Relic Vessel, but an interesting vessel...
1974 "Homemade"
3-53 Detroit Diesel, fresh water cooled, 5" Dry exhaust stack! Hydraulic steering and transmission
You should hear this thing run...louder than the garbage truck that wakes you up at 5 a.m...people say "they heard it coming for a while." I couldn't understand them the first time since my ears where ringing! I have no clue as to what the history is on this one, but I picked it up as a part of another deal (See Win Some, Loose Some ), it was included for free, due to the previous owner's circumstances.
Aside from a badly growling and leaking water pump, the large 3 banger Diesel fired up after a quick filter replacement...I then set out into the "calm before the storm", to get this boat from where it was to a safe cove where the other boat was. The water was very choppy due to the beginnings of the outer storm bands from an approaching hurricane, but this thing just plowed through the waves like they weren't even there. It runs about 10 MPH wide open. The Diesel will stay put...but might look into installing a muffler of some sort, the straight 5" dry stack is VERY VERY LOUD! Not "WOW loud", its "Ouch! Loud". When I first took ownership of the boat, I found that someone had actually been living on it...clothes, dresser, futon mattress, grille, cooler, etc...all scattered about the boat. I kept an eye on it, and left it in its initial spot for a while, but no one had ever returned. The boat was legally mine, but didn't want to run off with someone's stuff...I got a few neat things out of it...a portable radio, and a neat re-chargeable florescent lantern...oh, and a small propane stove/oven. The open wet deck and unfinished cabin make it a prime candidate for a completely "pimped out" work boat. So, what exactly IS a "pimped out work boat"? Obviously, its not what it sounds like, as Im sure that this would not be "pimps choice", but this IS Chris's boat...so, tinted windows (no tint laws on the water), AC, stereo, maybe even a satalite dish are on the list...polished wood, with shiny brass trim to bring out its classic look, and sporty automotive style gauges to give it an interesting look at the helm... But NOT to include miniature disco balls, pink shag carpet, or gold teeth on the driver...sorry. I've always gotten a kick out of Fuzzy Dice though...
....I have too many projects...
Its been about 10 years since I've owned a boat, and look forward to putting a little elbow grease into this one...It would be nice to take a weekend to just go out for a cruise, do a little fishing, and cook it right there on the deck...it hardly draws any water, and the 3 cylinder is pretty easy on fuel making this thing the ultimate wilderness getaway boat! Why rough it, when you can make it spoiling?