Just have the side cushions with two sets of mounting rails. One low for a seat. One high for a sunpad across the motor housing. Underneath, on one side you can box it in for box storage, and on the other side, you can leave it open to slide a cooler underneath. Nice upgrade.

Just leave the windshield. OR if you just HAVE to remove it, then take it off properly and don't damage the mounting area. Drive it for a few days to see if you like it (I say you won't). That way you can always put it back on (with some 3M 4200 under it to eliminate ANY looseness, rattles, or squeaks).

mc

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

My buddy has a 350 putting out 350-375hp with a Alpha SS drive for $6k. The price may be high but you get a 22 Scarab and trailer with it.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

ARE YOU INSANE, DON'T DO IT!! I mean come on, a small block? It's hardly worth the effort. Put a turbine in it. Now THAT would be bad ass!

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

if it were me, id put some used twin outboards on it. Maybe twin 250 mercs?

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

emotion, thats probably a smarter idea than f-n around with this boat... and that's why I'm having a problem doing this.

I've been thinking about this project all day, and if I'm gonna do it, I at least need to go with 8 Cyl and straight exhaust - I was used to a 454 with straights - loudest boat at the marina and DAMN proud of it!!!

Re-sale??????
If I'm gonna do this, no one will ever buy it! I could care less about re-sale. This is about building something unique, that only I will love (and maybe a few on board here that can appreciate a project like this).
I'm glad I posted this morning, you guy's pushed me over the edge and I think I'm gonna do it.
I want to get rid of the windsheild and give it a longer deck. I like the look of the fairing, and I don't expect this thing to be that fast (although, with a 350 It might move pretty good!!!!!)
I already know I need Tabs, and some hydraulic steering - between the two of those items it'll cost me more than the boat is worth.

Should I really do this??
Someone talk some sense into me!!!!!
The wife want's racing numbers on it - she suggested P-69, but I think thats been overdone, I'm thinking P-22,
guess what it means... ???:evilb:

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

Try Pt-109 :D :drink:

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

i got 7.4 330 sitting in my garage i'd let go cheap.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

puder,
damn, you're making me think .....


Can anyone insure this thing when I'm done with it????
A 19' with a BBC or maybe even a turbine that madcow is donating...
I gotta be realistic about this thing.
Started cleaning out the garge today to make room for this.
need to get some plastic to drape over the walls and collect all the sanding dust from the hull.

Puder - the rumble of a big block has me thinking, but I don't think this boat will ever get on plane with that much weight in the A$$ end. :eek:

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

yea, wish i coulda cought up with ya in key west. man did we do some drinkin. this summer at the bay for sure :drink: .

i would keep this project simple. solid small block power, swap in a 1:50 upper and do alittle somthin for a sunpad. not sure i would do a fairing, i had the same dilema with my scorpion. i really like the looks of a fairing but it sure is nice to run with the top up when you stuck out in bad weather. and we all know up here on lake erie it can kick up on ya out'a no where fast :eek: . on my little boat pictured above im just gonna cut the wind screen down a bit for looks.


tell ya what that 22 Scarab that Emotion mentioned sounds like a nice deal. those are great boats.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

You're going way past what I can imagine making any sense. You're starting with a hull that will not perform. You're planning to make extreme changes to the upper deck.

And why do you insist that it needs trim tabs? I had a 21' Wellcraft with a 260hp 350 and it didn't need tabs. All of my smaller boats didn't need tabs.

Hydraulic steering? Sure, it's a great idea but it isn't necessary for this boat and they typically steer stiffly around the docks. The standard power assist merc steering is fine. The boat isn't going to run but around 60, and if you run good componentry in the steering it won't be a problem.

I'll politely bow out of this discussion, as I feel you are going to put more time, effort, and money into it than you will enjoy.

If you ran a glass shop and were slow on productive work it would be different, but I don't think that is your situation (while it is GlassDave's).

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

Bouy...let me know if I can help you out in anyway. Get ahold of Byron (Itllfli). His Dad has about 30 or 40 sbc's laying around...seriously....and I am betting you could pick up something sold from him for pretty cheap. He is real good on prices. he also might have alot of the odds and ends you will need for rigging.

I think you might be a little nutty to do this, but what the hay...I'll help ya...hahaha ;)

Have fun, let me know.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

hey . . . who says i'm slow :D :D i do know what ya mean though. i have the ability and the means to do my oddball projects (an i think i have too many :D ). i would keep this a simple project, not alot of glasswork. make it a sleeper go-fast :cool: :cool:

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

Sleeper would be cool! Power it with a hot SBC and leave the looks alone.Surprise a lot of people with it.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

The boat already had problems getting on plane, if I had more than 2 people in it, I made people move to the bow (YES, they were reduced to being simply ballast). That is why I think it needs tabs. (plus they just look friggin' COOL!!!)
It currently has no power steering and is a (Drew & Mike) "BBBIIIIIIIIIITTTTCCCHHHHHH" around the docks.
I never even played with different props, this was my gals toy while I had the Baja.
We just used this when we didn't feel like spending money on gas, it was a helluva lot cheaper to run.
I probably should be looking into that scarab. eMotion, how about a little more info.
I'm sure I could swing the 6G for something like that.
I've just been out of the water for too many years, I NEED a boat back on the water!!!
I'm interested in that scarab, if that doesn't fit my needs, I'm stuck with this little project.
I know the part that is crazy is the glass work. I just want it to look good. I can't afford the Cig I really want, So I'm trying to turn this thing into something close.

Glassdave - I know what you're talking about heading out to Woodtick, this boat was actually"beached" on my way out to the bay while me and the lady were "going over things" - I had to get in the water and push it off the sandbar at the mouth of the river. Good times, Good times...
Allan4, thanks for the 411 on motors, If I stick with this boat I'm thinking that's the direction I want to go. This boat could never handle a Big Block.

I'm having a hard time here guys.
I want a big boat with POWER, and my wallet isn't catching up with my dream.
I'm just trying to make due with what I already have.

Maybe a sleeper with a "silent choice" could be fun.

Re: I'm stupid for doing this...
 

DO IT!! None of us boat for the investment or the return on our money, I actually try not to think of what i sink into my boat. Put a warmed over SBC in it, tabs, sunpad and have some fun, you will still have less in it than a big blower motor that has a 50/50 chance of grenading anyway.... :D