53 ft Bobby Sullivan repower project

Capt.Troy Crane · 10-23-2007, 10:54 PM

"The Fin Seeker" was built by Capt. Bobby Sulivan in Point Harbor,N.C. in 1991 as the "Temptress" for Capt. Chip Shaffer who fished her in just about every location in the world you could reach with her, Mexico, Bahamas, Venezeula. She is now owned by Capt. "Tiki" Bob and sails out of Rudee inlet in Va. Beach.

This boat is a proven fish raiser with hundreds of bill fish catches to her credit, it's in unbelievable condition to be 17 years old and to have seen the amount of sea time she has seen. None of this work has to be done but with bigger motors goin in her, "Tiki" wanted to preserve the condition and make sure she last another 17, I say smart move.

Capt. Bobby said she is one of the first "Carolina" built boats to go to Venezeula to Marlin fish and he added, "she has passed more sea bouys than most cars pass telephone poles in their liftime".

Fin Seeker Capt. Bob is repowering her and wanted to beef up the engine room frames and stringers. I am going to try and document it by photos for those that are not familiar with the process, bare with me, I am more at home on a boat than a computer.

Pictured are the frames that we have taken down to bare wood to prepare them to be sistered with another peice of wood. They will be glued together and glassed over making for a stronger frame.

This photo shows where we have cut the new wood to fit against the original frames and dry fit them before gluing. We have already removed the stiff knees on the front side of the frames and will be replacing them with new ones that will also add to the strength.

This is how the entire engine room will look after we prep it, we will be sistering the frames on the bottom of the boat in addition to the side ones. It will all be glassed and a coat of ad tech will be applied to fair it out before final paint is applied.

The Salon from the cockpit looking in,what a mess !!!!

Troy

costaricasportfishing · 10-23-2007, 10:58 PM

Nice! Looks like a lot of work!

Capt.Troy Crane · 10-23-2007, 11:12 PM

Plenty to do Dave, got some time on your hands ???? I know you love the smell of fresh Juniper !!!!

Glenn W · 10-23-2007, 11:33 PM

This is great stuff. Thanks for sharing the process and progress

Karl · 10-23-2007, 11:59 PM

Pretty rig . Even prettier in the water.

rocksandblues · 10-24-2007, 09:49 AM

another cool thread in the making...

what motors and what should the new vs old numbers be?

costaricasportfishing · 10-24-2007, 09:52 AM

Wish I did have some more time on my hands! I do love that smell! Good Luck!

jawz12 · 10-24-2007, 10:19 AM

it's great to see someone take the time to do the job the absolute best way... GREAT WORK !!!!

CB&T · 10-24-2007, 10:39 AM

Hey troy, Bobby was telling me about this boat and project the other day, and also the whole history of that boat. Glad he's building mine. I should have some more pics at the end of the week. They started to frame the bottom today. Went to see Jimmy at Just Right yesterday and put my engine, generator, and Transmission package on order. Can't wait to see the end product. You have your work cut out for you on that project. Good luck!! Keith

JDLM · 10-24-2007, 11:20 AM

Very Cool! Juniper is a wonderful wood,those frames look like the day they were laid.Nice clean bilge too,she looks like she's been taken care of like a boat suppose to be taken care of!

10-23-2007, 10:54 PM	#1
Capt.Troy Crane Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pirates Cove Marina OBX, N.C. Posts: 280 Credits: 1,413.7	53 ft Bobby Sullivan repower project "The Fin Seeker" was built by Capt. Bobby Sulivan in Point Harbor,N.C. in 1991 as the "Temptress" for Capt. Chip Shaffer who fished her in just about every location in the world you could reach with her, Mexico, Bahamas, Venezeula. She is now owned by Capt. "Tiki" Bob and sails out of Rudee inlet in Va. Beach. This boat is a proven fish raiser with hundreds of bill fish catches to her credit, it's in unbelievable condition to be 17 years old and to have seen the amount of sea time she has seen. None of this work has to be done but with bigger motors goin in her, "Tiki" wanted to preserve the condition and make sure she last another 17, I say smart move. Capt. Bobby said she is one of the first "Carolina" built boats to go to Venezeula to Marlin fish and he added, "she has passed more sea bouys than most cars pass telephone poles in their liftime". Fin Seeker Capt. Bob is repowering her and wanted to beef up the engine room frames and stringers. I am going to try and document it by photos for those that are not familiar with the process, bare with me, I am more at home on a boat than a computer. Pictured are the frames that we have taken down to bare wood to prepare them to be sistered with another peice of wood. They will be glued together and glassed over making for a stronger frame. This photo shows where we have cut the new wood to fit against the original frames and dry fit them before gluing. We have already removed the stiff knees on the front side of the frames and will be replacing them with new ones that will also add to the strength. This is how the entire engine room will look after we prep it, we will be sistering the frames on the bottom of the boat in addition to the side ones. It will all be glassed and a coat of ad tech will be applied to fair it out before final paint is applied. The Salon from the cockpit looking in,what a mess !!!! Troy Last edited by Capt.Troy Crane; 10-23-2007 at 11:41 PM.

