1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

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Ercarp
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:36 pm

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#76 Post by Ercarp » Tue May 26, 2015 7:47 am

It has been a while. Time sure does fly by, especially when your in a mad scramble to get on the water. I am going to skip a bunch (mainly because I forgot to take pictures in my rush). I finally got the enough of the old girl together to put her on the water!
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Will fill in some blanks asap.

Ercarp
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:36 pm

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#77 Post by Ercarp » Tue May 26, 2015 12:42 pm

I tried to keep the console as simple as possible. Recycled some aluminum to build the bezels. The fuel gauge matches pretty good as well for being a "salvaged" part.
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"salvaged" 18 gal fuel tank worked out pretty good. Used the leftover marine plywood to build a simple box, covered it with some carpet.
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attached a piece of aluminum to the railing and mounted the fuel inlet and vent to it.
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I put both batteries in one of the front seats, opposite side of boat as fuel tank.
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I will take some better pictures and post them with the "before" pictures, but until then here is the 90% finished product.
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ToonGuy
Posts: 968
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:34 am
Location: Lake Wawasee, Northern IN

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#78 Post by ToonGuy » Tue May 26, 2015 12:50 pm

Awesome! What kind of performance are you getting out of her now?

Also, just an FYI, it looks like they gave you the wrong console panel. That one matches the "premium" seats. They have one that matches your seating perfectly. Maybe not a big deal just thought I'd mention it.
Just one boat...after another, after another :-)

Ercarp
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:36 pm

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#79 Post by Ercarp » Tue May 26, 2015 1:17 pm

As far as speed goes, no real change...kinda. With the wife and two kids, all our "day gear" and 18 gallons of fuel I can get 18 mph (same as before). I haven't had a chance to "lighten the load" and see what she will do, maybe next trip. I think that is pretty good for all the weight I added (seating, more fuel, extra pontoon, canopy, more decking, etc.). The real performance came in getting up on "plane" if you can get a pontoon on plane. From floating, hit the throttle it doesn't seam to plow the water for as long before it smooths out. It rides high in the water, and turns like a dog chasing its tail.

The aluminum for the underskin should be in soon, that should help a little. The plan is to re-power her with something bigger, just need to find that something bigger.

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curtiscapk
Posts: 5393
Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:31 am
Location: OP KS\Hillsdale Lake

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#80 Post by curtiscapk » Tue May 26, 2015 2:08 pm

looks great! 3rd toon in my wish list for this winter.
Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS

User avatar
ToonGuy
Posts: 968
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:34 am
Location: Lake Wawasee, Northern IN

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#81 Post by ToonGuy » Wed May 27, 2015 5:17 am

Ercarp wrote:As far as speed goes, no real change...kinda. With the wife and two kids, all our "day gear" and 18 gallons of fuel I can get 18 mph (same as before). I haven't had a chance to "lighten the load" and see what she will do, maybe next trip. I think that is pretty good for all the weight I added (seating, more fuel, extra pontoon, canopy, more decking, etc.). The real performance came in getting up on "plane" if you can get a pontoon on plane. From floating, hit the throttle it doesn't seam to plow the water for as long before it smooths out. It rides high in the water, and turns like a dog chasing its tail.

The aluminum for the underskin should be in soon, that should help a little. The plan is to re-power her with something bigger, just need to find that something bigger.
Under skinning will make a difference. You may not see a big improvement in speed, but the ride will improve again for sure. Like you mentioned, with your 70 and what you added that is respectable. Now you have the platform to go big, and that's where you'll really realize all the improvements you made.
:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup
Just one boat...after another, after another :-)

Ercarp
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:36 pm

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#82 Post by Ercarp » Wed May 27, 2015 6:50 am

I totally agree. I really had no idea what to expect from the straked third toon, had my suspicions that it was going to slow it down. I can understand now how the extra bouncy and strakes help get it out of the water.

I have an opportunity to get a mercury 150 hp. Unfortunately, it is an older unit (mid 70's inline 6 "Tower of Power"). I plan on starting with a compression test this weekend if all goes well then I will start trying to figure out what kind of controls and steering I will need to round up. Really excited to upgrade the power to the boat, not excited to go through the hassle of an "unknown" to me engine.

Hawk_308
Posts: 124
Joined: Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:34 pm
Location: Southern Va

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#83 Post by Hawk_308 » Thu May 28, 2015 6:08 am

Im curious about how the kiwigrip feels and seems to be holding up . My party barge has a 3 foot fishing deck on the front that Im thinking of de carpeting and vinyling or kiwigriping
1988 24' Party Barge pushed by a 75hp cmc trim 17p 4 blade prop

Ercarp
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:36 pm

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#84 Post by Ercarp » Thu May 28, 2015 7:09 am

Kiwigrip seems to be holding up fine after two trips to the lake. Water still too cold for swimming and what not, so not to sure how it holds up to repetitive wetness. The boy christened the front deck with some carp blood, it washed right off.
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If I was to use it again, I would order half again as much as I thought I would need (I used 2 quarts for 3 foot deck up front and 2 foot deck in the rear). I did the front deck first and thought I put down a good coat. The rear deck, I ran out and had to spread it very thin. They sent a "special" roller with the kiwigrip that gave it a nice texture. When it was dry, after a couple of days, the peaks in the texture where very sharp. So much so that it was uncomfortable on bare feet, knees etc.. I took an orbital sander with 150 grit and went over it once to smooth it out. It is a hard surface, like a sprayed in truck bed liner. It is not slippery when wet with bare feet or shoes.

