New 1978 20 CCP

[bdtsr]

Well the tank is 50 gallons, ok size I guess and is in good shape. The tank cover is shot and will need to be fixed. The steering is ok. When the weather warms a bit again we are going to be adding the 5 inches back to the transom bringing it back up to 25 inches. Some one moved the console back about 18 inches, need to move that back up. Also have to work on three other boats, a 20ft Sundance Skiff, a 30ft Egg Harbor and at some point my 23 walk around. Never a shortage of things to do!

[DOCREED]

While the boat is apart, you might want to replace the steering system with hydraulic.
I know its $$$$ but in the long run you will be happier.  Especially if you put the 225 on it.

[bdtsr]

That'll be a project for next year. Don't have $1k for that right now. The cable still seems ok for now. Need to get all the glass and wiring work done first.

[kaptainkoz]

Brian,
I wasnt really sure what you ment in your post, but DO NOT hang a 225 on this hull unless it is in the 2000's (the newer motors are lighter). Its not the power that is the problem (the power is awesome, my boar flies) its the weight. As I walk towards the tansom water would come in through the self bailing deck scuppers. I fixed it short term by changing out the scuppers for the ones that have the one way flap. That worked. But it is still wayyyy too ass heavy. I have also relocated the batteries to under the center console. All I have in those rear battery boxes is some light fishing gear. I have a 1988 175 waiting in my garage for when I sell the 225. That saves me about 100 lbs. By the way, I am going to make a custom fiberglass insert for the port battery compartment and make it a live well. Also, Im not sure how your in floor transom bait well is, but mine has a drain through the transom to let water in or out... the problem is that it is about 3 inches from the bottom leaving you no way to drain the 3 inches. So I drilled a hole and installed a brass sleeve to accept a plug... but as you can see in my pic, DONT drill dead center because the keel is right there. I had to patch that hole and go a inch or so over.

You will see a white dot next to a black dot. the white dot is the repair, the black dot is the drain. It drains down into the bilge area so the bilge pump would then have to clear it out. I find it best suited as a catch bin rather than a live well so it doesnt get much water that way. Your in jersey... if you find yourself on the island at all I am about 20 minutes from JFK on the south shore. You are welcome to come anytime and check my boat out to get ideas. Just bring earplugs because once I get talking about this I never shut up!

[kaptainkoz]

By the way, hydrolic steering sounds great and im sure I would love it,  but even with the 225 cable steering isnt brutal. Its just a bit tough when you are coming out of a tight turn around but overall cable steering the 225 is easier than my friends 90 hp on his 17ft whaler. Im sure the 175 will be even easier (cant wait to get that motor on!)

[kaptainkoz]

In regard to the wire/control/steering hole cutout near the transom. its a bit tough to see in this pic, but what I ended up doing was cutting a notch at the 3 oclock position (if you are looking at the hole) for the sterring cable to come out. I made the notch just big enough so I could install the boot ring without it touching the steering cable. What this did was allowed the steering cable to come out at a natural angle, and it allowed me to get a really good boot around the rest of the cables. Once everything was in I sealed around the steering cable with 5200. I will see if I can get a better pic for you (see... told ya, once I get started talking about this boat I cant stop!). By the way, this is an older pic. I now have all those wires (except for the fuel) running through a really nice piece of blue hose that I got at Home Depot to keep things clean looking.

[bdtsr]

kaptainkoz, don't have much of a motor choice right now. I'm looking at a 225 Yamaha on Monday which will end up on the boat at some point. My 225 Johnny is reliabe and runs well so that's why it's going on the AS. When it and all my other OMC stuff is sold, I'll hang the Yammy on there. Been talking to a local dealer, may work with him for the AC NJ Boat Show (Feb 4-8). We've also been talking about me wrenching for him so there may be some other motor opportunities there.

[bdtsr]

Well here's a little update. We removed the tank cover and stripped the wood off, laid a layer of 1708 in first then a single piece (old stuff was 3 pieces) of 1/2" bc ply. Thursday it will have the top (bottom) layer of 1708 put on. Since the boat is stripped at this point, I think we are going to cut the deck out and redo it using 3/4 ply. Just can't see not doing it now. The transom repair is down to the final stages. The console is at my buddies house getting stripped, holes filled, cracks repaired and ready for paint. I have the dash panel ready for gauge installation and rewire. Found some nice fuse holders at Radio Shack (they ordered and shipped them to the house) for less then $3 each. They are 20 amp rated with a LED blown fuse indicator. A nice feature is the cap is o-ringed to seal it. They are a little larger but will look nice. Trying to get as much done as we can while working on these projects as well:

1976 46' Hatteras repairing someone elses' window removal and fill job.
1974 25' Chris Craft twin 4 cylinder engine replacement.
2003 20' Sundance skiff bow repair and engine re-rig.
1999 20' Hydrosport engine install (waiting on engine).
1989 23' Invader engine swap (current Optimax going on my 23' W/A)
1990 23' Trophy remove 225 Johnson and install 225 Optimax (my other boat!)  

Always something!

[bdtsr]

Ok the snow didn't help much this week! The console is stripped and ready for repair, picked up a leaning post from craigslist today and Friday we should have the deck out. We thought about the deck for a while and decided that since the console is out we'd just go ahead and replace the deck. We may add a forward fish well at this time also. Thing is, in addition to the other projects I listed, we now have two transoms to do, and several other small jobs coming in now. So much for getting the AS done before everything breaks loose.  

[RickK]

Being "over busy" in these times is a crime isn't it?

[bdtsr]

Absolutely!!! I've been "unemployed" since September of last year. Several business deals have been put on hold or greately delayed. No one seems to be interested in a 45 year old guy with lots of qualifications when they can get a 20ish year old for much less money (how this all started in the first place). So I take whatever I can when I can to fill in the gaps.

[jdupree]

Looks like you are making some good progress Got any pictures we could see

[bdtsr]

Hopefully on Friday.