'77 Hallett Mini Cruiser "Ol' Dreamsicle"

« **on:** August 25, 2014, 08:56:29 PM »

Alright boys, I was gonna try and make it through the summer before I started the rebuild but I think it's time to tear this thing apart. I ordered one of "The Snoots" from HTP after talking to Hallett Dave.

It came in today so I threw it on and ran down to the lake for a test.

Idled out to the buoy line and jumped on the gas. Everything felt good initially but it started sounding funny. I did a little out and back run and when I got back close to the ramp and let off the gas a bit, it just died. It didn't want to start back up right away and I was hearing what sounded like water draining down every time after cranking it over but I couldn't see a source, sounded like it was in the engine. Anyways, I got it started back up but it didn't want to idle and it sounded like crap. Put it back on the trailer and called it a day.

I should also say that it's been leaking oil like crazy! The motor was built in 2008 or 2009 and just sat (in a garage) out in the hot and dry Phoenix air till I bought it. It's hardly been run so I'm guessing all the gaskets got brittle? It's been getting worse and worse since I bought it.

So I've got big plans for it but I was waiting till after summer but since the motor isn't right anymore I think it's time to dig in.

I'd like to pick up an engine hoist and engine stand before this weekend so I can pull it out but I'm not sure if I should open things up. I'd prefer any real engine work to be done by GS Marine but I was considering opening it up to see if I could see anything obvious. I've already told Greg that I want him to put turbos back on this thing as I believe that's what it had originally.

By next spring I'd like to have the motor dialed in, interior and floors ripped out and install a new simple interior (2 buckets and a bench), rebuild repaint and rewire the trailer and I'd really like to get the gel coat redone (following the original paint scheme).

I'm pretty handy with anything wood or metal so I'll be tackling the interior and trailer but as for the motor and gel coat I plan to use GS Marine. I'd really appreciate any input you guys can give me particularly when it comes to the motor. Should I pull it and start opening things up on it?

« **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2014, 09:19:18 PM »

Bummer man, but damn I love your boat....

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« **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2014, 10:00:26 PM »

That thing is beautiful man! Good luck with the rebuild!

« **Reply #3 on:** August 25, 2014, 10:49:51 PM »

Quote from: hotrod56cars on May 20, 2007, 06:42:50 PM

Do those Ford deisels use Ford transmission's? (Sorry about screwing up the thread, I just gotta know!)

All I can say is do one thing at a time. Your boat is really nice.

What are you going to do with the droop?

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« **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2014, 08:25:39 PM »

Quote from: Beaveretriever on August 25, 2014, 10:49:51 PM

All I can say is do one thing at a time. Your boat is really nice.

What are you going to do with the droop?

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I was planning on putting the droop up for sale after testing with the snoot but I'm gonna have to hold onto it for now till I can get the motor dialed back in to figure out what the boat likes best.

I got a few wedges to play with as well.

« **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2016, 08:09:23 PM »

Boy oh boy have I neglected this thread...site...boat!

I've been busy the last year and a half with work, hunting, fishing and life in general. The wife and I had our first kid in December, a cute little baby girl. The biggest news is we're moving to Montana in March, but Ol' Dreamsicle's coming with us!

I've had the boat over at Shoemakers most of this time and the to do list just kept growing. First off the motor was built like shit from the previous owner and we basically started from scratch there. New dart block and heads and just built it to be a super reliable pump gas motor with low compression. It's a 540 and they built it so if I ever want any more power we can throw a super charger or turbos on it.

We ripped the floors out and carpeted over everything and I like the feeling because it lowered the seats and it feels a bit like rolling a low rider now. The old fiber glass tanks didn't make me feel very comfortable with the new motor so we ordered up a new set of IMCO aluminum tanks, I think they're 23 gallons a piece.

Greg went through the pump and whoever did that before f*ed that up too. Most recently I had new interior built for it and had the trailer gone through. One day I'll get the hull re-gelcoated but for now I still get excited when I look at it.

I didn't do much of the work but I'm a better electrician than boat builder so I concentrated on what I do best and let the boat builders do their thing. Bottom line, I probably spent too much money, but I love the boat and I'm looking forward to my kids growing up on it for years to come.

Enough with the words, here's the pics...

These next ones are from this past weekend at Elsinore. FYI hanging out at the beach at La Laguna was a pretty good alternative to the cove.

And just for fun, 2015 So Cal buck

« **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2016, 08:20:26 PM »

Awesome man that thing looks good. Nice buck too. Movin to Montana for work?

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« **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2016, 08:29:04 PM »

Quote from: Bunger on February 17, 2016, 08:20:26 PM

Awesome man that thing looks good. Nice buck too. Movin to Montana for work?

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Thanks man. I've got a brother that lives in Bozeman and I've been trying to get my wife on board to move there for years. Having the little girl finally got her on board. There's plenty of work there for most any profession, similar pay to so cal but the hunting and fishing is off the charts, epic skiing and plenty of reservoirs to run the boat in the summer.

« **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2016, 08:40:52 PM »

Beautiful boat! How's the depth at the beach next to the ramps? There are several hazardous area bouts around there so I haven't messed with it.

Did GS do the motor build?

