Bought a 1987 226 Seafarer!

[CJ7Rob]

Looks good, where did you go for the navy blue carpet? And did you just use the 3M spray glue on both sides to tack it in? Thx

 

[SirGrady226]

Looks good, where did you go for the navy blue carpet? And did you just use the 3M spray glue on both sides to tack it in? Thx

I was able to buy the indoor / outdoor carpet at Home Depot online, and my brother who installs carpet for a living used a spray contact cement that gives you a few minutes of positioning.

 

[SirGrady226]

Had the custom Bimini top installed yesterday, turned out very nice. Isinglass is coming in the near future. This boat is ready for the water, just a few more days on rehabbing the trailer, then heading to the water.

 

[SirGrady226]

It's just a 30 year old Grady White! :wow

 

[SirGrady226]

Last picture I will post that's not with the boat in the water. Super happy with the outcome and want to thank all those that helped along the way.

 

[Ky Grady]

Looks great. You have to be getting excited to splash!!

 

[SirGrady226]

Looks great. You have to be getting excited to splash!!

Yeah, first trip will be mostly going over the two outboards. Plan on setting the idles, checking timing, etc, then a performance check. If everything goes well, then the next time out will be for cruising up and down the Loxahatchee river. After 20 hours with no problems, then I will take her offshore for some serious fishing. I have restored classic cars, remodeled homes, and a bunch of DIY projects over the years, but this has been my first boat restore. My brother has a 26 Chase, so owning a Grady White runs in the family. It has been a great project, and not as costly as one would think. The final chapter depends on how much life is still left in the old 140 loopers, they check out good on a garden hose, we will see how they do on the water. 8)

 

[SirGrady226]

New front bunks installed on the trailer, and also a new bow eye bracket fabricated out of stainless steel installed. For those using their Grady for salt water, I recommend that you inspect the bow eye steel bracket to make sure it hasn't rusted away.

 

[Jody]

Nice work, I will check my bow eye pronto 89 228 and always been in saltwater.

 

[SirGrady226]

First attempt at putting the boat in the water didn't go well, had an issue with a neutral safety switch so I didn't leave the dock. :cry: But while pulling out of the water I got another surprise, the winch plate broke loose from its mounting plate. Lucky I had a safety chain in place or it would of launched itself again. This is all a learning curve, but I'm glad it's happening now so I get it out of the way. Both problems are fixed now, but of coarse work has picked up and there has been very little time to try again.

 

[SirGrady226]

Put the Seafarer in the water today but was quickly chased back to the ramp by a few strong thunder storms. But it floats! raise 8)

 

[Halfhitch]

SirGrady, Your name isn't listed in your profile but I know what your middle name is...."Determination". Good job of saving that great boat from the bone yard. With your attitude I know it will never deteriorate like that again. Great job.

 

[SirGrady226]

SirGrady, Your name isn't listed in your profile but I know what your middle name is...."Determination". Good job of saving that great boat from the bone yard. With your attitude I know it will never deteriorate like that again. Great job.

Thanks for noticing, love a restoration challenge, it has come a long way from where it was. The previous owner died from cancer a few years back, his son sold it to me with the stipulation I take he and his mom out in it when finished. He said it was his dads pride and joy, and they had many family memories in this boat. Sent them pictures today and told them we need to plan a voyage soon. Glad to help them out, should be special.

Just a few problems to work out yet, but I did get to install a nice simple blue tooth stereo and some LED lighting. Pretty sure the power pack in the counter rotation outboard is acting up, but I have spares. Front bilge hose has a split in it and is super hard to get to. And my Garmin is not registering that the transducer is connected. Should solve those issues in short order, just glad to finally get a feel for it in the water. The old 140 loopers will rocket this hull out of the hole, and it rides through wake more like a 25 footer that a 22. Very stable when drifting, and I was pleased with the dual live wells after testing them. Not a big fan of the windshield, my standing position puts the top frame right in my line of sight. I might make a 3" platform in front of the seat to help with that. Looks great for a 30 year old boat, and I got a few compliments today because of it.

Hope future readers of this thread gain confidence in working on their own Seafarer!

 

[UCPA111]

Looking good! I didn't realize it had twins. Keep up the good work. Nice to see another restoration of a great older model boat. Mine is a 1984. I've documented on youtube.

 

[SirGrady226]

Looking good! I didn't realize it had twins. Keep up the good work. Nice to see another restoration of a great older model boat. Mine is a 1984. I've documented on youtube.

Thanks! Yeah the ole girl still sports the original 30 year old twin Johnson 140's, plans are to try and get 3 to 5 more years out of them before doing a modern re power. Only positive to these old outboards in simplicity, I can work on them myself if needed, but economy is not to be had. I'm impressed with the big bore V4 torque, they have a lot of it and will toss you out the back if you are not ready for it. I was surprised that using just 1 engine, the boat will still easily get up on plane.

 

[RTNEPTUNE]

Your boat looks great ! good work . I wish I had twins on mine , I have a single 250 e-tec on a bracket and it can be a little challenging at the dock . But these boats handle like a dream out in the open water . When you do re-power consider an engine bracket It really opens up the deck space and makes the boat handle even better . Enjoy !

 

[SirGrady226]

It turns out that the issue I had with the counter rotation 140 was because of a pinched wire running under the power pack, the new engine wiring harness has longer leads up there that caused one wire to end up against one of the mounting studs . This caused the alarm horn to go off and it go into limp mode a couple times. The front bilge pump hose had a bunch of perfectly rolled up leaves clogging it, most likely from some type of wasp or bee nesting in it when the boat sat for a couple years. The hose developed a leak and was very brittle, but now is replaced with a new one. Standard rotation 140 has a tach that works intermittently, could be wire connection or even the stator. I'll just keep solving them as they come, normal stuff for a 30 year old boat I guess.

 

[SirGrady226]

Had a wonderful day on the water today, the ole Seafarer ran flawless with no issues at all. This was my first problem free splash, even caught some nice snapper for dinner. What a great boat, love the way it rides and how the twin loopers get up and go.

 

[SirGrady226]

My wife caught all the fish though!

 

[Punch53]

I've been following your build and I like the way you prioritized what you did. Most people bite off too much at one time , then get overwhelmed, and lose interest. I love the way you accesorized the bow :goodjob