97 Ressurection

[Pizzanova]

This 97X was found in a tarp and 2 x 4 hut that was filled with a mountain of junk. So much so that I could really only check both ends of the hull. The inside was moldy smelling and the motor has obvious signs of wrench work and a prop that has been ground on a rock. The steering would not turn in either direction and the entire boat was covered in dirt and leaves. It had supposedly been sitting here for 5 years but I would have guessed more like twenty. Yes, I bought it. The old salt who sold it seemed honest and knowledgeable - trustworthy. He was up front about condition the boat, Told me both good and bad. Unfortunately his memory was slipping. At one point he explained that the Honda 40hp was in fact a two stroke and used 100:1 mix?? When I inquired about the missing rear mast support, he said the mac didn't ever have one. I later located it in the rear birth. Who knows what else he might have forgotten. This is rolling the dice! And only time will tell if she sails again.

I pulled into the yard with the X late last night and today was the first time I really got to look it over. First job was to empty it out. The cabin area had become a bit of a storage locker. Below I found 3 gas tanks, and 2 light anchors, and a screen door among the regular gear. A pressure washer was the first line of attack on the dirt and debris and was surprisingly effective but it is going to take several washings and hours of polishing. One of the rudder supports is missing. Can anyone tell me the best way to get one to Ontario? The boat also has a box behind the steering wheel that is labeled 'Autohelm'. It has a short arm connected to it that resembles a car turn signal control. Again, I appreciate any and all assistance? The next task will be to try and raise the mast. And of course the motor has not yet fired. Anyway I hope to use this forum to document the progress of this restoration. By the way, I have not sailed since my early teens, about 50 years ago.

Pretty new here, so if I've messed something up, please give me a break.

[Catigale]

You don't have to buy the forum pizza until you get the boat in the water, at least...

Welcome

This definetely needs some pictures before/after

You will need to get to 10 posts before you can post pictures (see FAQs) but you will get there soon.

[captronr]

Welcome.

Blue Water Yachts in Seattle is the official Mac parts dealer; they are very knowledgeable and helpful. Search online for a free instruction manual for your boat. Lot of good info and pics of how it's supposed to work.

If it were mine, I'd probably junk the existing motor and go with a good used 10-20HP motor just to get started without dumping huge money into it. You want reliable power on the Mac. With all that freeboard, a motor that stalls in heavy cross winds is impossible to control as you approach crowded docks.

Ron

[dlandersson]

Since misery loves company...

"The inside was moldy smelling and the motor has obvious signs of wrench work and a prop that has been ground on a rock. The steering would not turn in either direction and the entire boat was covered in dirt and leaves." - this pretty well describes my 97X on most days in its slip.

If you modify your profile to include your location, you might find that you are near some existing X owners - very likley.

[kmclemore]

Ditto what the others below have said, with the exception that you don't need to scour the internet for a manual... Click above under "Resources -> Manuals" and you'll find exactly what you need.

We're a friendly bunch here, so feel free to ask questions.

Remember... the only stupid question is the one you forgot to ask!

[Jimmyt]

Sounds like you've got a great project. Fairly new here myself. These folks are great - lots of experience with these boats, and very helpful. Congratulations on your purchase and looking forward to seeing some photos.

[Pizzanova]

Wow. I got some comments. Great. Thank you DL, I feel better knowing I'm not alone. And Captroner, the first mate feels the same way. She thinks that we should just scrap the 40hp and get a good or even new motor. I'm thinking Etec but I'll give this honda a chance first. Even though I was completely tied up with another project today, my daughter was off and generously offered to clean the interior and I am amazed to find that it sparkles inside. I did not expect it to come up this good. Just bare fiberglass inside at the moment as I have removed absolutely everything that isn't bolted down. Does anyone know why a couple of the forward wooden storage lids are screwed down? I know now that the interior is going to be fine. Only one or two small boo boo's in the fibreglass inside. One at the inside corner of the galley counter about the size of a peanut. The cockpit is another story. Common 2 x 4's had been bolted with 1/2" bolts along the sides of both seat risers. Removing them still left me with a set of holes down each side. Worse still is the fact that an index card size chunk of fibreglass has been cut out of the top of the storage lockers in each cockpit seat. Another square has been cut out of the side of the engine compartment and this hole has been patched with galvanized sheet metal??? These are going to be difficult for me to repair having very little fiberglass experience. I have a few pic's already and will be taking more as I go along. If I keep my posts short I should get to ten in no time. I have downloaded the manual KM and there is indeed a wealth of info. Glad to be aboard.

[dlandersson]

The forward lids that are screwed down in the V-berth have the flotation foam packed on the other side. For now at least, leave them alone.

The holes in the cockpit sound like potential new access plate cover spots. Make a silk purse out of a sows ear, so to speak.

