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Posts: 317
Location: Grafton, WI | Since the idea of getting a new boat this year was somewhat out the question, I decided to turn my 1989 Tuffy Marauder into a new boat. It was in pretty rough shape when I bought it 8 years ago, but it was fishable and I didn't really care.
First thing I did was add a rear deck about 5 years ago to make things easier on the peron fishing in back. The somewhat mis-matched carpet didn't bother me, cause it was still fishable. Three years ago, I decided to have the outside done with new paint and get a new trailer at that time. With the outside looking so good, I finally started thinking the inside needed work. The old fiberglass lids were an eye sore, and almost caused me to go swimming a few times while manuevering around the boat doing battle.
The final phase started about 3 weeks ago with completely gutting the boat.... all carpet and wires removed.
Next, the fun task of removing the old glue.
After the boat was clean, I needed to do some intensive planning for the flush mounted livewell and rod storage lids (no more goofy lids).
With all the other stuff layed out, time to carpet (carpet bought at boatcarpetbuys.com)
After the carpet was layed, I re-ran all the wires with new wire, and hooked everything back up.
Well, everything is done now, and she is ready for the water... finally!
Here she is
Edited by esoxsmd 5/18/2004 8:09 AM
Attachments ----------------
1.jpg (53KB - 1127 downloads)
3.jpg (67KB - 1096 downloads)
4.jpg (75KB - 654 downloads)
6.jpg (62KB - 1253 downloads)
8.jpg (92KB - 2033 downloads)
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Posts: 2089
| Scott,
Great job!!!Looks great.I think you and Lambeau should go into bidniz together.Now get it slimed! Steve |
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Posts: 476
Location: WI | Great refurb job!! I sent you a message about replacing those "lids" on my Tuffy.
GotOne |
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| If you miss not working on that boat now that you are done I have another one you can do. |
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Posts: 364
Location: Kentucky | Great work, Scott. Very cool project. |
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| nice job! between the spot-on carpet and lid work you did plus the new paint job, that looks alot more like a 2004 than a 1989 boat. sounds like you had as much fun with this as i did with my 89 redo.
can you post details on the steps you took in building your back deck? that's one aspect i'd still like to add to mine.
-m |
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Posts: 317
Location: Grafton, WI | As appealing as that sounds chuckinwood, I would probably pass. This is the second boat I have done a complete refurb on, and hopefully the last.
lambeau - here's a closer look at the back deck. First thing I did was figure out the size of the deck and cut that from 3/4" marine plywood. Next, measure down just over 3/4" (just over to compensate for carpet height) to figure out where to put the bracing, in my case, I used 1x2 anchored to the sides. Then, I cut another piece of plywood for the face of the deck. I used a couple L-brackets to secure it in place. I left the pedestal and post back there to give the deck more support. Finally, I added hinges to the back of the deck - going from the 1x2 to the top of the deck.
Hope that makes sense
Attachments ----------------
rear_deck_1.jpg (85KB - 358 downloads)
rear_deck_2.jpg (90KB - 365 downloads)
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Posts: 516
Location: Kildeer, IL | <p> Hey Scott, </p><p>Can you please explain how you created the flush livewell and rod lockers? I have the same exact boat you do, except mine is a 1987 Esox Ltd. Which I think is the same as the Marauder. Also, where did you put your gas tank?</p><p>Thanks,<br />Scott</p> |
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Posts: 317
Location: Grafton, WI | Setme31,
The gas tank is in the far back of the boat behind the casting deck. I installed a 13 built in tank. You can see the filler and vent in the picture.
The flush livewell was done by creating the same thing as the side that has the rod locker. If your boat is the same, you have a 3/4" drop on the side with the rod locker. I added 3/4" plywood to the livewell side where it also drops down at the front deck. Once I knew where the lid was going to go, I cut the plywood so the lid would fit... then glued and screwed it down, and fiberglassed it.
The rod locker was done basically the same, only with that I cut a new hole where the lid would go, added new 3/4 plywood to the area that was not needed, and mounted the supports to the bottom side. I was able to fabricate a drain lip around the rod box from the old lip around it. In the picture, it is supposed to show a cutout of the way the plywood was mounted as a support. - everything was fiberglassed prior to carpet.
Hope I didn't confuse you too much.
If you want more pictures, or chat - shoot me an e-mail - [email protected]
Attachments ----------------
livewell_1.jpg (73KB - 482 downloads)
livewell_2.jpg (61KB - 498 downloads)
rod_locker.jpg (77KB - 368 downloads)
rear_1.jpg (81KB - 574 downloads)
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Posts: 5874
| Nice job, MD. With Darryl gone from Tuffy, they might be wise to contact you as a replacement! |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | Are you sure you wouldn't want to do some work on the side? All I want is the lids like you got for the rod locker and the crappy little storage compartment I have..lol.. I'll even do the carpet and coat the wood with fiberglass. Its a 1983 Rampage 160XT and literally the ONLY thing I hate about the boat is those lids..lol.. The rest of the boat is fine.... Well, might have a soft spot on the floor, but thats a whole different project and I wouldn't bother you with that one, plus I am not gonna worry about it until it gets much, much worse...lol..
