What has 16 cylinders, but floats better than a Veyron?

[lucidmatt]

MAH BOAT!
This is just a placeholder for the moment, but last fall I picked up a 42 foot cabin cruiser that is going to become a floating condo. It is the definition of a project, and since it is the reason my s4 has taken a back seat, I figure it deserves a thread here, too! (it is also a great way to keep records of what I've done.) It was a Hurricane Sandy salvage, but only took on minimal water, and it looks like the damage was professionally repaired (though it won't be doing any trips to Bermuda anytime soon...) Powered by twin Detroit 8.2 V8 turbodiesels, it will put out 600 total HP when its tuned up right It's got a huge house bank of batteries with a power inverter as well as an 8kW genset for all the comforts of home. Currently every through hull fitting needs replacing as the cheap nylon has sunbaked into oblivion, and I am replacing every one of them with marine grade bronze fittings. The bottom paint is worn down to bare fiberglass in places, and was covered in the largest barnacles ive ever seen! (putty knives made quick work of all that bull ) Once those are taken care of, I have to fabricate a new exhaust for both engines (6" pipes mf'ers!) Part of me wants to delete the gigantic mufflers, but the smarter part of me says "dont be a dumbass". (though if they wind up being packed full of barnacles, the option might become more appealing!) After all of the potential places for water to leak in and sink the boat are sealed, she is getting launched, and then I can start the interior systems overhaul... the goal is to be living on this thing in June, and have the interior fixed up enough to be ready for a 4th of July blowout party!

Photos to follow, there will be plenty!
Its also worth thanking those in this community who broke the car barrier and have chosen to dive in to this can of worms project! I appreciate the help dudes and dudettes, you know who you are. Welcome to the world of marine life!

[ringbearer]

4th of july 2015? Ambitious!

[loxxrider]

I think this is great. As long as it's mechanical, we want to see it!

Bottom paint is expensive. Last I remember it was about $350 for a gallon.

[lucidmatt]

Very few are actually that expensive, most retails for $200-250/gal. the bargain basement crap this boat is probably covered in goes for as little as $90/gal. I was able to secure 4 gallons of some new, high tech water based multi-season paint for $195/gallon, which puts it right at $175/gal after manufacturer's rebates. A screamin' deal considering West Marine is asking $230/gallon for the same stuff!

The 4th of July 2015 is gonna come up fast I know! But thankfully the interior is surprisingly nice condition, only a couple touch-ups needed, and it looks like the "household" plumbing is in decent shape! It may not be ready to go long distances by then, but plenty of time to get her "party barge" ready!

[Mystified]

Party barge?!! I'm in! Attire is what...bikinis & surrongs?

[lucidmatt]

Party barge?!! I'm in! Attire is what...bikinis & surrongs?

No shirt, no shoes, no problem, mon!

[alxdgr8]

I've help a few friends work on boats and I know enough to never buy one haha. BOAT = Bust Out Another Thousand.
But I commend you for your willingness to pick up a project like this!

How are the engines? Blisters in the hull?

[lucidmatt]

hull is solid cored below the water line and foam cored above. Only non-load bearing sections of the superstructure (See: not the decks) have plywood cores. Its pretty beefy, though I did find some gelcoat blistering in the bilge... along with a horrific condition ball valve from Home Depot that someone decided to use as a seacock. As you said. Break Out Another Thousand. But that's ok, this came into my life as such a good deal, I see all this as investment to make this a blank slate to fix up "my way" versus buying a turnkey boat for exponentially more. As far as engines go, they are the notorious Detroit 8.2 "Fuel Pincher" motors, the 300 hp turbo variant. I need to run the serial numbers, because they are 1988 built, which was when they began changing from the 13mm to 15mm head studs and beefier head gaskets. The 1987 and older motors were known to lift headgaskets on the reg. I am also hoping I wont have to mess with injection timing, because I hear its the worst thing in the world to attempt. Pulling the raw water pumps for inspection shortly. They've been dry for 2 years so I'm sure they are crusty.

[Mystified]

Party barge?!! I'm in! Attire is what...bikinis & surrongs?

No shirt, no shoes, no problem, mon!

Oh jeez! I'll bring gooD rum & vodka and hope for the best! (and cookies)

[oil_me]

Let's see those engines.

[lucidmatt]

I'll pull the engine covers today after work and post some up. I need to do some work there this evening. The bottom paint arrives today

[PRY4SNO]

Seriously though... where are those pictures?

[lucidmatt]

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belated photo update! (FINALLY) I need a fisheye lens to take any type of good photos inside, its a bit cramped! As far as boats go this one is roomy though, I have had to literally cuddle an engine before, in order to fit in the compartment one time, to replace a failed transmission cooler. This is roomy as hell in comparison.

With the weather as gorgeous as it is, working on the boat on dry land has been killing me! I just want to see her floating! Bottom has begun to be sanded, which doesnt look any different than before its sanded and Ive begun allocating small parts for the engines (water pump impellers, filters, etc). most of the through hull fittings are in place and sealed. I've gone through the systems, and most seen to have been in better shape than I thought, for the most part. The bilge pumps are rusted out, somehow... (irony, i believe that's called) and the interior of the boat is completely torn apart to get to everything.

p.s... Spot the Boat Dag!

[ringbearer]

I'd want it in the water too!

[JasonNorin]

any more photos of this bad boy?

[lucidmatt]

not much progress lately, but de-scaling every submerged piece of metal for barrier coating before bottom painting. Thinking of leaving the props and rudders as raw bronze, as they're pretty high wear, and it is naturally resistant to corrosion, and antifouling, to a degree. It'll look pretty badass polished up as well! Hoping to get some serious work done to her after Carlisle. next salvo of pics when shes ready to get wet and looking pretty! June is coming fast!

[lucidmatt]

As life tends to do, things got in the way of my "June 1 launch" But its looking like this is the week! everything is getting buttoned up and (hopefully) watertight! Photos to come as soon as she's un-buried. She is looking fine though! such a crazy journey already.

[ringbearer]

Skip the helipad and lappool already and get it in the water

[lucidmatt]

let me tell you, I saw the flexible rubber exhaust hose and thought "oh, I'm in heaven, this will be cake to replace, its flexible!" good lord was I wrong. But it fits now, tight enough that I could probably forego hose clamps as its practically self sealing! (but I will still use 4 t bolt clamps as to not do so is suicidal). Pics to follow. It will also show my battle with the boatyard's propensity to use my storage area as their lay down for whatever trash they dont need until next winter (gotta love the way a fully paying customer gets treated while restoring a formerly abandoned boat, you'd think they'd be a bit more accommodating to someone taking a massive headache off their hands.)

[PRY4SNO]

Remove their junk and send them an invoice for the labour.

Bet that makes them shape up... or ship out! lol

[Mystified]

Just here to give you a pat on the back and state that you have been doing an awesome job on this 42 foot undertaking! (not to leave out Ellie)

In convo's & stop by's the amount of little things & big things have been time consumers with her rehab from what I can have seen & heard. The fact you have a marine background & have lived on a boat before, not to mention the volumes of knowledge needed to bring her back from sitting for 3 yrs amazes me! This surely has not been a project for a weak stomach! Congrats on getting closer, and I'm glad 'launch' is getting closer!