Bought an Old Boat Today! How Bad Off Am I??

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by James427

Thanks guys for the encouragement! So far only one person voted in my pole that I should dump the boat and run. I've been learning so much about the boat in general. I'm very much looking forward to getting to work on her. I signed up for the 25bertram board a few days ago but still have not heard back about being accepted and still can't post over there. Is it an active board or dead in the water so to speak. (punn intended)

I might make it two but dump it here at my house. I'll even give you your $2.5k back. YOu got a good deal. I you are going to put new tanks in I can find you the name of a company that I am using for a day tank at a very reasonable cost.

[James427]

I was just offered $1,500 for the 12 fishing poles and full tackle box! That means I would be in the boat for a grand! But I'm going to keep them because I'm really hoping that I will be able to do a little fishing once I get it seaworthy. But it's nice to know I must have gotten a good deal on everything!

[David M]

Those Bertram 25's are darn good hulls. It will take some TLC to get it in nice shape, but your working from an excellent foundation. They are pretty popular on the SF Bay because they handle the chop quite well. They also have nice classic lines that keeps them from looking dated.

Look at what they are selling for in YachtWorld...much more than you paid.

You got a steal.

bertram Boats For Sale

[Soft Air]

I voted favorably, great boat.

[Morgan Paul]

Thanks guys for the encouragement!

You are welcome. Now get that bad boy in the water, fire up the engines and make sure you give us a report.

[James427]

It's going to take a little while to get to "spalsh". Both the boat and I are currently in Tennessee. We'll be moving to Florida within 60 days. I will be pulling it to Florida behind my F-250 Powerstoke.

In the mean time, I will be going over to where it is stored (in the pics) and be cleaning it and basically putting it together and taking stock of it. I have already found some damage in the engine compartment that does not look good for the engines. The rear exhaust elbows just off of the manifolds have cracks in them and there is one pristine freeze plug sitting under one of the engines that has obviously been dislodged. I can not see any cracks in any of the blocks or heads but that doesn't really mean anything.

Which brings me to my first question. Good running 318 Chrysler engines are a dime a dozen here in cars. I can pick up a perfectly good running 318 for about $300 or less. I know that one engine is a reverese rotation, but the other would not be. Can I just replace the block and perhaps the heads with a clean car engine? What are the differences between a 318 car engine and marine engine? If I find two good running 318's can I not just transfer the reverse rotation internals into the car block doing a quick overhaul while I'm in there?

Second question...

I've never had a V-drive before, but from everything I've read they are preffereable to outdrives if they are going to sit in water, which this boat may have to do. The boat has been on this trailer for a number of years. Are the prop shaft seals sensitive and prone to leaking? Will I have to change all of them before I put it in the water or are they pretty robust?

Third question....

The deck, cabin and side surfaces of the boat are all excellent and will only require a good scrubbing to look like new. The bottom has a good surface on it, but it looks stained and streaked. Refinishing the bottom is something I would like to do from a cosmetic and maintenance stand point. I have a ton of automotive painting experience, but none on a boat. What should I use?

Fourth question. Are my fiberglass tanks going to be a major issue?

[David M]

A boat yard owner once said to me, owning an I/O is like owning an extra engine in terms of costs.

[speedoo]

Originally Posted by Charlie

I I you are going to put new tanks in I can find you the name of a company that I am using for a day tank at a very reasonable cost.

I'll be replacing water and diesel tanks on a sailboat in Ft. Lauderdale. If you know someone who might be able to help with that, please let me know, thanks.

[dacust]

Good deal? I'd say! If someone offered you $1500 for fishing equipment, the trailer is worth the balance. You got the boat for free. And Bertram is a Cadillac. I'd say you got a steal. You could put $10-20k in it and still be looking good. (And get prepared, it might take that much...)

Since it's been sitting, you want to replace ALL rubber. All the seals, etc. Shaft seals are a boat sinker. That also probably includes the trailer tires. You think changing a tire on that big truck of yours is a pain?