Also, you can paint the fiberglass? Seriously, I did not know that.. Mine needed one about ten years ago..lol.. Did you do it or did you take it in..if took it in what place did it? Thanks... |
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Posts: 317
Location: Grafton, WI | Kevin,
Do you plan on recarpeting the boat? Because the carpet will have to be removed around those areas, and trying to match old carpet isn't easy.
If you have a picture of your boat, send it to me at - [email protected]
I did not do the paint. There is no way I could handle that one!
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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | That is freaking BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Nice work. Now I have to do that to mine to get it look'n purdy as well. I may have to drop you a line to figure out how to do all of that to my rig. I have an 86 Maurader. I do have to put in a bigger livewell than what it has though. Mine is smaller. I do have an extera storage area that I can turn into a livewell. |
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Posts: 516
Location: Kildeer, IL | Scott,
One last question for now. Where did you get your lids? They don't look like they were made out of plywood. |
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Posts: 317
Location: Grafton, WI | A friend of mine had them made for me where he works. They are made out of 16 gauge aluminum.
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I'll see if I could dig up a couple pics.. A paint job would give me a reason to fix the little nicks on the bottom of the hull...lol.. |
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Posts: 4520
Location: Chippewa Falls Wisconsin | Awsome job!!!!!
I remember that boat long ago at an outing...an yes it needed work...but NOW...its looks showroom!
Great job...hopefully the muskies like it too. |
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Posts: 317
Location: Grafton, WI | Thanks for the kind words guys
She will be making her maiden voyage next Tuesday or Wednesday. Hopefully to remove the new carpet smell!
As much as I wanted a new boat, I feel like I got one. And knowing I did the work myself is a bonus.
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Location: Illinois | Scott ;
Having rebuilt a 82 Marauder from the outer hull to all new I can appreciate what
you accomplished. Great Job !
Dennis |
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Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Great job on the rebuild, sir. The boat looks new! If you ever need anything for her from Tuffy, give me a shout. |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | Steve, livewell lid for a rampage 160XT, mine took a dump this weekend..lol.. I am thinking I can get it from my local marina though.. |
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Posts: 736
Location: Hartford, WI | Scott, you need to fire a cigar up in her, and put a new burn hole in that carpet. LOL Just put it in a mysterious place so only you no where it is, that way when you have your first mishape you wont feel so bad. LOL If you want to hit the water I am available in the near future.
I like the new seats, Now I wont fall over backwards. lol
Jim |
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| Dam it boy, looked closer at your pictures and your an inspiration. if i would have seen that 8 weeks ago would have not done hardwood floors in the house. Got a 89 and thinking of selling her, but for what one would get I should just keep it around for the lighter winds. Fun boat to fish out of but rough. Your carpet looks better than the new Tuffy I seen at the show room the other day had 1/2" of glue on either side of the seams. Like the graphics also. A "rennisance man" (sp) type guy your are. |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Scott,
What a beautiful job! You are a man after my own heart. I restored a 1984 Steury 14' tri-hull bass boat because it was the only craft I had access to for 3 years. It became a very nice casting platform in spite of it's small size. When I finally bought a deep-vee a year and a half ago I bought another older boat and modified it to my liking. What a joy to take it out even though it doesn't turn heads like a fancy Ranger, Lund or Crestliner (etc). It's all about making them "our own" unique fishing platform, eh?
Attachments ----------------
76 Steury.jpg (150KB - 736 downloads)
Magna19.jpg (174KB - 514 downloads)
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Posts: 156
Location: Oconomowoc, WI | Found a project in a 82 marauder. Bringing this thread to the top as this info will be very helpful...... Anyone else with pics or suggestions for flush lids, livewell work, etc...??? |
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Posts: 317
Location: Grafton, WI | Shoot me a message if you need to Kevin.
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Posts: 21
Location: Princeton Mn. | WOW!!