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« **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2016, 08:43:24 PM »

Very nice float you got! Looks amazing

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« **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2016, 08:47:19 PM »

Quote from: JordanDangerfield on February 17, 2016, 08:40:52 PM

Beautiful boat! How's the depth at the beach next to the ramps? There are several hazardous area bouts around there so I haven't messed with it.

Did GS do the motor build?

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The area east of the ramp seems to be dredged out pretty deep. I cruised through and kept sticking my 4' long paddle down while sitting in the drivers seat and never touched bottom. To give you an idea on how quickly it gets deep there, if you were to beach your boat, the depth at the transom is close to chest deep.

You can also drive your truck down there but they were very clear, no trailers on the beach and no charcoal BBQ's.

Greg coordinated the engine build/dyno but didn't build it in house.

« **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2016, 09:05:32 PM »

Quote from: PelicanKing on February 17, 2016, 08:29:04 PM

Thanks man. I've got a brother that lives in Bozeman and I've been trying to get my wife on board to move there for years. Having the little girl finally got her on board. There's plenty of work there for most any profession, similar pay to so cal but the hunting and fishing is off the charts, epic skiing and plenty of reservoirs to run the boat in the summer.

Awesome! I'm dyin to get out of so cal and if I'm not at the river I'm hunting or fishing. Right now I'm thinkin either Idaho or Montana but who knows. Got one more year of my apprenticeship before I need to decide

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« **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2016, 09:06:56 PM »

Quote from: Bunger on February 17, 2016, 09:05:32 PM

Awesome! I'm dyin to get out of so cal and if I'm not at the river I'm hunting or fishing. Right now I'm thinkin either Idaho or Montana but who knows. Got one more year of my apprenticeship before I need to decide

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Nice, what's your trade?

« **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2016, 09:07:38 PM »

Ibew

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« **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2016, 09:07:48 PM »

Electrician

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« **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2016, 09:26:17 PM »

Nice, I know there's not a lot of union work where I'm going in Bozeman but there's so much work up there it's crazy. There's a shortage of guys who have experience outside of residential so commercial/industrial guys are in huge demand. Their licensing is a little different from here but I took the Master Electrician test and it was only 80 questions/open code book. Easier than our General Electrician test that's 100 questions. I was able to take the test at a testing center in Laguna Hills too. California doesn't play nice with other states so my Contractors license and Journeyman card didn't help me much, still had test. Anyways, keep in touch if you ever have any questions once you get ready to make a move north.

« **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2016, 09:46:16 PM »

Hey bunger, what local are you out of? Iam out of Ibew local18 in SoCal

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« **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2016, 04:51:26 AM »

Quote from: Jetonthewater16ft on February 17, 2016, 09:46:16 PM

Hey bunger, what local are you out of? Iam out of Ibew local18 in SoCal

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Lu 11

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« **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2016, 04:54:49 AM »

Quote from: PelicanKing on February 17, 2016, 09:26:17 PM

Nice, I know there's not a lot of union work where I'm going in Bozeman but there's so much work up there it's crazy. There's a shortage of guys who have experience outside of residential so commercial/industrial guys are in huge demand. Their licensing is a little different from here but I took the Master Electrician test and it was only 80 questions/open code book. Easier than our General Electrician test that's 100 questions. I was able to take the test at a testing center in Laguna Hills too. California doesn't play nice with other states so my Contractors license and Journeyman card didn't help me much, still had test. Anyways, keep in touch if you ever have any questions once you get ready to make a move north.

Right on man thanks for the info and good luck with the move!

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« **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2016, 08:27:21 AM »

Beautiful boat... Mine is identical except white with gold metal flake

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« **Reply #20 on:** February 18, 2016, 09:15:40 AM »

Who did the interior?

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« **Reply #21 on:** February 18, 2016, 09:22:38 AM »

Shoemakers guy

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« **Reply #22 on:** February 18, 2016, 06:27:06 PM »

If you need any help or have a question we would love to help you. The shop number is 951-245-7711

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« **Reply #23 on:** February 24, 2016, 05:38:36 PM »

I wanted to run the boat one last time before winterizing it in anticipation for our move to Montana next week.

I downloaded a couple of MPH apps on my iPhone and went out solo to get an idea of how fast it is. I was pretty happy to hit 79 mph on all 4 passes in Elsinore yesterday. Hopefully it'd pick up a couple more at the river.

I feel like a goof ball posting these videos of myself but I love how the boat sounds, even at idle.

Lets see if this works...

Sorry for the crying but our little girl was pissed that she couldn't go out on the boat and had to stay on the dock with mom hahaha (she's only 3 months old)

Then I headed over to Shoemakers this morning and he helped me do a quick oil change and shrink wrap the cockpit for the drive north, just in case we hit any weather.

Hopefully I'll have some cool updates when we get the boat back out and run her in the reservoirs up in Montana. I heard of one cool lake with an island that you can camp on only accessible by boat.

« **Reply #24 on:** February 24, 2016, 08:30:42 PM »

Looks awesome, wish I had a motor like that in mine. Good luck on ur new venture, wish u could make it out to Parker so I could show u mine.

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PelicanKing

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Bunger

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Bunger

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Jetonthewater16ft

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