Christmas is Good!!!

I won't be able to work on my boat for a couple weeks because I am visiting family.

My wife gave me a low budget for the boat, so I've been carefully thinking about what I need to buy before I buy it and looking for the best deals on everything.

One thing I didn't take into account was Christmas!

I didn't get a ton of stuff, but I did get some money and a gift card for Kmart.

I don't know what I can get at Kmart for my boat, but believe me, I will be looking at their website today! :)

Have a wonderful holiday all. I will keep you posted.

Electrical Fun

I worked on getting the control console wiring disconnected so I could take of the console.

I was able to take off the steering wheel and disconnect the steering cable, but the steering unit was too big to fit through the bottom of the console or the hole in the plywood. I will need to do some research on how the steering cable is assembled and how I can manipulate it without breaking it and having to buy a new one. I may just tear apart the console wood and cut the hole bigger on the floor.

See you next time! :)

The Teardown Continues

I had a little time this afternoon to work on the teardown again.

First lesson learned...don't use cheap tools. I was going to drill out all the rivets on the side rails, but the crappy drill bit bent on the first one!

So I decided to take out the bend seats on the back of the boat. They weren't bolted down which was nice. They were very heavy though and as I was tossing it off the front of the boat, I accidentally smashed the port side head light. Oh well, I wasn't going to use that anyway.

This is what the back of the boat looked like after the bench seats were gone. It's all coming out so no worries.

The table was actually kind of hard to wiggle out, but the captain's chair came right up. 

The base of the captain's chair was done very professionally.

I threw away a lot of things, but I was able to salvage the Bimini top, the table top, the captain's chair, the old anchor, and the old gas tank. I am only using the hoses off the old gas tank. I am planning on getting a new one.

 That's is for today. I will keep you updated. :)

Initial Design Draft

I recently learned how to use Google SketchUp.

I was really excited to use it to start planning my pontoon's new look.

Here is my first attempt!!!

The seats in this drawing are really just place holders. (They won't be cylinders.)

I am thinking of putting a bar on the back with four bar stools, two swivel chairs with a table in between them, a small driver's console area, and two loungers.

There will also be a grill area and a foot pump sink on the sides of the old swim deck.

I am thinking of using one of the loungers as a pop-up changing room/potty and the other one as life jacket storage.

I am also thinking about putting a fridge under the bar. (Possibly)

For now though, I am still working on the teardown when I have time.

More updates to come!

Got Some Needed Parts for Winter

When I bought the boat, it didn't come with a battery and the gas tank is disgusting. I needed a way to run the motor through the winter to keep it from getting messed up.

I am still looking for the right gas tank, but in the meantime, I bought some "rabbit ears" to circulate the cooling water from the garden hose. I also bought a portable battery that will crank the motor until I buy a permanent one. The battery doesn't look like much, but if you look it up on YouTube, CNET showed how it actually has some real cranking power!

I FINALLY Feel Better!!!

Well, after being sick for a week, I finally felt well enough to go outside in the cold and start some tear down/salvage work. As you will see below, the former owner took great pride in his boat. (sarcasm)

The Bimini top vinyl was trashed, so I cut it off. My uncle makes aluminum awnings and he said he would use the pattern to sew me a new top. (Yay for connections!) :)

The wire connections aren't looking so great.

I think I will be able to salvage the light that was on top of the Bimini.

The Bimini top rails still look good.

Look what I found! There was some 2" PVC pipe pieces, some old flotation vests, and some old bumpers left in the seats! I might be able to salvage these as well.

The old seats look awful. They weren't even bolted down. The cushions are rotted beyond belief. I am going to throw these out since I have other plans for seating.

There are some old metal pipes that look like they were used for a boat cover as some point.

I think I MIGHT need to get a new fire extinguisher. Also, the table has seen better days.

The former owner really knew his way around some electrical wiring! *rolls eyes*

Hey, but at least there's a cassette tape deck!!! ;) 

The old vinyl Bimini pattern and other salvaged parts are in the garage for future use.

It really didn't take all that long to clean up and salvage some things. It was just too cold to stay outside very long though and my one-year-old son will be waking up soon. I think I am done for today.

Sick...UGH...

I have been wanting to get a start on my teardown, but I have been sick all week.

Oh well, I will work on my parts planning and budget I guess.

Garage is Clean!!!

I finally got around to cleaning out the garage so I can use my side as a workshop for my boat!

Let the good times commence!!! :)

My "new" pontoon is home!!!

Well, the time has finally come!

I bought my mid 80's 24 ft. Riviera Cruiser today and i'm looking forward to tearing it down.

I took some pics for you guys after I got it home.

I will keep you updated on my progress!