Hey guys, Im Glad i found a forum related to these boats. Mine has a interesting story, and is looking to be in the water again.
Im looking for general links/part sites that will be helpful with the resto.
Alright, Heres the long version of a long story
In 1978 my Father stumbled across a Electric blue Trimate 3, at the local marina. The boat had been abandoned by the previous owners, found out later to be the local ski team. The boat had apparently been repaired and the Repair cost outweighed what the boat was worth to them.
The boat was equipped with Electric blue interior, black carpet, and a 1976 175 Mercury Black max. My dad ended up buying it for around 6k. With little or no wear on the actual boat itself. He ran the boat for about 5 years without problems, with regular maintainance.
The way he tells it, The old Merc ran great until he switched oils from mercruiser to AMSoil. Apparently he was running accross the lake at WOT and it locked up, Im sure there were several things that could have been done to avoid that(ensuring proper mixture). But nonetheless it happened. He took it to a local shop where they tore it down and deduced that the #6 cylinder was the cluprit. Repair bill was approx $2400 in 1983.
By the time he got the money up the shop had moved. All of the parts of the engine werent ever found. He pursued legal action but to no avail.
Now to 2009, The boat itself has sat since then with only the midsection of the engine. The metal flake is faded from brilliant blue to a light grey. The floor and seats are non-existant. And the transom is pretty much mush.
A few days ago i was talking with a friend, Mentioned this exact story. And he glanced over at his wife "doesnt bill have a blackmax on his old glastron?" to which she replied, " how am i suppose to know!!??" lol.
So i had to check it out, I called the guy to find out that the boat was trash and he was getting ready to scrap the engine and crush the boat(he owns a construction company).
As most of you would have, I rushed over there. To find a pretty decent 1978 175 Blackmax with a stainless 21 prop. The guy said i could have it. Apparently he wasnt even wanting to remove the engine to scrap it.
I ended up getting a extra trim pump,controls,steering cables,etc. All on the free. All of the time not telling my father about my mischaevious intentions.
A few days later i parked it in his driveway, Not too far from where the boat still sits. The look on his face was priceless, He was in complete awe. Since the engine looked nice with the stainless prop on it and decent cowls he looked at me "how did you......?" Gotta love surprising your pops!
Now to the not so fun part, Ive made a point to head up the project. I normally delve into bmw E30s headfirst (heres my stomping grounds www.r3vlimited.com) But this is so different its scary.
Fortunatly my dad is an actual upholsterer, he worked for several years for a top end boat/auto shop restoring interiors. So that part is handled. And he has decent experience with fiberglass and carpentry.
So i guess the old saying def. rings true with my father "The cobblers wife has no shoes" His excuse is not being able to get my Mom to let go of the money to buy another engine that is sufficient to push the old 19ft 6in boat. I guess ill have to give that to him?
So heres my questions....
-Wheres the best place to get replacement parts? (bumperstrips,lights,trim,stickers,manuals)
-Does anyone know the actual colors that came on these? Id like to color match to factory
- The engine was said to be running, and it turns freely. As well as being pretty damn clean. Besides plugs,impeller,carb kit. What would you reccomend replacing? And Wheres the best place to get parts?
Any links would be great, Ive been reading up on a few threads so dont flame me for not searching. I just havent been able to find a list of definitive, and useful links.
And yes, pics coming soon. We just got the top cap off.......What a pain!!
Thanks guys
Matt
Im looking for general links/part sites that will be helpful with the resto.
Alright, Heres the long version of a long story
In 1978 my Father stumbled across a Electric blue Trimate 3, at the local marina. The boat had been abandoned by the previous owners, found out later to be the local ski team. The boat had apparently been repaired and the Repair cost outweighed what the boat was worth to them.
The boat was equipped with Electric blue interior, black carpet, and a 1976 175 Mercury Black max. My dad ended up buying it for around 6k. With little or no wear on the actual boat itself. He ran the boat for about 5 years without problems, with regular maintainance.
The way he tells it, The old Merc ran great until he switched oils from mercruiser to AMSoil. Apparently he was running accross the lake at WOT and it locked up, Im sure there were several things that could have been done to avoid that(ensuring proper mixture). But nonetheless it happened. He took it to a local shop where they tore it down and deduced that the #6 cylinder was the cluprit. Repair bill was approx $2400 in 1983.
By the time he got the money up the shop had moved. All of the parts of the engine werent ever found. He pursued legal action but to no avail.
Now to 2009, The boat itself has sat since then with only the midsection of the engine. The metal flake is faded from brilliant blue to a light grey. The floor and seats are non-existant. And the transom is pretty much mush.
A few days ago i was talking with a friend, Mentioned this exact story. And he glanced over at his wife "doesnt bill have a blackmax on his old glastron?" to which she replied, " how am i suppose to know!!??" lol.
So i had to check it out, I called the guy to find out that the boat was trash and he was getting ready to scrap the engine and crush the boat(he owns a construction company).
As most of you would have, I rushed over there. To find a pretty decent 1978 175 Blackmax with a stainless 21 prop. The guy said i could have it. Apparently he wasnt even wanting to remove the engine to scrap it.
I ended up getting a extra trim pump,controls,steering cables,etc. All on the free. All of the time not telling my father about my mischaevious intentions.
A few days later i parked it in his driveway, Not too far from where the boat still sits. The look on his face was priceless, He was in complete awe. Since the engine looked nice with the stainless prop on it and decent cowls he looked at me "how did you......?" Gotta love surprising your pops!
Now to the not so fun part, Ive made a point to head up the project. I normally delve into bmw E30s headfirst (heres my stomping grounds www.r3vlimited.com) But this is so different its scary.
Fortunatly my dad is an actual upholsterer, he worked for several years for a top end boat/auto shop restoring interiors. So that part is handled. And he has decent experience with fiberglass and carpentry.
So i guess the old saying def. rings true with my father "The cobblers wife has no shoes" His excuse is not being able to get my Mom to let go of the money to buy another engine that is sufficient to push the old 19ft 6in boat. I guess ill have to give that to him?
So heres my questions....
-Wheres the best place to get replacement parts? (bumperstrips,lights,trim,stickers,manuals)
-Does anyone know the actual colors that came on these? Id like to color match to factory
- The engine was said to be running, and it turns freely. As well as being pretty damn clean. Besides plugs,impeller,carb kit. What would you reccomend replacing? And Wheres the best place to get parts?
Any links would be great, Ive been reading up on a few threads so dont flame me for not searching. I just havent been able to find a list of definitive, and useful links.
And yes, pics coming soon. We just got the top cap off.......What a pain!!
Thanks guys
Matt
I wish my dad did upholstery but I'll learn that process when I cross it. Anyways, other's will probably chime in with better info but here's my .02 worth...
