Project Boat

[Stacer560]

Gents, ok i have a work colleague who has inherited this 1970s/80s Steber craft glass boat with a massive 9.9hp. mind you it was purchased brand new by his uncle, it was used and is in very good condition. As you can see in some of the pics, it is tiller steer with a custom home job steering cable set up, that is no where near safe, but i dont know how you can steer and sit at the front unless someone was giving you throttle at the back

Anyhow, since it owes him all but NOTHING, he is looking to do the following.

Get rid of the 9.9hp and replace it with a 30-50hp motor. What do you guys recommend, is 50hp too much? He wants enough power to potentially tube, and get upto 50km/h or a tad more... would that be safe in a 4m approx boat?

With the new engine, get a whole new steering set up, steering wheel and cable, plus a new plate for the transom.

Currently has a 20litre portable fuel tank, and was thinking of putting a tank up the front of the boat to even the weight, and put a 40-50litre tank. Or should he keep te tank at the back?

Then finally, minor things like repaint the boat sides to black, rename the boat, put all items on a 5 panel switch + cigarette lighter (nav + anchor light, bilge, cabin lights and 1 spare).

Then last but not least, replace the seats and put 2 nice seats at the front, and a lounge seat at the back with 2 speakers and a CD deck.

What do you guys think? Getting into a big project, or is it worth while?

I have told him to expect to pay $6k roughly.

[jewgaffer]

Hi Stacer560, Steber Craft were always a good seller and a very well boat made boat indeed...I've just had my 1996 35hp 3 cyl Evinrude Elan model taken off my boat and updated the power to a brand new 60hp motor up at Huey's at Cowan...Being one of if not the smallest fibre glass boat in Steber's range, I think a 35hp would be close enough to perfect for it, you wouldn't need a fifty on a 4.0m boat I wouldn't think anyway...If you're friend's interested in having a look at my old motor give Huett Marine a call as a motor in the condition this one's in would certainly sell quickly and you'd have forward controls and guages as well..

Cheers

jewgaffer

Edited May 28, 2010 by jewgaffer

[Captin]

One of the best investments you should make is replacing you current windscreen with a 5 piece one. When it comes time to anchor/retrieve you'll thank me every time.

[rickb]

One of the best investments you should make is replacing you current windscreen with a 5 piece one. When it comes time to anchor/retrieve you'll thank me every time.

Hey Captain, do fisho's still retrieve their anchors from the bow,I've had five boats

and never pulled the pick up a the pointie end yet.

[Captin]

Hey Captain, do fisho's still retrieve their anchors from the bow,I've had five boats

and never pulled the pick up a the pointie end yet.

I've always anchored from the from, yeah sure if the winds against me I might anchor up on the sides, but in all my years of boating and fishing i get the best results with the back of the boat going with the current.

Each to their own i guess.

[The Iceman]

http://www.steber.com.au/archives/

I reckon it might be a Steber Beaver which are only rated to 33hp

Personally I would get the transom checked out and then decide what motor I would put on it

No doubt Huey would be a great help

[rickb]

I've always anchored from the from, yeah sure if the winds against me I might anchor up on the sides, but in all my years of boating and fishing i get the best results with the back of the boat going with the current.

Each to their own i guess.

Captain, I should have explained. My anchor rope is off the bow with a humungas rubber

ring and I tie a painter on anchor rope and back to side,if any lines are running under boat

I just pull on anchor rope until they are all running back. I retrieve from side into locker under bow.

Cheers Rick.

[TheAlby]

i agree with jewgaffer a 35hp would be a nice fit to that boat. anymore could be a bit to much for it to handle but speak to huey