Getting Started
 

What a memorable and joyous day this is. I've begun tearing apart my 1975 23 Sc for restoration. Today I took off the engine and dismantled the old T-top and started taking off the deck hardware.

What I have planned is to build a custom bracket for the boat. I have a great welder that has done this for me in the past so I have confidence that we can put together a good bracket. What I am after is I want my boat to look just like a 25 foot SC when it's done.

Sooo.... my questions are centered around taking out the livewell, splash well and those useless boxes on either side of the transom. After I remove these items what I have planned is to box in two short stringers behind the gas tank and add 4 knees (one on each stringer at its termination on the transom) to help support the transom for the bracket. I will add floor were the splash well used to be. The cut out on the transom were the engine mounted will be filled in as well. I plan on taking out the natural arch of the transom.... so it will be straight across. A door will be added to the transom for access to bracket and swim ladder.

What I'm after is feed back from anyone that has added a bracket and re did their splash well area.

Thanks in advance [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Getting Started
 

I love the arch - that and the sheer makes the 23 look so un-cookie cutter

Re: Getting Started
 

Strick,

Call me on my cell after 5pm. 941-544-7400.
I just did what you described.

Capt. Brian

Re: Getting Started
 

I agree with John .... the "Arch" or "crown" in the transom gives that boat such distinguished, classic lines ..... As in the 23 inboard ... NICE!!!!

Strick I take it you're going flat for a reason..i.e. transom livewell / fish box??

Re: Getting Started
 

Now I'm gonna feel like a sinner for cutting out the "natural arch" [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Hopfullly it wont bring bad luck that will haunt me for the rest of my life? [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

I guess if I was going to put a bracket with a swim platform I could keep the arch but I am after that 25 foot seacraft look and I just cant see how I can keep the arch and still get that look. I also want to put in a access door thru the transom for getting to the engines and swim ladder.

Brian, I tried to call yesterday evening but got your answering machine. I'll try again today.

Wednesday I'll be taking the day off to work so I can get some stuff done on her. I will take a bunch of pics as I go and archive them. It's a shame that I hardly have any pics of the two previous boats I restored.

Strick

Re: Getting Started
 

I missed that in your original post .... your adding a bracket and going for the Euro Transom look .....

As far as feeling like a "sinner" don’t think that….. as I didn’t intend for that post to make you feel that way… I was more inquiring what you were going to do (should have read the firat post more thorough).... everyone has different ideas on there ideal boat design ..... sounds like this is what works best for you .... Like you said it would be a chore to "crown" the cap AND put a door in

Re: Getting Started
 

MY 23' 1974 HAD A I.O, IT NOW HAS A EVINRUDE 225 ON A STAINLESS MARINE BRACKET W/ A FULL SWIM PLATFORM. I HAD THE TRANSOM REDONE 2 YEARS AGO & PUT A TUNA DOOR IN IT I LEFT THE ARCH ALONE STRETCHED THE DECK ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE TRANSOM about 6",, left just enough room for cables, fuel lines & such. THE CAP OF THE TRANSOM HINGES FORWARD TO ACCESS A STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR A REAR ANCHOR, OIL JUGS, FLARE KIT,& THE WATER FILL CAP WITH PLENTY OF ROOM TO SPARE. never enough room in a small boat for stowage. IN HINDSIGHT I DONT THINK I WOULD HAVE DONE IT ANY DIFFERENT. IT HAS A CLEAN & SIMPLE LOOK . I GOTTA THANK MIKE A WILDFIRE MARINE IN STUART FLA . THIS GUY IS A GREAT CRAFTSMAN & HAS REAL GOOD IDEAS HOW TO CUSTOM DESIGN A BOAT FOR PERSONAL WANTS .MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE IS A CLASSIC IS A CLASSIC WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE A CLASSIC. BUT THATS JUST ME . I GUESS IT CAN ALWAYS BE CHANGED BACK ? ? ?

Re: Getting Started
 

STRICK, I'M CLOSE TO COMPLETING A 23 WITH AN ARMSTRONG BRACKET/250HP MERC. IF YOU OR ANYONE CAN EXPLANE HOW TO SCAN MY PICTURE'S, AND POST THEM(I DON'T HAVE A DIGITAL CAMERA),I'LL BE GLAD TO. I'VE DONE A LOT OF CUSTOM WORK TO IT,, I LEFT IN THE THE CROWN. I JUST TONED IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT. FINISHING THE CAP WITH THE CROWN-OR WITHOUT IS THE SAME AMOUNT OF WORK EITHER WAY. DO IT THE WAY THAT YOU THINK LOOK'S THE BEST. SAY,,, WOULD YOU BE THINKING OF USING A CHAINSAW FOR ANY OF YOUR MODIFICATIONS? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] HEH HEH,, JUST A HINT HERE SINCE NO ONE ELSE BROUGHT IT UP STRICK O'LE BOY,,,,, MULTIPLY YOUR ESTIMATED COST OF THE REDO -X-2 FOR AN ACCURATE COST ANALISYST, FOR THE BEER THAT WILL BE CONSUMED THROUGH THE COARSE OF THE PROJECT..... TIME'S 3 IF YOU SOLICIT MANUAL LABOR FROM ANYONE ON THIS SITE. GOOD LUCK. TITE LINE'S TO ALL LT DAN

Re: Getting Started
 

Hey LT - I can't scan pics for you but get me the digital one and I'll throw them up on the web... Looking forward to see how much you've cut up your boat [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Getting Started
 

John ..... the signature [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Getting Started
 

Hey fellas

Great responces back. Right now I'm still pulling out the rats nest of wiring and cables that is on this boat. Neither of the bilge pumps were fastened to the bilge they were just "sitting" on the bilge. Also there was a lot of household electrical wire used.... you know the real stiff stuff. Every screw was of a different length or diameter.. at least the guy put SS screws in.

There are some 1/4 inch plywood shimes that shim the gas tank between the stringers and most are rotton or loose. I'm going to remove the gas tank and most likely replace it unless someone convinces me otherwise. What would you guys do? It works fine and has no leaks.. however it is as old as the boat [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

I'll be using the reciprocating saw instead if the chain saw for most of the grunt work [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

I'm probably going to keep the consel I have and just modify it to the way I like rather then buy a new one. What the heck it is big and sturdy and my kids just love jumping down into the compartment [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Also thinking of ways to keep the arch and incorporate it into the design I have in mind.

I quit adding up receipts for these restore jobs after my first boat because when I added it all up it was cheaper to just buy a boat already rigged then to restore. But I love working on them which is why I spend the money. As you all know anything boat related is going to cost you $$$$ I just bought a electric start kit for my 15hp merc 4 stroke kicker.... the little tiny starter alone was $400.00 Can you believe that!!

LTDAN I dont do much scanning however you could take some new pics of your rig and have the developer put them on a disk and then transfer them over that way. I'm still trying to figure out how to post pics directly to this web site without making a link like I have been doing.

Strick

Re: Getting Started
 

Strick....While you have access DO make sure the fuel tank is ok and or replace it .... Then take a look a the deck the tank sits on. While mine seemed ok ... with the tank hiding most of it ....IT WAS NOT....It was broken away from the attachment points at the stringers and much to my dismay the plywood deck that looked to be encased in fiberglass was not!!!! [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] the underside of that deck was UNPROTECTED RAW PLYWOOD ....I was rather surprised at that ... needless to say it was rotten