Time to Overhaul the F-30

Mikesboatsupply · Post by **Mikesboatsupply** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 8:33 pm

Well after two summers with the f-30 I think its time for an overhaul. I wasnt sure what I would think of this boat when I bought it, and though I wish I had gone for a 32 or 36 its a great boat. That said, I bought the boat right, and its time to now start making it right and spending the money I saved when I got it

So current winter project list
Replace side windows in cockpit area
Repair or Replace (probably replace) teak deck
Pulled engines for misc service and repaint bilge
Rewire
Replace chain drive steering
All new gauges
Recore front deck
New Control Cables
7 million little things......
Ugh Bottom paint (waaaaaaaay too many layers)

Possible Projects
Debating repowering with 350's while the engines are out...not sure
Upgrade to a refridgerator unit (currently has ice box)
Full Canvas

I got lucky and scored full access heated indoor storage for the winter and since I am a marine mechanic in michigan, figured I would have plenty of free time to get her into trim shape for next season.

So that all said, is it hard to pull the sliding cockpit windows? I was looking at it earlier today, and it didnt look simple. That said I was in the middle of lifting out the motors and begining pulling up the deck so I was a bit preoccupied. Any tips or painful experiences on this projects will be appreciated lol.

dodgeem · Post by **dodgeem** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 8:41 pm

That is quite a list. Be sure to post plenty of pics of your progress.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 8:43 pm

The clean machine is a great boat ,I was looking real hard on putting Diesels in mine but a Diesel F36 got in my way.

Mikesboatsupply · Post by **Mikesboatsupply** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:15 pm

This one is a flybridge model.

Gonna grab some pics once the floor comes up so I have a reminder of what I started with.

Its a pretty aggressive list, but I like big projects, I enjoy them. Just doing my shopping lists right now and wishing I could find a donor boat for those 5.7s

Mikesboatsupply · Post by **Mikesboatsupply** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:42 am

Well engines and transmission are out

Deck is out

Flybridge is off

Cabin floor is up

Bottom paint is mostly off

and Boat is washed and pretty much ready to make the journey to heated storage for the winter. Can't wait to get it there and continue work......it actually snowed a little here this morning

That said the only thing left to do today is finish sanding bottom paint and finish cleaning bilge.

Will grab some pics today at some point

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:50 am

Wowzers! You did all that in 3 days? I thought your original project list looked way too ambitious, but it looks like you can tackle it. Send those pics as you go along. I'm especially interested in how you'll recore the deck.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 10:15 am

I was thinking the same thing!

Rather than "grab some pics" - you better grab some sleep!

Mikesboatsupply · Post by **Mikesboatsupply** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 10:29 am

As I said, I really enjoy projects......

I am actually going to farm out the recore of the front deck but I will get pictures for you. I outsource any fiberglass work we get at our shop to a local who is great at it and he is going to handle mine but I will be involved in the process just to learn a few things.

Looks like I may be able to save my rear deck too! Was very happy to find that the teak itself is in good shape, just the underlayment is rotted. I am going to teak up with a buddy who is a carpenter on that one and we are going to attempt planing off the bad wood and attaching the teak to a new piece of underlayment. Also have to decide what I am going to use for a noise deadener at that point as well......

Well I still have a little cleaning to do on the bottom paint before she goes down the road! Back to the grind.

Mikesboatsupply · Post by **Mikesboatsupply** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:42 pm

Well things got a bit busy and I fell behind on posting updates. Never did get pics either lol.

That said I ended up sourcing a pair of chevy 350s both low hour rebuilds from a major engine rebuilder, sadly thats where the good stuff ends. After removing the cobbled up closed cooling system, automotive high performance intake, carbs, and distributor, cobbled up on engine oil pressure gauges and mix matched sending units etc I have a pair of pretty decent engines. Compression was good on them, po couldnt get them to run right.....for some reason the vacuum advance on his distributors wouldnt work....(lol) so at least I got them affordable.

Finished planning down the teak from the back deck and am happy to report that we saved all of it at this point. We still might replace a plank or two once its all said and done but it sure beats buying the new teak or synth teak. We will be rebacking it and reinstalling after the new engines and fuel tanks go in.

Lastly I have been using fans, heating pads, and a dehumidifier to try and breath out and dry the hull for the upcoming recore and to prep the bilge for repaint and that has been going good as well.

I had hoped to have more done by now but I got sidetracked with final winter preparations on our shop and with a zodiac hurricane 640D project that came out of nowhere.

Well hopefully pictures will come about soon.

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:52 pm

sounds like you have the time so go for it. Pics will be great.

summer storm · Post by **summer storm** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:40 pm

photos, photos, photos.

When you are done with your boat I am going to send you mine LOL