The Latest Project
Well, we finally sold our last boat, the Bertram Bahai Mar 20 to a chap up in Geraldton. Prior to that, we had purchased a shell of a (we believe) ex fisheries boat, a 24' Savage half cabin cruiser.
With the sale, gave us the capital to start renovating the 'Big Bitch' as we have come to affecitionately call it. So began the transformation. First, came off the cabin superstructure.
From this:
To this:
After cleaning up the inside of the hull,
The transom had to be reinforced with ply and glass
And the position of the thru leg of the former inboard had to be filled in
then came the inserting of stringers and bearers, and making sure the boat was as light as possible, foam was used instead of wood for the structural content.
After much consternation, we sourced the power plant from Port Hedland of all places, ending up being a Evinrude Etec 250hp.
The artist in this partnership formed the centre console also made from foamcell and fibreglass, which I personally think looks like a frog. Anybody else think so?
The floor has now been laid after a 450lt fuel tank has been built in below decks with a 150lt water tank up fron where the 2.1m V berth will be located.
The next mission was to remove the gunnells because the wood within them had delaminated. The top was therefore removed,
before the new reinforcing could be installed
Once the topcoat was laid,
The gunnells were put back on the hull after some reshaping of the sides
The only thing preventing further renovations is this lousy weather. More to come.
Wherever you go, there you are
big john
Posts: 8756
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Excellent
Lot of work done there David.
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milsey
Posts: 1462
Date Joined: 22/08/07
cant wait to see her in the
trymyluck
Posts: 908
Date Joined: 06/05/12
thanks for sharing, nice
thanks for sharing, nice looking hull too ! Will look forward to seeing the next stage photos
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Can't take the credit
My input has been only one of observation and opinion so far. I have helped in the building of the boat but this area is mainly that of my business partner. My part will be once the boat is finally finished to fit her out. That includes the electonics which include two Simrads,
and the wiring configurations behind it.
The seats have been sourced from Springfields and BCF
The engine will this time be sitting on the transom rather than a pod. We are installing it on a jack plate
which has been sourced from the US of A. In addendum, it is made by Vance Manufacturing. We have used their jack plates before in our other boats. They are very reasonably priced and are engineered perfectly.
Will be devising a new electrical schematics to make the installation a bit easier this time. It will have our signature teardrop navigation lights as well.
Wherever you go, there you are
bod
Posts: 2319
Date Joined: 03/05/06
interesting post
Interesting post David. Looking forward to watching the progress. Cheers
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Wow
Wow bro, you must luv testing your patience. LOL . As always great work , can't wait to see the final product please keep sharing the progress.
Cheers Grant .
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
PS
PS . send me a pm if you need any alloy or s/s work.( I'm no expert but have the tools) Happy to work out a deal for swap on trade skills or knowledge.
barneyboy
Posts: 1392
Date Joined: 08/01/09
wow!!
that looks awesome. Will be awesome to see finished.
FEEEISH ONNN!!!
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15648
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Sick
That bow section looks beasty, looks like a grady white in the making. Great post.
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mrwinta
Posts: 457
Date Joined: 14/01/10
Awesome
Great post and looks like the job is being done profesionaly and built to last.... keep the photo's coming....
NEVER PUSH YOUR GRANNY WHEN SHE'S SHAVING
Swompa
Posts: 3896
Date Joined: 14/10/12
I tried a project to half
I tried a project to half that extent and ended up giving the hull away on Gumtree. Good on ya. It looks like it will be a great ride.
nico
Posts: 226
Date Joined: 17/08/10
Back yard boat building at
Back yard boat building at its finest,nice work!
In Mocean
Willlo
Posts: 1490
Date Joined: 07/10/11
Great stuff,i did my haines
Great stuff,i did my haines but not to that extent ,well done make sure you post the end product.
Call Sign - BZ785
Haynes Hunter Prowler CC
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Thankyou
to all who have kindly commented on this latest adventure. Yes pics will be soon forthcoming. We were hoping to have her on the water about now but alas this f/,/..,g weather is not helping things. I know we need the rain, but really!!!!
