Weekend dancer
New Member
Hello all,
I have big project ahead me and I wanted to share my experience and photos. Along the way, I am sure I will continue to have many questions. The story starts when my uncle purchased this boat new in 97', I was on it a few times throughout the years and I remember her and all her glory. As the years went by, he got disinterested in the boat, even though they lived right on the intercostal water way south of St. Pete, Florida. The boat then sat perched on their lift for many years, unused.
Finally, after 3 years of me asking him when he will either sell to me or get rid of it, he realized that it is in dis-repair and decided to gift it to me knowing I will attempt to make it whole again. I finally brought it home last week end and place on stands. Though it only has 135 hours on the engine, the lack of usage, maintenance and care has taken its toll. Currently not running and full of mold and mildew, it is hard to believe it is only 20 years old. The pictures below are from the other day, he literally just left stuff in there for years and I documented everything, untouched. You can see the high water line and current water level (though, i sucked it out last night) as the cabin had a leak and both the sump pump and the bilge pump stopped working 2 years ago. He attempted to pump it out every few months as the water got too high.
Last night I removed all the junk, cushions and anything else that I could.
BONUS.. I did find ALL the original paperwork, engine manual, boat manual, user manuals etc.. He did not remember they were in there. That is enough for now, my first step was to build a temporary cover so I can work out of the sun and rain, next will be to get a new battery and see what may work.
I have big project ahead me and I wanted to share my experience and photos. Along the way, I am sure I will continue to have many questions. The story starts when my uncle purchased this boat new in 97', I was on it a few times throughout the years and I remember her and all her glory. As the years went by, he got disinterested in the boat, even though they lived right on the intercostal water way south of St. Pete, Florida. The boat then sat perched on their lift for many years, unused.
Finally, after 3 years of me asking him when he will either sell to me or get rid of it, he realized that it is in dis-repair and decided to gift it to me knowing I will attempt to make it whole again. I finally brought it home last week end and place on stands. Though it only has 135 hours on the engine, the lack of usage, maintenance and care has taken its toll. Currently not running and full of mold and mildew, it is hard to believe it is only 20 years old. The pictures below are from the other day, he literally just left stuff in there for years and I documented everything, untouched. You can see the high water line and current water level (though, i sucked it out last night) as the cabin had a leak and both the sump pump and the bilge pump stopped working 2 years ago. He attempted to pump it out every few months as the water got too high.
Last night I removed all the junk, cushions and anything else that I could.
BONUS.. I did find ALL the original paperwork, engine manual, boat manual, user manuals etc.. He did not remember they were in there. That is enough for now, my first step was to build a temporary cover so I can work out of the sun and rain, next will be to get a new battery and see what may work.