1976 Bicentennial Edition Glastron GT-150: 2011

Friday, December 23, 2011

November 18, 2011 - The Ebko with the Mercury 90

We picked up this 17' Ekbo Tri-hull today. The reason we bought it was on the back. There is a running 1979 Mercury 90 HP motor with power trim/tilt. It is missing the lower unit, but that is OK because I will pull the one off of the non-running 115 HP that is in the garage. The previous owner colored and pasted over the HP numbers, making it appear to be a 70HP, but that was so he could use it on motor size restricted lakes. It is a 90 HP, which is what I wanted on the GT-150 all along. After a clean-up and paint job, followed by new decals, this motor will look, and hopefully run, like new!

The Ebko

Mercury 90(70) HP

The Real Motor Size

Nice Controls

Excellent Looking Motor

November 17, 2011 - The Floor

I tore out some fore of the flooring and used the nice new tool that vibrates and cuts. Wow, what a time saver. I cut out well up into the front area and am planning on replacing a lot of floor. I will have to replace or build up the keel stringer as well. I would go all the way up to the front but the top and bottom halves of the boat are so well connected that I do not want to split them apart.

Under the Ski Locker

Up Front, Starboard Side

Transom Area

Saturday, November 5, 2011

November 4, 2011 - Starting the Teardown Part 2

I continued with the teardown tonight. I removed the gauges from the dash and removed the windshield. It really is in excellent condition. I wish the rest of the boat was this nice.

The Dash, Gauges Removed

GT-150, Anyone Know Where I Can Get a New One of These?

Windshield Removed

This is the Frame and Bolt on the Bottom of the Windshield Frame

No Windshield

Starboard Side, Any Ideas?

Port Side

Friday, November 4, 2011

November 4, 2011 - Starting the Teardown

I started on the transom and realized that it has had it replaced to some extent before. The previous owner rebuilt it and it seems like a very quality job, just a little ugly. The transom sure seems solid, which would be a very nice thing for me, saving me the cost and time of doing it myself. I will know more when I get in to it a bit deeper. Next I cleared out a bunch of excess fiberglass and resin from the transom and well area and drilled out the well drain. I will put the aluminum plate back on but I will have to modify it a bit so the 1150 clamps fit over it better. Next, I started on the floor and the dash area. The gauges and windshield will be next.

The Aluminum Plate

Under the Plate, Surprisingly Good Shape

The Stringers Are Pretty Shot

The Sump Area

After Cleaning out the Walnuts and Mud and Sticks

The Steering Removed

November 2, 2011 - Checking out the Mercury 1150

Before pulling the '76 apart, I wanted to see what it is going to look like with the Mercury 1150 on it. Wow, it's awesome!

October 26, 2011 - Checking out the '76 GT-150

After getting the '76 from outside storage all summer and after swapping the trailer with the '79 GT, the '76 is once again back on it's original trailer. I restored this trailer the summer of 2011 and am keeping it with this boat. I cleaned up the boat a little and thought that I would do a little photo inventory to see where I am beginning.

Looks Pretty Good, Considering

A Transom Plate Under a Layer of FiberGlass

Holes Cut to Make Room for the Steering Rod

Transom and Well Area in Tough Shape

A Look at the Interior

Very Faded Plate on the Dash

Very Rusted Chart Light and Lighter

Faded Speedo and Tach

Faded Glastron Emblem on Original Steering Wheel

August 22, 2011 - The Mercury 1150

I have decided to tear down the Larson and remove everything. The motor controls and the steering is probably going to go in the '76 GT-150

The Controls and Steering Still in the Larson

Mercury 1150, Under the Hood

The Other Side

A Full View

Lower Unit and Prop

Full View with all Covers, Awesome

August 20, 2011 - Somewhere in Iowa

I picked up a 17 foot Larson today. It was an interesting boat but needed WAY too much work. I am going to use the Mercury 115HP outboard that came with it on my '76 GT-150. It ought to fly!

The Larson

A 1977 Mercury 1150, 115HP

Power Trim and Tilt Pump (it came with two)

One Set of Controls (it came with two)

Monday, May 23, 2011

May 11th, 2011 - We Bring Home the 1976 GT-150

Today, Don and I went to Wisconsin and retrieved the '76 GT-150 that we left on the ground last month. We were able to disconnect the motor (a 1971 Mercury 650, 65HP) that was in really rough shape. After we got the motor home, it was put on Craig's List and sold. The boat was cleaned out and taken to the local car wash and pressure washed. Wow, what a difference. It is now stored at a friends house, until the restoration can begin this fall.