Skooch grows to 58 feet

[dastahl]

Its official, Little Skooch is for sale and Big Skooch is in a nearby slip in Fort Pierce. Little Skooch is in really good shape, big Skooch not so much. See 4 sale section!

Never in my boat fix'en career have I taken on such a challange. The 58 is hull number 8, 1976 with 6-71s. She has gone around the world then spent the next 4 years in the Caribean. She needs to be re-fit so the Admiral and I are planning.

Because I refit Little Skooch over the last 10 years I thought perhaps I was prepared for the bigger boat. Not so far anyway. The survey list was the longest the surveyor had ever written. We are hopeful we purchased the boat at the right price, time will tell.

So off we go. I hope the friendly folks on HOF can help me over the tough spots. To start I had no idea the 32 volt system would be so difficult. Skooch has only a few working guages. Lauderdale Speedo says 12 volt will work but the are seeing 32 volts and will not work. How have 32 volt HOFers fixed this?

Thanks

 

[bigbillys]

congratulations on your new acquisition! Which 58 is it?...I have been following the 58s in my quest for a 48lrc

 

[Canuck Dennis]

You can a resistor that bolts to each gauge mounting screw..32x12.

Don't be too discouraged by the 32 v thing, in Seattle there are tons of 32 v stuff...Doc Freemans and Fisheries supply...to name a couple..

I have a boat in Vancouver BC which is mostly 32v and so far no sweat..

even Papa here might have good access to 32 v stuff...

some people advocate doing the switch to 12 or 24 which can be done but can get expensive. starters, alternators, chargers..wiring.. instruments..

Good luck with the re fit..

 

[Angela]

We have 12v gauges. There is a small converter under the PH dash that converts the 32 to 12 for the gauges. That's the way Hatt made ours. Our flybridge is also 12v. Everything else...32v.

 

[OBXTucker]

Congrats Dave! I can't wait to see the new Skooch!
Don't get discouraged by 32V. Parts are available - one just needs to be on constant look-out and pick up spares as they become available. Wait until you start trying to find 32v light bulbs!

ISS Pro still makes a 32v Volt Gauges (I just replaced 4 of mine last fall). Matter of fact, I was getting ready to trash the old ones today - and decided to bring them home and see if I can find someone to recondition them (just in case manufacturers stop making them).

Don't even THINK about converting to 12/24V. There's way more 32v components than you can list on these 58's. I'm sure some have done it (and I've contemplated it from time to time), but I prefer to leave them as Hatteras designed.

Post some pics soon!

 

[GJH]

Dave, I don't know what your plans or immediate scope of work are but I recommend you get the boat to Ft. Lauderdale, if it is seaworthy, for as long as your insurance will allow. One of the places up the New River like Marina Bay or Yachthaven puts you right on SR84, the center of the stuff-for-boats universe, and next any one of several yards that can pull you if needed.

This will save you a lot of time logistically and also provide a good supply of skilled helpers and expertise if you need it. Puts you about 15 minutes from Sam's, Florida DD, the big distributors like Lewis, and of course the almost infinite plethora of stores selling every imaginable item in every size and voltage, Sailorman, and of course Lester's Diner (the landmark you will need to learn because every boat guy gives direction from there). I'm sure between me and a few locals we could point you to a place that can hook you up to whatever you need. Ed and Jeremy at Sam's are great resources for that too. Some of the spots are not so obvious, like McDonald's Hardware and the NAPA down near Federal Highway. I can virtually guarantee everything you will need is within a five mile radius of Lester's Diner.

And whatever you do take The List and go up to the Dania Marine Flea Market for a couple of days. It saved us literally thousands of dollars on a myriad of sundry items, especially some of the more obscure.

I'll be down there for the Flea Market, and passing through Ft. Pierce if you haven't moved yet, and would be happy to act as tour guide and boat looker-atter if need be. Gonna kind of miss old Skooch, hope the new owner joins the group.

 

[rsmith]

I'd stay in Ft Pierce. Unless you have the big bucks to go to lauderdale. Cracker boy boat works is a DYI yard here and and a lot of good independants that work there. Did you try Marine Liquidators on US1 Ronnie has 32v stuff and just about anything you can think of for all size boats. He will also order out of the Lewis catolouge for you at a discount. Lewis has a store in Stuart also. Lentine marine in stuart also has a Flea Mkt every couple months and gets a lot of big boat stuff also. Ft Pierce diesel has tons of parts new and used for DDA's their north on US1 just past Ronnies on the right. I live in the Moorings just a couple miles north of you If need any info on local peeps give me a PM.

 

[dastahl]

BigBillys, My new to me 58 was never on the market. I am an active member of the Hatteras LRC Club and so was the previous owner. It was an inside job! If you are looking for a LRC joining the club is a well spent $100. I joined before I bought my 42 and knew more about the boats than most folks before I purchased.
George, You are right about Lauderdale but I prefer Stuart-Fort Pierce area. There are many places here too (Lewes) and I can drive to Lauderdale in 1 1/2 hours. I too will be at the Dania FLea market. We are going Thursday. Please stop by Fort Pierce for a visit. We have 5 staterooms THe marina is HArbor ISle and is just over the bridge on Hutchison Island. BTW there are 4 58 LRCs here right now, and a 42.
Jeff thnks for the tip on ISS Pro I'm on it.

Skooch
42 1980 LRC - For Sale
58 1976 LRC
Fort Pierce FL

 

[dastahl]

I'd stay in Ft Pierce. Unless you have the big bucks to go to lauderdale. Cracker boy boat works is a DYI yard here and and a lot of good independants that work there. Did you try Marine Liquidators on US1 Ronnie has 32v stuff and just about anything you can think of for all size boats. He will also order out of the Lewis catolouge for you at a discount. Lewis has a store in Stuart also. Lentine marine in stuart also has a Flea Mkt every couple months and gets a lot of big boat stuff also. Ft Pierce diesel has tons of parts new and used for DDA's their north on US1 just past Ronnies on the right. I live in the Moorings just a couple miles north of you If need any info on local peeps give me a PM.

Thanks will do! Stop by sometime.
David

 

[GJH]

I'll try to stop by comin' or goin'. You just made it sound like a huge project and there is no place that rivals FTL for ready access to obscure marine parts and building materials, especially when you find out you got everything but that one little doo-hickey and need to run back to the store. Dockage up the New River is not particularly dear, and if you are going to be around in hurricane season, it is the best protected spot. That's all I'm sayin'. We love Ft. Pierce, don't get me wrong, great place to hang out; look forward to seeing you folks again.