The holes in the storage locker top, was that so that 12 gallon fuel tanks could be filled up that way? Chinook's owners do that - and I admit it's pretty cool.

The galvanized sheet metal I admit I'm clueless about - my usual state of affairs.

Wow. I got some comments. Great. Thank you DL, I feel better knowing I'm not alone. And Captroner, the first mate feels the same way. She thinks that we should just scrap the 40hp and get a good or even new motor. I'm thinking Etec but I'll give this honda a chance first. Even though I was completely tied up with another project today, my daughter was off and generously offered to clean the interior and I am amazed to find that it sparkles inside. I did not expect it to come up this good. Just bare fiberglass inside at the moment as I have removed absolutely everything that isn't bolted down. Does anyone know why a couple of the forward wooden storage lids are screwed down? I know now that the interior is going to be fine. Only one or two small boo boo's in the fibreglass inside. One at the inside corner of the galley counter about the size of a peanut. The cockpit is another story. Common 2 x 4's had been bolted with 1/2" bolts along the sides of both seat risers. Removing them still left me with a set of holes down each side. Worse still is the fact that an index card size chunk of fibreglass has been cut out of the top of the storage lockers in each cockpit seat. Another square has been cut out of the side of the engine compartment and this hole has been patched with galvanized sheet metal??? These are going to be difficult for me to repair having very little fiberglass experience. I have a few pic's already and will be taking more as I go along. If I keep my posts short I should get to ten in no time. I have downloaded the manual KM and there is indeed a wealth of info. Glad to be aboard.

[Pizzanova]

I bet you are right Dl about the 12 gallon tanks. I'll check that tomorrow. And I agree that the holes might be an opportunity for some kind of mod?

[dlandersson]

Or just put in access plates for now - I have them all over my cockpit.

I bet you are right Dl about the 12 gallon tanks. I'll check that tomorrow. And I agree that the holes might be an opportunity for some kind of mod?

[Herschel]

These are going to be difficult for me to repair having very little fiberglass experience.

I can relate, but after tackling some major fiberglass work on an old fiberglass dinghy last summer, I can only offer the encouragement to take it on. I found that with books like Don Casey's "Sailboat Hull & Deck Repair",the West System tech reps that you can reach with the telephone number on the can, and advice from this and other boat forums, you can think your way through the complexities of fiberglass repair. The beauty of fiberglass repair is that when you make mistakes, you can usually sand it down and start over or correct as needed.

[DHK79]

Concur that the screwed down panels cover floatation, but if the boat's been sitting for years they may also be another source of some of the foul smell. When I restored my 2000X, I opened them up and liberally sprayed a bleach solution over/between the foam pieces. Then rinced well. That killed the mildew that was growing on the damp foam.

Doug (DHK79)

[beene]

Hi there

Where are you?

Ontario?

I am everywhere from Barrie to Toronto to Port Credit etc.

If you are nearby, I can help you out

G

[Pizzanova]

The old 40 hp honda motor is finally running. Still not right but getting there. The problem is the carbs. They were full of that greenish brown gunk. The little jets that look like pen refills were clogged solid. I have removed and installed them twice and now 2 out of 3 are working. I've heard it said that third time's a charm? By the way, the best way to test if a particular cylinder is working is to use insulated pliers and remove and replace one spark plug boot at a time while the engine is running. If engine speed drops then the carb and cylinder are working. Bad news when I removed the lower end to check the water pump, One of the bolts was seized in the casing and broke when I tried to wiggle it out. This motor was in salt water for several years. It comes from Victoria B.C. The interior does not smell moldy since I removed everything and washed the cushions, but I can still smell the chemical toilet even though it is not in the boat. Haven't figured that out. I've got pictures but I don't quite have enough posts yet.
Just noticed the User Control Panel. Maybe I can get my Profile set up. I'm in Belleville Ontario and there are sure a lot of lakes around here that I am anxious to sail.

[Tomfoolery]

Just noticed the User Control Panel. Maybe I can get my Profile set up. I'm in Belleville Ontario and there are sure a lot of lakes around here that I am anxious to sail.

You might want to put a few other tidbits in there, too, like OB make/hp, in the location line. It's helpful to others when crafting responses to questions. Look at Beene's post right above yours.

As to the odor, consider stripping the interior of essentially everthing, and power washing, or at least hose and soap. Use a wet vac to remove the water when you're done. It could be something as simple as a bottle of blue potty juice that leaked once upon a time, in a place you can't see (look under the galley, and in the stern areas).

Oh, and the same thing happened with the leg of my BF50, which is essentially the same engine as the BF40. Broken bolt, and a PITA to fix. But that pump has to be replaced, or at the very least, inspected. But after all that trouble to dismantle and reassemble, a new pump is the way to go. They get old, weak, brittle, and set in their ways, eventually to have things start falling off. Just like me.