Skipjack 24 Open Restoration Project

[Mahtzo Lou]

Pretty darn impressive Todd! Your work is impressive....to say the least!

[gringo sushi]

Thanks Lou

Since the last post I backed off on making headway to take a break and put some time in on getting the garden into shape. A couple of things happened to get me fired back up to get her done...


Last week I picked up the new motor (5.7 liter V8 DPI from Marine Power):

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Then Monday the pilot house windows delivered:

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With my new found motivation I have jumped back into it and am about half done with the paint prep of the hull and cap:

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Decided to sand off the deck surface and re-texture with non skid treatment and also patched old anchor line pass through and horizontal windlass hole to prep for installation of new vertical windlass (pro-fish free fall):

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Plan from here is to complete gel coating (inside) and paint (outside), reinstall pilot house and furniture, install motor, and then jump into installation of electrical, plumbing and electronics. No telling when all of that will be done. Still enjoying the process but really ready to be finished.

[32juan]

I really enjoyed talking about this project with you at the BWM. Glad to see that it's coming along, and be careful with those fumes!!!!

[gringo sushi]

I really enjoyed talking about this project with you at the BWM. Glad to see that it's coming along, and be careful with those fumes!!!!

Good to catch up with you and likewise, It was good hearing about the details of your skippy project after seeing the photos.

[VangysWay]

Looks great Todd!

[Westbury]

Looking good!
Looks like you have a Catamaran project to do next!
Whats the story on that boat?

[gringo sushi]

Looking good!
Looks like you have a Catamaran project to do next!
Whats the story on that boat?

That is a 14' Livingston. I finished going through that one about a year ago and it has gotten me by while I'm working on the skipjack.

It amazes me how well that little cat handles the chop. I've taken it to clemente, overnighters to cat and chased tuna logging 150 miles in a day. I love that little boat!

[gringo sushi]

I've fortunately had the chance to really focus on the project lately and been rewarded with some progress:

Final cut for pilot house windows:

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Finished floor supports with flange around openings to keep below deck dry and channel water to scuppers:

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Inside of hull gel coated:

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Floorboards and Deck Hatches gel coated:

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Next comes finish body work, exterior paint, and then assembly Hoping to have all of that done in the next 2 months

[malibujohn]

Looks beautiful! you've done a hell of a job Todd!!

[woody]

Unreal !!! Good job

[gringo sushi]

Unable to work on the boat due to the heat, I retreated to the AC and decided it was time for another update

Deck masked off to apply no-slip treatment:

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Primer:

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Paint:

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While painting I had a nonstop incoming of Japanese beetles that made things interesting. There had to be something about the smell that they couldn't resist.

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Pilot House lifted on gantry and backed boat underneath:

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Side view of PH on:

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So glad to have the painting behind me. Now its assembly time.

[Bamz]

DAMN!!!

[woody]

You guys would not believe what he has done to this boat . This is the most amazing rig I've ever seen hands-down !good job Todd

[rhyne]

oh man, she is looking purrrrty. can't wait to see some finished pics

[Hookin]

This is a great thread! Love watching it all come together. Looking forward to seeing some fish on it soon as I am sure you are too.

[Schwaman]

Amazing, this is going to be an awesome boat

[gringo sushi]

Hard to believe that last update was Sept 1. Biggest development since then has been getting back to work full time and that has sure puts a wet blanket on progress. With one last push (this weekend and next) I am hoping to be ready for the first dunk on a shakedown trip.


Pilot house window installation was good for some quick gratification. The boys held windows from outside while I tightened clamp rings from inside. They have been a huge help on this project for those tasks that can't be done with one set of hands. Also got the radar, antennas, lights, etc in place:

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With window sealant cleaned up and set, only one thing to do before going to bed...tag this girl:

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Dropping the engine went well. Got the whole family involved to guide it into the outdrive shield and onto motor mounts. It's a tight fit but just how I wanted it to maximize deck space.

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One of the most arduous tasks has been to test the fish box to see how well it keeps ice. Without a dead fish on hand I had to find something to keep cold, haha. These three blocks lasted 7 days so I was pretty stoked with that. It has 4 inches of rigid foam insulation on all sides and volume equal to two large igloo coolers.

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Part 2 in next post

[gringo sushi]

Upholstery guy finished his work and I couldn't be happier. Ended up with a new friend in Jose at JC Customer Upholstery (Fullerton). Super Great Guy!!!

