Fishing Victoria Forum

Well. It’s been an interesting week.

Have been mulling over giving my boat a dress up for ages now. I bought it back in 2014 and it was a little rough around the edges. A factory tiller steer it was converted to centre console in 2011 and a new etec 60hp bolted up.

The dodgy centre console has been getting looser and looser and after deciding that with this covid stuff going on I wasn’t going to be using it for a while it was time to have a crack. One thing led to another and now I’m doing a full rebuild.

First stop was to a bloke who I knew had the factory formula rear deck mould. He worked for formula back on the day and built the mould. I was discussing the age of the boat with him and it piqued his interest. As it turns out they only built 1 tiller steer in the first year or two. My boat being a 2002 makes it that tiller boat. Which just so happened to be the very first formula boat built. Was pretty happy to find that out.

Anyway. I got some quotes done and all were well around the $10k mark. I’ve decided to give it a crack myself on the smaller jobs for now and then once I build up some experience I might have a dip at the other more serious jobs that need doing.

Anyway here’s the jobs I’m looking to do.

Replace centre console with new. Including front seat and more dry storage

Very small front seat/single person casting deck across the front bulkhead. Storage built in.

Underfloor fuel around 70-90l depending on stringer orientation. Hopefully have enough room left for a kill tank etc.

Dig around on the transom/stringers looking for soft spots etc.

Install factory formula rear deck mould including bait tanks etc.

Full length side pockets butted up with front step

Beef up front bulk head to take future electric anchor

Put in new electrics. Sounder mainly, might stretch for a new leccy. Etc budget dependant

Swap out the 60hp for a 90 hp to get it singing. Depending on what comes up for sale it may be as big as 115

Here’s a few pics of what I’m starting with anyway. Ignore the casting deck. I pissed that off a couple years ago

A couple hours into stripping crap out today.

Nice, good luck with it all. you have the time now to customize it properly.

You wouldn't put a 115 pro xs Merc with a big tiller on it

Should come up a treat when it's finished.

What material are you building the console out of? Will you go glass or Ally?

Just some advice if i may.. If going a bigger engine and bigger fuel tank, put a lot of thought into where to position the tank, especially being a smaller boat. You don't want it to be sitting too bum heavy.

Cheers, Anth

purple5ive wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:39 pm

Nice, good luck with it all. you have the time now to customize it properly.

Time? What time? I’m a bloody essential worker. So is the missus so even if the lockdowns go further I’ve gotta work. But yeah need to get stuck in

cobby wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:23 pm

You wouldn't put a 115 pro xs Merc with a big tiller on it

A mates got 115 pro xs on his. And another had a 115 opti. Both said around 84kmh is where the hull got really flighty but it absolutely loved 68kmh for cruising. I reckon I could achieve those speeds with a 90. But honestly depends what’s coming up for sale.

Sinsemilla wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:47 pm

Should come up a treat when it's finished.

What material are you building the console out of? Will you go glass or Ally?

Just some advice if i may.. If going a bigger engine and bigger fuel tank, put a lot of thought into where to position the tank, especially being a smaller boat. You don't want it to be sitting too bum heavy.

Cheers, Anth

It’s currently got a 113kg outboard on it. With a 25l tank and a battery up the back. Big sessions over also had another 20l Jerry up the back.

I’m looking at putting a 170 odd kg outboard on. Fuel to go central and forward of the boat. Batteries in the centre console. Kill tank behind console.

I don’t think it will sit too bum heavy but I’ll have the option of moving batteries. Putting anchor winch on etc to level it out if needed.

New console is already ordered.

ducky wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:54 am

cobby wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:23 pm

You wouldn't put a 115 pro xs Merc with a big tiller on it

A mates got 115 pro xs on his. And another had a 115 opti. Both said around 84kmh is where the hull got really flighty but it absolutely loved 68kmh for cruising. I reckon I could achieve those speeds with a 90. But honestly depends what’s coming up for sale.

Sounds good, would be better if you said and returning it back to a tiller....

ducky wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:52 am

purple5ive wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:39 pm

Nice, good luck with it all. you have the time now to customize it properly.

Time? What time? I’m a bloody essential worker. So is the missus so even if the lockdowns go further I’ve gotta work. But yeah need to get stuck in

Hahah damn I thought you were at home and hence why attempted the rebuild..
Hopefully everything goes well