Cabin cruiser project
Discussion
I have been boating for a while now, I have a shetland 535 and and a RIB. I've seen lots of youtube videos of people restoring boats and fancied having a go at it. Scanned gumtree and found this.
It was sanded ready for paint and then the guy found the transom had turned to compost so was looking rid. I got it for a song and brought it to my yard, got the engine off and assessed the wooden bits. The PTT unit was siezed and engine wouldnt start, there basically was no wood left anywhere so cleaning out the transom shouldn't be too hard! But maybe I'd bitten off too much.
It was sanded ready for paint and then the guy found the transom had turned to compost so was looking rid. I got it for a song and brought it to my yard, got the engine off and assessed the wooden bits. The PTT unit was siezed and engine wouldnt start, there basically was no wood left anywhere so cleaning out the transom shouldn't be too hard! But maybe I'd bitten off too much.
I cut the back down as it was a pain climbing over the high rear to get in and out, and sitting in the cockpit was claustrophobic so wanted to open this area up.
With a nice open cockpit area I decided I would flat deck it all, 2 sun loungers on the benches, a table in the centre and hidden hatches.
With a nice open cockpit area I decided I would flat deck it all, 2 sun loungers on the benches, a table in the centre and hidden hatches.
This type of joinery I have plenty of experience with but the transom and stringers is entirely new territory for me.
I ordered up the marine ply and loads of fibreglass supplies. I planned to slide the transom ply in from above rather than removing the inner or outer skin. I tried to make a template but I didnt trust it so cut the ply oversize.
I ordered up the marine ply and loads of fibreglass supplies. I planned to slide the transom ply in from above rather than removing the inner or outer skin. I tried to make a template but I didnt trust it so cut the ply oversize.
I decided to tackle the engine first as I've a bit more experience with that. Gave it a service with plugs, fuel filter, waterpump etc and cleaned the carbs, washed out the 2 stroke tank and fuel tank filled them with fresh stuff, greased all points, and still no response.
Turned out the multi plug wasnt getting Batt+ve so bit of bypassing and boom off it went within a sec of turning the key. Success!
I dismantled the PTT and water had got in along the power wires and rusted it out from the inside. Looking up the serial number, it's been defaced, ffs hope this isn't going to turn out to be stolen or something!
Got a PTT and replaced it and it's now going up and down on demand. Another step in the right direction.
Turned out the multi plug wasnt getting Batt+ve so bit of bypassing and boom off it went within a sec of turning the key. Success!
I dismantled the PTT and water had got in along the power wires and rusted it out from the inside. Looking up the serial number, it's been defaced, ffs hope this isn't going to turn out to be stolen or something!
Got a PTT and replaced it and it's now going up and down on demand. Another step in the right direction.
It's around 17 or 18 foot, came with a 60hp 2 stroke mariner but I might down grade it to a smaller capacity for river canal cruising but will decide that when I get there.
I cant work out who the manufacturer is, the only clue I have is this logo, which seems to match Ace caravans but no boat companies.
It's been heavily modified in the past, not sure the cabin top or inner liner are original but they fit well. There is closed cell foam between the hull and liner which seems to be dry and solid.
I cant work out who the manufacturer is, the only clue I have is this logo, which seems to match Ace caravans but no boat companies.
It's been heavily modified in the past, not sure the cabin top or inner liner are original but they fit well. There is closed cell foam between the hull and liner which seems to be dry and solid.
Good to know about engine power, I was thinking of a fourstroke 15 to 25, good to know that can overcome the flow of a river like the Thames, should have no problems with my local canals, rivers and lakes which have barely any flow to them.
For the windscreen I have 2 sheets of poly carb from making track cars, so hope I can heat it and form something nice frameless and curvy. I'll get up pictures of my progress as I get to it.
For the windscreen I have 2 sheets of poly carb from making track cars, so hope I can heat it and form something nice frameless and curvy. I'll get up pictures of my progress as I get to it.
Decky_Q said:
Good to know about engine power, I was thinking of a fourstroke 15 to 25, good to know that can overcome the flow of a river like the Thames, should have no problems with my local canals, rivers and lakes which have barely any flow to them.
I was moored up above Lechlade, so less flow there - but your approach sounds ample for your needsDecky_Q said:
Good to know about engine power, I was thinking of a fourstroke 15 to 25, good to know that can overcome the flow of a river like the Thames, should have no problems with my local canals, rivers and lakes which have barely any flow to them.
For the windscreen I have 2 sheets of poly carb from making track cars, so hope I can heat it and form something nice frameless and curvy. I'll get up pictures of my progress as I get to it.
It doesn't take much power to move a boat (unless you want to go fast). My cabin cruiser is 27' and 2.2 tons, and for inland use 40hp is fine (inboard Yanmar 1.6 diesel so decent torque).For the windscreen I have 2 sheets of poly carb from making track cars, so hope I can heat it and form something nice frameless and curvy. I'll get up pictures of my progress as I get to it.
Re the windscreen, if you plan to fit a canopy then a frame would be useful for attaching it, usually with press studs.
In the event that you want to navigate a river with strong current, keep to the side for better progress.
They tend to shut rivers like the Thames if it's flowing fast.
Speed limit is quite low to avoid wash.
A small engine is all you need, bu t 10 or 15HP can be handy for stopping and starting the boat.
Also you run for hours at a constant speed so running something like a twin cylinder four stroke is quiet and easy on the engine.
Only problem is, a boat that's designed for a big outboard may have a poor hull shape for river work, with an immersed transom at low speeds.
A lighter engine will trim the boat more down by the bow perhaps.
It might be worth floating the boat with some weights to represent different engines before too many final decisions are made?
Speed limit is quite low to avoid wash.
A small engine is all you need, bu t 10 or 15HP can be handy for stopping and starting the boat.
Also you run for hours at a constant speed so running something like a twin cylinder four stroke is quiet and easy on the engine.
Only problem is, a boat that's designed for a big outboard may have a poor hull shape for river work, with an immersed transom at low speeds.
A lighter engine will trim the boat more down by the bow perhaps.
It might be worth floating the boat with some weights to represent different engines before too many final decisions are made?
OutInTheShed said:
They tend to shut rivers like the Thames if it's flowing fast.
I was on the Avon last year and that was pretty hairy at times, especially in a 68' narrowboat!The EA, who cover the Thames and Great Ouse, issue 'strong stream warnings' which I believe void your insurance.
Simpo Two said:
OutInTheShed said:
They tend to shut rivers like the Thames if it's flowing fast.
I was on the Avon last year and that was pretty hairy at times, especially in a 68' narrowboat!The EA, who cover the Thames and Great Ouse, issue 'strong stream warnings' which I believe void your insurance.
Decky_Q said:
I have found another 'Ace' for sale and it has the same.layout and fittings so it's not as modified as I thought. Just a pity theres no year or any more info.
...]
A half-hearted poke at google tells me that Ace Caravans was owned by Cosalt....]
Cosalt is/was a brand connected with marine safety.
A lot of small boat builders come and go, moulds get sold, stuff gets copied, people pick a name out of the blue and don't realise it's been used 18 times before..
While I'm obviously a 'rag and stick' boater, I've enjoyed trips on rivers in motorboats. A good friend used to have a small cabin boat on the Thames, another was based in Bristol.
I have a friend down here whose power boat uses 30 litres an hour. I think my boat used 30 litres of diesel last year.
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