Wherever you go, there you are
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
More pics
Found some more pics.
First, one showing the labrinth of stringers, gussets and bulkheads which made up the front of the boat. Mostly, they are air pockets to maintain seaworthiness however, there are a few which will be used for storage.
Second, showing the baffles of the 450lt fuel tank built in the floor. Breathers have been installed at the front and the outlet sits under the floor accessible via a stainless steel inspection port. To the right, you can see the PVC tubing used to carry the cables and controls from the centre console to the engine.
Just picked up the aluminium T top frame from a fellow boatie. This will have to be modified to suit the centre console but it will give good coverage being 2.1 x 2.5m.
Wherever you go, there you are
sea-kem
Posts: 15008
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Awesome post! Can't wait to
Awesome post! Can't wait to actually put something up of mine when I finally get around to it. Great job guys
Love the West!
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Like everyone above
Great job. IMO great choice using the divinycell /fibreglass as strenght. Did that to a boat we built with my father years ago and gave it awesome strenght for light weight.
And yes it is a frog looking CC.
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
You've done a great job
Looking forward to seeing some afloat photos. Well done
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1322
Date Joined: 23/02/11
great work, i looked at that
great work, i looked at that boat down at north port when it first came on the market - had a volvo diesel in it and the floors were gone - i believe its a Huntsman (could be wrong but recall it was a Huntsman) they were built on the east coast and very popular solid boats, great hulls and very similar to Bertram
You have done a great job and am sure you will be happy with the end result - love the reshaping of the profile of the hull sides - very clever, your mate has got some skills!
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Not a Huntsman
We discounted that it was a Huntsman. On closer inspection, and since I do come from the Eastern States, (don't hold it against me) we worked out it was actually a Savage. You are right, though Pelagicyachts, it was the one from North Port. We bought it last year but unfortunately, weren't able to do anything with it until we sold the Bertram. Yes he is very clever with his reshaping.
Wherever you go, there you are
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1322
Date Joined: 23/02/11
nice one, nothing wrong with
nice one, nothing wrong with Savage - nothing wrong with the east either, its just in the wrong spot :-)
I have been looking to do another centre console project, some really good older hulls around for good $$ now - and not knocking new boats but the old school "laid up thick" boats just run so much better in our conditions (albeit needing a few more horses to do so!)
Look forward to the progress updates - please keep them coming!
cheers
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Continuing
Well, ladies and gentlemen, it has been a few weeks since I last spoke to you all. We are just days away now for the launch of our latest!
We have finished building the boat inside. The floor, v berth and gunnels have now been flowcoated.
The battery boxes are in
And all the electronics including the sonic hub are installed in the centre console.
The best part has been the addition by grantarctic1 who has done probably the best job I have seen with the designing and building of the custom T top that has really topped off the aesthetics of the boat.
I strongly recommend it any fellow fishwreckers need anything like this done they give grant a pm and get him to give them a quote. All I can say is that he is an artist.
The next thing to happen is the installing of the motor and that should happen tomorrow morning. Then, it will be off later to get the pinstriping and numbers put on by Sonic Signs in Wangara. It should look very much like this when it is done.
Will keep you all posted.......
Wherever you go, there you are
outdoinit
Posts: 1009
Date Joined: 05/10/12
Awesome post there mate
that is one major project ..
I've spent half my life fishing.. The other half I have wasted..
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Not long now
Motor on. Pinstriping and numbers next by Sonic Signs. The launch should be this weekend!!!!!
It's scary but the boat actually dwarfs the motor and that is a 250!
Wherever you go, there you are
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Looking good
Looking good David. Did the T-Top come up solid once you bolted it in position?
outdoinit
Posts: 1009
Date Joined: 05/10/12
That looks awesome mate..
look forward to seeing pics of it on the water..
I've spent half my life fishing.. The other half I have wasted..
