1989 Maxum 1900 XR Project

[stevo1975]

Hello all,

Brand newbie to the forum. Finally got a good deal (to me) on a project boat that will eat up the next couple months. It is an '89 1900 XR. I have a 1978 16 ft. Mirrocraft aluminum boat, but I live near Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin. Huge lake, but not deep. Waves are terrible on even a remotely breezy day. My boat isn't deep enough or wide enough to take the punishment. I plan on making this more of a fish/ski combo because I like to fish. Now before anyone interrogates me about "why didn't you just buy a fishing boat?", let me tell you I only paid $900 for the boat, motor, and trailer. The guy bought it simply for the motor, but only one bank was firing. Knowing my outboards, I knew what was wrong, and that it was a relatively easy fix. The interior was shot, but I knew this before I ever went to look at it. I was going to redo the interior of my tin boat, but this was to good of a deal to pass up. I have learned so much about boat interiors through forums like this, but more importantly I have the patience to pull it off. Be advised, I work two jobs so the weekends are the only time I have to work on this, which is why it is going to take so long. But it's worth it to me.

[stevo1975]

Here are the pictures that never uploaded the first time.

[stevo1975]

So this weekend I started "deconstruction" (my favorite). I knew what I was getting into when I bought the boat, so all the rot really didn't bother me. I will be pulling stringers and transom as well. I won't even question them.

[mmwjr]

Welcome aboard.

the last picture looks like it already drove you to drink.

We love following projects so post as you go!

[stevo1975]

Yeah I actually found that laying in there and all I could think was "Would you like some cheese with that whine sir?" lmao

[stevo1975]

Okay, so I'm in the middle of deconstruction. I had a few snags - I don't think anyone put any grease on the steering cable arm . So after an hour and a half of pounding steel dowels through the open end, I finally got the cable out of the outboard, and I was pretty whooped. Now I'm going to start asking questions. Stringer system: my outboard is over the max by 25 ponies, so I want a solid transom/stringer system. Would I be better off using douglas fir dimensional lumber for the stringers? I plan on making use of my sliding t bevel so the bottom of the stringers conform to the bottom of the boat (less filleting). Encapsulate each board with epoxy resin, glue and screw it together with waterproof glue, peanut butter the daylights out of the bottom of the stringers, and finally glassing over them. I want to do this for sheer strength. I haven't measured the transom, but if I can add 1/2" of thickness to it I will. Definitely do not want to do this all over again, so I'm asking the experts (this means YOU). The decks, compartments, and interior panels will be made with MDO plywood, I've heard other guys using this stuff and getting fantastic results. Thanks

[mmwjr]

Sounds like you are an expert yourself.

You plan to rebuild the backbone of the boat is good.

Not sure the HP limiting factor is this though but may be engine weight, freeboard, length and beam that limit max rating. These impact the boats stability.

[stevo1975]

Thanks Mike

Never really considered all of that went into HP ratings. This is actually my first "fiberglass" boat project. So I will be taking my time with this to make sure it's done right. Measure 5 times - cut once.

[mmwjr]

To be honest I have never done all that myself. I do woodwork as a hobby and I do understand the basics of what you are doing. Also have followed many of these projects so I have seen what others have done.

[stevo1975]

Actually I just ran the HID number on the boat - it's an '88 2000 XR. My bad. My bad.

[mmwjr]

Hey you just got a year older but a foot longer. Sounds like a fish story.

[Mblethen]

Looks a lot like what I am in the middle of. The fun is starting.

[stevo1975]

Originally Posted by Mblethen

Looks a lot like what I am in the middle of. The fun is starting.

I've actually been following your post as well. My disadvantage is that I'm trying to do this in an oversized storage unit. No plumbing, which means no pressure washer, just electricity. My shop vac will probably be the most useful tool I have.

[stevo1975]

Quick Update:

Since it was Mother's Day I only got to work one day on this. I discovered a problem when I pulled the outboard off the back. There are hair line cracks on both sides of the transom. Do not know if these are stress cracks, or how to go about fixing this. So I'll need your help. The last pictures are what was left of the stringers under the bow compartments. The last pic of the fiberglass "bubbling out" is new to me. Never seen that before. Since this boat came out of Minnesota, I can only assume that it was left outside for the entire winter uncovered, with all kinds of snow piling up on the inside. I don't have any holes in the hull (that I'm aware of).

[mmwjr]

Looks like stress cracks to me. Is the transom core wood rotten?

Replace all bad wood, open up the cracks to see if they are just cracks and not delaming.

[stevo1975]

As far as I can tell Mike the transom was only bad at the bottom by the drain. I stuck my finger into the outboard mounting holes and all was solid. But I won't find out the extent of the damage until the transom is out, which may be a few weeks. What did you mean by "open up the cracks"?

[mmwjr]

Use a dremel tool and taper the gelcoat back to see how extensive the cracks are.

[stevo1975]

Okay so,
Life kinda got in the way this year, not to mention I've been working two jobs this whole time. Just a quick FYI on the progress: Got most of the interior floor and stringers out, along with most of the floatation foam (I forgot how much work that really is). As the foam came out, so did nasty, stinky, rotted, sewer like water that just drained to the bottom of the hull (can't explain in words how much it reeked). I'm starting a new job that will replace both jobs I have now, freeing up some weekend time to strip and prep the inside hull for new stringers and transom in the spring. ENJOY THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

[Nlventu]

Originally Posted by stevo1975

Hello all,

Brand newbie to the forum. Finally got a good deal (to me) on a project boat that will eat up the next couple months. It is an '89 1900 XR. I have a 1978 16 ft. Mirrocraft aluminum boat, but I live near Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin. Huge lake, but not deep. Waves are terrible on even a remotely breezy day. My boat isn't deep enough or wide enough to take the punishment. I plan on making this more of a fish/ski combo because I like to fish. Now before anyone interrogates me about "why didn't you just buy a fishing boat?", let me tell you I only paid $900 for the boat, motor, and trailer. The guy bought it simply for the motor, but only one bank was firing. Knowing my outboards, I knew what was wrong, and that it was a relatively easy fix. The interior was shot, but I knew this before I ever went to look at it. I was going to redo the interior of my tin boat, but this was to good of a deal to pass up. I have learned so much about boat interiors through forums like this, but more importantly I have the patience to pull it off. Be advised, I work two jobs so the weekends are the only time I have to work on this, which is why it is going to take so long. But it's worth it to me.

Have u got a manual for this boat? I am pretty sure this is the same as mine

[shrew]

5+ year old thread. There is a sticky at the top of the MAxum General page discussion manuals:

https://www.maxumownersclub.com/foru...uals-8256.html