Finally,my new 1974 Tsunami.

bigeasy1 · #1 11-27-2006, 12:37 AM

Well,i'm a new member to your fantastic site,and i couldn't be happier.Quite a few months ago,i asked you guys how much to offer for a 1974 Tsunami.
Well, i finally got the guy to sell it to me.it took me three years of begging,but i now own it.
I'm like a little kid on christmas,i was so excited that i couldnt sleep for the last couple of days.
This boat was up on lake ontario in western New York,and was used up to 2002 for salmon trolling the lake.Since that time,it sat uncovered every year in a boat yard field.
I went up this past saturaday and towed it 400 miles to my house.
The trailer now has four new tires,and is in perfect condition,except for a rusty coupler.The hull is in very good condition,with only some minor damage to the transom corner.
As you can see the boat was full of junk,i think they used it for a giant trash barrel.However,i did manage to find five new life vests,and a couple of grundens rainsuits still in the factory package.
The engine is a 351ci ford with a Edelbrock marine carb.We hooked up a battery and it did turn over,but i have no idea what condition it's in.If there's no cracks in the block and everyting else is sound,i'm probably going to rebuild it.
We jumped up and down all over the deck,and didn't find any soft spots.As for the transom,i'll have to pull the engine and remaining outdrive housing to see what condition it's in.
If any of you can tell me some of the most common,or problematic things to look for in the beginning stages on this particular boat,it would be much appreciated.
I work for a fiberglass and resin supplier who sells everything i could possibly need for any repair,or fabrication of any kind,so thats a big help.
Anyway,i'd appreciate any input either good or bad from you guys.I've got a ton of questions,so i'm sure i'll be busy asking and looking for answers.Here's a few pictures.
Thanks all
John R.

NoBones · #2 11-27-2006, 08:34 AM

Welcome John,
Good Luck, with the new addition!!
Just take your time with everything, do not get into a
rush. Before you cut or drill anything, give it a couple of days thought. I have found that it has changed my mind more then once. Go through all the electrical to become familiar with it. That way if a fuse should blow while on the water you will know where it is.
See ya, Ken
This is my 78, awaiting a total re-do, in the very near future.
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TUGBOAT · #3 11-27-2006, 10:09 AM

Oh boy Another "John R" !!!!!!!

Ya have something to work with! You didn't mention anything about the FREE Bike or Buckets 0 Bait!

Have Fun!
Scream'n Reels'

nestorpr · #4 11-27-2006, 02:44 PM

Hell, that alone makes it worth the purchase!!!

1bayouboy · #5 11-27-2006, 02:50 PM

I think you need to post a photo of all those lures laid out...there might be some classics in there.

bigeasy1 · #6 11-27-2006, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the comments guys,maybe i can donate the bike to the Smithsonian haha,.I thought about cleaning up the lures,but tossed them instead.I did find some good stuff though, like a nice dial tourque wrench,four downrigger weights,at least twenty 1lb drop weights,and a bunch of Blacks releases.
I have a question regarding the floor drains.I know that they drain thru the bottom of the hull,but what material connects the floor drain to the outlet? Is it a plastic or metal tube?,i haven't had a chance to look.
Do they ever rupture,or leak into the bilge?,and could i put scuppers out the transom if i replace it?
I also noticed that there were plugs in the floor drains,does that much water come onto the deck?.I will be using it to troll the great lakes and am wondering if i used a washdown pump while trolling at 2-3mph if it would drain ok.
I currently have a 22'Trophy with transom scuppers,which work pretty good unless i have too much weight in the stern.Are the Seacraft floor drains better or worse at draining water?
Thanks again

John R.

oldbluesplayer · #7 11-28-2006, 02:39 PM

First - Congrats on a Sweet boat - gotta admit I'm kinda partial to red SeaCrafts

the 23's, from all reports here, don't seem to have the same level of wet deck syndrome as the 20's do, but being an IO it may well sit lower in the stern and have more of a problem that way - I generally keep plugs in my 20 seafari drains, just cause I don't like a wet deck, but it does self bail pretty well even at a low trolling speed.

The drain tubes, if originals, are brass, and go down thru a hardwood block set between, and glassed in, between the hull and the liner - if that boat has spent it's life in the Great Lakes, the chances of serious corrosion on those is minimal, but age does take it's toll, and quite a few here have discussed replacing them.

Ford 351's were good engines, but if it's sour, I'd just swap it out for a chevy 350, they are much more common these days in marine applications.

again - congrats - nice boat !!!

Bill

strick · #8 11-28-2006, 11:04 PM

Congratulations on the last boat you will ever need. When you ride in that thing you will want to junk the trophy. It looks like someone got happy with the drill on that boat so you will have to check the gunnel coring on the cap were all the holes are for water intrusion. Your just going to want to know if there is any rot in the balsa core. You may not have to replace it if it is still solid but it's good to know anyways. If you are going to keep it an IO then you should flip the front vents the other way so it forces air into the bilge. It helps with the ventilation. The hatches are probably one of the biggest areas were you will find rot as well as the transom. The transom can be checked by drilling a couple of 1/8 inch holes low on the outside of the transom and look for water seepage and wood quality. If theres no rotton wood or water seepage then just fill the holes with epoxy/cabosil mixture. The areas under were the seats were should be checked as well for rot. It looks like water could have been trapped under those big aluminum plates unless there was some sealeant around the plates? also the gas tank needs to be checked. The only way to effectivly do this is to pull the tank and have it pressure checked. If the bottom of the tank was resting on rubber strips like most of ours were then chances are there is going to be corrosion under those rubber strips. Thanks for the pictures.... we like lots of pictures.

strick

bigeasy1 · #9 11-29-2006, 04:59 PM

Thanks all, for the kind words.I've had a little time to dig a little deeper into it now that i got all the junk out of it.The gunnels do have some rotted balsa,but i can't see how it would be a major problem,given the thickness of the glass on them.
I'm pretty sure the transom is shot,as i found rotted plywood in some hole the previous owner made in the transom.I'm pulling the engine this weekend.We allready can see collapsed fiberglass where the front motor mounts are.
I think i'll be doing the transom from the inside.
I have easy access to all the resins and glass i'll need from polyester,vinylester,epoxy,and cloth, mat,stitchmat,etc,so thats a big help.It's the grinding and chiseling that i'm not looking foward to.
I know i'll be very happy as it progresses,and i see noticeable changes.
Thanks
John R.

abl1111 · #10 11-29-2006, 06:51 PM

Question: Is there definitely balsa under the gunnels of the boat ?

On mine, I only see thick roving there - even when I replaced my fuel filler/ rod holders I did not see any core - the thickness was all glass. SInce then, I have always assumed it was all glass - no ocre. If there is core, where is it located exactly ?