Saturday Jake and I drove upto Bettendorf and brought home this beauty of a boat for the fine price of $350. She is a 1978 Formula F20. What looks good on the outside isn't always too nice on the inside...
Here's a general rundown and condition of everything:
1. Hull is in decent shape, normal wear marks, a few small bad spots in the top that can easily be repaired. There are a pair of previous repairs that will need cleaning up before she hits the water next summer but all in all, pretty decent. The boat is missing the rub molding all the way around. The stainless railing is in very good condition with only minor bends and dings throughout. The teak will need to be replaced (with aluminum) on the front deck and the yellow doesn't match the imron on the sides.
2. Windows, perfect.
3. Swim ladder needs new wood, no big deal.
4. Seats, engine cover, carpet and rear sundeck need replaced. Padded rails are missing at the top of the bow,
5. Floor is 80% solid, will likely need patched or replaced in a few spots, if not the entire thing.
6. Wiring is a complete mess, needs completely redone.
7. Engine was recently (within the last 2 years) rebuilt by Auto Rons of Davenport, Iowa. Its a Chevy 350 with "marine" cam and the standard POS QuadraJunk. Everything looks to be in great working condition and the boat started before we brought her home. The valve cover says 230hp though OMC 230's were usually a 305, might be interesting to see WTF is going on here.
8. Outdrive is an OMC 800 sterndrive "stringer". After some reading these are harder than hell to find parts for, and those that are available, are expensive as can be. The trim motor will not spin, the tilt motor spins but clutch pack likely needs some work, and its currently "stuck" in reverse. The skeg has been beat to holy hell and back, definitely need to fab up a replacement/protector at some point.
9. Prop, very bad shape!
10. Gas tank doesn't leak and is pretty darn clean for being a 30 year old boat!
It is going to be one hell of a long winter of working on this boat before we can hit the beach next summer!
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