Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

well with all I am doing I figured I would start a rebuild thread. I am not planning an big rebuild until this or next winter. but this will let me keep you all up on what I am doing instead of my welcome thread. well as I was working on draining the fuel tank I started messing with the motor and noticed that the transom had more flex that it had prior. I was hoping to put this off until the winter but with the amount of movement I decided that I needed to fix it. so I took off the motor and disassembled the transom. here are the pictures of it disassembled.










here is how much the motor was leaning in at the bottom

ok the transom is done. I wanted to use marine plywood but no one around here carries it. they all have cdx (treated) and one has ccx (Treated that is none corrosive to aluminum). I used some panels that I had because summer is here and I want to enjoy the boat and do not have the time or money to wait for plywood to arrive. I painted them as I was unsure if they were treated but I believe they are. when I redo the deck this or next winter I will redo the transom with new marine plywood and aluminum. I did replace the bolts this time. the best part is there is no movement in the motor anymore!

ok I have not updated this in a few so here we go. after I got new fuel in the tank the boat was still not running the best. I then rebuilt the fuel pump and it was better so my daughters and I went to the lake. the boat would idle fine and go in reverse fine. but when I put it in forward it would flood down. I found that the lower head bolts need to be tightened. I did and it put the compression back over 100. I am at 110 and 120 on the cylinders. now the boat will go in to forward now with out flooding down. now off to the lake this weekend.

Nice job on figuring it out!

well tomorrow we are taking the boat out to see how she does. but that will be one of her last rides. I have sold the boat to my parents. the interesting part is that my dad told me they wanted it today and would pay my asking price with a down payment and monthly payments. I would prefer all the money up front but I cannot tell my parents no. also my dad said that the sale also included that I be on a repair contract to fix the boat anytime he needs me too. go to love family deals. but there is a good chance it may reappear when the floor needs to be replaced as I could see my dad asking for help or to do it. not problem as long as they pay for it.

well even though I have replaced everything for cooling the motor almost overheated. so I am done with the 50 hp force. as I am still the mechanic on this boat and my parents said that I it had to run so I picked up a 1974 85hp evinrude for the boat today with controls for 300 dollars!! now to clean it up get it on the pontoon and enjoy a real motor.

ok I needed to get the 300 dollar motor out of my truck but I did not want it on my floor. plus that I needed a place to work on it in the garage and a place to put the 50 hp force when it comes off. so I had a Harbor freight furniture dolly and some old 2x4s. so after some work I built a outboard motor stand that is on wheels!!

ok I spent my 4th running the lines and wires for the 85 evinrude on the pontoon. so tonight I decided to see if I could get it to start. so I added gas put the choke on and after about 10 turn revolutions the motor fired off. not bad for sitting for 6 years. it already starts and runs better then the 50hp force.

good find for only $300

I am planning a water trip this weekend. I had to add extra support to help with the weight of the bigger motor. we planned to add a few motor c channel cross members to add to the deck on the rear. so this is a temporary fix so we can use the boat. but it is holding the motor up better than the little engine was without it.

it is amazing the difference that 35 hp makes. or is it just the difference a good motor makes. took the pontoon out today for a quick run as we were dodging rain. the boat came off the trailer easier, had a lot more pick up, and best of all it turns a lot better. next weekend we will take it out for an extended run. I am very happy with the performance so far. I put more work into the force motor with less improvement.

well I am bring this back up to the top because my parents and I were talking this weekend and have came up with a plan. that plan is that instead of starting on the cruiser right now we are going to redo the pontoon. The pontoon needs a lot less work. I will redo the deck, build some seats and just make everything new. I am happy about this as it gives me time to find better stuff for the cruiser or talk my parents into selling it. as always I will take pictures and keep you guys updated.

so I have started the rebuild on the pontoon. I am taking it apart to see what all it needs and I will start rebuild it have the new year. so here is where I got after the first night. only worked on it for about an hour. side rails off and front fences.

here is what I got done on Saturday morning. all rails off and carpet pulled back.