1981 Southwind Rebuild
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=33630
Printed Date: November-17-2024 at 2:27pm
Topic: 1981 Southwind Rebuild
Posted By: icculus88
Subject: 1981 Southwind Rebuild
Date Posted: May-19-2014 at 2:36pm
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Hello everyone. I am in the process of purchasing a 1981 Southwind. This is my first boat. It has a PCM 350 with 1150 hours. Trans was just rebuilt with only 10-12 hours on it. I am buying it from a family friend who has owned it since brand new. My friend's grandfather bought it brand new and their family used this boat every year until 2011 when they bought a new boat and uncle Richard parked it next to his barn. Richard is the guy who has maintained the boat for the past 20 years and has been working on the boat since he was in high school. I will list off the Pros and Cons. Pros: Strong maintenance history One owner No major mechanical problems, ever Electric all works Nothing broken Comes with Correct Craft Trailer Top seems to be intact and in decent condition Motor Winterized and fuel tank topped off and stabilizer added before stored great price Cons: Motor has 1150 hours Interior needs to be completely redone Floor near driver's seat, tow bar collar, and behind motor are soft (totally rotten) Hull damage on bow edge on port side (friend's dad rammed while docking) Trailer isn't in good shape (master cylinder for brakes expected to need to be rebuilt) Hull is very faded and chalky Has been sitting outside for 3 years straight. I am going to load pics when i get to work. ------------- 1978 Volkswagen Convertible 1979 Suzuki GS750E 1981 Correct Craft Southwind bow rider 2006 Mustang GT Coupe (1/4 mile 13.06) 2009 Subaru Forester XS |
Replies:
Posted By: icculus88
Date Posted: May-20-2014 at 1:31am
         ------------- 1978 Volkswagen Convertible 1979 Suzuki GS750E 1981 Correct Craft Southwind bow rider 2006 Mustang GT Coupe (1/4 mile 13.06) 2009 Subaru Forester XS |
Posted By: fanofccfan
Date Posted: May-20-2014 at 9:30am
| Looks like a worthwhile project...but a big project at that. Stringers, floor interior to name a few. I have never understood storing a boat outside without a least a cover. Good luck. It will be nice to see it saved. |
Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: May-20-2014 at 10:27am
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I like the Southwind! Reminds me of my old '83 SW OB. I looks like it is worth saving, but, as mentioned above, you have some work ahead of you. The dock damage doesn't look as bad as I thought it would. That panel where the ski pole is at is a common area to rot. I forget how I fixed mine, but, I think I just mounted a piece of plywood in there. Also, the panel behind the motor box is just a single piece of plywood. Easy fix. Unfortunately, with the boat being uncovered for several years in the elements, it is probably totally soaked underneath. You will have to get that deck off to get at the floor and stringers. No easy task. It depends what all you want to do with it, but, that is probably where I would start even before you buff out the exterior. Do the critical things first. Very cool original CC trailer too I see. That will be a nice rig when you get done. Post pictures as you go. |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: May-20-2014 at 11:46am
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Do you expect to be on the water this year in that boat?? ------------- |
Posted By: icculus88
Date Posted: May-20-2014 at 12:12pm
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Thank you for your input. Here are my goals for this boat: Short-Term: 1)Repair basic mechanical issues and prepare for testing. I plan to temporarily fix some of the soft spots on the floor and get the motor issues straight. 2)Restore interior (My mother wants to help with this so its a goal that should be easy to reach). Long-term: 1)Rebuild entire floor and stringers. 2)Rebuild motor (bore/stroke it out possibly). 3)Refinish exterior (fix all fiberglass damage and new paint job). 4)Restore trailer (suspension, brakes, paint). ------------- 1978 Volkswagen Convertible 1979 Suzuki GS750E 1981 Correct Craft Southwind bow rider 2006 Mustang GT Coupe (1/4 mile 13.06) 2009 Subaru Forester XS |
Posted By: icculus88