10-23-2007, 11:33 PM	#4
Glenn W Motor Mouth Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 3,705 Credits: 1,983.3 Occupation: Moonbat	This is great stuff. Thanks for sharing the process and progress __________________

10-24-2007, 10:19 AM	#8
jawz12 I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: cape may nj Posts: 1,131 Credits: 2,033.9 Boat: 23 sea craft Home Port: cape may nj Best Catch: my dog jawz... Occupation: king of marine repair...	nice !!!! it's great to see someone take the time to do the job the absolute best way... GREAT WORK !!!! __________________ jimmy's marine service llc www.jimmysmarineservice.com jimmysmarineservice@comcast.net "jawz" is my dog....... cockpit monkey wannabe.... "don't try this at home..i'm a professional".... buyer's broker-found a boat you're interested in purchasing ? give a call,hull and engine check outs are available.consultation services also available.

10-24-2007, 10:39 AM	#9
CB&T "If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving" Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Corolla, NC Posts: 123 Credits: 1,379.3 Boat: 42' Custom, 30' Custom, 25' Shamrock, 25' Pontoon Home Port: Corolla, NC, & Wanchese, NC Best Catch: My Girlfriend, 600 lb Bluefin Occupation: Owner of Corolla bait and tackle, and outer Banks Charter fishing	53 custom carolina repower Hey troy, Bobby was telling me about this boat and project the other day, and also the whole history of that boat. Glad he's building mine. I should have some more pics at the end of the week. They started to frame the bottom today. Went to see Jimmy at Just Right yesterday and put my engine, generator, and Transmission package on order. Can't wait to see the end product. You have your work cut out for you on that project. Good luck!! Keith

10-24-2007, 11:20 AM	#10
JDLM Yep, your gonna need stitches Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: key west fl/OC Md Posts: 91 Credits: 1,324.9 Occupation: fishing guide	Very Cool! Juniper is a wonderful wood,those frames look like the day they were laid.Nice clean bilge too,she looks like she's been taken care of like a boat suppose to be taken care of! __________________ www.ifishthekeys.com

10-23-2007, 10:58 PM	#2
costaricasportfishing Sit down Shut up And fish Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jaco, Costa Rica,by way of Rodanthe NC Posts: 556 Credits: 1,642.9 Boat: Miss Behav'in Home Port: Los Suenos, Costa Rica Best Catch: Grand Slam, Blue(400+),Black(500+),4 Sails Occupation: Sportfishing Capt	Nice! Looks like a lot of work!

10-23-2007, 11:12 PM	#3
Capt.Troy Crane Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pirates Cove Marina OBX, N.C. Posts: 280 Credits: 1,413.7	Plenty to do Dave, got some time on your hands ???? I know you love the smell of fresh Juniper !!!!

10-23-2007, 11:59 PM	#5
Karl Yep, your gonna need stitches Join Date: May 2007 Location: NE N.C Posts: 99 Credits: 1,206.0 Boat: Too many Home Port: Pettie Shores Best Catch: My little girl Occupation: outfitting and sales	Pretty rig . Even prettier in the water.

10-24-2007, 09:49 AM	#6
rocksandblues Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northern Neck, VA Posts: 341 Credits: 1,355.5 Boat: 35 Contender, 18' Winner cc Occupation: developer	another cool thread in the making... what motors and what should the new vs old numbers be?

10-24-2007, 09:52 AM	#7
costaricasportfishing Sit down Shut up And fish Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jaco, Costa Rica,by way of Rodanthe NC Posts: 556 Credits: 1,642.9 Boat: Miss Behav'in Home Port: Los Suenos, Costa Rica Best Catch: Grand Slam, Blue(400+),Black(500+),4 Sails Occupation: Sportfishing Capt	Wish I did have some more time on my hands! I do love that smell! Good Luck!

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