Midnight Express 32' Project

[MDonziM]

I guess I'll try again, maybe the statute of limitations was not up on my south florida 80's history of Midnights... Here are some pics of my 1982 32' Midnight Express. It originally had twin staggered big blocks and arneson drives. The last owner put an Armstrong bracket on it and triple mercs. I will be cutting out the old 3man bolster and make it into a sit down boat with a large L shaped seating area. So far I have wetsanded and compounded one side of the deck which came out pretty well. My plan is to keep the putty grey deck and topsides and just re-spray the stripes. I don't love the black and gold, was thinking of dark blue instead of black and then lighter shades of silver/blue.

What do you think?

[MDonziM]

I'm also contemplating removing this large forward tank(92gal) that is 5' ahead of the helm bulkhead and replacing with a smaller tank further forward between the next 2 bulkheads. This will make more room for a cabin layout and maybe cut out some weight. The entire hull is cored which makes the layup look light but it seems quite strong. Had a problem uploading a pic of the cabin but here is another pic of the same hull with twin OB.

[MDonziM]

Got it.

[Greg Guimond]

Here are some pics of my 1982 32' Midnight Express. The last owner put an Armstrong bracket on it and triple Mercs. I will be cutting out the old 3 man bolster and make it into a sit down boat. What do you think?

I think I'm looking forward to this build thread. Very cool. I may be wrong, but I think the Armstrong brackets are a "flotation" design which will keep the transom high at rest with twin 300's on the back as you come off plane. Seeing as you are going to convert to sit down bucket seats, you might want to consider investigating these hydraulic "helper" race seat bases.

[MDonziM]

Hey Greg - You know of any good seat makers? I tried twin marine in Miami who my mechanic recommended but no answer. I like the shock absorbers, who makes those? I'm hoping to mount the center helm seat on a bracket/platform that can slide aft on adjustment tracks so that the cabin can be accessed. I'll try to scan my interior design and post it. Also, what do you think about twin vs. triple motors. I don't really want to buy 3 but I wonder what the weight/ hp trade off is like? The boat was said to do 78mph with (2)200's and a 250 in the center so I was thinking maybe 40-50 less hp but 400lbs less weight would be about the same top end. I hope to start cutting soon...

[Greg Guimond]

I would vote 100% for Twins given what todays motors make for power. There is a thread I believe with a number of interior manufacturer names a couple of which can do the molds if needed. You might be able to find out about the absorbers by calling Phantom, or perhaps there is a forum member in Sarasota.

Phantom Boats, LLC
1661 W. University Parkway Unit B
Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 232-4026
(941) 351-3760
ws@phantomboats.com

[scippy]

Marshall,

Interesting look at the structural ribs of the 32'....... something you won't find in a typical pleasure craft.
getting the max strenght by using the least weight. Considering all the overkill in fiberglass boat building
of the past, the midnight look's pretty mean an also lean!

[Conquistador_del_mar]

I don't love the black and gold, was thinking of dark blue instead of black and then lighter shades of silver/blue.

What do you think?

Marshall,
For what is worth, I like that gameplan with dark blue and silver/blue. Twins should work well for propulsion. Bill

[MDonziM]

Pete - There is a notable difference in the layup of this ME vs the Magnum especially considering it was made just 4 years later. I hope to get the floor out that the previous owner installed and get some pics of the ribbing on the bottom.

Bill - I like the idea of the blue/grey color scheme too, the black is really hot on my Mag. I'm leaning towards twin Merc Optimax 300xs for now just because they seem more performance oriented. I'm curious what you think about the need for trim tabs... there are none on the boat now.

Did a little work/ cleanup last night and further de-mystified the old fuel capacity lore. The main rear tanks are only 78 gal each not 200 so the total cap is 248 gal, not 600. Big difference.

[Greg Guimond]

248 total gallons assumes that you will be keeping the 3rd forward gas tank in place at 92 gallons, correct? I would think that you'd want to remove that tank given how high it is in the photo and install a belly tank forward or perhaps a fuel bladder. If you go that route, what will the 92 gallon capacity decrease to? I guess you won't know until you get the floor opened up to see what you might be able to do dimensionally and where it would have to be located for the best Center of Gravity in rough conditions. 92 gallons of gas is about 598lbs of weight.

[MDonziM]

Greg - Yes, 248 is what the boat has now. I want to remove the front 92 gal tank for several reasons. First its big and in the middle of a cabin area that could be greatly improved and I don't know what the integrity of the tank is. Second its more fuel than I could ever conceivably use. So, I'm thinking that a new tank, maybe 50-60 gal, moved forward to the next bulkhead will have the same weight leverage factor for balance as the current tank and be installed lower etc.

I'm in the process of removing the bolster and hope to cut out the floor next.. I'll post more pics soon.

[MDonziM]

Met with my fiberglass and paint guy yesterday and mapped out an initial game plan. Since we will remove the old engine compartment/bolster bulkhead we will install 3 new cross members that will connect to the bottom of the stringers and come up the the new floor height. The existing ones are only about 2 1/2" tall. We will also replace the center transom knee with a bigger/better one.
Got the bolster out after a lot of head scratching on how it was installed, it was only bolted on by the throttle area on the dash, the rest was just wedged in.

[scippy]

Marshall,

Considering the overall stout construction of your ME 32' ........the change over alteration from I/O
to OB's (even though probabely strong, but not so pretty with the slapped knee's) seemed to be a
rushed job...............What you plan in this area will really beef up and look great a well.

[Greg Guimond]

Marshall,

Here is how I designed my transom when I converted my Ultra 23 from I/O to O/B power. The vertical spreads the load to the edges of the transom which reduces stress over time in heavy water.

[Conquistador_del_mar]

Bill - I like the idea of the blue/grey color scheme too, the black is really hot on my Mag. I'm leaning towards twin Merc Optimax 300xs for now just because they seem more performance oriented. I'm curious what you think about the need for trim tabs... there are none on the boat now.

Did a little work/ cleanup last night and further de-mystified the old fuel capacity lore. The main rear tanks are only 78 gal each not 200 so the total cap is 248 gal, not 600. Big difference.

Marshall,
I thought the three 200 gallon tanks sounded incredible so I am not surprised to hear they are not that large. I am a believer in trim tabs on any deep v boat due to their versatility in getting the boat level as well as leaning the boat away from oncoming waves that are coming at an angle to reduce the bow slap, but wouldn't it be difficult to mount them with a transom bracket interfering with the tab rams? You are taking on an very interesting project! Bill