View Full Version : Restoring 69' 18 2+3 V-drive
coolboats
05-13-2004, 09:33 AM
I just picked up a 69 18 2+3 V-drive. It has a 2000 7.4 MPI engine. I plan on using it this summer then in the fall refinishing it. I was wondering if anyone has already been through the restoration process with this boat? Thanks!
mattyboy
05-13-2004, 09:46 AM
coolboats welcome!!
yes the process goes like this
1. have your head examined ;) although it seems most people wait and put this step last.
2. open wallet and say good bye to your money
3. say good bye to your sanity
4. wonder where all your spare time is
5. if you have not completed step one go to step one :) ;)
6. start drinking heavily :spit:
only kidding, good luck with the project post pics as soon as you can, and ask questions as they come up, the members here are quite helpful
got a hull number??
Matty ;)
coolboats
05-13-2004, 12:58 PM
Thanks Matty,I know the process is not easy. For a living I deal in antique and classic boats so I know first hand the can of worms you open when you start a restoration. I have always liked the Donzi 18 2+3 but I do not like an I/O so I hope I will be pleased with the V-drive. I think this boat deserves to be brought back to new condition. I was fortunate to meet and visit with John Chisolm at his home on Lake Keowee here in South Carolina several years ago.He had at his dock a 60's 18 2+3 and a custom 21 that he had built before he left Donzi. He was awaiting a liver transplant and I do not know if he is still living. The hull number is 929 and I would like to find out if the boat had a big block from the factory. Greg
mattyboy
05-13-2004, 01:41 PM
That number sounds high for a 69 18,
is it a barrelback??
they did make a 427 side oiler v drive barrellback well atleast one in green the original engine was probably a holman moody
If you do it for a living
well you know what it takes to restore it ;)
post pics
Matty
Scott Heidt
05-13-2004, 02:03 PM
coolboats welcome!!
yes the process goes like this
1. have your head examined ;) although it seems most people wait and put this step last.
2. open wallet and say good bye to your money
3. say good bye to your sanity
4. wonder where all your spare time is
5. if you have not completed step one go to step one :) ;)
6. start drinking heavily :spit:
only kidding, good luck with the project post pics as soon as you can, and ask questions as they come up, the members here are quite helpful
got a hull number??
Matty ;)
Actually I started with step 6. first
then I proceeded to step 2.
which led to step 3.
Just some advice:
1. Listen to the little voice in your head when something doesn't seem right. Don't let someone talk you out of something that you think needs to be done, just because they are the so called expert.
2. Take all advice with a gain of salt.
3. Always get a second opinion.
4. Then get a third and a forth.
5. Stay the course no matter how high the hurdles.
6. Expect that some where along the way you will be blind sided by unforseen problems. Some will be small and some will be big. All will cost you money! :)
7. Be patient
8. Don't Touch the red wire to the black one! :) Just Kidding!
9. This is a labor of love..... Well actually a love/hate kinda thing!
10. Have fun and get out to the Donzi events!
11. Oh! This is important.... Take lots and lots of pics from the begining. That is a big regret of mine. That way you will have a record of the transformation from a busted up hoopdy to a pimped up tight ride! :boat:
Good Luck! :smash:
You must have picked up the Vermont boat that was for sale in Florida. I drove it 3 years ago before it was repowered, with a little love, it will be real nice. Congrats and good luck.
coolboats
05-13-2004, 07:36 PM
Matty,Im not sure what a Donzi barrelback is.Thanks Scott and yes Bob it is the boat that came from Vermont. The main focus of my business is wooden boats so I'm sure I will post many times for input on this fiberglass boat. Check out my site at www.carolina-classic-boats.com (http://www.carolina-classic-boats.com/) Greg
Audiofn
05-13-2004, 08:30 PM
Cool, Lot of nice boats on that site :D:D
mattyboy
05-13-2004, 09:53 PM
I'm surprised if you restore old wooden boats surely you have come across a barrelback??? check out the model list that's a good place to start, do a search on barrelback you'll see the difference, and I'm sure you know you don't have to float a glass boat :) ;)
Matty
Eugene Nahemow
05-14-2004, 12:09 AM
I really like that Packard.
