[Vezo, Part II]

OK guys, please bare with me here. Some history first. Purchased in 1996. Motor blows day I get her home, and yes I sea trialed. New head gasket discovered at teardown.

FF: 1998, with no knowledge of this site, repower with 1999 Johnson 175 20 inch outboard and a new 20 inch transom. Big Mistake. With only 150 hours on this engine to date, I have finally come to the realization that I have to replace the fuel tank.

Boat rides and handles beautifully with almost all loads with dual batteries under Large CC. I have gotten to know this tank very well over the last few years and know that it is stamped 72 gallons. So here is the dilemma: Do I simply replace myself (no problem), or drop the bomb on complete restore? Looking for any and all insight and opinions.

I have a completely restored to factory spec. 1982 15 BW Sport, which I did myself, and is my daily driver. I also have a 1988 15 BW Sport project which I have not touched in two years ( 2009 F60 still in crate)!

I do not want to get overwhelmed with this project. I plan for this boat to be my last boat (I retire in 6 years from the fire department and hope to move/build/fish the Gulf of Mexico from west coast of Fla.) along with my 1988 conversion to CC.

I'm thinking remove outboard and hang for awhile, remove consul, remove floor, possibly remove foam from stringers, reglass and refoam. I think I can glass and raise stringers myself, but that would be it. Then off to a professional for enclosed transom including livewell, new plumbing and correct amount and sized bilge pumps, new and raised floor, and paint.

Next a Hermco single engine flotation bracket mounted by shop prior to floor installation. And lastly, the $500 5 inch extension for the OMC.

I am leaning towards F and B Boatworks, an hour away, in Savannah, Ga.. Members 23 was redone there very nicely and is documented well on their site.

I'm thinking $1000 tops to redo fuel cell myself, or do it all at once, to have best possible Center of Gravity from the beginning. Don't really want to go with too much more fuel capacity, but I am not Real familiar with distances out in the Gulf. Here in SC, its more than enough fuel to fish near shore, and not nearly enough to make the Gulf Stream (approx. 70 miles).

Lastly, I'd like to still keep her in my garage at 28 feet, which I have about 4 feet now, without blowing out the rear wall for indoor storage. Now she is sitting out in the rain and VENTING!!!

Sorry for the long post. Obviously doing my homework. Oh and I'm thinking $7500 MAY get the job done? $800 for tank and $2500 for Hermco bracket?

Let the bashing begin. Thanks Vezo.