1987 285

[Fffred]

I’ll be starting to breath new life into her!!! She has been sitting on the hard for 10+ years. First order of business will be seeing if the motors are salvageable or if I need to find new power. Luckily the hull is in great shape and a buff should have her shining soon! I have to re-core the cockpit and one hatch.
wish me luck!!
I’ll get more pictures when she gets delivered next week!

[mrdelgado]

Those boats are tanks! I always wanted to find one, pull the dual consoles out and make a large center console. Good luck with the project!

[Fffred]

I was thinking about that…. But with four kids and two dogs having the two bench seats is going to be nice.

[MJB]

Good luck with the 285, great fishing and family boat.

[Fffred]

I’m excited about it! I’d love any advice you have!!

[Fffred]

[Fffred]

Well…..

Shes home! Now reality set in about how much work she needs. First…. A good scrub.

[mrdelgado]

So what's the plan? Will this be a running project? With 4 kids you gota keep goals realistic. I only have two and try to set the bar real low for myself... and still can't reach them sometimes, haha

[Fffred]

Starting with a bath, buff and wax. Then gotta see if I can get motors started🤞🏻

[Fffred]

Can anyone point me in any direction for finding a new companionway hatch? Bomar is of absolutely no help. I’ve taken it to two Aluminum fabrication shops to see if the could straighten it up but both said no. I’m starting to run out of options.

[mrdelgado]

Try overstock places like greatlakes

https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/search/?q=hatches

[Fffred]

I’ve been looking! Thank you.

[Fffred]

Finally got some time to dive in and found out I have one bad motor. Luckily I was able to find a similar year to replace it with. In the process of de-rigging and taking the consoles out to start re-coring!! Hopefully I can get the frame for her winter cover up so I can stop collecting leaves.

[Fffred]

I really kinda want to make her a center console…..

[Fffred]

[Fffred]

Let the fun and games begin

[Fffred]

I was able spend some time on the old girl today! I got both motors pulled. The starboard has a blown cylinder and needed to come off any way. I was extremely happy to find clean dry wood!!! But for good measure I put penetrating epoxy in the holes to try to keep the transom solid for as long as I can.
I’m hoping to rehang the port motor tomorrow and get some cleaning done.