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To maximize deck space and keep gear organized, I came up with the idea of making the engine cover into what I'm calling a "Multi-Box". Spearguns in the front, floats in the back. I also plan to run a raw water spay in the rear box to use it as a kill/bleed out box or to keep lobsters wet. The removable arch supports guns from front and float lines/fish tail for bleeding on back. Handles on sides will hold fins. Hooks/bungees on front will handle misc stuff like dive knife, gloves, etc. The goal is to handle 4 divers and gear and have no clutter/crap on the floor:

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Wiring is about half done. One of my favorite parts of a project like this

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[Bamz]

Looks fantastic Todd!

[chris oak]

MAN, I am blown away at the build of this boat. I really love that hull color too Todd, bitchen. You always will have boat building skills on hand if you ever decide to switch careers!

[John Hughes]

WOW Todd, I'm blown away. I didn't realize you were so close. I can't wait to get a ride on that beauty!! It's going to feel unbelievable getting some blood on the deck for you.

[Trace]

Great rebuild! That is a very roomy pilothouse and the deck box, nice touch.

[gringo sushi]

Thanks guys.

I just got a survey completed this morning in order to get insurance in place. Once that is done I am on the water for first shakedown. Hopefully this Wednesday.

[rhyne]

so awesome! Can't wait to see some pics of the maiden voyage. best of luck!

[Eric Bodj]

Todd thank you for documenting your build, so much great information! I'm hoping to see you tomorrow at the meeting, I want to pick your brain about a few things.

[byronq]

Best... Post... Ever!!!

Great job, Todd, really stoked for you! Incredible hard work that really paid off! Looks like you're ready for seabass season.

Looking forward to seeing that out on the water!!!

[woody]

Looking good!
Looks like you have a Catamaran project to do next!
Whats the story on that boat?

That is a 14' Livingston. I finished going through that one about a year ago and it has gotten me by while I'm working on the skipjack.

It amazes me how well that little cat handles the chop. I've taken it to clemente, overnighters to cat and chased tuna logging 150 miles in a day. I love that little boat!

How many miles did we do that Day Tod 150? On the Livingston

[gringo sushi]

Woody, We did about 120 miles running to Cat from Dana. Feels longer on the small boat I guess. I looked for that photo of you holding up the yellow to post but can't find it.

Byron, Thx for sharing the stoke. Reminds me that I never did update the post with photos of it finished. I'll snap some next time I have her out and finish out the build story. Good seeing you at the auction.

[gringo sushi]

Woody, We did about 120 miles running to Cat from Dana. Feels longer on the small boat I guess. I looked for that photo of you holding up the yellow to post but can't find it.

I found that photo Woody.

What a perfect day!!!

It's gonna kill me to sell that little boat but with the skipjack done, keeping it around just don't make sense.

More on that soon...

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[gringo sushi]

Hiding out from the heat in the A/C I'm finally motivated to finish out this post...

I finished her enough to start taking trips in November and still have a few loose ends to finish up. The main outstanding item is to set up the freshwater, raw water, water heater and connect space heater to engine.

I've logged just under 100 hours and couldn't be happier with the functionality when diving up to 4 guys and the performance running around 25 mph at 3200 rpm and averaging about 2.25 mpg.

Photo time:

Before:

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Terrible photo of her after completely stripped out. Basically a big empty bath tub:

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And the after:

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[gringo sushi]

More photos:

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And a cherry to go on top (litterally, it stores folded up on top of the pilot house)... The WeeFishInSea. This dingy has been a godsend for trips with my boys (7&9). They drive it around constantly and are my aqua uber when I'm diving and want them to bring me a water or run a fish back to the boat. The trolling motor stores easily under the deck and I use one of my two backup batteries to push it. Last trip out my youngest decided that he was going to meet me at the next spot 5 miles away (Rippers to Ship Rock). I was hoping to get an idea of how long the battery would last but it was still showing nearly 100% on the trolling motor's power meter. I guess "long enough" is where I'll leave that one.

It also tows just fine up to full crusing speed if conditions are more or less calm. Fun addition

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Having her on the water and getting good use I can say that I'm glad that I took on the project rather then buying. I would however never do it again. My cost estimates weren't too far off but the time that I figured was off by a lot. It probably took two to three times the hours that I expected (however a lot of that was learning curve). What makes up for it is that it is customized to be exactly what I wanted and resolved all of the shortcomings that I have lived with in this boat and the others I have had.

Thanks to those that followed the post and especially those that gave positive encouragement, feedback, and design input. I hope to share some time on the water in it with all of you...

[Bamz]

Absolutley BEAUTIFUL Todd!! I see some changes since I was on it. When I buy my next boat can I bring to to Todd's Boat Yard?