Jet Boat conversion... Ideas??

[Guyph_01]

Lol, Those pics finally made you change your mind

Anyway pretty much cut all the plates, sanded the area where they are going to be welded and bolted as much as i can to the boat. Now i just need to get the boat to the welded and he will weld it all up for me. Still got some rough edges and gaps that need to be looked at before welding but this is what it should look like...,

Also Picked up a box trailer frame trailer for $30. I'll just weld on a few rollers, side guides and a winch and that should be it. Already had new bearings but it needs new tires and a set of lights

 

[1MACGYVER]

ive got an old winch and upright you can have

 

[Guyph_01]

Cool, that would help Do you have by any luck a little stainless anchor Laying around? That would be very handy LOL

 

[1MACGYVER]

Not that im willing to part with =)
instead of rewiring it most auto shops sell light bars that are wired and hold the number plate, you can hang it off the back of the boat or trailer and take off when you launch it

 

[Guyph_01]

Hey guys,

Little update. Big thx to Mcgyver for giving me back most of the trailer parts that was on the original trailer that he didn't use when he converted the trailer to suit two jetski's.

This saved me having to buy the winch, jockey wheel, rollers and the slides.
I needed to extend the front of the trailer so i went to a metal shop and got them to make me a break back trailer pivot that i welded to the front. It should help when loading and unloading the boat. That said it quite a light boat!

Also, As i still don't have a gas bottle and not sure of the condition of the mig welder i stuck with what i knew, the stick. I talked to a friendly exhaust shop owner that offered to test the mig welder for me. All i have to do is bring it to him. I need to wait for my bro to get back so i can put it in the Red brumby to transport it. I'm not allowed to use/borrow the brumby (or the RS) as the last time i did, i can back with a Yellow defected sticker... Ouuupps, LOL.

Anyway this is what ive done so far:

Also don't worry, there was no grinding happening near the RS, I need to be crazy to do something like that. My bro would kill me!!!!!

I still have to add one last roller, bolt on the jockey wheel, bolt/weld on mud guards, Wire up the lights, get some new tyres and bolt on the tow hitch on the trailer arm. Then its to the boat builder to weld up the rear Alu plates

All i need to find now is a little Stainless Anchor, If only this boat came with one.....

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Nice work so far. I would also add some carpet to the bunkers to help protect the hull while gliding on/off and while trailering.

mmmm....how did you get the boat from the rack to the trailer?

That was nice of 1MACGYVER....kiddos to you!

 

[Guyph_01]

the Bunkers were from the original trailer and seem to allow the boat to slide easy on and off. Its not that hard, its a plastic bar. Well all i did was move the trailer in front of the boat and just winched it on.
I'll have to move it back on the bunkers so i can weld the front roller, or maybe put it back on the rack.

Yeah 1MACGYVER let me come to his place and take all the stuff but also take all the measurements off the original trailer. this helped a lot as it eliminated most of the guess work and made the process go a lot faster

 

[Guyph_01]

I've got a question, On this boat i'm building i have put the control on the left side as i think its easier to steer with the right hand. Why do all, well most boats have it on the right? Ok for boats with the steering on the right side of the hull its easier to put it on the side of the hull thus the right hand side, but why do even the center console boat have it on the right like that other explorer boat above? Does anyone know if there is a good reason???

 

[Guyph_01]

Finished off the trailer 2day. Now i need to add the rear lights and reflectors

Hopefully this weekend i can go to get the rear transom welded up..

 

[Sink]

Ever thought about putting a JET DRIVE on it??? LOL! Just kidding! The trailer looks great!!! Keep the pictures coming!

 

[Sink]

What happened? Haven't heard from you in a while, Guyph. Hope everything is ok. Cant wait to see the progress!!!!

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

wow

wow, just... wow.

That seems like more work / effort than rebuilding it to stock, but I wish you luck, and am impressed with the work so far. you are creating something unique that's for sure.

Let me know when you want to race

 

[Guyph_01]

Been really busy with fixing up friends cars. Did some work on the boat but didn't have time to take pics. Will update asap with new pics.

True its a lot more work but cheaper than to rebuilt it to stock as i have used the engine for my jet ski and and a new engine would be 3000 here in Aus.

