To Much Time On My Hands

A while back, a couple years ago now, I bought the boat in my Avitar and mentioned at the bottom of all my posts. A 1980 Ebbtide Dyna Trak 160. A 16ft Tri-Hulled Bass Boat. It came with an Evinrude 65hp outboard. Unfortunately, it don't have trim and tilt on it, and Lord knows it's heavy. None was ever designed for this particular outboard. Shortly after I bought it, got it home, Life jumped in the way, in a very big way. Ms. Joyce had to have open heart surgery, then knee surgery and a few other things too. Don't forget, my knee surgery also. Well, it's satin storage all this time, waiting patiently. Now, the Navy going to finally get to the court cases, (They say), start of the year...Maybe they'll get to mine...
Momma wants to move to be closer to her youngest daughter, and two grand babies. North Central Florida. Ok, great. We need two vehicles, plus a house, and I want my boat fixed. My dilemma revolves around, my boat. It needs some TLC, and a bunch of that. New lower deck, and probably floatation foam, Either sink mega dollars into a 1973 65 horse and pray, or I been looking around. I found a place out west called onlineoutboardmotors.com. Seems to have good deals all the time. probably replace the outboard with something newer. Now I really like this boat, but been turning over, do I strip this one and junk it, and buy something a bit better, without ALL the work, or put the time and sweat into this one??? Been some long nights over this one, for sure...

Thank you for your military service! I am now 73 years old and have had knee surgery and a complete shoulder replacement and also need the other shoulder replaced. Like you my wife has also had a few issues. At our age I would not consider doing all that work to fix up the boat. In my opinion you should let that one go and find you something else that you can just get in and go fishing. Hope everything works out to the best for you and the wife.

Thankyou RogerA, How ever, that's another part of the conundrum. All my life, I'm now 67 yo. till mid March), it's been go, go, go. When I was in the service, I was a cook. 3 meals a day 365 days a year those troops had to be fed. We fed them what was referred to as "A" rations, or food like you would get in a grocery store. We usually ran 2 shifts. 11:00A today till 1:00 Pm tomorrow then back in at 11:00 the following day and every other weekend all weekend long. Unless for one reason or other more cooks transferred than came in, leaving the kitchen short handed. Then it was 3Am till 10Pm every day, 7 days a week, till enough cooks came in to run 2 shifts again...I said all that to say, I guess I'm just used to staying up, staying busy. Don't know how to slow down. If I'm not physically uncapable, then it's a go situation. And, unfortunately, some folks will, and do take advantage. But that's another story...

Been spending a bit of time re- going over ROJO's build of the Black and Green boat, trying to absorb as much as I can. As Not to this extent, but this is what My boat needs. Stripped to the hull for floatation foam, Probably stringers and Transom. While Coosa is very expensive, another company in ND called Space Age Synthetics, I contacted them Friday via email, and awaiting to hear back. Supposed to be very similar to Coosa, but not as expensive. We will see.

Another source of info I've been spending time watching on You Tube is Fish Bump TV. Lots of info there as well.

Hey Eric, my vote is to stay busy fishing rather than work on boat. Busy is busy.
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Hey griz, I agree, but I like fishing from a boat more than standing on land, is me...Besides, if We end up in Fl., I can't run faster than them gators, LOL. This will take a bit to do, I'm sure, so plenty of fishing days between work days...Who knows, if the right aluminum comes along, I still have that Evinrude Fastwin 18 in my shed...

Smarter not harder my friend. That said iffn your going to consider a newer working boat you could always keep thie current one as a project over time…just a thought.

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Originally Posted by BuckeyeCrappie

Smarter not harder my friend. That said iffn your going to consider a newer working boat you could always keep thie current one as a project over time…just a thought.

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That my friend is my line of thinking. However, everything revolves around the Gooberment. Momma, Ms. Joyce is pretty dead set on getting closer to those two grandbabies in Fl. and I really don't want to be in the middle of redoing the boat and have to move it. And if they take too long on the settlement, (Camp Lejune water, my case's go to trial), sometime next year...originally slated to go to trial around this month, but the Gooberment, US Navy this time, says they needed more time. It's not supposed to be one case at a time, but many of the same at one time. IN the mean time, up here I have my little 9' inflatable pontoon, but not going to use it when I get to Fl. as it's not tooth proof...lol.

I haven't split the cap off the boat yet mainly due to health and the weather. Currently living in a mobile home park, that wont allow me to have the boat here. So it's in Storage, who don't allow work either...Praying the Navy gets that Camp Lejeune settlement here soon. Ms. Joyce wants to be close to the Grandbabies, so currently looking around Northeast/central Florida area. east of I-75 but west of Jacksonville. Found a few were liking, but have to play the hurry up and wait, Gooberment game. I got the ball rolling in Nov 2022, but couldn't get all the paperwork done for about a year, primarily waiting on, the VA and Dads service records, as well as Sacramento, Ca.'s bureau of statistics for both parents Death certificates. Man, that was a headache. Anyway, it's been a waiting game since. And seeing's how it's taken longer than 6months with no settlement, it all goes to a Judge. And they're saying those don't kick off for, now, till sometime 2025, after sayin' it would be 2024...
Also waiting on the VA to get my disability moved from 70% to 100% (temporarily), which gives back pay back to 9 September. There's eight steps to the deciding. the first 4 took 4 days, but it's been at step 5, today makes 52 days. It's sitting on someone's desk under a pile of others, till someone gets to it. Part of me say's take your time, while another part say's, get to doing your job. VA Claims says it's a back log of work for their workers, but I'm still here on the short end of the stick...Waiting. the patient part of me say's, hey that's an extra $2021.58 a month that's piling up, and the other side say's the wait has been long enough....
Any way, I'm using that to get a new to me truck, and most of the fiberglass materials to do the boat. Trying to decide to either get it done here, or wait till I'm in Florida.

