My "New" project boat !!!

[Rickski]

Best of luck with the boat.  Looking forward to the project pics.

[Dominick]

Carl does Texas put alcohol in gasoline?  There was a problem with alcohol causing gas tanks and gas lines to deteriate.   Especially as you reported the boat has been sitting for a long time.  You might want to do some research into this area.  Dominick

[Carl L]

Yes, most of texas has ethanol in gas.    Yes, I deal with it every day.. I am an automotive diagnostic technician with 32 years of experience.. I own my own auto repair facility.. I rebuild electronically controlled automatic transmissions for fun (and profit).. If the tank is screwed, I have two buddies that own fab shops that deal in titanium pressure vessels. I have access to mig, tig, heliarc, plasma, flo-jet, bridgeport mills, lathes; etc.. I also build and operate ham radio equipment (so a little electrical wiring on a boat is child's play) Most of the big auto dealerships around here hate me as I routinely fix things they say can't be repaired, or that they wrongly diagnosed) I also do bodywork and paint.

[Dominick]

I'm going to bring my car to Texas.    Dominick

[Carl L]

The '74 standard beetle I just restored..

[gstours]

You are not the ordinary bird that dealers prefer.   💰You will be waay better off to do all the work you can.  🛠You will know what you have.  Where the wires going, what is branched off from where.  When you break down,  your not as screwed,  you are always in your own control pattern.  Relying on other people to help you  in emergencies might be a mistake.  🚣‍♀️ always have a back up plan.   And a kicker ☝️
  Good luck and good fishing 🎣

[Carl L]

The 2013 rt hemi challenger I rebuilt from totalled (twice).. It died badly the third time when it t-boned a f250 in the rain.

[Carl L]

And, the '71 cutlass I restored 12 years ago.. It's getting fresshened up- new paint, floorboards, interior, etc, etc.. I could download 200 more pics, but this should give you guys an idea of what I can do...  Carl

[Rivverrat]

That is  fantastic work you've done in those pics.Done at a superior level.
Been around a bit of body work. Most shops won't mess with that level of damage anymore.

l'd venture a guess that boat couldn't possibly be in any better hands... Jeff

[Carl L]

And when I have a lousy day, this is in my backyard.. only half of it is on my property, but nobody else is ever there.. just panfish, but fun.. I gave up killing myself in 2007 and bought this place 2.13 acres with a 10 year old singlewide mobile home. everyone thought I was crazy moving out here until they built a massive tollway 1/4 mile from here and the population doubled. Now I work in the shop I built in my backyard , go fishing when I want; and usually don't wake up till 11:30am !   No car payments, and the place is almost paid for... Time to rebuild the boat... Life is good... Carl

[Gobi King]

And when I have a lousy day, this is in my backyard.. only half of it is on my property, but nobody else is ever there.. just panfish, but fun.. I gave up killing myself in 2007 and bought this place 2.13 acres with a 10 year old singlewide mobile home. everyone thought I was crazy moving out here until they built a massive tollway 1/4 mile from here and the population doubled. Now I work in the shop I built in my backyard , go fishing when I want; and usually don't wake up till 11:30am !   No car payments, and the place is almost paid for... Time to rebuild the boat... Life is good... Carl

Amen, I grew up panfishing in my back  yard,  wonderful resto on those vehicles!

More boat pic please :-)

[Gobi King]

Yes on rebuild of stock engine (unless its junk-i have a spare to re-build).     Gas tank coming out- reseal or replace......                                              And, outdrive is just gimbal bearing, ujoint, and water impeller(I think-my first penta outdrive)      Everybody that cries about boat repair prices does'nt work on them by themselves. Heck, I got a recall on my Pontiac vibe(toyota matrix); and there is no way in hell I'm letting those dealer morons touch it.. (I built the engine, a/c system, brakes/installed gps navigation,etc etc.)

Do you have an overhead hoist to lift the engine/out drive etc out?
Yeah, boat repairs is a pain,  here in west mi, even if you pay it is hard to get someone who is competent.

[Keta]

Uber Carl!!!  Nice stuff, I can't wait to see your project boat on the water!!!

[Bill B]

Carl    U Da Man!  Looking forward to the boat build....Bill

[Penn Chronology]

And when I have a lousy day, this is in my backyard.. only half of it is on my property, but nobody else is ever there.. just panfish, but fun.. I gave up killing myself in 2007 and bought this place 2.13 acres with a 10 year old singlewide mobile home. everyone thought I was crazy moving out here until they built a massive tollway 1/4 mile from here and the population doubled. Now I work in the shop I built in my backyard , go fishing when I want; and usually don't wake up till 11:30am !   No car payments, and the place is almost paid for... Time to rebuild the boat... Life is good... Carl

Carl,

My only comment is that you have reached Nirvana! Many people strive for it; but, you are there. When I grow up I want to be like you!