Shaft length on 18 Fisherman

[rrichar1]

I have a 1982 18 Fisherman as well my dad gave me that I'm in the process of repowering and going from a Johnnyrude 120 HP to a Tohatsu 115 TLDI.

The first thing you are probably going to want to check is the fuel tank and make sure it doesn't have corrosion issues. Other than rebuilding the Johnnyrude the fuel tank was the biggest thing I had a problem with. Mine looks pretty rough as well but I love it.

If you have questions I might can help.

[jasoncooperpcola]

I got it home and about to start cleaning it out. Put a tape on the transom and i have a 25" transom. So the previous owner did some transom work on it, now do i trust his work? Or should i plan on a transom rebuild? I wont know for sure what exactly they did until i rip the splashwell out.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Once i got everything cleaned out, i discovered the previous owner cut the inside liner across the top of the gunnels down to the hole for the rod boxes, then from the bottom of the rod boxes holes to the fuel tank hatch. I think they took the entire back half of the liner out to do the transom. . So far this is the only major problem i discovered with the 18.

Pics below

[jasoncooperpcola]

Took the rod boxes out and discovered four broken stringers running width wise. They are rotted out. So friday night i am lifting the liner to inspect everything. Now next question, i want to install a bracket on it. So should i move the fuel tank forward?

[Curapa]

I dont know about a bracket on an 18'. It definitley will not be self bailing...

The rear deck on my 18' is usually wet while at rest with more than one person in the rear fishing.

[jasoncooperpcola]

I plan on moving the fuel tank forward, also i will have a 150qt ice chest up front. Not to mention 300? of anchor rope and 20?chain and three anchors in the bow. Also a bunch of small stuff like leads and tackle boxes and such. I think this would be enough to offset the weight in the rear. Also i want a flotation bracket so that should help some too, right? Keep in mind i have not had this boat in the water. So i have no clue how it will sit. I may hang a v6 yamaha on it and put it in The water to see how it sits, before i begin tearing the boat down.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Update; it was a pretty busy weekend. I hung a v6 Yamaha on the 18 and put it in the water. She does sit a little stern heavy, but with a full fuel tank of water (someone took the sending unit off the tank) and two 1000amp batteries it toom a little rocking to get water to come thru the scuppers. Even then the water did not leave the drain recess. I got the garage cleaned out and now she is sitting on blocks in the garage. I removed the liner but it had to come out in two pieces. Where the po cut it, it wouldnt hold. Just kept breaking so i recut it. Now for the bad news. All of the stringers are rotted or broken or both. It made getting the fuel tank out a little easier. Tonight i want to clean it up and check for leaks. At this point should i rebuild all the stringers, or just trash the hull? If i can find cloth at a reasonable price i can rebuild it. I plan to use west system on the entire project. If i rebuild the stringers the liner is not going back in. I hope to rebuild it like Kracker Jack did his with plywood floors and plywood gunnel caps and exposed hull sides. Now while i am at the subject, i am taking quite a bit of weight off the boat. Would it be feasible to put a bracket on it? The transom is all new. Its the only thing the po didnt halfass.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Bad news. Fuel tank is full of holes. I have decided not to go any further with her. I am selling the entire hull and liner minus bow rails and console. If nobody is interested, she will make one more voyage offshore.........

[Curapa]

Post the GPS numbers please!

She does sound like she is in rough shape....

[jasoncooperpcola]

Here are a few pics of the boat. There are a few pics of the stringers but they dont do justice as for the extreme rot of the stringers. Also two pics of it in the water with the Yamaha hanging on the transom.