Back In The Saddle Again!
 

This is going to be a long thred as there are two boats getting a make over. My little 20 Sceptre and the 23 Tsunami that Bill and I co own. Both boats are going to get brackets with outboards, Live wells built into the transom and new paint. It may take a couple years to get them finished because I am not going to try and kill my self in the hurry to get them done....I am a little anxious to get the little 20 sceptre in the water however.

To start Bill removed the old Omc out drive and motor from the Tsunami. We also removed all the hardware from the boat. She sits in front of my shop waiting to get the hole in the transom filled.

strick

Since I dont know how to insert text after I post a picture with this new software I'm going to have to re post every time I want to add more text and new pictures....maybe someone can help me with this.

So I started to take out the engine of the 20 sceptre this weekend. Whoever s idea it was to put a V8 in this little boat needs their head examined. There is absolutely no room to work with in the engine box. Note the bottom paint on the boat. Assuming that is the water line it is a good 4 inches above the water line on my 20sf. We will never know because I had no intention of running this boat with so much weight in the back of it.

At any rate I got the engine out.... the whole time cussing the bastards that put it in. It looked to be professionally installed possibly from the factory? I tried to see if it was a factory option but could not figure it out when I looked at the "numbers built and options" page on this site. Maybe someone can enlighten me on that as well. It's a 1975. It really is a cool little boat that grows on you the more you look at it :)

A few more pictures

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I patiently await more pictures...... :) ;)

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...uff/newman.jpg

And more

good luck strick! cant wait to see the finished product

Strick,

If you are pulling the pictures off your computer do it this way...
Go to post reply not Quick reply...

Click on the paper clip in the top box. Then in manage attachments pick upload file from your computer (do 1 at a time and I think you only can do 5 total) upload. After you are done you will see "Current Attachments" X out of this pop up window.

Now type in what you want to say etc. RED BOAT

Hit the return key a few times. Then go back up to the paper clip and choose your attachment.

Attachment 2065



Thats the way I do it...there may be a different way, so anyone else chime in...

Oh boy! Two at the same time :) You are bad . . . That little sceptre will be a great delta boat.

Strick, the 1974 price list shows the V-8 (188 Mercruiser, 225/245 OMC) as an option on the 20 sf, 20 Sceptre and 20 Seafari, so I'd guess it was factory installed. http://www.classicseacraft.com/broch...4pricelist.jpg

Definitely looks like a really tight fit! You'd probably have to pull the engine just to change the exhaust manifolds or elbows! I think it'll perform and handle much better with a light 2-stroke on a bracket! I always thought that 20 Sceptre was a neat layout, with a lot more room than a CC but with the protection of a windshield and equivalent access to the bow for fishing or handling lines and anchor! I'm surprised they didn't sell more of them! Should make for a nice boat that the family will really enjoy! Denny

Well, it's about time. I hope SWMBO is on board with this, or there could be trouble.

I have to say I saw this coming. When you started posting about "deck" hands and dead floatie elk, it was obvious you were getting bored.

Too bad that V8 is too big. Would have been worth at least one sea trial to see what she would do. Good luck with the resto. I assume you're going to build your own bracket again. I'll be watching. I may want to put one on my 20 when it comes tome to spruce it up.
Dave


P.S. you can still post pics the old fashioned way by pasting the IMG code into your post. That's how I do it if I want to put text between the pics.

Click the img. Hit ctrl and hold whilst clicking C. Venture back to CSC and Hold ctrl and then v.

Voila.

You are a truly Strick man. Love it.

Cheers,
GFS

Thanks fellas for the tips on posting. I will try them on the next go around. I got the rest of the outdrive off yesterday evening so now I just have to remove all the wiring. Bill is coming over this weekend and we will get started on grinding the yellow boat.

Bigshrimp- here is a video of one running from Miami to the Keys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqqHt...eature=related

Denny- The 20 sceptre has WAY more storage then the 20sf so it is more practical in that regards. Well see how I like fishing off it...that will be the main deal breaker.

