New to BD and new Skipjack owner here

[BUSBY]

Hello everyone ... I'm new to BD Forums and a first time Skipjack owner. I've been a boat owner for 30 some years, just never had a Skipjack.

Purchased a 1982 28 Flybridge this past weekend that needs work, but has good bones. I will be asking questions I'm sure. This boat needs new engines and my first is if the port engine is reverse rotation or regular? 305ci SBC's.

Here are some pics of her. Boats name is Damn Skippy out of Huntington Beach, will now live in Dana Point.

 

[pacificscout]

Great name and nice boat!
Welcome.

 

[CI_SeaWolf]

She'll clean up nice

 

[abdiver7777]

Very nice....
I used to own a 24" FB....

you should consider outboard or diesel conversion... My first choice would be Outboards..

Good luck with it!

 

[BUSBY]

Very nice....
I used to own a 24" FB....

you should consider outboard or diesel conversion... My first choice would be Outboards..

Good luck with it!

 

[BUSBY]

Very nice....
I used to own a 24" FB....

you should consider outboard or diesel conversion... My first choice would be Outboards..

Good luck with it!

Thanks!

I’m considering diesels, just looking for what’s all involved in the swap. I’m not a fan of outboards myself

 

[Farpoint]

Nice looking 28. I have a 28 that had been repowered in about 2005. I’ve crawled over pretty much every square inch of it - and can tell you a bit about the repower that was done, performance, props, etc.
I have KAD32’s on DPE drives, and it’s a bit tight in there but they work well, and I have most of the service access points figured out.
Mike recently had a new venturi windshield made for me. It came out perfect. Some fitting required of course, but looks great.

Your engine probably isn’t reverse rotation, but it looks like the drive leg is set up to turn opposite. (Left hand prop)

Are there front windows in that boat? I thought there was another one with that color scheme and the same name, but sitting on a tandem (as mine is)

 

[BUSBY]

Nice looking 28. I have a 28 that had been repowered in about 2005. I’ve crawled over pretty much every square inch of it - and can tell you a bit about the repower that was done, performance, props, etc.
I have KAD32’s on DPE drives, and it’s a bit tight in there but they work well, and I have most of the service access points figured out.
Mike recently had a new venturi windshield made for me. It came out perfect. Some fitting required of course, but looks great.

Your engine probably isn’t reverse rotation, but it looks like the drive leg is set up to turn opposite. (Left hand prop)

Are there front windows in that boat? I thought there was another one with that color scheme and the same name, but sitting on a tandem (as mine is)

Yes there are front windows. Mike @ Skipjack told me about your build & I’ve looked at your posts. VERY clean and inspiration for me. I will be ordering a Venturi from him soon.
I will message you about the repower deal. The previous owner had started tearing into engines, but gave in & just decided to sell … so I have work ahead of me but it’ll be worth it in the end.

 

[BUSBY]

 

[marlyn]

Scary picture,Double everything!

 

[tbev]

Super cool boat, congats! Do your absolute best to find out every area that needs attention while the motors are out. Transom, stringers, tanks, wiring, etc. Just build \ buy a couple sbc's, toss them in there and get on the water, that's my opinion.

 

[BUSBY]

Super cool boat, congats! Do your absolute best to find out every area that needs attention while the motors are out. Transom, stringers, tanks, wiring, etc. Just build \ buy a couple sbc's, toss them in there and get on the water, that's my opinion.

Yeah, that's the plan at this point. I'm not going to rush anything, I'm the type that would rather go thru it and do it right taking a bit more time ... but knowing everything is solid.

 

[SkipJack Boats]

Welcome to the forum.
Did you find those parts?
BigMike

 

[BUSBY]

Welcome to the forum.
Did you find those parts?
BigMike

I need to call you and order up the Venturi ... I'll call you on Monday.

 

[SkipJack Boats]

I need to call you and order up the Venturi ... I'll call you on Monday.

I'll check to see if we have it today.

 

[BUSBY]

It's been a bit, but I've had some progress. Engines are pulled and new ones being built. lots of cleaning of engine bays.

Grant at Sea & Ski Marine has pulled drives and are going thru them. He replaced shift cables & all steering bushings.

Had Lucas from Bearing King come and service trailer brakes & wheel bearings and replace ones that needed it.

Headed over to Parkhouse Tire and had all 7 tires replaced.

Going to have my guys at Amber Industrial Services come and clean/flush fuel cell to make sure it's all good to go internally. It's a sister division to mine at our company where we do fuel polishing (including over the water) out of Long Beach.

I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but slowly but surely it's coming along. It'll be on the water in next two months, at least that's my goal.

Here's a couple pics of it currently

 

[Cactus Chris]

Great looking boat! Let me know if you are ever looking for someone to chip in on gas and chores when you go out

 

[BUSBY]

Turns out that it has thru hull transducers. Didn’t even know that it had them lol

 

[tbev]

Looking good! I bet your going to love that boat!

I'm just thinking of things I'd like to do with that much access..
Last time I had my motor out I threw those floats away and changed over to Ultra Sr.'s, if you don't have a high water alarm it's easy to add with that as well.

It look's like it's in very good shape to me, I'd spend some extra time poking around those exhaust Y's and make sure they are looking good. That's if you don't want to toss them and run straight out the transom. That's how I like it but not many other guys do.

Welcome to the club, awesome boat!

 

[Farpoint]

Nice to see you going over all the details! You’re giving me more ideas.
Looks great - keep going and get ‘er wet. Any word from Mike on your Venturi?
They made one for me and it worked out great. Lemme know if you need any tips around the install.

 

[BUSBY]

Thanks guys.

Yes, I definitely plan on replacing the floats with Ultra Seniors, it's a no brainer at this point. and the Y's are good, just going to keep them.

On the new engines, I've decided to go with marine HEI distributors ... so I'm going to clean up the wiring quite a bit utilizing newer connectors etc.

Mike and I played phone tag a few weeks ago, so haven't heard if he has a Venturi or not. I have to get around to that at some point.

I've removed the cabin door and it's going to be rebuilt using Expanded PVC Marineboard. But that's a different project that will get it's own thread.

I'm also planning on installing a butcher block countertop in the galley with a larger sink since the stove was ditched. But again, later project & a different thread. lol

Baby steps, but if I plan it out right & take my time ... she will be an awesome float.

 

[Farpoint]

So this is the boat on page 1 of the Show Me Your Skipiack thread?Minus a Venturi, with an added bow pulpit, and a triple axle trailer. Those new engines are gonna be fun. I had almost the same boat back in 2000 with a pair of the Volvo 280’s. Thing was a rocket.

 

[SkipJack Boats]

I think Fred will agree withy me on this, The 28 is like the best kept secret of all the Skipjacks. Many people happen across them by accident and buy them but as any 28 owner will tell you this is one of the best Skipjacks.

Fast, strong and great in a sea. A strongly good looking boat that is still stylish and also great to fish from. Farpoint speaks about his as someone would tell you about their child in school getting A's in all their classes.

The main thing I hear is it being narrow for it's size. Yet it is a stable platform especially is rougher water and will cut through the waves. I will cover this on my Youtube channel.

It has a unique cabin layout that makes it a great overnighter and even at 6'3" I have headroom to spare. I hate to speak so well of the 28 because that's another boat I planed to have and the resale is already going up on them.