Tiger Tamers old boat project

[Tiger Tamer]

I bought this boat 10 years ago and have never put it in the water. It's still is on its original trailer and has the number 59 on it which I am thinking was when it was built, which seems about right. 

I bought it from Whitianga, and they had bought it from Gisborne. It had a reasonably new outboard fitted to it at the time which is what they were after. Then I picked up a second hand 75 Merc for it from Gisborne of all places. 

The exterior of the hull has fresh paint on but the interior was in need of a tidy up so I set about redoing the interior. I got most of the construction done but life got too busy so it sat until now. Anyway, we have decided since the engine has been sitting without use and will probably need a fair bit of work, we will buy a new engine. So, I went down to the local marine dealer who sells Honda outboards and have ordered a 4 stroke 75hp for it. They tell me it doesn't take that much to get these small ply boats to get up and go.

I will post up more pics as I go.

[Lord Gruntfuttock]

That's a pretty boat...

[Tiger Tamer]

I had to pretty up the dashboard as it had been cut about four different gauges. I bought a fancy veneer to glue on but it didn’t go well. So out with the 40 grit belt on the belt sander.

[Tiger Tamer]

I made up a new ply panel for the dash and glued it on. A bit more finishing work to do then on with the varnish. 

[Tiger Tamer]

After finishing most of the wood work and finishing the sanding on went the first coat of primer. It’s going to need another one coat at least. Where the timber is bare it is soaking in a little. Also the new ply needs its grain filled with paint. I should have bought a four litre tin to start with. Never mind it will be back to the paint shop tomorrow morning. 

[Tiger Tamer]

A second coat of primer is now on and looking much better. First top coat in the morning and maybe a second in the afternoon depending on recoat time.

 I have applied epoxy resin to the underside of the floor boards to seal them. On the top side of the floor I have used cloth and epoxied through it. Tomorrow I will be able to sand it smooth and varnish them. You won’t really see the cloth when varnished. 

[Tiger Tamer]

Colour on. I did the first yesterday evening and the second this morning. Turned out okay so happy with the result. I also sanded the floor boards and they got the first coat of six marine varnish.

[Tiger Tamer]

[Tiger Tamer]

I have the varnish work done now, the floor fitted and seats mounted. The wiring needs sorting so I will get them to sort it out when they fit the engine. I was hoping to fit the windows but ran out of steam. I had my first acquaintance with Covid so I had a couple of days of not being able to do anything. It goes in for it’s engine fit tomorrow.

[sentra]

awesome work, that merc motor looks fantastic such a shame to replace it

[HighLUX]

Needs one of those tower of power mercs with an engine cowling that looks like a 1950s fridge

[Tiger Tamer]

A period correct engine would look cool but hard to find now and I just want reliability.

 Merc that is on it was supposed to be a good engine with good compression but has sat for the last ten years.

[tortron]

1 hour ago, Tiger Tamer said:

would look cool

3d print a retro cover for modern engine

[Stu]

A mate of mine custom made an old style engine cover for his modern engine with period correct old style paint and graphics.  At first glance you think cool old engine, but then on second look you realise the truth.  

[Tiger Tamer]

Old Merc engine cover porn.

Something like these with Honda on it and perhaps with some gold wings would be cool.

[rusty360]

My grandad had a old straight 6 mariner. Was good when it was going but it also broke down lots. Sounded pretty good at WOT!

[Tiger Tamer]

I was contacted yesterday and asked to call in and discuss a few things with the boat. The engine is now on. We have decided to go with tote tanks and put them in the bin seats behind the front seats. Originally it had a copper fuel tank which I have but it will be retired. Tote tanks are easy to use and you can just lift them out and use the fuel for something else if you are not using the boat for a while. Another advantage of a 4 stroke engine I would think.

The biggest obstacle to getting it in the water by Christmas will be the trailer. The springs are not healthy and would need replacing I would think to get a Wof. I asked them to find a new trailer as even if I fix the original trailer I would still need to do a lot of maintenance on it every winter.

[Tiger Tamer]

Its back. Ericksen Honda made it happen.  Once he found a trailer for it he went to Auckland to get it as it couldn’t be freighted before Xmas. I think he picked up another engine for another boat as well as it wasn’t going to get here before Christmas. He certainly doesn’t muck around.  I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.

Anyway, they took it for a test run in case they need to raise or lower the engine or change the prop. They said with a big grin on their faces that it goes really well and at full power it gets a little bit on the scary side.

Now to fit the windows and finish of a few other things before I hit the water.

Happy as.

[Tiger Tamer]

Also Honda NZ had run out of 75hp engines so Erickson Honda got them to supply a 80hp for the same price. So I got another 5hp for free.

Yippie

[Tiger Tamer]

Windows are in and the canopy fitted and it looks like the rats have had a nibble. Little bastards. The canopy has sides and a back that can be fitted. The previous owner must have slept on it as it didn’t have the passenger seat and the bins were a foot longer.

Also a lot of other little jobs done. Still a few more to do but we are ready when the weather is obliging.