1989 Bass Tracker project

Over the weekend my dad gave me his 1989 Bass Tracker, 17', 40hp Evinrude in need of some work. Here is a link to my earlier questions on the boat: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/boat-restoration/64198/page1/

The front and center decks were trashed, and it has been sitting outside uncovered for about the past 10 years. Luckily it has been in outside uncovered in Fayetteville NC for almost all of that time, so it wasn't near salt or anything. But the decks and carpet took a beating.

My rough plan is to KISS. Try and get it back in the water before the summer is over. And address any new issues over the winter. Here is what I know it needs: 1. New decks front fishing platform and center underneath the console. 2. Motor checked out. If no other reason because it has sat for so long. 3. Electrics checked out. Nothing looks really bad like hack job, but some of it just looks old. 4. New carpet for the aluminum deck in the back.
5. New seat setup for steering area.

This weekend I removed the front deck and the remanants of the center deck, and got it cleaned up of all the leaves, dirt and trash that had accumulated inside. As far as the decks, I hate to go back with wood since that is what rotted in the past. I've seen aluminum and some new plastic/pvc type floorings being used. I'd like to check out, and listen to any suggetions on the plastic/pvc before I just go back with the wood. My dad had already purchased new carpet, so I have that already. What flooring to go with is a big issue right now.

As far as the motor, its a 40hp Evinrude, with I'm told low hours on it. The boat was used heavily in 1990-1991, put in storage until 1996 when we went overseas. It was used a lot from 1999-2001, but has pretty much sat from about that time. I popped the cover off the motor just to have a look. I don't really know anything about boat motor. It looked like a pretty clean motor, no rust, no animal or insect nests, did not appear to be missing any parts. Nothing major stood out when I popped the cover. Flight Service provided a link to motor information in the other link and I'm going to follow up with that link later tonight as well.

These are the first set of pics. Sorry for the crappy quaility I'll get some better pics tonight.

Plastic/PVC will likely be too expensive. At least it was when we looked at it 10 years ago. We went with the thickest marine grade plywood out there, but we didn't use carpet, we used vinyl.

Just a thought that I had when I was looking at small jon boats and would have put a floor in, why not get the thinnest marine grade plywood, completely paint it with Herculiner, then do the carpet (or just forgo the carpet altogether)?

For the motor, pull all the plugs and squirt a little 2 stroke oil in them. Turn it over a few times by hand to get some oil in there. Then, pull the lower unit off and replace the impeller ($20). THEN try to start it (with the muffs on)and see what happens.

Oh, and replace any easy to get to fuel lines or fuel water separators.

I used plywood and just painted it with gray deck paint.

Huh, looks like I have two user names and my old home computer must have autologged me into GRM.

Well, zero work got done on the Tracker last night. I had to replace a a/c belt on my wife's Mazda3 and then she twisted my arm and made me go out for pizza and beer. I hope to have some more updates tonight.

So, you guys think going back with wood would be ok? I can't find a place near me that has marine plywood. I know Lowes/Home Depot have treated plywood. If I get that and treat it some more with water seal or oil based paint would that work?

Wally-I'd like to use the carpet since I have it, but how hot do the decks get with just deck paint?

I assume this is for fresh water use? Treated plywood will not take to fiberglass very well so i would stay away. Personally I would get some marine ply, coat it with resin and then go over the tops with kiwi grip in a light color.

Are you going to store it inside?

I guess it really doesn't matter...but you could spend a LOT of money doing the floors "right"...but even the originals are 24 years old by now. It'll last a good long time with exterior plywood and epoxy (almost certainly longer than the original floors did).

The blessing of the aluminum boats is that the wood is not bonded in and structurally required.

If you plan to store it inside...it'll really last a long time...even with plain plywood. It should last longer than most people will own a boat, anyway

That's just my opinion based on a lot of research reading boat resurrection threads on the 'net...and owning a few boats of my own.

I should add, if you aren't going to use the marine stuff....don't get the pressure treated stuff. That stuff doesn't work well with the resins you would coat it with and it especially doesn't work well with the tin can of a boat you have.

I should add, if you aren't going to use the marine stuff....don't get the pressure treated stuff. That stuff doesn't work well with the resins you would coat it with and it especially doesn't work well with the tin can of a boat you have.

It was a light gray and never got very hot. I was afraid it was going to get slippery but it was some kind of industrial paint a neighbor had left over from a job and it had little bits of grit in it.

Thanks guys. I'm having a hard time finding any type of boat flooring, marine plywood, plastics or others near me. Which is odd since there are several lakes and rivers around Knoxville.

Here are some more pics. The wood behind the console is sitting on the section where the seats go. although I am thinking of putting a peice there so that there is another fishing area.

And some more of the motor

Clean motor! Get it running and go have some fun! Then worry about fixing it up. Might give you some new ideas for what you actually want to do.

Back from the dead...

So after a long long hiatus on this project I am back on it. I have all the decks replaced. I have new carpet throughout (it doesn't all match, but its new). And I'm finally on to the motor.

My issue is batteries, as I currently have none. How do I determine what size batteries I want/need? Also how do I determine if I want starting or deep cycle? Is it better to have a combo of each? Or is it better to have two deep cycle if I plan on mainly using the trolling motor?

Thanks

Forget that dead tree carcass stuff, slap some aluminum 1/8" checker plate on there for a forever deck. If you keep it polished, you can perfect the all over tan by getting to the undersides.

So again back from the dead...

Decks are done, trolling motor works, but I can't figure out the controls and outboard. The controls are a Morse MN Universal side mount. Anyone know how it works? I have a regular key and a weird 2 prong key. I can't figure out how to get the keys to work.

Ugh.

I am a ra-tard. I got it figured out. I was able to turn the key and bump the starter. Whoo-hoo!!!

Any progress on this thing?