The goal. Take a capable old boat, clean up, refinish, and optimize it for fly fishing open water (AJs, Tarpon, Bonita, Mahi) without having to run as soon as the breeze kicks up. No bow rails, no T-top, no windshield, clean low profile console. I don't expect it'll get a lot of interest in this forum, but I'm hoping by writing this down and creating a thread it'll help me continue to stay the course and see this thing through, as I do really love the boat.
Ok, so this idea/saga started back in 2011 with the boat being bought spring of 2013. Bought the boat from a good friend (yes we're still good friends). Since I've had it the boat it has had long periods of sitting, feverish work, more long periods of sitting, setbacks, mistakes, typical boat project stuff etc...etc. I have now decided I don't need it perfect, just want it decent and done. Hopefully before/by the middle of tarpon season in N. FL this year.
What I really love about these old boats is how solid they are built, the sheer line, and overall seakeeping ability, for a boat that's a breath under 23', the 224 is one salty bastard. 20° at the stern, sharp V and plenty of flair up front. Front deck is all one level (raised higher than the cockpit) without the U shape seating most boats have.
Here's where I am currently.
Structurally the boat is very sound. Solid dry transom, solid decks, I've made superficial glass repairs here and there. Still have some spider cracking to repair. Merc 250 with newer power head. Tank was removed, discovered it had been replaced previously, pressure checked, epoxied and re installed. T-top removed, bow rails removed. Bottom paint stripped and replaced with white VC performance, hull was painted awlgrip seafoam green. Interior awlgrip Matterhorn white but had some sort of coating failure and the paint never properly cured, still in process of removing. Using some gelcoat and environment friendly stuff called back to nature. Works really well but chemically stripping paint is always a bitch, unfortunately it's the only option. The paint is too hard to scrape and too soft to sand. Rewire entire boat, still in process. Replace bilge access hatch, old removed, new on order. Console electronics removed from top, to be replaced by flush mount. Console will have teak trim added to upper edge. All other teak trim has been refinished, reinstall pending paint. Floors will be cream kiwigrip pending paint. Bow will have all flush mount hardware to prevent line fouling.
Will try to post pics soon from oldest to newest.
Ok, so this idea/saga started back in 2011 with the boat being bought spring of 2013. Bought the boat from a good friend (yes we're still good friends). Since I've had it the boat it has had long periods of sitting, feverish work, more long periods of sitting, setbacks, mistakes, typical boat project stuff etc...etc. I have now decided I don't need it perfect, just want it decent and done. Hopefully before/by the middle of tarpon season in N. FL this year.
What I really love about these old boats is how solid they are built, the sheer line, and overall seakeeping ability, for a boat that's a breath under 23', the 224 is one salty bastard. 20° at the stern, sharp V and plenty of flair up front. Front deck is all one level (raised higher than the cockpit) without the U shape seating most boats have.
Here's where I am currently.
Structurally the boat is very sound. Solid dry transom, solid decks, I've made superficial glass repairs here and there. Still have some spider cracking to repair. Merc 250 with newer power head. Tank was removed, discovered it had been replaced previously, pressure checked, epoxied and re installed. T-top removed, bow rails removed. Bottom paint stripped and replaced with white VC performance, hull was painted awlgrip seafoam green. Interior awlgrip Matterhorn white but had some sort of coating failure and the paint never properly cured, still in process of removing. Using some gelcoat and environment friendly stuff called back to nature. Works really well but chemically stripping paint is always a bitch, unfortunately it's the only option. The paint is too hard to scrape and too soft to sand. Rewire entire boat, still in process. Replace bilge access hatch, old removed, new on order. Console electronics removed from top, to be replaced by flush mount. Console will have teak trim added to upper edge. All other teak trim has been refinished, reinstall pending paint. Floors will be cream kiwigrip pending paint. Bow will have all flush mount hardware to prevent line fouling.
Will try to post pics soon from oldest to newest.