Can you tell me about that boat?
Thanks.
kjly63
05-14-2004, 07:16 AM
:bonk: :banghead:
Cool,
I'm almost at the end of my 1972 19ft Cigarette restoration. When you put your budget together.............DOUBLE IT!
Depending how anal you want to be about detail and originality will keep your wallet wide open for a long time.
I found just about everything I needed to keep mine original. And all in all, am very pleased. If you can take the hurdles of one step forward then 2 steps backward----go for it and good luck.
Kenny
rayjay
05-14-2004, 07:21 AM
...they did make a 427 side oiler v drive barrellback well atleast one in green the original engine was probably a holman moody...Matty
I too remember looking at this boat a number of years ago when it was in Vermont. In conversations with the then owner he told me the original BBF was replaced by a 402 (née 396) BBC. I liked the boat but passed as at the time I had my heart set on a Criterion. The engine probably went into a Cobra replicar, especially if it was a side oiler and / or there was anything that said H-M on it. I know people who scour junk yards (car and boat) and such for all FE block Fords for replcars. A mid 60's side oiler 427 block is probably worth more than the boat it is in for many reasons. I know in New Jersey, where I recently moved from, and Connecticut I could register my Cobra replicar based on the age of the block / engine and would then be subject to the emissions and inspection laws for cars from that year. Also good original side oiler blocks are an extreme rarity to find right now unless you are willing to pay BIG BUCK$. Dove and Shelby (cast by Dove) have FE blocks available for sale, but they are new castings with new numbers. For a "replicar" this could effect what year you can register the car as and subsequently what emission / inspection laws you would be subject to.
Greg, Great site! I love old wooden speedboats. Some day I would like to have a beautiful piece of floating wood art. My Dad was a carpenter and would take me to the NY Boat Show every year. In the mid 60's, the age of the plastic boat, He would stand in front of the Riva's and just smile.
rayjay
coolboats
05-14-2004, 07:22 AM
Eugene email me direct at coolboats@bellsouth.net for info. on the Packard. Kenny,did you paint your hull? If so what product did you use and are you pleased with the results? Greg
coolboats
05-14-2004, 07:30 AM
Do you guys think from a value stand point it would be worth putting put a 427 back in the boat if that was the way it was equipped ? Greg
olredalert
05-14-2004, 10:28 AM
--------Personally I would vote yes on that 427 question. Huge cool factor. There is an 18 Corsican near here with a 427FE/V-drive and I go by his house just about every time Im out to see if the boats around. I just love looking at it. He hasnt had it out in a year or two due to low water all around his dock, but maybe this summer I can get him to get it wet. Financially Im not sure the FE is a good idea if you are looking to turn the boat quick or something, but if you are looking to keep the boat and wait for the appreciation that is bound to come Id go for it.
--------The 21 COBRA is absolutely stunning, as are the others on your sight!...........Bill S
Rootsy
05-14-2004, 10:51 AM
on a more reasonable level you could probably go with a 427 center oiler and very few people could ever tell the difference... they have cross bolted mains and such liek the side oiler... most were used in 60's era cruisers and sported low or medium riser heads in a marine application...
bad thing bout the 427 FE's is that at lot of em ended up with rods through the side of the block... there are only like 3 oiling versions of this thing...
nothing like one of em to get your adrenaline going though :D
coolboats
05-14-2004, 11:39 AM
Thanks Bill. Is there a way through hull records to confirm what engine was in the boat when it left the plant? Greg
kjly63
05-14-2004, 08:12 PM
Greg,
Repainted in Awlgrip. Not easy to work with; but the end result is incredible. I've stained & varnished the mahogany decking and installing that this w/e.
Another 2 wks. and I should be afloat. :yippie: I'm chompin at the bit.
Kenny
Greg nice site, some excellent boats! It shows us whats coming in the future! :cool: :yes:
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