My Double Eagle Re-build Journey

[Inchebe]

Time for me to start documenting my journey re-building / modifying my new to me Double Eagle, I have gained so much reading this forum so thought I would have a go at my own thread

Some of the elements I looked for initially (and somewhat naively) included:
- A project boat within reason - ideally a solid hull, deck, stringers and transom, I love the challenge of DIY and have done many (non boating) projects in the past
- Something that would handle the PNW waters
- Something I could put some sort of Alaskan cabin / Cuddy Cabin / similar
- A boat that I could pod immediately or in the future
- Primarily a fishing focused boat, but with some utility for other water activates

I settled on a 76 18.6 DE
- took her for a test ride and for her age seemed to tick more boxes than it didn't
- the fact that it was podded already was a real plus

Very pleased with my first boat purchase, thinking I had a little gem, I brought it home ........ oh reality thou are a heartless b*tch

Images attached are from the original advert and my test trip.

 

[Doubleheader]

Did you find some defects in er? I’m curious the size and design of the pod, kicking around ideas for a 1974’ 18’2” hourston I’m rebuilding. Good luck with the new rig!

 

[Adrenafin]

Looks like a 17'6"

 

[Inchebe]

Did you find some defects in er? I’m curious the size and design of the pod, kicking around ideas for a 1974’ 18’2” hourston I’m rebuilding. Good luck with the new rig!

I have recently learnt that if you can see one or two things wrong on a boat, the boat is hiding a lot more "wrong"

My original hope was to polish her up, put a cabin on and away I go ..... That was incorrect

I had her parked undercover, work was mad and with multiple overseas trips she sat for a couple months ....

I started doing my research in more detail and following many of the build threads on this forum

One thing in particular was bothering me (and this was again off zero experience with boats) there was a steel plate on the deck ... and although I had quite literally jumped up and down on it with zero movement, the fact that it was there bothered me.... I took the metal plate off and the project became essentially a complete rebuild at that point ....

The deck above the fuel tank was shockingly poorly built .... treated wood with no resin in sight formed the frame, normal plywood - untreated with no fiberglass forming the deck ...... rotten

I started ripping things out .... I discovered that there were at least two major bodies of work done on the boat... the initial conversion to pod in the stern of the boat was in spectacular condition, no rot, correct materials used etc etc But what i assume was a second body of work was done on the fuel tank, and was done as you can see, extremely poorly.

The second issue I discovered is that the old inboard engine bay which was converted to a bilge has no discernable path for the water to get into the bilge ... other than through the access hatch

And so deconstruction began

 

[Doubleheader]

I’m always skeptical when I see aluminum in place of fiberglass. I’m of the opinion with these old boats that unless they have been rebuilt, they are all rotten.

 

[kingblazer84]

I have recently learnt that if you can see one or two things wrong on a boat, the boat is hiding a lot more "wrong"

My original hope was to polish her up, put a cabin on and away I go ..... That was incorrect

I had her parked undercover, work was mad and with multiple overseas trips she sat for a couple months ....

I started doing my research in more detail and following many of the build threads on this forum

One thing in particular was bothering me (and this was again off zero experience with boats) there was a steel plate on the deck ... and although I had quite literally jumped up and down on it with zero movement, the fact that it was there bothered me.... I took the metal plate off and the project became essentially a complete rebuild at that point ....

The deck above the fuel tank was shockingly poorly built .... treated wood with no resin in sight formed the frame, normal plywood - untreated with no fiberglass forming the deck ...... rotten

I started ripping things out .... I discovered that there were at least two major bodies of work done on the boat... the initial conversion to pod in the stern of the boat was in spectacular condition, no rot, correct materials used etc etc But what i assume was a second body of work was done on the fuel tank, and was done as you can see, extremely poorly.

The second issue I discovered is that the old inboard engine bay which was converted to a bilge has no discernable path for the water to get into the bilge ... other than through the access hatch

And so deconstruction began

you'll be happier with it in the long run by tearing it down and doing it properly, nothing worse then a jimmy rigged boat that becomes unsafe while on the water..

 

[wildmanyeah]

they are all rotten.

it would help if people tarped them or put them under cover, dives me crazy seeing all the uncovered boats in peoples yaards

 

[Inchebe]

you'll be happier with it in the long run by tearing it down and doing it properly, nothing worse then a jimmy rigged boat that becomes unsafe while on the water..

100% .... As I have gone through the process of removing things I have found countless issues, years of lazy and incorrect add on's and repairs from the simple frustration of multiple screw head types being used (record is 3 different screw types in a single 4 screw fitting), to incorrect wiring and fire hazards etc etc.... I would hate to put the family at risk, so going through each part of the boat piece by piece will give me the satisfaction and peace of mind that things have been done correctly

 

[Doubleheader]

it would help if people tarped them or put them under cover, dives me crazy seeing all the uncovered boats in peoples yaards

Should be glassed like they’ll live under water. Majority of rebuilds I’ve seen would rot from the inside out just from humidity. Bare wood and people drilling holes without properly sealing is the problem.

 

[tyee604]

Looks like a 17'6"

Yup, looks like a 17' 6" to me too

 

[tyee604]

Here's a link to a full rebuild, might give you some insight.

Double Eagle 17' 6" I/O Project Boat

Hello ! New to the forum, Thanks for having me onboard, This forum has a wealth of info and great people to share and offer assistance, Gotta love it ! As the title says, I recently got a project boat, that needs a lot of work. Floors, Stringers & Transom, and a bunch of fiberglass work all...

sportfishingbc.com

 

[Inchebe]

Yup, looks like a 17' 6" to me too

I measured last night and you are both correct, its a 17'6"

 

[Inchebe]

Here's a link to a full rebuild, might give you some insight.

Double Eagle 17' 6" I/O Project Boat

Hello ! New to the forum, Thanks for having me onboard, This forum has a wealth of info and great people to share and offer assistance, Gotta love it ! As the title says, I recently got a project boat, that needs a lot of work. Floors, Stringers & Transom, and a bunch of fiberglass work all...

sportfishingbc.com

re-read your thread this morning ... such a great build....