Date Posted: May-20-2014 at 12:22pm
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When I just checked the boat out the P.O. said he'd bet money he could get the motor to fire up in about 10 minutes with a fresh battery. After hearing this I decided to see how functional the boat is before restoring. PO said the last time he used the boat in 2011, everything worked just fine. Motor idled a bit rough but ran strong in the higher RPMs. So I want to get the floor sturdy and then take her out on the water and see how everything works. ------------- 1978 Volkswagen Convertible 1979 Suzuki GS750E 1981 Correct Craft Southwind bow rider 2006 Mustang GT Coupe (1/4 mile 13.06) 2009 Subaru Forester XS |
Posted By: icculus88
Date Posted: May-20-2014 at 12:24pm
If I can get the motor to run I would like to put it in the water to see what works and what doesn't. but I don't expect to adventure with it until I feel confident enough. ------------- 1978 Volkswagen Convertible 1979 Suzuki GS750E 1981 Correct Craft Southwind bow rider 2006 Mustang GT Coupe (1/4 mile 13.06) 2009 Subaru Forester XS |
Hollywood wrote:Posted By: icculus88
Date Posted: June-21-2014 at 7:11pm
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Okay so I've just been tinkering and cleaning during my spare time. Made a home-made cover. Removed the bench seat, back floor section above trans and battery, removed engine cover and cleaned up leaves, water, and dirt from around engine area. I pulled the battery and connections were surprisingly clean. Batter was dead though. I've inspected the belts and they are solid, tight, and no cracks. The dipstick shows low oil, but the oil that is in there looks brand new. PO replaced all fluids before last storage. The only thing that concerns me is what appears to be the oil filter. It is attached to the front floor which is very soft/rotten. Here is my plan: 1)Replace impeller for water pump 2)Top off oil 3)change spark plugs 4)spray a little oil into each cylinder and let sit for a day or so 5)get a fresh battery 6)drain gas from tank (PO topped it off and added stabilizer) and replace with fresh. 7)disconnect spark plugs and crank motor to ensure oil pressure is good and to circulate oil 8)Disconnect gas line and crank until gas starts to flow and reconnect IF no major problems arise... 9)put boat in the water to examine any leaks. 10)try and start the boat up and see how she runs and let her warm up the oil. THEN assuming no catastrophes, replace oil with fresh and invest in a trolling motor and take the boat out for a test. I want to put the boat in the water rather than try and do a land setup with water supply because I want to make sure she floats and has no major leaks. This is my plan for now. Still preparing and cleaning the boat to get a better idea of what I'm working with. ------------- 1978 Volkswagen Convertible 1979 Suzuki GS750E 1981 Correct Craft Southwind bow rider 2006 Mustang GT Coupe (1/4 mile 13.06) 2009 Subaru Forester XS |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: June-22-2014 at 12:22am
Why the trolling motor? Also, it is sooo much easier to work on the engine at home. You might want to invest the $15 & put in a Benjamin hose hookup (google TRBenj+flush adaper). You should throw a timing light on it right away too. Good luck Edit - You might want to spill a little gas (very little) into the carb to get it to fire right away, will save wear on the starter (ref step 8 above). ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: icculus88
Date Posted: June-22-2014 at 12:46am
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I think I may do that flush adapter ------------- 1978 Volkswagen Convertible 1979 Suzuki GS750E 1981 Correct Craft Southwind bow rider 2006 Mustang GT Coupe (1/4 mile 13.06) 2009 Subaru Forester XS |
Posted By: icculus88
Date Posted: June-22-2014 at 12:54am
Well if anything happens while I'm out testing the boat I would like to be able to still be mobile. I have seen those flush adapter, that setup looks awesome! If I do that then I wont need to worry too much about the trolling motor. Except I love to fish so I may buy one anyway. :) ------------- 1978 Volkswagen Convertible 1979 Suzuki GS750E 1981 Correct Craft Southwind bow rider 2006 Mustang GT Coupe (1/4 mile 13.06) 2009 Subaru Forester XS |