Help Help! 1972 Skipjack 20 open

[Albiebac]

Hey, don't let those guys scare you...it looks like you've already mastered the art of finding deals that won't drain your wallet. C-list and swap meets are your friend. I did the same thing you're starting and I came out ahead in the end, and your boat was a few thousand less than mine. All-in-all it's a fun, time consuming job....

Have fun, Eric

Here's my before and after:

 

[bbrkich]

Albiebac,
That paint job looks pretty killer. How were you able to paint it? Could you post more pictures of the boat?

 

[bbrkich]

So I found out the engine is a Ford. Not sure if it's a 302 or 351. I am going to swap out the outdrive with one that is totally intact. That should cut down on my engine time a little. Wednesday night I am pulling the engine with the forklift. Going to start wrenching on it Thursday morning if all goes well.

 

[SkipJack_818]

Well i am selling my 1971 skipjack 20' open.... it has a rebuild chevy 350 on it only 20 hours on it. it comes with a trailer i put alot of work into the trailer. I will send you pictures if you want let me know if you are interested i will let it go for a really good price i am selling since i am moving.

1971 SKIPJACK 20' OPEN FOR SALE (PROJECT BOAT)- $1500

 

[bbrkich]

Well, I pulled the engine today. I noticed the rusted circular part under the spark plug (in the picture). Doesn't look very good. Added some pictures of the fuel tank as well. Well, you guys guessed it. The more I inspect the boat the more I realize what a BIG project this is. I am going to take it a day at a time and hope that it gets done before I am 90.

 

[scwafish]

That "circle" was a freezeplug...but its gone now. They are cheap, but seeing that it rotted out is not such a good sign.

Make sure you inspect that fuel tank carefully (especially the bottom sitting in water)before you use it.

 

[Lou W]

Make sure your next engine does not have steel expansion plugs

 

[DaveR]

Well, you'll have it done before you're on your death bed, but it's not going to be in time for the spring season... no biggie, right?

I'd pull the fuel tank, inspect, clean it out by getting it to a radiator shop and have it pressure tested. Better to do it now than after you're all done...
.
.
.

 

[MATTY J]

I'd also get all that water out as soon as you can

 

[bbrkich]

So I want some opinions on this fuel tank issue. I talked to a radiator shop and they want $130 to do a pressure test on the original tank. I am really considering replacing the metal fuel tank with a new plastic one ($370). I'm not sure how many gallons the old fuel tank is but the new plastic one is 55 gallons. Any thoughts?

 

[DaveR]

So I want some opinions on this fuel tank issue. I talked to a radiator shop and they want $130 to do a pressure test on the original tank. I am really considering replacing the metal fuel tank with a new plastic one ($370). I'm not sure how many gallons the old fuel tank is but the new plastic one is 55 gallons. Any thoughts?

By the look of the bottom of the tank, there appears to be some substantial corrosion, so you would likely be better off putting the $130 towards a new tank. Figure that the tank is as old as the boat... nuf said.

You should do some research on the plastic tanks before buying due to the Ethanol in fuel issue. Also you should match the size of the original or even larger if possible. That plastic one pictured wouldn't match and would hold less fuel.

Consider taking it to a tank maker, like Berry's Sheet Metal in Costa Mesa (949) 548-3613, to discuss your tank and possibly have 'em make you up a new one. But if you're in AZ, I have no idea who's in your area that does it...

 

[PullinAhi]

Since all the skipjack guys are in this thread can you tell me how much the weight of a skipjack 20 is. My fiance and I are thinking about getting one. I know the trailer plays a factor and who knows what kind of trailer the boat will come with once we find one we like. I don't have that big of a truck. 2004 TRD Tacoma V6. It can tow 5,000lbs max. I only live 10 min fron dana and thats where I would be launching from 99% of the time. So the tow distance is not far.

 

[DaveR]

Since all the skipjack guys are in this thread can you tell me how much the weight of a skipjack 20 is. My fiance and I are thinking about getting one. I know the trailer plays a factor and who knows what kind of trailer the boat will come with once we find one we like. I don't have that big of a truck. 2004 TRD Tacoma V6. It can tow 5,000lbs max. I only live 10 min fron dana and thats where I would be launching from 99% of the time. So the tow distance is not far.

... Apparently 3,200#, not including trailer.
.
.
.

 

[Lou W]

So I want some opinions on this fuel tank issue. I talked to a radiator shop and they want $130 to do a pressure test on the original tank. I am really considering replacing the metal fuel tank with a new plastic one ($370). I'm not sure how many gallons the old fuel tank is but the new plastic one is 55 gallons. Any thoughts?

My 86 skippy 20 has a 67 gal alum tank.