Very well done.............you should be proud! |
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| I was referred to this website from walleyecentral.com to look at what you have done with your tuffy. What you did with your boat is unreal!! I have a couple of questions for you. I have an 89 tuffy esox but the floor in the back by the driver pedestal is rotting. What suggestions would you have for replacing part or all of the floor. I assume there are braces under the floor that the new floor attaches to but I guess I don't know. I really like the idea of what you did for the gas tank and the back casting deck. I plan to do the same after I replace the floor below it. Any thought or photos is greatly appreciated!!! I bought this boat last fall at a marine inventory liquidation auction. It is a fun boat to fish out of an small enough to get in and out of some the smaller glacial lakes here in NE South Dakota. Thanks in Advance. |
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Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Rockbanger,
I can help you with the floor replacement, it's a project, but not horribly difficult. Take out the carpet, and look over the flooring to see how much has rotted. Set a Skill saw to JUST cut through the plywood floor outside the damaged area to remove same, and cut a piece of plywood exactly the same size. Get some wood joint clips from Menards or Home Depot, and set them in place with the new floor piece, after coating the new plywood in resin and allowing it to cure. Now cover the joints with wetted in resin fiberglass mat, preferrably random strand mat, not woven roving. Roll it out, let it kick, and recarpet. Make sure there isn't any exposed wood grain, and make sure any screws you use to mount seat bases or other objects are dipped in silicone sealant before installing. |
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| Once again, thanks for the info - greatly appreciated!! |
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Posts: 317
Location: Grafton, WI | Steve knows what he's talking about! Just follow what he said, and you'll be good.
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Posts: 56
| Excellent job!!! You did a great job. I did work on my Esox Mag a few years ago and know how much effort is required to do things right. In my case, I removed the single console and fabricated a double wide, walk-around console. I love how it protects me from the elements and so does the person who rides with me. I also was able to add a waterproof storage box in the dash as well. Good luck on the water.
Steve
Attachments ----------------
Esox Mag 1c.JPG (28KB - 446 downloads)
Esox Mag 3c.JPG (28KB - 343 downloads)
Esox Mag 4c.JPG (28KB - 397 downloads)
Esox Mag 5c.JPG (24KB - 347 downloads)
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Posts: 323
| I have an 88 Marauder that may also be getting a face lift soon. This thread has given me some initiative to get going. But I have some question first.
Esoxmd - Did you put in a bilge pump? If so it's got to be under the gas tank. How did you leave yourself room if the bilge needs replacing. Would you have to take out the gas tank? How much did it cost you to get it painted? Was it actually painted or gelcoated?
Steve - Are decals still available for an 88??? Do you have paint codes? I also have a leak when my livewell gets full. I thought it was a leaky hose so I replaced all hoses and a new pump. It still has a leak but only when the livewell gets overflowing. I'll have to put a garden hose in there and fill it up and take a look. Any ideas where it may be leaking?
This is a great thread for someone like me wanting to put some new life back into an old but still seaworthy craft.
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Posts: 56
| This is my second Tuffy. My first was an 86 Marauder that I did a little cosmetic repair on before selling it. I was able to get replacement decals from Tuffy for that one so I assume you can for your 88 too. The Tuffy wording you see on the front of my new console came from a fiberglass placard on the original console. All I did was fasten it to the front of the new console and carpet around it. As far as for your livewell leaking, you are best to do as you said. Fill it with water and see where it leaks. Good luck and post pics when you're done. You're only limited by your creativity, time and effort. Your wife may add money to that list, but like I told my wife.. That's her opinion. hehe
Steve |
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Posts: 323
| MuskyCat - Thanks for the info nice looking update there!!!
Steve W. - Can I still get decals for my Tuffy? What about paint codes? Any idea or where to look for the livewell leak? If I can't find it I'll have the boat in your area next week and again in mid July. Could you look at it if I can't find the leak??? Thanks in advance..............TC |
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Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | If the livewell is leaking when full, my bet is the overflow hoses or fittings, or the top seal on the well. Plug all the openings, fill her up, and see where water comes out. Decals are available, just call the factory. See www.tuffyboats.com for details. |
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Posts: 317
Location: Grafton, WI | Todd -
There is a bilge pump in there, and unfortunately the gas tank would have to come out to repair it. Not the best option, but the only one I had.
A friend of mine who is a painter did the paint job. So, my cost was just the paint, and time to help sand, etc.
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| I have an 1989 Marauder. I want do do what you did to your boat....Looking for a materials list...I have a little different plan I want to build in some muskie tackle boxes in the front deck. My email is [email protected] me info please. I would really like that.
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Posts: 292
Location: SW MI | That is some awesome stuff. |
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Posts: 956
Location: Home of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs | A great web site about restoring boats is www.tinboats.net. I know it primarily covers "tin" boats but they are all rehabs and offcer great ideas and advice on anything and everything that goes insode your boat (livewells, gas tanks, storage, seats etc etc.) I know that many of you would stand to benefit from checking it out. Not to take away from what has or would otherwise be shared here its just a bit more (ie 11). |
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Posts: 179
Location: Wisconsin | You did some great work. It is like a new boat. Awsome. |
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Posts: 1460
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | I'm envious of you guys that can do work like that. If I tried something like that it'd be a nightmare. Well done, guys. |
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