So far it cost me about $1000 and i'm pretty much done. I just need to to little fiddly bits and put everything back on. The rear transom is finished and is at the powder coaters and once its back i just need to bolt and connect everything, Do the wiring, that might give me a headache but yeah pretty much done.

Bolted up the intake with a plate, thats the pic.

 

[bigJake]

This is coming along really nice. Anxious to see it finished.

By the way, Fiddly Bits now come in a spray can, might make it quicker for you

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Fiddly Bits in florida:

http://www.fiddlybitsandtea.com/

In a spray can......what are fiddly bits?

 

[Guyph_01]

Got some more work done Got the seats re-trimmed, Got the transom powder coated and bolted, bolted the engine, Ran all the wires etc. Only thing i'm not sure on how to connect the elec wires

A few pics

Me adding the nuts inside the hull

She not 100% finished but you should get an idea, Oh and i've added a ski pole

 

[LouDoo]

The boat's really looking good. It looks like you've pulled this off. Can't wait to see her in the water.

Lou

 

[Guyph_01]

As per Lou's request a little update

Not much has happened but the things i'm trying to figure out at the moment is a water seal for the holes i've made to pass the engine cables etc. It doesn't have to be water tight but just splash proof or water tight would be a bonus. Don't really want to block it up with silicone or similar as when the engine turns or tilts cables move with it and the silicone will not last long.

Any ideas?

Also i think i figured this right,

Those two fuel lines from the std fuel tank, the one off the little fuel filter is the main supply and the other that goes in the tank is the reserve right? Just wanted to be sure as i don't think i'll use the reserve... And last thing putting some zipties around the fuel line instead of the special metal clips will be fine??

Thx

 

[LouDoo]

Guy,

I looked at the pictures and a couple of things come to mind. I was at Lowe's today, I don't know if you have them in Oz, but it's a home supply store. In the specialty fastener section the had all different sizes of grommets. While these wouldn't be water proof it should cut down in the amount of water.

The other thing you could look into is automobile weatherstripping, this would provide a more weather tight seal.

I would also suggest that you install a bilge pump, I have a bilge pump in all my watercraft including my SeaDoo PWC's, pretty cheap insurance.

The water seperator/fuel filter, shown in your last picture is usually fed from the main off of the fuel valve, if you're not going to use a fuel valve, I would suggest feed from the reserve (res.) feed from the fuel baffle. The reserve feeds from lower in the tank. If I remember correct it's marked on the top of the baffle.

Hope this helps.

Lou

Added: I almost forgot, yes cable ties work fine, in fact that's all I use. Be sure to use a quality tie.

 

[Guyph_01]

Bilge pump is installed with a float so i have both manual and auto control of it

I'd like to keep the fuel filter/separator. I know the res takes fuel from lower in the tank but won't the higher feed allow less dirt in? Also i just though if i really want to get it from the lower feed i could swap the lines over from the tank to the tap.

 

[LouDoo]

That's probably a good idea, the outboard should get better gas mileage than the old motor so you should be O.K. You still might want to consider re-installing the fuel control valve, might be handy should you run out of gas.

Lou

 

[mtsumedi]

Nice work! Did you recover the seats yourself?

 

[Guyph_01]

Just a bit more done 2day, mostly cosmetic, Painted the top and side vents to match the blue seats. hopefully it will last. Not sure if i want to paint the fuel cap yet as that gonna get a lot of hand action and end up make it look worst if i paint it. Maybe get a black cap somewhere???

The spot i choose for the speakers..

Also this is what the dash/ control looks like. just need to buy some label switch stickers for the Nav light, Air pump, Bilge pump, Acc etc.

And this is inside the hull. Planning to add a alu frame over the bilge pump so i can add a second spare tank

 

[Guyph_01]

Ohhh and dont worry i'll clean up the wires once everything is hooked up and working properly.

 

[griz400]

guyph,i slept on it, they make a product here in the states called great stuff, its probably there also, http://building.dow.com/na/en/products/sealants/gapscracks.htm
im sure u can use it , we have seen your work, its nice, you can fill gap with it, its like spray foam, once it hardens, u can trim it off with a razor blade, paint it, done deal, you can cover your your cables with tape first, then when done, peel tape off, and will be nice clean job