New owner of F-26 wanting to say hello to anyone

pilgrim32 · Post by **pilgrim32** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:53 pm

Hello all forum members. My name is Brian and I have been viewing the forum for about two years now. It has been a great resource to use while searching the marina's and brokerage listings along with the old boatyard graveyards in search of the "classic diamond in the rough" well i think I found her. She's a 1978 F-26 hardtop thats been out of the water and neglected for at least 15 yrs. She powered up from Florida before being put in outside storage in New England (Mass) all original equipment is still onboard, hull is in great shape ,but drive line is junk. Stringers look and sound ok along with most of the balsa core deck items,roofs ,cockpit sole etc. Had her transported to my home last week and now the journey begins. Just wanted to say hello to everyone and hope to talk to you all later.. Will be posting pictures soon.. I'm already off to a good start I purchased my Trojan Pennant from Jimmini and Dave Kane last month. Respectfully yours Pilgrim32

jddens · Post by **jddens** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:05 pm

Hello Brian and welcome to the forum........if you've been lurking for 2 years then you already know the expertise the resides here..........congrats on the boat and good luck on your journey...............John

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:26 pm

welcome to the fourm !

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:05 pm

Welcome Brian,
Any idea what you are going to do with the drive train? Re-power or rebuild? Do yourself a favor and change the fuel tank. I'm quite sure you will find that it is corroded and full of crap.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:13 pm

Agree on the fuel tank

chucka · Post by **chucka** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:51 pm

Welcome Brian,
I've been going through a 1975 F-26 since 2004. I did almost all of the work myself on a tight budges using a lot of parts from marine consignment.

Here is an overview of my project list:

2004
removed rotted cockpit deck and frames, rebuilt framing and replaced deck with mahogany planks over marine plywood. (added more & larger hatches for improved access below deck for engine maintenance)
rebuilt main cabin bulkhead below cockpit deck due to rot
Replaced water damaged cockpit liner (original was like formica on pressboard)
Installed new alternator & starter
Stripped and refinished teak cockpit trim & main cabin bulkhead.
Installed new aluminum fuel tank, fuel filler hose
Rebuilt fuel tank mounting bed.
added secondary fuse panel. Removed & replaced shoddy after market wiring installed by previous owners.
Removed original water tank to improve engine access
Installed new head, holding tank & all associated plumbing
Installed new 20 gal plastic water tank & replaced all hoses (relocated tank forward of original location under hanging locker) Included outlet for fresh water washdown.
Installed salt water washdown pump & outlet
Replaced 2 batteries (including new battery boxes)
New VHF radio
Replaced steering cable
Installed new bilge pump & float switch
Replaced engine cooling seacock & intake hoses
Re-upholsterd captain and mate seats
Welded damaged swim platform mounting brackets. Stripped & refinished teak swim platform (new stainless mounting bolts).
Tightened up bimini cover frame & Fabric - replaced misc. hardware. Re-sticthed bimini bad seams.
2005
Replaced engine (from 1986) with factory re-manufactured 318 & new vevlet drive transmission. (rebuilt distributor and carburetor from previous engine)
Replaced rusted engine mounts.
New engine temperature gauge and oil pressure gauge.
Upgraded rudder & extended keel by 6" to improve tracking stability
Stripped 30+ years of bottom paint to gel coat.
Replaced drive shaft
Reconditioned propeller
New depth sounder (with transom mounted transducer)
Replaced failed fresh water pressure pump.
Re-wired trim tabs
Upgraded transmission oil cooler
2006 (a lighter year for projects)
Installed skylight/hatch on forward cabin top
Minor interior cosmetic upgrade
Replaced fresh water pressure pump
Installed stereo
2007
fabricated a hardtop, cleaned up and painted windshield

You can find photos of many of these projects by searching this forum.

I grew up in Plymouth, and still have family there. I'm in RI now. My advice is to set priorities for each season. Get her safe and reliable first, then work on the amenities over time, but everything doesn't have to be perfect to get out on the water.

This season, I'm debating if I will tackle a growing sponginess issue in the balsa core fore deck. I'm still due for more interior cosmetic work.

Good Luck
Chuck

LSP · Post by **LSP** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 7:08 pm

Welcome to the forum Brian.

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:11 am

Welcome Brian!

Reely Hall'n · Post by **Reely Hall'n** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:26 am

Welcome Brian and good luck to you and your new adventure.

pilgrim32 · Post by **pilgrim32** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:57 am

Ahoy gang The first projects is to give the girl a total cleaning inside and out. As for the drive line it is a merccrusier 305 cid 228hp all raw water cooled with a velvet drive trans 1-1 ratio. plan is to remove engine ,trans , and fuel tank to access the aft bilge area to clean and check total stringer area. Engine will be broken down to see if it's worth a rebuild or replacement. trans same thing, fuel tank is being replace but unsure about plastic or alum. A few people I've talked to around town say an all raw water cooled motor thats been sitting and neglected is not worth rebuilding?? any thoughts on that subject?
Pilgrim

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:25 pm

Welcome aboard, Great place to hang out. I have had raw water cooling in the past and didn't care as long as I was able to be on the water. However, if I have the choice, I prefer fresh water cooling. Less worry.

pilgrim32 · Post by **pilgrim32** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:59 pm

Thanks Wowzer52 From what i've read fresh water cooled blocks last much longer than raw water cooled.On fresh water systems they say exhaust manifolds and risers possible need work after 3 or 4 years? I would rather have a fresh water cooled systems myself but I'm wondering if i can rebuild the raw water cooled block and change it over with out any problems down the road like rusted scale falling off interior of block and blocking water passage causing overheating? Even after its been cleaned and machined by a engine rebuilding shop? Also that is a great looking F-32 you have there someday I hope to own one but right now i have to start small then work my way up . pilgrim32

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:57 pm

I have rebuilt raw water blocks whith out issues but you never know how thin the walls are . Never bore a raw water block . If you replace the block go with a 5.7 (350 ) every thing will fit .

pilgrim32 · Post by **pilgrim32** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:25 pm

Thanks prowlersfish one of the engine replacement options i have look into was a 5.7L 300hp carbed crusader classic series brand new with new velvet drive tranny also complete full fresh water cooled system. but I need to remove and open up the merc 305 to see what I have then compare rebuild/parts to brand new drop in. I would like to rebuild what I have but don't know what course to chart just yet. You have a beautiful F-36 there and with diesels "sweet" talk to you later pilgrim32

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:32 am

Welcome, Brian!

Another F-26 owner for the forum. Your 78 sounds like a good project boat (aren't they all??) We've had ours since 1999 and I knew the original owners when it was brand new (it's been on the same upstate NY lake since new). We took ours on a nearly 500 mile trip along the Erie Canal system in NY this summer. A perfect cruiser for a couple and very economical with that single Chrysler (or Merc). There are plenty of great posts on this forum and this is where I've learned a lot along the way. I'm in the process of rebuilding a rear cockpit locker that runs the entire width of the rear cockpit and comes out about 20". Found it to be a perfect storage area during the trip and since we put two custom-made cushions on the top of it, it made a great settee both during the day and at night.

Don't be shy about asking questions or seeking advice. I also have all the original owners manuals from the 1977 as well as engine maintence manual for the 318. Let me know if you want any copies.