Dave- I have been given full authority by SWMBO! When I told her that I was thinking of making it my "beater" boat she objected and said that I will need to re paint it and make it look pretty. She says it's a cute little boat. However she thinks the 23 Tsunami is an ugly boat!

strick

Strick...that utube video 20 Sceptre was on ebay a while back...looked like a nice deal..wish I had property like you!!!
My wife thinks all the boats (3 of them) are ugly...especially in the front yard on a 1/4 acre piece of property:mad:!!!!!
I am looking forward to your builds...START ON THE TSUNAMI FIRST..so I can copy you!!!!!!!
-Fred

Id love to find a scepter like that it would go great with my sf behind the house
I use it for cruising and llunch /beach runs.

Chuck I cant believe you are it again! Seems like just yesterday I was visiting and you had the 20 SF underway.

What are the plans for the 23 Tsunami? Pilot house??

STRICK!!
This is what I think about your new projects!!!


http://youtu.be/arZdeg_fL-I

Hey Ed I'm still trying to head north east to visit my brothers :)

We are probably going to keep the Tsunami the way it is with a radar arch and bimini/removable full enclosure. Both boats are in great shape (california boats) Transoms and decks are bone dry with no rot. The little red sceptre is almost stripped down completely for glass work.

Another semester is in session...warming up my printer...and grabbing a notepad!!!!!
-Fred

Red, sorry about the duplicate youtube I had it ready to go but got busy and didn't submit it evidentially, until after yours.
Anyway I'm really looking forward to this thread.

Strick,how in the world do you manage to get all these restorations completed,and so beautiful yet still do all your other stuff? I'm looking forward to continuing projects.

I dont know John. I had some help sanding on my last two boats and that cut down on a lot of my time. Bill and I are taking applications for boat sanders as of yesterday. Anyone interested should hurry and get a resume off to us ASAP as the slots are filling fast. :)

More work accomplished over the weekend. Bill came over and we got the hole glassed in on the Tsunami. There is 7 layers of glass on the out side and 4 layers on the inside.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110945.JPG


The little sceptre has been stripped naked


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110944.JPG


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110947.JPG


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110952.JPG


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110958.JPG

Removal of the fuel tank was not all that bad. It was full of old fuel so I had to drain it first. Note the rubber strips that were glued to the bottom of the tank. This is common with the potter builds. There is lots of oxidation but no pitting or severe corrosion. I will be using this tank again.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110946.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110948.JPG


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110949.JPG


Checking the inside of the tank with an endoscope. Everything is clean. I washed the inside and out side of the tank and flushed it all out several times. It will have most of the summer to dry out now :)


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110961.JPG

The fuel tank deck is solid believe it or not. The under side appears dry but as usual there is no glass on the under side so I will probably remove it and then glass it and put it back in.


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110955.JPG

A few more photos.....

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110954.JPG


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110959.JPG


The metal bracket that we were talking about in another thred several days ago.


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110964.JPG


Messy shop!


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110951.JPG


This boat is in excellent condition. There are a few spider cracks here and there. The transom is bone dry. The motor shows 89 hours and everything appears original from the factory. The big project will be reconfiguring the transom for a live well. I tested some paint stripper last night on the bottom paint and it seems to work good. Any input on paint stripper harming gel coat? I washed it off after I tested it but I have never used paint stripper on bottom paint.

strick

More work completed. Last night a buddy of mine came over and we got the Yamaha 250 that has been sitting in my shop for the past 5 years running. We found a corroded wire in the wiring harness.. a ground that was not allowing the circut to complete to the high pressure fuel pump. Thanks Kurt for helping with that! The Yamaha is a 1998 EFI and will be going on the 23 tsunami.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/PC282972.JPG


Bill came over and sanded the plug so we could quick fair it. We also had lots of little holes to grind out and fill.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6160972.JPG

Not bad for a rookie :)

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6170975.JPG

We found that on the port side of the transom there was a small area where the glass had puled away from the wood core. Not sure if this occured at the factory or if it happened over time. At any rate we filled the gap with resin.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6170978.JPG


strick

The little red boat got it's butt plugged today

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6160971.JPG


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6170976.JPG


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6170977.JPG


The beginnings of the live well. Still trying to figure it out. I dont want to destroy the ventilation system on the boat due to past experience and I want to be able to get to the transom easily so what I'm thinking is that I will make a mold from the existing engine cover and other materials. The finished part will be removable. Well see how it goes.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6170979.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6170980.JPG


More to come.

strick

I used a soy bean oil based paint stripper years ago with good results. It was designed for fiberglass, not to damage, but I have no idea who made the stuff.

