Evan's boat projects: The next chapter

Evan B

Evan B

Bobber Downey Jr.
Staff member
Admin
Winter 2020/2021, I did a huge project on a 1993 Striper that I converted from inboard to outboard. Did the whole transom rebuild.

You can view the photo album of that project here:

Fished that boat for salmon, walleye and saltwater bottomfish last summer/fall and really loved the boat a lot. Super comfy, smooth ride, tons of storage, and the big, super nice cuddy was fun to hang out in. I had planned to fish it for this season at least before picking up the next project... But I accidentally browsed some classifieds and saw a good deal on a hull type I've REALLY been wanting to have.

So now I've just picked up this '94 Wellcraft Coastal 218. Came with a Johnson 225hp engine. My plan is to swap my Honda 225 and all my electronics to this Wellcraft, then do some refinishing on the cuddy interior, plus some other minor upgrades. Hopefully in a few months, I'll take a bath in tuna blood upon its decks.
1649551993335.png
1649552052891.png
(really excited about the walkaround design and fishable area in the bow!)

If you know anybody who'd want a Striper with an overbuilt new transom and a strong running, well-maintained Johnson 225 outboard, send em my way ;)
 
Wow, nice work! Oh man, I've always thought the Wellcraft Coastals were the perfect fishing boat that you could also camp a couple nights in. Good luck with that project!
 
skyriver said:
Wow, nice work! Oh man, I've always thought the Wellcraft Coastals were the perfect fishing boat that you could also camp a couple nights in. Good luck with that project!
Click to expand...
Yeah, that style hull is just too good. Like I said: I wasn't in the market, but then that popped up.
 
Looks like she has the right attitude for the Oregon coast.

Be nice if you could build a live well into that transom bar(?) with the rod holders. I guess if you can make a stern to hold an outboard thats easy work for you!
 
Yard Sale said:
Looks like she has the right attitude for the Oregon coast.

Be nice if you could build a live well into that transom bar(?) with the rod holders. I guess if you can make a stern to hold an outboard thats easy work for you!
Click to expand...
there's two "live wells" behind the seats then one big fish box in the floor. Probably doesn't need another tank. Plus, I've never really needed a live well for anything. If I ever get in the habit of getting live anchovies, which is only available in Ilwaco which I rarely launch from, then I will probably just get a bait tank that straps down.
 
SilverFly said:
Really like the lines on the Wellcraft. BTW, I'm available as a free lance Bow Position Jig Chucking Jumper Patch Converter. References available on request.
Click to expand...
Yeah, Evan, so what’s the inbox capacity on pnwff? Looks like you’re about to test it …
 
PhilR said:
Yeah, Evan, so what’s the inbox capacity on pnwff? Looks like you’re about to test it …
Click to expand...
True, but I have something to barter with access to this a short walk from my future back door (oops, now my inbox will get tested ;) )Downstream-holes.jpg
 
Last edited:
PhilR said:
Yeah, Evan, so what’s the inbox capacity on pnwff? Looks like you’re about to test it …
Click to expand...
hah, well, I already do my own tuna trips in my father in law's boat he lets me use. So the ability to do that has already been there.
 
Well I've got MOST the electrical stuff and engine controls (kicker and main) pulled on the Striper (old boat). This weekend, I'm hoping to hoist both main engines off the boats and do the engine swaps. Should be interesting, especially if I do it solo.

The thing I'm looking forward to the least is running the controls and wires from stern to helm on the Wellcraft. That is NOT going to be an easy task. Got spoiled with the striper... that was the easiest wiring route of all time. I have a roll of fish tape, plus an electrician's fiberglass rod ready for the task, but I'm already dreading the frustration.
 
Evan B said:
Well I've got MOST the electrical stuff and engine controls (kicker and main) pulled on the Striper (old boat). This weekend, I'm hoping to hoist both main engines off the boats and do the engine swaps. Should be interesting, especially if I do it solo.

The thing I'm looking forward to the least is running the controls and wires from stern to helm on the Wellcraft. That is NOT going to be an easy task. Got spoiled with the striper... that was the easiest wiring route of all time. I have a roll of fish tape, plus an electrician's fiberglass rod ready for the task, but I'm already dreading the frustration.
Click to expand...

Just curious.
How much does the old Johnson weigh compared to your new Honda weigh?
You use some type of motor hoist for the transfer?
Good luck with the wiring and engine swap.
Looking forward to seeing some pics when you get the new boat complete.
SF
 
Stonedfish said:
Just curious.
How much does the old Johnson weigh compared to your new Honda weigh?
You use some type of motor hoist for the transfer?
Good luck with the wiring and engine swap.
Looking forward to seeing some pics when you get the new boat complete.
SF
Click to expand...
There's about a 100lb difference. The Johnson is I think I saw online around 500lb, and my Honda 225 is 600lb.

I have a cherry picker hoist I used for the last project, and went and picked up a matching one last week on craigslist to do the 2nd engine since they both need to be off at the same time to do this. Unfortunately, I can't quite lift 500lb yet. I'm about 100lb short on my ability to just manhandle it.
 
Evan B said:
Well I've got MOST the electrical stuff and engine controls (kicker and main) pulled on the Striper (old boat). This weekend, I'm hoping to hoist both main engines off the boats and do the engine swaps. Should be interesting, especially if I do it solo.

The thing I'm looking forward to the least is running the controls and wires from stern to helm on the Wellcraft. That is NOT going to be an easy task. Got spoiled with the striper... that was the easiest wiring route of all time. I have a roll of fish tape, plus an electrician's fiberglass rod ready for the task, but I'm already dreading the frustration.
Click to expand...
Good luck with that! At least you still have the old stuff in there and can use that to pull a big line through when you remove it.
 
Alrighty, trying to get a game plan together here. The helm area is one I can't quite figure out which way to go.

What this boat originally had is this bay above the helm where your electronics go: chartplotter, VHF, radar, etc. It had a plexiglass cover that went over it that's now gone. The molding around it is damaged/cracked and probably needs replacing with something else. What I'm considering is getting either some star board that I fit in to there and do flush mount electronics, or go the plexiglass cover route and have things mounted on their regular brackets.
1650040087257.png

Either way, I'd need to figure out what to do with that molding. Anyone have good ideas for that? I'd need to come up with a solution for seating either a plexiglass or starboard piece in there.



Next up: on the stern, there's two identical pieces like this and I have no idea what they're for. Anyone recognize this? Just seems like a plastic tube piece jammed in to an offshore rod holder, but when there's two identical ones, it almost seems like a possible base for something.

1650040095392.png
 
Evan B said:
Next up: on the stern, there's two identical pieces like this and I have no idea what they're for. Anyone recognize this? Just seems like a plastic tube piece jammed in to an offshore rod holder, but when there's two identical ones, it almost seems like a possible base for something.

View attachment 11759
Click to expand...
Could be for mounting a flag pole in..?

edit: Or outrigger mounts..?

1650041032490.png

1650041121364.png

1650041443230.png
 
cdnred said:
Could be for mounting a flag pole in..?

View attachment 11764

View attachment 11765
Click to expand...
Hot damn, you figured it out! In that case, I think he flew three flags. Just discovered one of the covered offshore holders on the side was re-fitted with a straight pipe for something like that as well. The net/gaff holders are on the tower, so I think you nailed it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top