Project Boat - Corvette 32

[steved]

Probably gone a bit mad but have bought an 80's Corvette that requires some TLC, well rather a lot of TLC actually.

Had the hull surveyed and generally all sound below the waterline, engines inspected and require major servicing, but ran pretty well on the sea trial, max speed 14 knots with the 120HP engines. Interior need some serious work with parts to be ripped out and other areas to be refurbished.

Had quite a few boats over the past 15 years, and sometimes enjoy the working on them as much as the using them, but this will be a challenge and a half.

Only time will tell if it works out, got the boat at a reasonable price, but not expecting to make on it once the works have been done, just the satisfaction of restoring a boat to its former glory.

Pics to follow, together with requests for ideas on the interior refurbishing etc.

Think I need a few large whisky's................

 

[rustybarge]

Probably gone a bit mad but have bought an 80's Corvette that requires some TLC, well rather a lot of TLC actually.

Had the hull surveyed and generally all sound below the waterline, engines inspected and require major servicing, but ran pretty well on the sea trial, max speed 14 knots with the 120HP engines. Interior need some serious work with parts to be ripped out and other areas to be refurbished.

Had quite a few boats over the past 15 years, and sometimes enjoy the working on them as much as the using them, but this will be a challenge and a half.

Only time will tell if it works out, got the boat at a reasonable price, but not expecting to make on it once the works have been done, just the satisfaction of restoring a boat to its former glory.

Pics to follow, together with requests for ideas on the interior refurbishing etc.

Think I need a few large whisky's................

Its an iconic hull, you can't go wrong!
what type of engines do you have?

 

[ControlTower]

Have you seen my thread re Corvette Owners Group? I have re-started a group and have 16 boats on the list currently. If you'd like to be added please let me know. Need to know name of boat, where she's berthed, year, type of engines and your email address. I'm also writing a history of the Corvette and could send you what I have so far. We hope to have a website re-established very soon.
David

 

[steved]

She's got a couple of Volvo TMD40C 130hp

And here she is

 

[rustybarge]

She's got a couple of Volvo TMD40C 130hp

And here she is

Its a very good hull to redo because they still make them, so you should be able to sell it on when it's finished; there's very few boats you can say that about!

if you are considering re powering the Cummins 6bt comes in lots of different power outputs; it's sold in the Us as a reconditioned unit although it's brand new to get around the emissions regulations. The 330hp version is just $15k without accessories, or $19k in ready to drop in place with all wiring etc etc. beat that for value!

You can buy all the consumables from any truck or coach spares supplier.

 

[ControlTower]

Correction - they don't still make them - at least not the 320 - we bought the last one made in Norfolk. However, the 340 is made in Taiwan which is a similar hull.

 

[superheat6k]

If you get bored let me know - likely my next boat, was intended to be the present one.

Manual for the TMD40 here ...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1frlrs3117ny2rk/Volvo TMD TAMD 40 Workshop manual.pdf?dl=0

I have some other info for the engines you have now, just PM me.

Keep the progress reports coming. Where is She ?

 

[pks1702]

She's got a couple of Volvo TMD40C 130hp

And here she is

Ah that's the one from Fox's looks a tidy example given it's age. It was moored in front of us when we were there a weeks ago.

Hope you enjoy her.

 

[Kawasaki]

She's got a couple of Volvo TMD40C 130hp

And here she is

Nice, always wanted one, amazing room for a 32 and nice side decks etc. Whilst you doing the TLC check the condition of the fuel tanks.
Sounds like there are no issues if She made 14 kts
Some of that era had to have the fuel tanks changed
Don't remember why, 'rot' I think
Great boats, keep Us posted, thanks steved

 

[asteven221]

Good luck with the project. I have 3 pals with Corvettes and they love them. Each have had them for many years without any desire to replace them. I can't think of any other boat on the market that I can think of that competes directly with the Corvette design. At only 32ft, it offers a heck of a lot of space.

I know Corvettes have a fairly unique underwater hull profile, but last weekend I saw one out the water and looking from the front it struck me how strange it actually does look. It obviously works well, but it got me wondering why others don't use that design and what are the pro's & con's. It seems a radical shape so if it is as good as it appears to be, I would have thought it would be used on other boats too. Maybe it is and I haven't noticed of course!

 

[steved]

Thanks for the manual superheat.

First job will be to give the engines a complete going over to include:

- overhaul raw water pumps
- heat exchangers removed and cleaned
- injector service
etc etc

Most of this will be done by a marine engineer and I'm expecting about 20 hours per engine, followed by a good clean up of the engine bay.

I inspected the fuel tanks and both are in good order, with some work have been done by a previous owner.

