3Squids '79 Center Console thread
 

My first post on this wonderful site was more of a "saying hello" thread that was turning more into a build thread so I figured I'd just go ahead and make a thread just for my maintenance and modifications to my '79 V20.

Here she is as I picked her up.
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pspuyb7tci.jpg


It was obvious the purple had to go. My first thought was the whole vessel had to be painted but as I removed the purple decals it became much easier to bear the green.
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pstwkihphl.jpg


After the decals were removed I put a borrowed cowl on the motor to get rid of the purple existing one.
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psfszizbwd.jpg

My immediate plans are:
Ditching the rest of the purple
Powdercoating the T-top white
Hardtop to replace the purple canvas
Then probably using it this summer. Next winters plans are TBD depending on how fall rock season goes which will mean I gotta find me a set of curtains.

Here's the rest of the pics I have of the boat to date. I will post more as I work on her. Should be a fun project.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3dtzf2iz.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ps21qa3e8j.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pskgdvrmpm.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pst1h51ebo.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pss8ddv2jp.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psfqtv5fda.jpg

Today I pulled the electronics box off to see what my options were to get the purple off. It's made of wood and seems it was glassed over and painted. I sanded down the surface good and put a coat of paintable bedliner with a fine texture finish. That's drying tonight and tomorrow I plan on painting it white. Depending on how much this hardtop is going to cost I may be wasting my time as the plan is to mold a box into the top. But I'm waiting on some motor parts to come in so I had to do something constructive.

The PO filled some holes on the top of the cap with what appears to be Bondo. My thoughts wet to sand that out, fill them with resin and roll off white non-slip to the tops of the gunnels. What are you guys thought on KiwiGrip? Looks like a good product. I've read a power washer could hurt it but I've never had to pressure wash any of my boats.

Got the electronics box done this afternoon. Just in the nick of time, thunderstorms started moving on in. Nothing more eerie then holding onto a stainless T-top while lightning lights up the sky. Anyways it's not perfect but it will hold me over til I can either buy one or get a hardtop made. Still haven't made that decision.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psgm2ctmvw.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psnopxvp6i.jpg

my 1st v20 was a 79. I liked the two boxes in the front as they were a good place for the wife and her friends to sit. looks like a great boat and I am sure you will loce it concrats and keep the pic coming!!!

I thought the same thing for the front boxes. I have 3 small children so that would be a perfect spot for them to sit. I'm in the process of trying to design some sort of pad for them now.

Sad day. I had to put the boat on stands so I could put my Striper back on the trailer to try and get her sold. Don't really want to buy a trailer until the Striper sells. I found a few cheap ones that need work on Craig's but I'd rather spend a little more on a nice trailer. So don't look like she will be in the water soon as I'd like. But at least I got the Striper for now.

Squids, I am about 30 mins south of you. GREAT looking V. The green is growing on me! I usually boat in the York, but go to New Point every now and then, maybe I will see you out there!

LOVE my 79! (3 kids also)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49...psmttuln9f.jpg

Yes we will be at New Point this summer I'm sure. Might even make it out there this weekend but I'll have my Striper out. . We will definitely have to make sure we end up there on the same day at some point. We make a run up to Yorktown usually a couple times a summer. Take the kiddos to B&J's for icecream.

^^^^ sounds good to me! I will be there if it EVER stops raining and warms up! In the York we hang out around the mouth of Sara Creek. Close to Yacht Haven and Crab Deck

I know abouts where that is. We will definitely have to check it out. But yea definitely got to get through this rain. I was looking through some of your pics and seen your Wagoneer. Did or do you work some where in Newport News? I swear I used to see that truck down there a lot.

Yep, I run a flooring company in Newport News. My showroom and warehouse are in Oyster Point right across from UPS.

I used to daily drive it until a couple years ago. Now I drive it 1 - 2 days a week.

Now I know where I've seen it. Tidewater Floors right? I was Canaday Ind.'s foreman for 7 years. Now I'm back on the middle penninsula subbing.

No kidding?!! Yep, Tidewater Floors. We were bought by Richmond Decorating 4 years ago when I took over. Ok, yeah, I know Dave C. His brother Kirk still does some work for me. I haven't seen Todd C in years.

