Sunseeker S20 renovation project

[Joostan]

Hi,

I just thought I would register here and show you our little project. I've picked up a Sunseeker S20 sports for a song and decided to renovate this boat. Please not that this will not be done in a few weeks as we have given ourselves time due to family and work commitments. I thought I would contact Sunseeker and see what information they have about the boat so I know that this will be true to the original design but unfortunately they could only tell me the size, beam and weight, so we decided that we will detail document the restoration (as best as our limited knowledge) and share for others.

Ok now for what people want.......some pictures.

Unfortunately we do not have the luxury of a workshop so needed a place for the boat to be safe while we work on it so I decided to extend my garden a little and then put the boat in the garden and build a "tent" for us to work under.

The engine was not been started for 6 years but when I bought the boat is also came with a recon engine on a pallet so we are going to swap the engine out. The engine is a Volvo Penta AQ170 B30

The exhaust manifold looks split too so need to replace that

I have managed to get a manual for the engine and the 280 stern drive but need to look for a manual for the carbs (I believe they are Spolex?)

Other parts of the boat is mainly cosmetic and we also managed to get a roll of Marine leather with the boat too!

I will be updating this thread as we work on the boat but please bare in mind it wont be a quick rebuild. Also we will be asking questions too and wont be shy in asking for advice.

looking forward to posting an update
Justin

 

[kashurst]

what a find - best of luck with it and ask away
I think sunseeker have got hull number 1, that they wheel out at UK boat shows - if you get chance go to Southampton boat show and take a load of pics if its there. Have you found the serial number on the hull yet (often engraved on the transom or iside a cupboard. If you post that someone may have more detailed info.
by the way I think you are right about the exhaust manifold it is sh****d

 

[gary111160]

Hi Justin, and welcome. Nice boat I will enjoy reading about the rebuild. I've done two boats so I know what your undertaking.

The 170 has triple solex downdraft carbs. You can get rebuild kits or I can give you a contact to send them to. A bugger to set up correctly but essential.

Gary

 

[petem]

Looks like a fun project. Nice lines too. What's the next steps?

Pete

 

[Joostan]

Day 1 of "How to say goodbye to your money"....

As I mentioned before I don't have the luxury of a 'Man Cave' so in good old MacGyver style we made a temporary shelter using old gazebo poles and tarpaulin and are now ready to start.

In true project management style we decided to tackle the hardest most risk thing first so yes you guessed it............. The engine.

I know we are going to replace the engine but really want to salvage what we can in order to keep costs down so removed the Carbs, Alternator & Distributer in order to throw them into a ultrasonic cleaner and see what's left after it was cleaned.
Alternator is completely solid so assuming we will not be able to salvage that. Oil inside the engine is still clear and the condition of the spark plugs was surprisingly good on 4 cylinders (and nearly clean on 2). Fuel tank looks new as it is a custom built tank that was checked last year and confirmed save. Its an extended 272 litre tank with baffles inside.

We undone all the bolts for the intake manifold but it just does not want to move. Tried crowbars, heat and even swearing at it! Need to wait till our gorilla (nephew) comes over so he can try and persuade it to move.

Next job will be to clean the carbs and see if we can free the alternator.

Justin

 

[Thepipdoc]

...........This looks like its going to be incredibly expensive. Good look with it.

 

[Robg71]

this is going to be interesting...
best of luck.

 

[petem]

...........This looks like its going to be incredibly expensive. Good look with it.

What makes you say that? I think that if the OP has time and skill he should be able to carry this off at modest cost.

This is a similar project and I don't think Feneris spent a lot on bring his boat back to life....

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...hotos-and-a-few-questions&highlight=sunseeker

Pete

 

[Joostan]

Mini update: - "Tell me dad we need to buy a new one and he'll go out of his way to try and fix the old one!"

....and once again he will come up trumps.

The Alternator that would not turn is now stripped cleaned and ready for the new engine block.

Distributor that was all crusty inside and looked dead is (as above) stripped cleaned and ready for the new engine block.

The ultrasonic cleaner that we just bought should arrive in the next day or two so the carbs will be the first things in there to clean. Will post on next update.

Justin

 

[[2068]]

Re-use is great.
But I would be tempted to splash out on a new set of HT leads.

 

[Joostan]

Re-use is great.
But I would be tempted to splash out on a new set of HT leads.

Agreed. New leads are on the list.

 

[petem]

I'm no mechanic but wouldn't some kind of electronic ignition be better?

Pete

 

[Joostan]

Mini update 2: "Loving the new toy"

I have to admit this ultrasonic cleaner is worth every penny. All the Carbs are now clean and ready for the new engine.

Above carb is what all 3 looked like.