The old teak has been removed from the side and top decks and has been replaced with tek-dek or equivalent which was a bonus as this makes the boat look tidy from the outside.

The interior roof linings (carpety material) has lost its urge to be attached, ideas for the replacing of this would be appreciated, I'm thinking of something like the 'Robbins Elite Cabin Line' from Robbins Timber.

Thanks all

 

[burgundyben]

Back in July we popped into Weymouth for a weekend, there was an absolute shed of a Corvette.

 

[rustybarge]

Is this the same hull or different: I didn't know that made a Europa version.

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/advert/corvette-320-cork/41933262


do they have solid hulls and decks, or is it cored GRP?

 

[Flynnbarr]

Its a very good hull to redo because they still make them, so you should be able to sell it on when it's finished; there's very few boats you can say that about!

if you are considering re powering the Cummins 6bt comes in lots of different power outputs; it's sold in the Us as a reconditioned unit although it's brand new to get around the emissions regulations. The 330hp version is just $15k without accessories, or $19k in ready to drop in place with all wiring etc etc. beat that for value!

You can buy all the consumables from any truck or coach spares supplier.

Can you import those,emissions etc?
Approx how much duty paid etc?

 

[rustybarge]

Can you import those,emissions etc?
Approx how much duty paid etc?

As far as I know you can import these engines because they are classified as reconditioned rebuilt old engines, so they do not have to comply with the emissions regs which only apply to newly manufactured engines. In fact they are brand new engines manufactured in Mexico; there are hundreds and hundreds of thousands of these engines in use in the US in trucks and buses.

guess:
shipping on pallet £500
Import duty: 10%
Vat maybe at a reduced rate because the engines are considered to be secondhand.

 

[rustybarge]

Here's the link : http://cumminsengines.com/marine-recon

PS: 'R' means it's available as a straight purchase without your old engine in exchange.

 

[burgundyben]

As far as I know you can import these engines because they are classified as reconditioned rebuilt old engines, so they do not have to comply with the emissions regs which only apply to newly manufactured engines. In fact they are brand new engines manufactured in Mexico; there are hundreds and hundreds of thousands of these engines in use in the US in trucks and buses.

guess:
shipping on pallet £500
Import duty: 10%
Vat maybe at a reduced rate because the engines are considered to be secondhand.

I thought the emissions laws didn't cover retro fit to older boats?

 

[rustybarge]

I thought the emissions laws didn't cover retro fit to older boats?

Please correct me if I'm wrong: if you build a kit car it's the age of the engine that counts, not how old your chassis is. If you get a pre-emissions regulation engine 'rebuilt' then it does not have to comply.

not sure of the cut off date: 1998? So I think all new engines built after the relevant date must comply by law.

cummins get around this problem by building in Mexico, and pretend to take your old engine in exchange for rebuilding. Just guessing they may reuse the rocker covers or suchlike to stay within the law.

 

[Latestarter1]

Please correct me if I'm wrong: if you build a kit car it's the age of the engine that counts, not how old your chassis is. If you get a pre-emissions regulation engine 'rebuilt' then it does not have to comply.

not sure of the cut off date: 1998? So I think all new engines built after the relevant date must comply by law.

cummins get around this problem by building in Mexico, and pretend to take your old engine in exchange for rebuilding. Just guessing they may reuse the rocker covers or suchlike to stay within the law.

Been writing a report for nearly a week and have to come up for air!

Cummins Marine ReCon program needs clarification.

#1 No need to import from U.S. Cummins Marine Europe holds certain models in stock in Belgium.
#2 Most models available here are RCD Certified ratings and although not encouraged by Cummins perfectly legal to fit in a new build in E.U. If you require IMO Certification then life is more complex.
#3 Engines are 100% new, re-working used components is simply not cost effective. CAT have now started a similar program, with Deere to follow however expect it all to ruled illegal by EPA within 5 years.
#4 Shortcomings, engines held to a plain vanilla spec no customisation of options unlike a new engine. Best deal is QSB 5.9, there was no reason to stop production in Darlington just because QSB 6.7 arrived but they did.
#5 You can even specify ReCon engine/transmission package, you will never purchase a ZF/Twin Disc cheaper on it's own!
#6 Warranty is EXACTLY the same two year bumper to bumper package as new Cummins Marine engines.

 

[katra]

Hi David,
I have a 1988 Corvette 32 based in Plymouth, at present un-named previous name Katra new name probably Kantara. She is fitted with twin Volvo TMD41A 150hp engines.
I have recently sold a Corvette 32 without a fly bridge. She was named Rifi, I changed her name to Spindrift in 2005. She was a 1986 boat fitted with twin BMW 180hp engines. If you want anymore details contact me.
johnanicholson@hotmail.com