Small world!! I see you live in Cobbs Creek. I have a buddy near Hallieford, my brother lives in Port Haywood

Yea I think Todd got out the flooring biz a while back. He was having a lot of back problems. I still see Kirk around Gloucester every once in a while. I loved working for Dave I just wanted to move on to something with more of a future. Plus I was tired of getting blamed for all the dumb **** the guys I supervised did but yet when I tried to correct them I was the *******. I'm subbing for a store now that's been around for 40 years and the plan is for me to buy it when the owner retires and I'll just let everyone else go do the hard stuff.

Very colorful boat I will tell you that sure don't look like a 79 the green is growing on me too think of this if you did break down there would be no trouble finding you

Doesn't look like a '79??

We lived in Newport News for a while when I was a toddler... My sisters were born there... We moved to Kansas for me to start school....

Small world indeed.

Had to deal with the weather and got the ol girl on a trailer today. Picked up a solid '93 loadmaster for $500. Had all new rollers and new tires. Don't think I did too bad other than someone painted it red over the galvy. I may have to spray it black or silver. As I get rid of the purple the last thing I need to do is throw red in the mix. I know that sounds silly but that's just how I am I guess.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pscwcx1xr1.jpg

I had to make a few adjustments to get the rollers off the chines. I got that all straight but I think I have a bit too much tongue weight. Looks like I may have to bump the axle ahead a bit. I'm gonna take it to my buddy's race shop and put the tongue on one of his scales and see what I got. Anybody know about how much tongue weight I need? I guess the best thing would be to put it on 3 scales (under each tire and tongue jack) to get the exact weight. I read the tongue should be 7% of the total weight but not sure if that's just the boat or boat and trailer.

Anyways right now this is where my rear rollers are sitting. Should I try to get them closer to the transom or should this be good?

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psyfjpqmfd.jpg

.

Man, forum has been quiet the past few day. Guess I'll break the ice. Finally got some work done on the V.

Stripped it of all the rest of the purple crap. Canvas is at the upholsterer getting a dove grey canvas made up. Also the purple front cushion in front of the console will be getting recovered also.

Ordered a hatch door to put up on the bow where the purple plywood homemade door was. I ordered a bit bigger hatch so I'll have to trim the glass out some but I think the bigger door will be nice.

Also popped out the fishing rod boxes and am getting those prepped for paint. That will complete the de-purpleizatiion of the green machine. Should have some pics of the progress soon. If I get the canvas and seat cushion back this week I'm hoping to take her on the maiden voyage this weekend. Spent all this weekend out on my Striper and I'm itching to get the V out there.

slowly but surely, rite. sometimes the finish line seems close, some times it feels miles away. keep at it man. and post more, i need the motivation

It HAS been very quiet on here!

I appreciate seeing your progress, too. I'm a fan of the Green Machine.

Sounds good. I kinda like the green, the purple would def have to go.

Look forward to seeing the progress.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have the boat covered up and haven't really gotten to work on it because of all the rain we've had. :rain: Looks like it's going to be dry the rest of the week though HALLELUJAH!! Also I got a couple very interested people coming to take a look at my Striper which if I could just get that sold then I'd have no choice but to get cranking on the V. And I'll have a few extra bucks to fool with it also.

Told the wifey we're gonna have to go ahead and invest in a carport for the boat as I feel it will be a good investment to protect the old girl. The boat has been kept in dry storage for so long I'd hate to leave it out in the weather now. I found a nice used one on Craig's with enclosed sides for $500 but it's only 12' tall at the peak and I haven't checked but I'm pretty sure the boat sits taller than that. But I don't think a new one will be much more than that so we'll see.

Might try to put the new hatch door in this evening but everyone in the house has come down wth some freak cold virus so hard to get motivated after working all day. But seeing the interest you guys got in the green beast (I wanted to call her Shrek but the wife won't let me) really makes me want to get going. Thanks again.

Just catching up on recent posts and saw this. Well done, 3 Squids!

Well got the hatch done this evening. Turned out good other than it didn't cover the old hinge screw holes. I haven't sealed it in yet with LifeCaulk but that'll be easy enough. Still debating whether to keep it swinging down or have the door go up. Not sure yet what I'll keep in it yet. Currently it just has 2 tossables in it. Here's some before and after pics.