Went by Wally World today and picked up some goodies to do lights on the boat trailer. Just gonna do them from one end to the other, all new, submersible and LED lights, new wire, plug, the works. Then when I get a warm day, I'll do the bearings. Need to get a good spare while I'm at it too...

Some of what needs attention on the boatAttachment 497369Attachment 497372Attachment 497370Attachment 497371In the first pic, on the left center about even with the bottom right of the console you can see what is pictured in the last pic. From there over under the console is a big soft spot. So, once the lights are right, and I get some warm days, that the sky isn't falling, trying to drown everyone, I'm going to open a spot in the floor and see how bad it is with the stringers, and foam, and make a game plan from there. I know wiring is defiantly in the future, as a charging system needs to go in, a fuse box, as well as a master kill switch. But as ole Johnny said, I got it one piece at a time...

Was thumbing through boats tonight and found an old thread on a fellow working on an Ebbtide Dyna-Trak 150. Near same as mine from same company. His is the 15' and mine the 16' model. He was doing a cap off resto, which gives me some insights on my boat. He took plenty of pictures as he took it apart. Here's what it showed. His has the same tri-hull design as mine, just a foot shorter. Not sure if that wood on the transom is all there is there, Sure hope not.
Main thing I was looking for is the size and lay-out of the stringers. It looks to me to be three, and the center one I'm not sure of the width, but appears to be a 1"x4". Going to finish reading this thread. Later folks.Attachment 497425Attachment 497426Attachment 497427Attachment 497428Attachment 497429Attachment 497430Attachment 497431Attachment 497432Attachment 497433

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I ever get to start the resurrection of this boat, I'll see about starting blog page on it. trying to price everything out now, knowing the amount will change between now and then, as well as whether I get it done here or not.

I'm not sure what happened on the pics and why they're coming up not available or bad link, so I'll try again.This boat is by the same company as my boat, only 9 years newer. This one is a Dynatrac 150 15' and mine is a Dynatrac 160 16' both produced by Ebbtide boats. When ever I get into mine, I sure do believe I will be following in Rojo boot steps, as this mess is totally unacceptable. And mine is 8 years older. Same style, so we will see. Still waiting on the Navy. Trolly be next year before I hear anything. I think I will start getting some of the stuff I need, and squirrel it away. Stuff that can be stored. I would start getting the resin, but read somewhere it's only great for 3 months, then starts going south. I don't mess with it much so don't know. Maybe one of you all can enlighten me. But the rolls of mat..., and 1708, should be good to store. Brushes, air roller, and such can be put up too. Have to see how the cookie crumbles here...Attachment 497786Attachment 497787Attachment 497788Attachment 497789Attachment 497790

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Been spending a lot of time going thru Rojo's thread on his V-100 boat rejuvenation, pretty much copying everything onto notebook paper. Least wise for the parts I need. Did some web surfing and came across Bump TV out of Gulfshores, Al I think, down on the coast I know. Joe Buskins, boat builder. Any way they have a mess of informative videos as well. Been eye balling a place 2bd, 2 bath garage, carport, partial basement 1-1/2 acres...waiting on the Gooberment well it's off the market as of today....Momma say's have faith, ours is out there...I have faith, just hope I'm still around when the Lord decides it's time....

At our age, I feel the need to prioritize my activities. I don't enjoy fixing stuff now nearly as much as I enjoy catching slabs. SOOOO I would never jump into having to fix a boat to the extent you are talking. There are so many GREAT Boats out there on face book extremely cheap at this time. Just my 2CENTS.

ROJO is a TRUE RENAISSANCE MAN. The only one I have ever know with so many diverse and finely honed talents. His work on every endeavor is impeccable. Whether it be completely rebuilding boats, campers, AC units, making fine wines, amazing horticulture skills, designing and building boat racks, master outboard mechanic, superb cook , etc.

In order to do any of ROJO rebuilds one needs the indoor space, all the proper tools , the knowledge, the patience, the time, and the physical capabilities. I'd think it through before I jumped into some of the rebuild projects he has posted.

BON TEMPS!!

I plan on finishing my Champion but that will be the last Cap Off restoration I will do. The time required is much more than you think. Materials have gone overboard on price. Much better off buying a composite hull like a old Triton. I need a 8in x 24in piece of G10 Board in 1/4in thick. I bought in the past in large sheets but a 2ft x 3ft piece is over $200 online. No way I'm paying that.

I Been watching prices. Man, you are right, things getting ridicules. BUT then so are prices on boats up here, its like they wanting you to finance a new boat for them by buying there junk, no better than I already have. I know it will be time consuming, but still cheaper than new. I Have nothing but time. NO Job, (medically retired). IF I have to follow Johny Cash's footsteps and do it "One Part at A Time", That's what I have plenty of. Slick as the Gooberment get's me my Settlement, I get a place with an enclosed garage/shop I Start on my boat. I Appreciate the advise, and tuck it away for safe keeping.

I buy all my composites & resins from Advanced Plastics. I think they are a National outlet. Their range in composite supplies is the best for me here on the Gulf Coast.