I picked up another well used outboard 18' Hydrodyne. It is a basket case. It needs everything although the hull seems solid. So this one I'm planning to redo for the purpose of determining what it really costs to do it properly. I plan to pay to have everything done and will report in detail on the whole project start to finish including final costs. What I'd like is some suggestions and thoughts for what or how to equip the boat including seating, steering, controls, size of motor and maybe even the trailer. I'm thinking the following as a starting point: 1. Drivers Bucket Seat and passenger bench seat 2. Rear seat (Hoping to use the new style Dyna-Ski base if it isn't to tall) 3. Carpet (we mainly use gray) 4. Teleflex BayStar Hydraulic Steering (suitable for up to 150 hp) Is tilt needed? 5. Teleflex Control (They make a control that they used on many inboards and the FlightCraft Outboard but it requires a dash or steering wheel mounted trim adjusting switch) 6. Evinrude gauges including their GPS Speedometer as it seems to be the best offered so far. Could change if the motor isn't an Evinrude. I just sold a 17.6 Open Bow with a 135 Mercury to a fellow that lives on a lake with a horsepower limit. I'm anxious to hear how the boat/engine performs in day to day use. Unfortunately our testing of it was limited by the time of the season here in Wisconsin. 7. Pylon mounted in the rear like on the Dyna-Ski 17.6 Models. Although I do have several different factory original offerings to consider duplicating or using. 8. Fin? This boat does not have one. I thought that they all did. So is it missing one or did they not have them? 9. Fuel Tank Should I mount it in the front or rear? 10. Motor will likely be an Evinrude E-Tec. I can buy them right and they are so smooth, quiet and easy on fuel & oil. Should it be a 75, 90, 115, 130, 135 or 150? 11. Should the boat have a windshield? 12. What trailer? A new one or find an original one with fiberglass fenders and such? 13. Color and decals, etc. Boat will likely be painted white. Any suggestions for adding a little color to the boat with stripes, etc. I don't think I want the stripes on the deck although this boat has them right now so what do you think? Please feel free to comment on any individual item if you like so please fire away. PJP aka Boat Builder ps Anyone want to fund the project and own the boat when it is done?
Here's my two cents. Seating- driver bucket, passenger old Mastercraft style (like Dynebob's older 18), rear bench with flip storage. Seating the lower the better. Gas tank definitely up front with fuel fill on the side of the bubble not on the deck. Defintely a fin. I think they slide around too much without one. I like the idea of the pylon mounted like the new 20's. I like all your ideas for controls, steering, gauges, etc. Trailer I would go with a refurbed "Batwing" if you can find one out there. They clean up really nice when done properly. I would add a swim platform on either side on the transom. All pop up style cleats, no exposed fixed ones. No windshield. Decals/graphics to a minimal. Defintely a 150 size motor, nothing less. Greg
Sounds like we'll go through a similar process here. , I have some ideas of my own (plus what I saw Mark go through), but I'm glad I'll be to see what you come up with. As mine won't start till at least the Spring, I'm thinking yours will lead the way. On question regarding the hull - have you pulled the carpet? Mine is a no stringer floor boat and the hull is rock solid from the outside, but I noticed after I cleaned out the carpet, that there is a soft spot near the driver's seat which is into at least the top layer of Balsa. Will add to the complexity of the restoration.
The floor was removed by the previous owner. The boat is a basket case. I'll try and take some pictures to post soon.
I'll remind everyone that cares that this is not a high priority project as we are busy quoting prices on new boats, building boats, fixing boats and the like for paying customers. The very last thing on the list is special projects like this. We do not paint boats so the first thing to do was talk with a local paint shop that paints boats as this one will need to be completely painted. Estimate is $3,000 to $4000 based on seeing the boat pictured here. Interior will be around $2,000 Stringers, floor and transom should be around $4500 Decals $750 Hydraulic Steering, rigging and everything to make it water ready without a motor $2750 So I still need a trailer and a motor not to mention having all the work done.
PJP, Sounds like you're at the price of having a brand new one built by Tom Miller, and it would be Gel-coated ..not painted. Bob
I see what you mean about basket case. Not sure if mine would be considered better or worse, although I believe the transom is intact, and as it's a "double layer early boat", there are no stringers or floor to consider, although there may/will be some balsa layer replacement to do. I don't think we can compare costs, as my labour will be sweat equity. I'll know material costs, and I suppose I could track the number of hours worked on it, although I'm not sure I really want to do that. Mark, did you make any effort to track hours?
I didn't track hours on my project. It would have been hard to do that because I would work in little chunks of time - sometimes all day. I probably spent as much or more time doing research and looking for parts as I did working on the boat.
I just got off the phone with Tom Miller. He is in good health. His boat repair business is ongoing. He has NOT referred any one to Dyna-Ski. He is willing and able to build either 20's or 18's. I saw the 18 mold at his place when I was there last. He was livid when I told him about these false claims. He sounded great on the phone, same as always. I will report this thread to the administrator and request that these false statements be removed. jim
PJP, Tom has the 18 foot mold and had built a new 18 footer two years ago. He was taking it to meets and the think tank event. I believe the boat has since been sold. Quit bashing the competition. Tom is definately the prince of your industry, and in my opinion will always be. The man is a true gentleman and never hustles his customers. Honesty "is" his policy. Bob
