My new old boat

[GoodOlBoy]

Well my bosses boss offered me a deal I couldn't refuse. If I would take his year+ old registered pure breed bird dog off of his hands (for free) then I could have his 1978 VIP trihull boat with an 85 evenrude that he hasn't used for the last few years and its trailer (for free). . . . . what do you say but HECK YEAH! The kids have really torn up the inside of the boat, they have been using it as a "fort" for the last four years while it was parked without a cover under an old oak tree. But the hull is solid, and the motor turns over (when the battery isn't dead.

Allotta work still to come on it, there is alot of rotted wood in it, but its a good start.

Pic1 is the dog
Pic2 is the inside before I started working on it
Pic3 is after I spent an hour with a shovel and a yard rake working on it
Pic4 is before I spent an hour washing it with bleach water and a sponge
pic5 is after I spent an hour washing it with bleach water and a sponge

GoodOlBoy

[toxic111]

good haul.. enjoy the boat & the dog!

[wrenchman]

you have lots of work with the boat and the dog looks nice

[GoodOlBoy]

Thanks guys, yep I figure I have got a good time ahead of me getting this boat ready. The flip side is since there is virtually NO stowage aboard I get to work on those kind of issues at the same time. I hope to have it ready by spring so I can ready get some use out of it. I am not looking to turn it into a fancy tourney fishing boat, just something so that I can provide fish for the family like I used to in the old days.

GoodOlBoy

[GoodOlBoy]

On btw anybody know a good reliable online source for marine parts? First thing I HAVE to do is replace the bow ring on the front of the boat. The screws holding it on (which appear to be made to the ring) are rust OFF. There doesn't appear to be any damage to the bow other that the pair of holes where the bow ring was attached, and I have no access panel there so I get to cut one *weeeeee*

GoodOlBoy

[Jack]

Looks like a nice deal, GOB!

[Allen]

West Marine has most everything you could need as far as seats, hardware and electronics go.

[GoodOlBoy]

Thanks Allen

[buckhunter]

GOB just remember there are 2 happy days in a boat owners life, the day he buys it and the day he sells it. Enjoy your find. Clean it up and use it. Doesn't look in too bad of shape.

[GoodOlBoy]

luckily buck I didn't hafta buy this one :p

GoodOlBoy

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I will recommend West Marine was well.....I have a retail store a few miles from my home, and the staff is always helpful.
I would also recommend Overton's; I've ordered boating stuff from them as well. If one place doesn't have what I'm looking for, the other usually does.

.....and from the looks of the first pics, I think you should start by ordering some paddles, life jackets, and a flare pistol!;):D

GOB just remember there are 2 happy days in a boat owners life, the day he buys it and the day he sells it.

....and don't forget the other adage: A boat is a hole in the water that you shovel money into!:p

[GoodOlBoy]

Oh thanks thanks Mr. 16 gauge. My wife thought that from the get go too. BUT the hull is solid, and motor tried to crank the one time it was turned over (with no fuel in it, and no water running through it so it hasn't been attempted on purpose since) I know the inside is ugly as sin, BUT that just means I don't feel bad about ripping out stuff to turn it into what I want, I just get to start with a *ahem* clean slate.... A muddy one, but still a clean one... :p

GoodOlBoy

[Perry]

nice find.

[maineguy110]

if you need to silcone Marine 5200 is real good just make sure you want it there and be sure you do not get any on the clamps. if you need to get it off piano wire will do

[GoodOlBoy]

Well these days she is much cleaned out, but I never had the time when I was working to work on her, and now that I am out of work I don't have the money..... soooo I guess when I have the money again I probably won't have the time, but maybe one of these days I will get to run her.

Richard