I used a cheap £30 ultrasonic cleaner with a 7:1 mix of warm water / descaling solution. Will defiantly buy a much bigger one soon.

Next step is the totally frozen (and very rusty) starter motor.

Once again my dads quest to spend as little as possible has come up trumps and managed to not only free the motor but get it working too!

and with a lick of paint..

Now looking forward for the road trip to go and pick up the new recon engine.. More to follow.

Justin

 

[Joostan]

I'm no mechanic but wouldn't some kind of electronic ignition be better?

Pete

Not crossed my mind but thanks for the idea.

 

[paultallett]

Can't wait to she her finished.

Really interesting thread, thanks for taking the time to post.

 

[kashurst]

You're making great progress, your dad is a man after my own heart - bit of patience and wire wool and its amazing what you can get going again - good luck, keep posting

 

[vas]

Justin,

very nice progress, quite impressed!
adding to fp remark, I'd get new spark plug cups (or however you call them!) in the deal and personally new distributor cup as I've seen lots and lots of problems all boiling down to them.
Reuse is great, I'm always trying to get things working again and gives you a nice feeling of success, but as you well know it's not only metal stuff it's membranes (most likely the ignition advnace in your distributor, inside the solexes) jets in the carbs, rubber/teflon/whatever seals for various bits. Solexes and all such carbs are nice and simple bits of kit for when they are clean, sound and not leaking (mainly air...). So, rebuilt kits are probably a must, no?
I find that the biggest problem with rebuilding old stuff is that on a car, who cares, when it fails you hit the alarms and pull at the side of the road, on a boat, it's not that easy
anyway, enough with the warnings and teaching you how to suck eggs, when are we going to have an overview of work to be carried out? Bodywork, gel, hull are all fine or is there work to be done?

BTW, are you keeping her original to an extend? Are you keeping the seafarer sounder? I've got one as well, missing a bit of trim that seems to be working (haven't got the transducer, but would fire up and looked busy...) so if you want any bits give me a shout.

good luck and keep up the good work.
ah, a pointer to the 30quid ultrasonic cleaner would be interesting, never thought there were that cheap!

cheers

V.

 

[Joostan]

adding to fp remark, I'd get new spark plug cups (or however you call them!) in the deal and personally new distributor cup as I've seen lots and lots of problems all boiling down to them.

Agreed and I've just realised the new engine I am picking up (This came with the boat but could not move all at once due to my towing limit) has a new one already fitted as well as the other things my dad has restored, so this will be as a side project to rebuild the recondition the currently fitted engine to a working "Ready to plug in".

Reuse is great, I'm always trying to get things working again and gives you a nice feeling of success, but as you well know it's not only metal stuff it's membranes (most likely the ignition advnace in your distributor, inside the solexes) jets in the carbs, rubber/teflon/whatever seals for various bits. Solexes and all such carbs are nice and simple bits of kit for when they are clean, sound and not leaking (mainly air...). So, rebuilt kits are probably a must, no?
I find that the biggest problem with rebuilding old stuff is that on a car, who cares, when it fails you hit the alarms and pull at the side of the road, on a boat, it's not that easy

Once again I agree and even though I want to save money safety is my main concern and if there is any doubt it will be replaced.

anyway, enough with the warnings and teaching you how to suck eggs, when are we going to have an overview of work to be carried out? Bodywork, gel, hull are all fine or is there work to be done?

yes but that will be in another update very soon, initial assessment tell me its mostly cosmetic with the usual wear and splitting on the gel coat.

BTW, are you keeping her original to an extend? Are you keeping the seafarer sounder? I've got one as well, missing a bit of trim that seems to be working (haven't got the transducer, but would fire up and looked busy...) so if you want any bits give me a shout.

I was going to change it but after this post I think I might just keep it as its big, bad and retro.

Mini update to follow.

Justin

 

[Joostan]

Mini update: "Its a bit chilly out there!"

It's -3 outside, the UK is thrown into another record coldest months blah blah blah, so what do we do in the North East....... Put a coat on!

I work from home and had to work today so I left the boat stripping in the well capable hand of my dad and nephew. They started off with looking at what's under the console to start labelling all the wires and trace them to the back on the boat. Good news for us was all the wires are labelled in the front so we only had to label the ones at the back. Plus the wires look to code and in a very good condition too.

They removed the exhaust manifold as we suspected it was a little worse for wear!
Fingers crossed there is one on the recon engine!

They took the head off to lighten the weight of the engine to pull out and looking at the cylinders there not too bad for an engine that just 'Stood there'

More to come.

Justin

 

[Joostan]

just one question............ How fast is this baby going to go?

[Volvo Penta AQ170 B30]