It worked good but not as good as the regular stuff you get at the local paint store. I'll go dig around my shop and see if I can find the jug. I know I still have some left just not sure where it is.

The product is called Soy-Strip by Captain John. I met the guy while at West Marine and it did work well, IF you followed the directions! I saw it take of 5 coats plus in one application.

I'll check my records and see if I still have contact information. I haven't seen anything on them for a while. He was also about to introduce a coating product in the Awlgrip/Imron type product mix that was not toxic with the associated health risks.

Here you go.

http://www.boatbrite.com/prod/Boat-B...ripper_58.aspx

Strick, you da man!!
Double header project for sure..:)
I'm really afraid to ask where the endoscope has been used in the past!:eek:
I think something to do with a HORSE rear end comes to mind though!!:rolleyes:

As always top notch work..:cool:

The only SeaCraft you will be lacking in your portfolio will be a 27!!!

Thanks guys I'll look into the soy named product. Will regular stripper (Jasco?) hurt the fiberglass? It did not seen to do anything to it on my test area. Heading to the supply shop for more supplies soon.

Ken We use the scope mostly for upper airway stuff :) but the guy that owned it before me may have used it at the south end of a horse once or twice. No 27's in my future I dont think....the smaller boats I seem to use more. Hope you heal fast because we are looking forward to some up dated on that 27 of yours.

Thanks again fellas.

strick

2 at a time huh? I suspect they will both be amazing when done.....

It`s a California thing. I was a key grip once.

It is strange having the sea on your Port whilst facing North.

Cheers
Us

Yo Chucky . . . Got your message. Will call you tonight! Keep up the good work. Congrats on finding the corroded ground wire! That motor will be perfect for the 23.

Creeping along over here at turtle speed. I must say that it feels good to be back in the "itch" again.

Last weekend on the 20 sceptre I had noticed that the two glassed in 4x6 beams that acted as the engine mount platform were glassed in completly except for the very front.

shot showing the 4x6's glassed in:

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6110957.JPG

Shot showing the unglassed area that water can collect into:

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6220981.JPG


I also noticed that the rubber limber drain tube placed by the factory that allows water to drain from the top most panel and drain into the bottom of the bilge was must be hiding somewhere behind the 4x6's

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6240987.JPG


Even though the 4x6's appeared to be solid I decided to remove them.


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6220982.JPG


Note the channel cut into the 4x6. I guess they hoped that water would drain out of this toward the bow somehow :)

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6220983.JPG

Shot showing the uncovered drain tube which was plugged with debris Note the test hole I drilled into the stringer to make certain there was no water trapped in there.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6240985.JPG


In removing the 4x6's I effectively rid the boat of 60 pounds of dead weight as they were rotting and water logged.
Next I took the grinder to the area, laminated in a piece of 1708, pulled the rubber drain tubes and replaced them with a piece of PVC

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P7021001.JPG


I started to fill the dash holes. I'm a little farther along then the picture shows as I have already sanded them down and applied two layers of "quick fair" over them.


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6240984.JPG


Next I wanted to fix the area just behind the fuel tank hatch. This is where I cut out the engine cover lip that extended up from the floor.


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6300990.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6300991.JPG

It's very solid and there is a little lip for the next part to rest on.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P7020999.JPG



Bill jumped on the 23 Tsunami and started a hacking and a hewing. He cut out the lip around the engine cover and ground it down flush. More pictures to come of that later.


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P6300989.JPG



Bill is badly infected with SeaCraft restoritis. You should have seen the fiberglass dust flying out of that boat. The next day I asked him if he itched at all and he replied No. So either he is lying or immune to fiberglass dust.

While he was doing that I got started on the mold for the fiberglass bracket we will be building for that boat.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P7010993.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P7010994.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P7010995.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P7010997.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/sceptre...i/P7010998.JPG


Thats it for now

strick

Awesome as usual!! How were the inboard motor mounts originally??

The wood was solid where the mounts were. And the lag bolts were tough to remove. I'm sure that you could have ran the IO for another several years and had no problem. Each one of the 4-6's weighed about 28 pounds and since I'm planning on a Suzuki 140 for this boat I need to shed as much weight as possible.

strick

You're making rapid progress as usual Dr. Strickland. It fairly boggles the mind to imagine what this must be costing you in honey-dos.

Looking forward to seeing another bracket build. Are you going to post your layup schedule to aid and abet us copycats?
Dave