Fletch's 1976 170 Rebuild

[seabob4]

So, I'm sure it won't be long before I've found my ideal boat, like an old 23 Intrepid....In my opinnion, one of the nicest little boats ever built.

Christian,
See the Intrepid 246 in BlackfinMike's sig?  http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/blackfinmike.html

Next month will be 2 years since I went up to his place in Long Island to work on his Blackfin (since been sold).  The Intrepid was parked next to it in his backyard.  Hadn't been in the water in a year...and it's still sitting there.  Despite having a whole bunch of leaves and crap in it, boat was in good shape.  It's a shame it just sits there...

[Fletch170]

I forgot they called it the 246. 23 hull, but they counded the bracket?

Our family had one identical one to that, red and everything. They only made a few in red, so there is a good chance that was our boat! Did they buy it from someone in Jersey? We sold it to someone who lived in Ocean City NJ, from there I'm not sure where it ended up. It was a Red 1991......there can't be that many around!

That thing ran like a bat outta hell, but then agian, I was a kid so everything was really fast. I think I was 13 when we had that.

We owned a 322 Cuddy, which was one of the best riding boats I've ever been on. My only gripe with Intrepid (if you could really make one) is they catered a little to much to the "TT" market. The "L" shaped forward seating on the 322 pretty much ruled it out as a serious fishing boat. However, it seems a lot of the high end boat builders have followed suite. Even my beloved See Vee.

Anyhow, I digress. When I'm in my 60's eating Cialis like reeses Pieces....I'll get a high performance floating livingroom with 4 350's on that back.

For now, I'll keep busting my ass to afford that dream some day!

[dirtwheelsfl]

23 intrepid is a BIG little boat! Great layout. Got a buddy with an 89, just put a new 175 suzuki on it( yes 4 cylinders!) and it is unreal. Not fast but burns nothing. We run 100 miles to walkers and run over there for 3 days and burn ~ 70 gals. 26mph @ 4400 is fast enough for me..

[seabob4]

Christian,
10 to 1 that was your family's boat.  Mike does a lot of dealings and has a lot of friends in Jersey, down to Atlantic City, even cape May and Egg Harbor...

Oh, and yeah, the bracket has to be counted, even though some parts are bolted.  The rest is glassed, which makes it a permanant part of the boat...

[Fletch170]

Bob,

That would be something. Those things are really hard to find, people tend to hold on to them. I mean, I would.

Up here, that is really all you need. Unless you want to make the run 100 Miles out to the canyon to get skunked. I found out recently that they sell tuna at the grocery store.

If I recall, it was around when Intrepid started have Bluewater towers building their t-tops, and ours had one, along with the leaning post.

Anyhow, Back to my lil AS. I'm hoping to have the wiring done this weekend. Then on to wiring the engine and power steering. 2nd coat of deck paint, bottom paint and she's getting splashed.

[johnnyred_1999]

Fletch,

Merry Christmas!!! Hope all is well. I launched my 17 the day after thanksgiving and it took a little time to get out of the hole but then it flew! Rode great for a 17!!! I need a new prop I am running a 19 and I need a 17 or 15 to get out of the hole faster. Eagles are in the bottom right next to the Jets and Giants! No January football for us NY, PA Guys! You finish the wiring? Your last post on your blog was October 1, That was a while ago. Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, May want to pick your brain about painting the hull.

[seabob4]

Sorry to rub it in guys, but I will anyway (like we here in Tampa Bay have room to talk!!).  The Philadelphia Vicks, the New York Hang Gliders, The New York Elis, and Pitt?  The Batches/Leftwiches?

Merry Christmas guys!!  

[johnnyred_1999]

Bob,

LOL!!!! Very Funny!! Merry Christmas!  Don't be surprised if Philadelphia Vick gets picked up by the New York Hang Gliders!!!

They have been known to do dumber things!!!!

[Fletch170]

YO GUYS!

I was able to get 95% of the wiring done, I still need to hook up the wiring for the bildge pump, but other than that, she is all set as far as the wiring is concerned.

I will likely complete the remaining wiring and hook up the steering after the newyear.

After that, I wait until spring when the bottom gets a barrier coat and a few coats of paint. A final coat of non skid on the deck, After that, she's ready for the water.

What can I say about paint besides.....there is a reason professionals charge as much as they do. My boat looks great from 10 feet away....but up close, it's not perfect. If you are doing a dark color, have a pro do it. If you are simply spraying white, do it yourself....it hides a lot. I got a good amount of shine out of the interlux by doing what i really should not have done....putting it on thick. This, of course led to some drips and runs.

For a hullside, I would reccomend tip and roll with AwlGrip. I've seen guys do it, and it looks better than a spray job.....especially if you are looking to do a darker color. Also......it is WAY.....WAY less labor intensive. Keep in mind, I think this is the case if comparing a "Spray Job" from a novice such as myself.

Outside of that, the brightside White went on easy and I was able to paint the liner in no time.

[seabob4]

Christian, there is a reason that 95% of the boats built are white...

[Fletch170]

That and the white stands up to the sun.

[seabob4]

That and the white stands up to the sun.

Yep.  When gel starts to get chalky, you almost don't notice it with white.

When any manufacturer offers dark gels, it behooves them to pull the molds aside and go over them with fine tooth combs.  Dark gel will show EVERY little flaw in that mold, just the opposite of white, which does a great job of hiding the same flaws...

[Fletch170]

Yep. I remember when an unnamed company purchased Mako and Seacraft. This was when states outside of Florida were adopting this novel idea of "Hull Colors". Very friendly hull sides (they waved back at you).

On the other side of that....go look at a mid 90's Jupiter or Intrepid. Pretty close to perfection.

[seabob4]

Yep. I remember when an unnamed company purchased Mako and Seacraft. This was when states outside of Florida were adopting this novel idea of "Hull Colors". Very friendly hull sides (they waved back at you).

On the other side of that....go look at a mid 90's Jupiter or Intrepid. Pretty close to perfection.

Damn, I'll name that "unnamed" company...Tracker Marine!!  The scourge of Mako and Seacraft!!! :x  :x

Hey, at Proline, our dark hulls waved as well...  

[Fletch170]

Bob,

That's true, and you have to expect that from a boat that does not cost 130k. However, when you are forking over come lofty cash for a "Mako", you don't expect that.

I was working the atlantic city boat show back in the early 2000's, and our booth was next to the factory mako one. Our "Budget" line was a now defunct Prosports boats. The Prosport, although a 1/3 the cost, and 10 times better fit and finish.

It's a shame about prosports, they made some decent little boats for the money. Granted, they didn't come with silly little things like "FUEL FILTERS" or "BATTERY SWITCHES", but the construction was pretty darn good. They were real light, and OEM Yamaha. (I bet you can tell I'm a Yami Guy).

For the money, this 17 was one of the biggest bangs for the buck out there:

http://boyntonbeach.olx.com/2003-pro-sp ... d-10069462

Their "2050" cuddy was one of the biggest suprises, the thing rode so well. Had 23 degrees up front, and 12 in the back. With a 150, she was a 50 MPh boat and awesome in chop.