What to do, "75" Wellcraft Nova?

[broadsword]

Hello everyone,
Been 10 years sense I posted here. Don't know why, guess that's just the way it goes.
I just picked up this boat and trailer for a song, pretty much just the time to get it. I wanted the trailer for the most part. The P.O. has been trying to get me to pay for the trailer and get rid of the boat. I let him sit on it for about a year and finally got the call. "If I still wanted the trailer for getting rid of the boat, it was mine". An hour later it was sitting in my driveway. I didn't see the boat or trailer last year was just going on what he told me. He thought it was a 23'-24' footer. Got it home and found it to be a 21' so the trailer is going to be a little short for what I need and the bunks don't adjust. Anyway, I made the mistake of looking at the boat as a boat and not just a trailer and some work.
I was intrigued by the depth of the bow and height from the deck to the gunwales. I did a quick google search and think she is a 1975 21', Wellcraft Nova. Has a Ford V-8 power plant but I have no idea what size. Does anyone have knowledge of this boat? She towed heavy and judging from that deep V bow, I think it may be a fun little bay boat. I still don't have a clue as to what I want to do but it seems like it would be a shame to see this one go to the landfill.

Babby's got back!

I will start by seeing if I can get the engine started and running down the paperwork. I'll post progress (going to be slow, taking care of Mom who had a massive stroke 5 months ago). I appreciate any info/exp on this boat.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

A true deep-vee sports boat that is almost certain to need a lot of TLC to get back on the water. Side view pic seems to show a little bit of un-trueness in the bottom ( either that, or my eyes are deceived) which would indicate the internal structure is shot.

 

[gonzo]

No, your eye are fine. The stringers and floor on that boat are rotted, which is normal for the age.

 

[powerabout]

looks like a 302 so with 2bbl carb its a 188hp Mercrusier

 

[broadsword]

Thanks for the feedback. That's a shame, probably not worth the effort. I'll try to take a better look at it today, perhaps poke around with an ice pick. I weigh 250 lbs and didn't feel any flex in the deck. If the stringers are shot, I think it will be a lot more work than I'm willing to do.

 

[rasorinc]

Pull the engine and out drive out plus what ever else there is that you could sell and junk the hull. See if the engine runs first.
I could be interested in the engine and drive. What is the beam on that boat?

 

[broadsword]

Pull the engine and out drive out plus what ever else there is that you could sell and junk the hull. See if the engine runs first.
I could be interested in the engine and drive. What is the beam on that boat?

Looks like it's about 7.5'.

You all are a great help. I poked around and found that the floor is indeed in worse shape than I thought, where I could reach the stringers (near the motor) the wood was gone. I think the only thing holding the motor is the upper part of the stern-drive and the fiberglass around the rotten stringers.

Will the boat float with the lower part of the stern-drive gone?

I have put the boat on Craigslist for free to anyone who wants to deal with the logistics of getting it off the trailer.

 

[gonzo]

They way I take junk boats off the trailer at the dump is easy. Take the front chain of cable off the bow. Reverse as fast as you can and lock the brakes. The boat will fall off the trailer.

 

[WestVanHan]

Repurposing..

I had to take a rotten old boat as part of a package deal.

Advertised it on Craigslist for free,not a single reply in a month. Then advertised it as suitable for use as a raised garden bed,was gone in 3 days.

 

[broadsword]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I started calling around to a few of the local boat shops to try and find out if the boat would float, missing the lower part of the stern-drive. While I was talking to one fellow, I suggested he look at the Craigslist ad to see the photo and what I was talking about. He told me he wanted the boat for restoration even after finding out about the floor and stringers. He has jacks and boat stands at his house and said he could get it off the trailer there. I hope he gets her back in the water, she is a nice little boat.

 

[broadsword]

update!

The guy that wanted the boat backed out of getting it. I figured, I might try to turn over or start the motor. After looking a little closer. I found this rotten freeze plug.

Will it be safe to see if the motor will fire? I wouldn't run it for more than a few seconds if it started.

I started looking at what was involved in pulling the motor. It looks pretty straight forward. The shaft to the stern-drive is already out. I got to the motor mounts at the aft of the motor and found these split washers/clips.

When I try to turn the bolt it flexes, as if it was twisting the motor mount. I was unable to locate a nut on the underside of the MM and there isn't a slot on the clip to pry it off with. Is there a special tool or trick to getting these things removed?

Thanks again for any help,
M

 

[whitepointer23]

i thought marine engines used brass or stainless core plugs. is the oil milky because on those old windsors the timing cases corrode and let water into the sump.

 

[broadsword]

i thought marine engines used brass or stainless core plugs. is the oil milky because on those old windsors the timing cases corrode and let water into the sump.

Nope, the oil looks good but thanks for the heads-up.

 

[broadsword]

Pulled the motor

Pulled the motor today. It's rotten to the core. I started to tear it down but couldn't find the mounting bolts for the engine stand. I was able to start while it's hanging from the engine hoist. Can you say "shade tree mechanic"?

The cable goes through a block at the base of the far oak then to a five ton come-along that is anchored to a third tree. I wanted to anchor to the far tree but didn't have a cable short enough. I had tried to pull it with the mule but that was not gonna happen. I did manage to dig four nice neat little holes though.. I'm learning a lot as I go, I guess that's something.

 

[broadsword]

hot mess

Nope, the oil looks good but thanks for the heads-up.

I was wrong! I didn't see any water in the oil when I checked the dip stick, but when I drained the oil and tore down the motor I found a "hot mess".

We all like photos so here are some more of the process.

I don't think it was going to start.