New Member of the "Blue Collar Boat Club"

[speakrdude]

I deff. fit the bill of the "Blue Collar" boaters. The boats I seem to buy are the ones that do have rotting fabrics, wood, need just about everything, but when all done, wow.

One of the engines, tranny, and misc are in the back of my pickup adding to the "squat" factor.

I will post my Webshots link and a few pics of my latest buy. (1988 300WE)
Any comments and suggections always appreciated.

Jim
http://rides.webshots.com/album/570603105UhbWNV

My tow rig..

 

[tdappleman]

Welcome to the club - you definitely have your work cut out for you. What are your plans? Complete redo or enough to just enjoy?

 

[speakrdude]

I usually completely restore. This will be #4. I'm OCD (anal) like that. They're always for sale, but I enjoy right up to that point.

Jim

 

[rondds]

Jim
You aren't blue collar. You have boat stands. A true Blue Collar Boater would have milk crates and maybe a couple of cinder blocks.:grin:

 

[sbw1]

Makes me tired to look at the pix but we had a lot of fun on our '86. If you can make it new again you will have great little boat. Keep us up to speed on the restoration.

 

[speakrdude]

Oh Contrare'. That is where I picked the boat up and they where all rusted out on the bottoms.

At my shop we are a firm believer in cinder blocks and wood. :smt038

I have never owned a boat with an inboard/tranny, much less two of em, so I will probably bombard you all with questions.

The P.O. was in the middle of the restore process and then quit so I have a lot of service manuals, shop manuals, parts, 1 engine in pieces, the other supposedly rebuilt so we'll see what happens.

Also, Not much of the cockpit uphostery left so I may be asking for pictures from someone.

First, as always for us, the blue bottom paint must go...(fresh water here)

Its a longg road ahead.....

 

[Sundancer]

Hope that was a VERY short tow!

 

[speakrdude]

From NW Arkansas to Pompano Beach back to NW Arkansas.
About 1250 miles each way..Borrowed trailer, No trailer brakes...again...Doesn't anyone maintain their hydraulic brakes?

 

[Scottzzzy]

Looks like a great project boat! I am like that with convertible cars and everytime my wife starts out with "that look" when she she's it on the trailer for the first time and then thinks I am nuts when I sell them! Enjoy that new project and welcome to the club!

 

[rondds]

How bad were your brakes on he tow vehicle after that run? Betcha you could smell them burning up the whole way!

 

[Nehalennia]

.......First, as always for us, the blue bottom paint must go...(fresh water here)

Its a longg road ahead.....

Congrats and have fun. Are you re-doing with Black bottom paint?

 

[sprink56]

I remember seeing that boat on Craigslist down here. How was the trip back and how did that rig tow?

 

[speakrdude]

Na, didn't use them very much. Only for exits, (which was a lot of gas stops), other-than-that, kept plenty of distance from everybody and let the engine and gears do all he work...

 

[Groucho]

Get 'er done.

 

[speakrdude]

After I get rid of all the bottom paint, I will have see what kind of condition the gel coat is in. Will have to wait and see. Have done a couple and I really prefer white.

Here is a before and after pic of one of my current projects.

 

[Beer Thirty]

Are the front wheels of that chevy even touching the ground? You'd think that ranch hand would weigh the front end down enough. lol