DUNGA
Posts: 86
Date Joined: 03/06/14
Very nice
Thats a hell of a nice job and a massive change from start to finish well done
There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Request given
Put her in the water yesterday, finally. What a beast!!! Gets up very quickly and settles on the plane very effortlessly. Engine is gorgeous and economy is well...the best. Here is the pic requested.
The motor is dwarfed by the boat. I think we need a bigger motor, 300 maybe. Lol.
Wherever you go, there you are
The_Wanderer
Posts: 735
Date Joined: 24/09/08
wow that looks awesome
wow that looks awesome
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Fabulous work. Great job in
Fabulous work. Great job in reviving an oldie for a new lease of life.
Ben85
Posts: 442
Date Joined: 20/11/11
very nice, you picked a great
very nice, you picked a great hull to refirb, should produce a great ride
sexton
Posts: 112
Date Joined: 15/05/13
Nice work! Would love to see
Nice work!
Would love to see some photos of the beast in action on the water!
DTrain
Posts: 486
Date Joined: 10/02/12
Looks really good. Your mate
Looks really good. Your mate knows how to fiberglass!
Is that front cabin section big enough to sleep in or is it just a storage space/spot to stick the kids? It's a bit different to all the other center consoles out there.
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1322
Date Joined: 23/02/11
well i have just started a
well i have just started a centre console conversion - i am not going to bother posting my build as this will just put it to shame!!!, that is an amazing transformation and a top finish - nice to see the gunwale join not done in the usual heavy black rubber!
Finished in good time too!
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Large room
As a matter of fact, we have made the v berth longer to 2.2metres! Fully cushioned to sleep three comfortably.
Yes Grant, the T top has turned out perfect. Very rigid in its mounting. The only concern is that maybe the back of the top is a bit too flexible.
Sexton, action shots to come. She will be involved in the Rottnest Convoy weekend after next. Anybody who hasn't done it should do it and those who have done it should consider doing it again. It is one of the best boating weekends we can have over here.
Wherever you go, there you are
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
Bloody amazing
Bloody amazing transformation, the final product looks fantastic, I'm sure it will be a great fishing platform
Rob H
Posts: 5806
Date Joined: 18/01/12
that looks awesome
that looks awesome, and Im not a centre console fan.
Amazing how such an old fashioned looking rig has been transformed!
I reckon you may find a low (100mm) wave breaker handy across the foredeck, to direct water of the foredeck over the side rather than into the cockpit
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Purring
After some minor setbacks last week, the Big Bitch is looking good. Even though it was serviced up north before we bought it, it proved to have faulty thermostats in it. They caused the engine to go into S.A.F.E mode while out in the river last Monday. Sourced the thermostats from one of our sponsors (Chivers Marine) thankyou Luke, and installed them. From 85 down to 62degC is quite a contrast. Also the hose going to the tell tale had come away because the so called stainless steel hose clamp and perished from corrosion. All sorted. Goes in for its full check up tomorrow at my mechanics and she will be already for the Rottnest Convoy next weekend. Praying for good weather.
Wherever you go, there you are
milsey
Posts: 1462
Date Joined: 22/08/07
Saw you guys on the river
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Ta
Thank Milsey,
Yes, my business partner was out in her. Cruised all day. Sweet as. 42nm at 52lts. Not bad. Temp not got above 64 at cruise. Looking forward to this weekend. Fingers crossed for the weather.
Wherever you go, there you are
Doooma
Posts: 791
Date Joined: 05/12/09
How much are you selling
How much are you selling this one for David
.
bloody top job mate!
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Not
Hey Dooma,
Haven't spoken to you for a while. How's the esky going? This girl isn't up for sale. This one is a keeper. You know the last one I sold ended up in Geraldton though. We took her over to Rottnest for the convoy last weekend, and it proved itself to being everything we had hoped for. Economy of 3.2 mpg. Top speed during the trip of 32kn and never once felt uncomfortable with any of the seas we experienced on the two days. Even my better half came back with us on the Sunday and she felt totally comfortable during the trip back and she gets seasick at the drop of a hat. Love the Etec, love the Savage, brilliant!!
Wherever you go, there you are