IMP Boats Information

[khschmitt]

Hi guys.

I've got a '73 IMP with the full cabin. It is in need of lots of TLC. The motor is gone. Lower unit (OMC) is intact and had been overhauled many years ago...but I'm sure the seals need replacement.

Bones are good. Upholstry is shot.

Boat is located in Bartlesville Oklahoma. I have other uses for the trailer but would consider selling it as well.

Let me know if anyone is interested!

Thanks,
Kurt

[pdave1s]

Too bad your not in Calif, I am looking for a new IMP project.
Dave

[1973InckFisherm]

Hello everyone - I'm new here, but really happy I found this site. Last Feb I bought a 1973 IMP INCA '23 with a 302 mercruiser (ford block) engine and the pre-Alpha drive. The engine was supposedly rebuilt 2 years prior, but all I cared about was the hull as I had read of them being legendarilly tough and I wanted a boat that could handle Fl offshore fishing eventually. The engine ended up being seized which was irritating, but my long term plan was to upgrade and I really wanted a chevy block Mercruiser anyway so when I found a low hour drop in replacement and a great local mechanic to do the swap I jumped on it. During the swap the mechanic said that the stringers were in great shape under the very thick fiberglass as they had to use different mounts for the much newer Chevy block engine. He went over the whole boat thoroughly and said it's extremely solid EXCEPT for the transom which over 35 years has gotten soft. So, I'm having that done now over the winter. I can't wait to get this thing on the water. When I tested it after the engine it ran and cut through the water very nicely. I plan on holding onto this boat for a very long time. I've heard that the forward portion of the hull on these boats can be as thick as 4" and solid as a rock. I'm really excited about the upcoming year with this boat.

[edjunior]

Welcome! Interesting story and good to see you've overcome some of your "issues". So far my IMP has been great. I have the OMC 5.0L and 800 stringer, and it's been a great setup so far. Mine is in really good shape...seems to have been very well taken care of previous to me. If I can keep up the maintanenace, I think I'll be good for a few more years at the very least. It is a really nice boat, and I'm looking forward to next summer...if I'm not in Iraq then.

[1973InckFisherm]

I'm always glad to hear that owners have maintained a fine boat for years and years so that it's useful for a good long life. Mine was very well maintained (from the history I've gathered) for about 32 or 33 years then completely neglected for 2 or 3 by only is last owner. The boat overall is in fantastic condition except for the transom, but I can't complain about that at 35 yrs old I guess. And, after it's done, with the new engine and all new cables, connectors, hardware, etc and the new carburator I'm getting ready to put on it it should stay in near new condition for the next couple decades. The boat is perfect for fishing and has the history of quality behind it that gives me a lot of faith in it. I plan on using the heck out of it during the next couple summers and then we're intending to move back to Tampa Fl where I plan on using it a LOT more often. Just want to get EVERYTHING out of the way well in advance.

[Stickdog]

I, like so many before me, am looking for more information about my 1970 23' INCA. I picked it up last Spring and enjoyed it for the summer months. Now, with more snow than water to enjoy, it's time to read up and make necessary adjustments.

In all of my research, I haven't found any other IMP's with twin six-cylinder engines. Are they that rare?

I would like to find a maintenance manual as well as a wiring manual since the fuel gauges don't work, and the tach's are intermittent. Other than that, things are great. Also, I would like to contact others in the Pacific Northwest who enjoy their IMP's as much as I have this year.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Rick

[1973InckFisherm]

That is a beautiful '70 INCA. I've heard different discussions on the twins actually which I've now heard of as twin V6, twin 302 and a costal patrol version which had twin 427 race engines. It is my belief that the twin configurations are ALL very rare as yours is the first picture I've even seen of one to date.