 

[Skipjack Ed]

There is nothing like trolling thru Horse Shoe Kelp while being towed during an El Nino year with no less than 50+ boats on it....14-years ago in my just purchased $10,500. 24' flybridge Skipjack....I never thought I could afford a $30,000. boat but after all of the repairs, upgrades and normal maintenance costs I wouldn't change a thing. Oh, and remember a new boat will turn old in just a few years.

 

[scwafish]

You should do some research on the plastic tanks before buying due to the Ethanol in fuel issue.

Plastic (polyethylene) tanks are fine with ethanol. Fiberglass...no.

 

[1bigfisch]

Try this.

http://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/boat-accessories/174852-29-gallon-fuel-tank-50-ramona.html

 

[yknot]

Since all the skipjack guys are in this thread can you tell me how much the weight of a skipjack 20 is. My fiance and I are thinking about getting one. I know the trailer plays a factor and who knows what kind of trailer the boat will come with once we find one we like. I don't have that big of a truck. 2004 TRD Tacoma V6. It can tow 5,000lbs max. I only live 10 min fron dana and thats where I would be launching from 99% of the time. So the tow distance is not far.

I don't know, but I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with a V6 and I tow my boat I just got, a 22' Livesay. I don't know how much it weighs, but it's pretty heavy, and it's on a heavy trailer and holds 140gal of fuel with in it self is close to 1000lbs. Sure, I'm not a bolt of lighting, but and not as slow as grandma either pulling it. I only pull it about 10-15mins from where I launch also. My main concern is brakes in the long run, I know my truck isn't designed to be stopping that much weight. I would be concerned in a long haul, I might over heat my breaks... When pulling, my truck reves up to about 2800rpms before it shifts, so that doesn't seem too bad... I think my truck has 185HP and 210lbs of torque.
Hope this somehow helps you.

 

[bbrkich]

Well, I tore the engine down to the block. Replacing the intake manifold, water pump, alternator, fuel pump, starter, thermostat housing, and all the gaskets. All the engine parts are running about $1500. Only cry once.

 

[alien4fish]

so lets go..................put that ole girl back together and lets catch some feeeesh

 

[reel loco]

Hey bryan it'll be a cool project. My searay srv245 fisherman has been outta comission for a year now due to all the things i wanna do to it. picked it up for 1500 with a junk motor and cracked drive. only had 300 hours on boat. hardly ever used and just sat in a slip. im a mechanic by trade and i love every minute of it. built myself a vortec 350 and threw on a sei outdrive some electronics and fished it hard for about 4 years before a bad riser wiped out my valves and cylinders. Thats why its outta comission now. before bought a 1967 skippy flybridge that wasnt running. rebuilt the inline 6 and fished it until the searay came along. now since ive been off the water for over a friggin year i just bought the same boat as you to fish this season and then sell it. same engine and everything. mine runs but i paid 2k for it. well anyway outta breath now from all the typing..good luck.

 

[DaveR]

so Bryan, what did ya figure out with the fuel tank?
.
.
.

 

[bbrkich]

The tank was rusted through. I got ri of it and decided to go with the polyethylene one. The only down side is that the dimensions will only allow for a 55 gal tank. Engine parts come in tomorrow! Friday I start putting everything back together. Hey, I have a quick question...how can I find out if I can simply swap two mercruiser out drives? Different gear ratios? Point me in the right direction

 

[DaveR]

The tank was rusted through. I got ri of it and decided to go with the polyethylene one. The only down side is that the dimensions will only allow for a 55 gal tank. Engine parts come in tomorrow! Friday I start putting everything back together. Hey, I have a quick question...how can I find out if I can simply swap two mercruiser out drives? Different gear ratios? Point me in the right direction

The loss of 10 gallon capacity will only be an issue if you're on long trips or doing a multi-day trip, and can be made up by bringing more in jugs if needed. Or you can add capacity in other locations on your boat if you forsee it as a necessity. Where are you expecting to be using the boat when it's done: So Cal ocean, rivers, lakes...?

So do those outdrives have different gear ratios or not, and is the original in need of replacement or repairs? Gearing is important relative to your 305 engine and the proping of the boat.
.
.
.

 

[UnReel]

I know its a late reply but 55glns is pretty small. You'll only have about 50 usable gallons at most and at 2nm + or - per gallon you'll only have 100 or so mile total range. Using the 1/4 out, 1/4 trolling around and 1/4 for the return trip and a 1/4 for emergency that only gives you a 25-35 mile range. Thats not much. Personaly I'd spend the extra cash and get a aluminum one made and have it built to the demension of the space to maximiz the amount of fuel you can carry. JMO.

Cant help you with the outdrive issue.

Good luck and enjoy the skip,
B