As I got it with the totally awesome green graphics
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pst1h51ebo.jpg

Old door gone.
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8ukqnbup.jpg

New hatch in with a little help from the Shop-Vac and Sonicrafter tool.
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psmxxq0rth.jpg

Door open. Much more room to access whatever finds its way in there.
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6qbjebmo.jpg

Also on a side note I sold my Striper tonight so looks like I better get cranking on this. Plan on painting the rod boxes tomorrow and then I'll just be waiting on the upholsterer. Then we will get splashdown!!

I like it swinging down, easier to get at whatever is stowed in there without the door closing on you, looks good.

On the carport enclosure, I'd spend a few bucks for what you really want instead of wishing you had.

Big changes in the near future for the old girl. I can't wait!! And yes I'm gonna make y'all wait too. :news:

That new hatch is a huge improvement. Looking great.

Gunnel boxes done. It blew me away that I never noticed the wood trim around it actually has a purple tint to it also. Up next to the white on the console it's not as noticeable. But for some reason next to the pewter you can definitely see purple. Not sure what to do about that. May have to live with it for now. The pewter is much darker in the pics than it actually is. I still have the cover draped over the t-top so pics had no light. Here's before and after.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psptkcyclk.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pskgdvrmpm.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psfsgqjgq7.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psgh6beoud.jpg

Also got the hatch permanently mounted and sealed up good.

No reason to get closer to transom. You might even move the boat back to adjust the tongue weight. (somewhere just shy of 300 lbs.)

I got a new trailer last year and still haven't got the rollers right with the strakes. the problem is that the lowest set of strakes don't go all the way back but they set the boat position when you pull the boat up.
I tried different positions and they always seem to get caught on the middle strakes and twist.
I think the rollers are going to have to be pushed close together at the lowest position so they almost touch.

ive always read and been told that tongue weight should be 10% 0f total weight. but i dont think there is an exact percentage formula cause very heavy trailers would put too much on the hitch and very light ones... how far back the axle assembly is will also affect more than just tongue weight. seems like it will affect the rate of the swing on the vertical axis among other things.

keep in mind also that weight placement will change with fuel load, gear, etc... i think 7-10% is a good starting point and probably good enough for our little boats. but i think it is also important to have the heaviest part of the load over the axles and just a bit forward. so keep that in mind too.

truthfully, you can and should put a good bit of thought into it but its gonna come down to feel and seat of pants adjustment. start at 7-10% and expect to make some minor adjustments to get it just where it feels right

Been a while. Been busy working and not playing unfortunately. However this happened today.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psak9hbvsc.jpg

This was my big plan I was hiding unfortunately it didn't go as planned. Originally I was trading labor (floor work) for a hardtop and e-box from a local shop. But after I looked into it a bit I realized I was getting screwed. Turned out I could get the top from the same manufacturer for over 1/3 of the price this guy was "hooking me up" with. So I've been too busy to go and get one made but turns out a buddy of mine had one that was 6 months old and the owner went with a different top. It's a cored 5x7. It had a tuna tower on it so my buddy's gonna repair those spots for me. They also notched part of it for rod holder and he's not a fan of that so he's gonna fix that also. Best part is he also needs some floor work in his house so looks like this top all fixed up is just gonna cost me $200-$300 in materials for his floor. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Sweet!

Sweet indeed. Also got my console seat cushion back. Turned out great. Now I just need to make bases for the 2 areas up front for her to make matching cushions and I'll be good to go.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5lgfn3ce.jpg

Gonna clean the girl up and take a ride tomorrow. If all goes well we're gonna head to Urbanna and watch the fireworks from her in the PM. I love watching the fireworks from the water, even if they aren't real close.

Took it for a ride this weekend and pretty sure I toasted the motor. But I'll get it straight. Just nice to finally take her for a ride. Definitely a much smoother ride then my Striper.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psup5jtmtu.jpg

She's back at the fiberglass mans place now getting the finishing touches on the top then I'll dig into what I'm going to do about the motor. As of right now leaning toward a powerhead rebuild if the block is salvageable. By the sounds of things (literally the sound) I think I'm going to be looking at getting a sleeve which would maybe alter my approach to getting her back running. Time will tell.

Back in the boathouse. Trying to talk the owner of the marina into putting a lift in this slip so I can just leave my boat in the marina and not have to paint the virgin bottom. It's not going to well though, well other than his suggestion that I pay for the lift. Tempting...

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psbhbbzizu.jpg

Hey Squid....do you know Michael Hudgins? He is a good buddy of mine I grew up with. He live around Cobbs Creek near a marina....