Congratulations on a very fine purchase,

John

[pdave1s]

Amazon.com has the manuals you need. one is published by Clymer, The other is published by Seloc. Find the books that cover the year and make of your powerpackage. I highly reccomend buying both brands, they complement each other. Details not covered in one is covered in the other.
Goodluck on you endeavers
The DIY BOATREPAIR (formerly impboatclub) site has reopened for business, and can be found at http:/www.boatrebuilding.com . There is not much content there now, but that will change. I have 30 yrs in the boating industry and have found that boat repair information is scatterred all over the web. My goal is to provide a site that covers all aspects of boat repair, restoring, andboat building. I have accumulated a large databse of parts suppliers, how to video's. wiring diagrams, and service techniques. Most posts are replied to by me, of other members, within 24 hrs. I am in the middle of doing a rebuild of a 1976 glasspar open bow, and will video, and photograph all aspects of the build, including repairng fiberglass, upholstery, enginge and outdrive rebuilds. Threre will also be a members photo gallery for members to share their pride an joy.
David Smith
boatsmith@hotmail.com
http://www.boatrebuilding.com
707-998-8223
Any tips and advice are welcome.
Feel free to contact me with Any particular questions you may have, and I will do my best to help.

David Smith

[snoproblem]

anyone interested in a 1 owner fresh water 1990 imp 270 express cruiser ? always stored indoors.more info at craigslist cleveland under 1990 270 express cruiser.

[pdave1s]

The site listed above, boatrebuilding,com,formerly known as impboatclub.com has moved, it its now located at http://www.diyboatrepair.com The new site is open, and I will be posting some I.M.P sales brocures in the near future. pleas come on over and have a look around. The main site is still under constructio, but the forums are open
Dave
pdave1s2hotmail.com
boatsmith@hotmail.com
boatsmith@diyboatrepair.co,

[fastracing96]

Just purchased a 1970 IMP Aztec Cruiser with a fresh 350. I must confess. I know jack about boats. The motor is new. The outdrive (omc i believe) is not tested. everything else seams to work. The inside is completely sun rotten. It has not been in the water in a long time. The hull seams in good shape. Motor mounts look new. Must have been replaced at the time on engine swap. On either side of the out drive there is an aluminum plate controlled by actuators. What are they called. what is there purpose. Is there anything I should know about this boat as I go through the motions of restoring it. .. I know all machines have there own personality.

Fastracing96@yahoo.com

[snoproblem]

dont know much about the older imps,but were well built.the plates on each side of transom are trim tabs.you use them to level out boat from side to side and use them to drop the bow down in choppy water.you can use the if you have more weight in boat to get up on plane.about the omc drive,if it were me i would take it to a omc authorized repair shop to get looked at.such as gear lube,u-joints,and preasure tested before you get to involved with it.as parts for those drives are getting harder to find and are quite expensive.

[edjunior]

Well fastracing, congratulations. I think you have a hard road ahead of you, depending on just how "rotten" that inside is. But if the hull, and especially the stringers are still in good shape, it sounds more like cosmetic work. The outdrive should be OMC (I bet it's white). Definitely have someone check it out for you. The aluminum plates are called trim tabs. They help the boat get on plane a little quicker, and also help keep the boat level when underway. Try and get some pictures of it up here..would love to see it.

[tweissert]

I have a boat that hasn't been run in a couple of years and had very little gas in the tank. Can anyone recommend a way to clean the tak of debris? It will run at low Rsbut once the RPMs areup, it cuts out due to starvation. Is there a way to install a smaller tank?


Thanks,
Tom

[TopekaBoatWorks]

Hey Guys, I will be a First time owner of an IMP. I am buying this weekend a 1967 IMP Navajo. It looks to be in great condition. I currently Own and operate Topeka Boat Works in Topeka, KS. My company restores Boats from the 60's up to the 80's. We specialize in Mark Twain's. I am an avid collector of Mark Twain's, currently owning 6 and Tom Sawyers.

I just wanted to share my good news with all you fellow owners, From What I know, IMP is a very good boat.

I will get more pictures as they come available.