Ercarp
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:36 pm

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#85 Post by Ercarp » Thu May 28, 2015 7:12 am

Hawk, what kind of speed are you getting from your 75hp?

catalinaflyer
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:33 pm

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#86 Post by catalinaflyer » Thu May 28, 2015 2:04 pm

Ercarp wrote:I ordered my furniture (from pontoonstuff), it is supposed to be in on friday. Those guys have been great to deal with, fast replies on communication and fast on deliveries. A little disappointed with them concerning the furniture, they did not have anything on their website about the furniture being on back order. Most all the cushions are on back order until may, but they are sending the bases. Oh well, probably mostly my fault for waiting till last minute to order.
Concerning the bases, is obvious how to install them? I am hopeful that there are good instructions, as far as spacing etc.. Anyone have any good tips?
I was just reading through your rebuild, awesome by the way. However I hit a big snag with Pontoonstuff myself, I ordered a carpeting kit from them a couple weeks before Memorial weekend then scheduled a flight home the weekend before to do the carpeting. Well the hardware came, the carpet came but no glue and nothing from PS telling me the glue would be coming later. I emailed them only to find out then there was a problem and it would be later. I got a call the next week telling me it was shipping and I would have it Friday or Saturday, it never came. It may have arrived since but I had to fly out Monday and am so aggravated at this point I haven't asked if it came later.

Hawk_308
Posts: 124
Joined: Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:34 pm
Location: Southern Va

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#87 Post by Hawk_308 » Thu May 28, 2015 6:21 pm

Ercarp wrote:Hawk, what kind of speed are you getting from your 75hp?
Just me no gear 24 mph GPS ,loaded with 3 -4 adults kids and coolers 16-18 mph per GPS . My boat is battery heavy with 2 group24 for starting and 2 group 27 for the 75 pound thrust trolling motor then 2 20 lbs anchors
1988 24' Party Barge pushed by a 75hp cmc trim 17p 4 blade prop

Ercarp
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:36 pm

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#88 Post by Ercarp » Thu May 28, 2015 7:36 pm

Catalinaflyer, have faith they will come through. I am sure it is a miscommunication...misunderstanding somewhere. Did you get the plywood installed? Are you ready for the carpet? Wiring is HUGE, make sure you get that all laid out before you get the floor on (massive pain trying to do it after flooring). Re-doing the boat is big, (at least for me) there is lots to do...focus on other items and your glue will be there before you know it. PS are people like me and you they try (in my experience, they TRY HARD) give them a chance to make it right. It is prime boating season, I am sure they are CRAZY busy because they are good people.

Hawk, that is awesome on your speed. Especially with your weight. I can't wait to try a "slimmed down" run. On my 70HP (serial number says it is a 75HP), I think I have a wrong prop on it, max RPM I can get is 4500 WOT.

catalinaflyer
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:33 pm

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#89 Post by catalinaflyer » Thu May 28, 2015 7:57 pm

Ercarp wrote:Catalinaflyer, have faith they will come through. I am sure it is a miscommunication...misunderstanding somewhere. Did you get the plywood installed? Are you ready for the carpet? Wiring is HUGE, make sure you get that all laid out before you get the floor on (massive pain trying to do it after flooring). Re-doing the boat is big, (at least for me) there is lots to do...focus on other items and your glue will be there before you know it. PS are people like me and you they try (in my experience, they TRY HARD) give them a chance to make it right. It is prime boating season, I am sure they are CRAZY busy because they are good people.
I don't want to hijack this thread, I know they are good people and mean well, I just backed myself into a corner with self imposed time constraints and jumped the gun stripping the boat. No need for new wood, it's still solid all the way through, just needed new carpet. I'm not upset about not getting the glue, I'm upset because when I contacted them about it missing they knew it was missing yet I had to make the first move.

Not going to worry any longer, it's actually my wife's boat and she says she's buying a new one this weekend and giving this one to the kids. I quit listening because she made no mention of Berkley or 671 Blower so I lost interest.

Ercarp
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:36 pm

Re: 1988 Bass Buggy winter/Gravity project in New Mexico

#90 Post by Ercarp » Thu Jun 11, 2015 8:23 am

I have found a mercury 150HP to re-power the bass buggy. It may be another month or so before I get it put on. It is a 1974 inline 6, from the information I could find it is supposed to weigh about 290lbs. My current (mid 80's) johnson 70HP weighs in at about 250 (from what I could find). If those weights are correct it is going to be awesome to double my HP by only adding about 50 lbs. The compression is great on all cylinders, and have done a little maintenance to get her running. It is going to be a little bit of a chore swapping over the controls and what not. It has a 17p prop on it now, is that anywhere in the ballpark of where it should be? I will keep you posted. Pictures coming soon.

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