1983 246 CCP

[mkguyvr]

Posted this under introductions but wanted to start a thread of my own to follow any progress of my boat.


Hi everyone, my name is Guy, I purchased my 2cnd Aqua Sport back in October. My first one was an older 19 foot boat back when I was still in my teens. I loved the boat and have always wanted another one, just a little bigger. My last couple of boats have been jet boats due to having small children and also having a small tow vehicle due to the economical belt tightening that everyone had to do a few years back. I have always bought my boats as basket cases and turned them into runners, this new to me Aqua is no exception.
Back in October I had been looking around for another project and stumbled on a handful of boats with different needs and the Aqua was fortunately had the best condition hull. A little bargaining and a sight unseen (other than some pictures) offer was made and hesitantly accepted.
The boat is an 83, 246 with a 96 250 Merc on her. Nice 2003 aluminum trailer, out riggers, down rigger, chart plotter (Miami/Keys chip going to need one for my area)/gps offshore radio,trim tabs, fully rewired, new deck a couple years ago, newer batteries, leaning post, salt water wash down, and a forward in floor fish box.
The bad: Engine was a question mark, engine cranked, tilted, just no spark, fuel was varnished, t-top had no canvas,couple cracks here and there in the gel coat, floor coating was done poorly, some cracks in the floor here and there that need attention, floor hatch has a few issues needing addressed. All in all a very good deal for what was paid.
So far I have found a burnt almost in half 4 gauge battery cable under the deck and replaced it, that is what burned up the starter (which was making an awful noise and turning way to slow to be any help) replace the starter, found compression reading between 90 and 60 on the engine. So I tore her down and started the rebuild.
Took the power head down to the block and brought them up to American Cylinder in Vero, Ron is a great guy and their work is second to none in our area. Had them bore it over to .30, check the crank tank the block and hone it in for the new pistons. All while this has been going on i ordered all of my parts from Tri state Marine in Illinois from Lee, another good guy but a little slow on delivering parts, its been 5 weeks and I am still waiting on a few items that I could get almost anywhere. I also have repainted the whole engine cowl, mid, trim, everything with a base clear /black. Engine was white and faded pretty bad. I also sent the injectors to Brucato in N.C. for calibration and cleaning. The t-top I had a new canvas put on that and also added a crows nest since the t-top had an access hoop on the front. I had the canvas guy add a zipper to make an access hatch to climb up there. This will be great for spotting bait and shallows.
I am just waiting on the speedy sleeve for the crank and 2 motor mounts so I can get this thing back on the water, I ordered: new stator, pistons, all bearings,rod bolts full gasket kit, new motor mounts,new mount bolts/nuts/ trim sender, water pump kit, thermostats, tiller arm mount, basically anything that needed to be replaced is getting replaced. I dont like weak links.
I dont have a name for her yet but I am working on one. I will try to add some pic in a few minutes, have to get the hang of this forum yet.



http://s1181.photobucket.com/albums/x428/mkguyvr/

[pete]

welcome! good luck on the rebuild

[mkguyvr]

Thanks Pete, My short term plans are to finish the rebuild on the engine (if the rest of my parts ever show up)  The hull is in pretty good shape for the most part. I will be spot repairing a few places here and there just to keep her water tight, then just running her. Eventually I would like to restore her and add a new t-top as well.

[mkguyvr]

Well this past weekend I got her in the water, i was just aiming to break in the engine and throw a couple rods out to troll. We put 4 hours on her at different low trolling speeds, and coming back to the dock we got her up on plane for a minute or so, she runs beautiful. I cant wait to get her out to the big water. I did add a few things to the boat since my last post: depth sounder
(through hull), hour meter, transom mounted led lights (white) for fishing,  and some Chris Carson custom reeds. I have ordered some leds for deck lighting (white) and will be getting a remote docking light for the bow. I will be installing a radio very soon as well.

http://s1181.photobucket.com/albums/x428/mkguyvr/

[pete]

Wow that was a pretty fast engine rebuild!Are you an outboard tech or just really handy?

[GoneFission]

Welcome and it sounds like your progress is moving along well.  Good luck and post some pics!

[mkguyvr]

Just handy, I did post some pics, there is a link to photo bucket above..... here too

 http://s1181.photobucket.com/albums/x428/mkguyvr/

[Circle Hooked]

Here's a few,i was bored,sweet boat.

[mkguyvr]

For the life of me I cant get pictures to load like that, I belong to a few other forums and they all load fine, something different with this one though....Thanks for loading them though....  

[Circle Hooked]

No problem glad to help,you have the photo bucket part down,in the case of your pics i didn't have to re size them so all i had to do was go to your pics,select the pic i wanted,left click on the image code to copy it then right click,hit copy,then go to my reply, right click and hit paste were i wanted the pic.

If you need to re size your pics,click edit above the pic,then click re size,re size to large or 640x480 and click replace original,you can go smaller too,then go back to your pics and follow what i did above,everyone has there was here but that's usually the way i do it.

[mkguyvr]

Well I went out last weekend and the steering is on its last leg, got it back to the yard and pulled the cable and helm. The helm is a "big T 20" and the cable is 17 ft. I should have a new set along with a new stainless steering wheel with a knob on it by middle of next week. 8)

[Mcdiver]

Go hydraulic.  Especially on a boat that size.  Great looking boat, nice job!

[mkguyvr]

I would love to go hydraulic, but $800-$1000 as opposed to $250,      Plus I just rebuilt almost everything on the engine, including new steering sleeves/grease and steering link, the engine moves very easily and has had this system since new so it should steer just as easy as a hydro when i am done. Believe me, i am really not looking forward to pulling that large cable back through the hull....
    I did get some wiring done last weekend, new leds on the transom and in the rod storage areas as well as under the leaning post for a bait well or cooler.
    http://s1181.photobucket.com/albums/x42 ... C09825.jpg

[pete]

LEDs look good!

[RickK]

Yup, look good.  You should put some red under there too and be able to switch between them.  Love the ability on mine.