Beginning my 1987 Fisherman 20 Restoration

[Myfathersson]

What a wealth of information on this site! I purchased a 1987 Fisherman 20 last weekend from a young lady who was granted the boat in her divorce. According to the HIN search she started her life in Florida, then moved thru Georgia and South Carolina before landing in Indiana where I found her and dragged her back to Kentucky. I've started digging into her to assess what all I need to do.

The trailer is woefully under sized and in terrible shape but it survived the 20 mile trek from Indiana to Louisville without incident and will serve to jockey her around while I focus on the more important aspects. I'll replace with a tandem axle bunk when she's closer to being seaworthy as I plan to trailer her up to the Lake Erie Islands to visit family on a fairly regular basis.

The 1989 Yamaha 200ETXF doesn't run and best info I have is that it hasn't since 2017 or earlier. So far I've discovered it has three broken head bolts on the starboard bank that I'm fairly certain I have the tools and ingenuity to remove and repair. The #3 cylinder has some aluminum deposits so I'm also rather confident the rings went and that's what prompted a PO to attempt to pull the head. I think the cylinder can clean up but I haven't mic'd it yet. The port side head came off cleanly with the assistance of a little carefully applied heat and that bank looks in great condition, I just need to separate that water jacket so I can attempt to replace those zincs and descale the passages. There wasn't a trace of carbon on that head. After that I'll investigate why the #3 cylinder's ring took a I've got a realistic idea of how much effort and cash I'm willing to sink into this engine before I part it out and look for a solid used replacement in the 150-175hp range. This will be my first time working on a two stroke that doesn't cut weeds so it should be interesting, but it is well within my comfort zone, I've got a small machine shop in my basement so must anything short of boring a cylinder myself is at least plausible.

The transom is surprisingly solid. I can't flex it one bit by tilting the motor and bouncing on it, and the couple abandoned screw holes in the transom I've explored don't show any signs of mush. The stringers and the floor haven't fared as well. The open tops along side the coffin...my screwdriver just dove right on thru. I knew the floor was bad when I got her, the stringers were a minor surprise, though by no means unexpected. My plan is to build a couple wood gantries, hoist off the outboard to continue evaluating and then I can pull the cap to get full access to remove the tank and all the foam, replace the stringers and bulkheads and recap them with glass (I've had more experience laying up epoxy than polyester but I haven't decided which I'll use for this project yet.)

The gel coat on the hull below the seam shows a little oxidation that I think will rub out nicely, and all the OE graphics that remain will be fully removed and I'll probably upgrade from the OE rope rub rail. The forward portion under the flare is still shiny and quite reflective, so hopefully I can bring the rest of the hull up to a similar level of lustre. The cap will require painting though. The fish locker and live well lids both appear to have been painted at some point and of course every bit of non-stainless hardware needs to be replaced, along with a nice new leaning post and a T-Top.

I don't expect this will be a speedy project, I'm gonna do it as right as I can and I really enjoy long complex projects. So wish me luck! Here's a little introductory boat porn:















Sorry the pics are all on overcast days. Like most of the US, Louisville has been waterlogged of late! Thanks for looking! - Greg

[Cam]

Welcome aboard. You will find a lot of info on this site and we have quite a few people here that have done what you are doing. Help is just a question away. Thanks for the boat porn.

[Pipe_Dream]

Welcome! And thanks for a proper intro. Kudos to you for bringing this girl back to life. I'm a Kentucky native 30 years removed south, so I've been watching the state become another great lake this spring. Hope it dries out for you soon and best of luck with your project. Keep us posted and there are a lot of knowledgeable folks here (not me so much) to help you.

[phatdaddy]

nice project looks like a good one to restore. if the transom is solid and just deck is soft, might want to cut out rotten deck to see how much of the stringers will be exposed, possibly address that issue and leave cap in place.

also while your on the engine, i think that vintage yamaha is the one with the shift shaft coupler that gives problem. make sure its ok before going too deep in that motor.

looking forward to the build

[Myfathersson]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

also while your on the engine, i think that vintage yamaha is the one with the shift shaft coupler that gives problem. make sure its ok before going too deep in that motor.

I've read about shift shaft corrosion issues on the models prior to the switch to stainless steel. Is that the problem or something altogether different?

[phatdaddy]

Yeah, that s the issue. The shaft would corrode at the adjustment turnbuckle. I m not positive on the years, but i remember they had the old style decals. Maybe ferm or spare will chime in

[Crusty]

Nice boat. I just got a 1989 20 fisherman. I’m starting the same thing as you. We will have to stay in touch. I have the same motor as you. It’s a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. When I figure out how to post pictures, I’ll send you some.
Keep up the good work.

[Myfathersson]

Originally Posted by Crusty

Nice boat. I just got a 1989 20 fisherman. I’m starting the same thing as you. We will have to stay in touch. I have the same motor as you. It’s a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. When I figure out how to post pictures, I’ll send you some.
Keep up the good work.

It's DEFINITELY a lot of work, but tis a labor of love! Start a new thread and document your progress! Eager to see how someone else attacks it. Haven't touched my OB since I covered the ship up for the winter. I think I resolved to replace it. Just too much salt to contend with. Probably going to try and find a reasonably priced 150 Yamaha 4 stroke once the hull is squared away.

[brisboats]

I just read this thread from the start. Impressed with your skills , passion and ingenuity! I cannot wait to you start this again in the Spring you will have a new boat when done and one that will endure longer than the original.
Brian

[nymack66]

Wow amazing project, looking at your tools and your setup, and style no doubt you are a PRO, no shop I know can produce this kind of craftsmanship and quality, my hat off to you my friend..Thanks for sharing.