1983 Super Bass (father son project)...ITLDO II

[lamberthkp]

I wasn't sure if this fit here or the great outdoors...

A little short story of why/how the project was wanted/started.

I had been on the hunt many years for a boat my dad redone back in the late 80's with my help (around 8yo but he made me feel my help was important). He named it..."ITLDO"

There were many good memories and fishing trips to Pickwick Lake and the TN River over the years. Dad kept that lil boat immaculate. It ended up being sold when they divorced in the 90's.

Once I was married in my 20's I searched for years with nothing at all. Every boat shop in the area I showed pictures to ask had it ever been serviced at their shop... answer was always... nope. I ran the boat number and it had not been registered since the guy dad sold it to and the owner had passed away.

The boat 80's/90's...

 

[lamberthkp]

Dad named the lil boat ITLDO and painted it in red at the back of the boat on each side.

I'm out on patrol a few years ago and what do I run across with a blowed tire. The boat's sitting in a parking lot no one around and still the same registration that Dad had on the years ago.

 

[lamberthkp]

I'm not sure where it had been but it had a rough life. I wrote my information down a little bit telling about the boat and asked if they would give me a call if interested in selling. It ended up the guy who had it was someone my dad had taken to jail before for DUI and I had served some warrants on him at some point. I offered him $1,500 for the boat but wouldn't take it I don't think it'd have mattered if I'd offered him $10,000 he probably wouldn't have sold it to me.

I tried again in June 2020 hoping maybe he was needing some money this time. I ended up finding out that he wrecked the truck on the way back from Pickwick and totaled it and the boat.

I was pretty devastated, always wanted to secretly find that little boat fix it back up and give my dad a call and say hey do you want to go fishing?... pull up with it attached to my truck.

 

[lamberthkp]

The whole time I had looked for Dad's boat I always looked on craigslist and other sites trying to at least find one similar.

Well the day I spoke with the guy and found out the boat had been totaled, I decided to get on craigslist I found this little boat, that was same brand and similar.
I gave the guy $1,300 like it sat... I brought a new set of rims and tires so I could take it home.

Think I will call it ITLDO II...

 

[lamberthkp]

I got it to the house, my son Lake and I got started and worked on it for a few months, especially through covid-19 crap.

Started out gave it a good bath, got some aluminum hull cleaner sprayed it down to brighten it back up. Before we started tearing the carpet seats and old wood out of it.

 

[lamberthkp]

Little man helped a lot and think he enjoyed it as much as me.

He pulled out and put in the new trailer wires for lights



He worked like crazy getting the old carpet glue out.

 

[lamberthkp]

We replaced everything in the back of the boat first.

It was a pain getting inside the hatch to unbolt the trolling motor.


New seats...

 

[lamberthkp]

The steering wheel was way too low, so I started with some scrap wood trying to mock up the height that I needed.



Had some scrap aluminum around the house so start to see what I can make work.






Much better, now to add a few more bolts.

 

[lamberthkp]

Fire extinguisher in place


Added a brace for any movement

 

[lamberthkp]

We removed old switch panel

Only thing that worked with the old panel was the trolling motor and the bow light.

I fabricated one with new switches and fuses

 

[lamberthkp]

After a few months it's finally ready for the water. Can't wait to get new paint on my 88 K5 and tow it to the lake with it..

 

[lamberthkp]

We rebuilt both carbs on the 50 horse Johnson along with new plugs, did a pressure test and had 150 lb both cylinders, change the oil in the foot.

50 lb thrust Minn Kota trolling motor works great. Also added some courtesy lights inside the deck that I could turn on and off when night fishing.

My wife added a great contribution to our boat for an anniversary present.


Added steps to the trailer. Think the trailer needs a pen strip though...to do list.

 

[lamberthkp]

Ready to go! Now... If I can only find time to actually get it to the river or lake for some fishing.

 

[CrpMag122]

Cool project alone but doing it with your son will make it all the more special.

 

[lamberthkp]

Cool project alone but doing it with your son will make it all the more special.

Thanks, I hope when he's older, he will remember it just as I do with the boat that I helped my dad with.

 

[70jimmy]

Great project and one that has already provided memories and sure to provide many more!

 

[CrpMag122]

Thanks, I hope when he's older, he will remember it just as I do with the boat that I helped my dad with.

Without a doubt. I have so many memories of helping my dad work on projects. I feel like I do not do it often enough with my son. Too much OT these days to do anything.

 

[lamberthkp]

Without a doubt. I have so many memories of helping my dad work on projects. I feel like I do not do it often enough with my son. Too much OT these days to do anything.

I know how that is, hopefully you will get some PTO time soon to be able to get some stuff done. A lot of the time it gets hard to break free from the demands of work constantly pushing us.

 

[CrpMag122]

I know how that is, hopefully you will get some PTO time soon to be able to get some stuff done. A lot of the time it gets hard to break free from the demands of work constantly pushing us.

Too many protests Hopefully you don’t have to deal with too much of that where you are.

 

[lamberthkp]

That sucks! We are far enough from everything that if it wasn't for the news we wouldn't know anything was going on... thank goodness.