Riverbound- Step inside.....

[stashtrey]

You don't know me... but I know that you have a '76 18' Spectra. I was wondering if you'd mind answering a few questions. I have a '77 18' Spectra very similar to yours and it's been about 5 months since I got it and I now have a bunch of things I want to work on and it'd be cool to hear from someone that has a really nice one... I've seen the pics of yours.
Do you have full length stringers?
How does yours handle the rough water and bigger wakes?
Did yours ever have the trim tabs on the back?
How about the bow rail... I didn't see one on yours. I have one and I'd like to remove it for a more sleek look but I'm not crazy about having to fill a bunch of screw holes.
Did you ever replace your tanks? Have you had any issues with them? I noticed one of mine has what looks like the inner lining (??) has moved. I'm wonder what I'm looking at in terms of price at finding a matching tank and how much work will be involved in replacing it.
Sorry for all these questions. I just figured I'd ask you since your boat looks really nice. I'd like to get mine in that shape.

[riverbound]

You don't know me... but I know that you have a '76 18' Spectra. I was wondering if you'd mind answering a few questions. I have a '77 18' Spectra very similar to yours and it's been about 5 months since I got it and I now have a bunch of things I want to work on and it'd be cool to hear from someone that has a really nice one... I've seen the pics of yours.
Do you have full length stringers?
How does yours handle the rough water and bigger wakes?
Did yours ever have the trim tabs on the back?
How about the bow rail... I didn't see one on yours. I have one and I'd like to remove it for a more sleek look but I'm not crazy about having to fill a bunch of screw holes.
Did you ever replace your tanks? Have you had any issues with them? I noticed one of mine has what looks like the inner lining (??) has moved. I'm wonder what I'm looking at in terms of price at finding a matching tank and how much work will be involved in replacing it.
Sorry for all these questions. I just figured I'd ask you since your boat looks really nice. I'd like to get mine in that shape.
Wow...for a second I was afraid to look at this thread :)
Full stringers?= No I only have the short stringers, that is the reason I do not have ALOT more motor in that boat.
Rough water?= It is the best riding 18' boat I have ever been in, but it still is a small boat and in really choppy water it does get tossed around.
Trim tabs= It did have them, but I added a Hydraulic Place diverter and took them off.
Bow rail= Mine does have it, and I think they look better with them. the bow on the 18 is pretty short and without the Bow rail the boat looks unpraportionate (in my opinion).
Tanks= Still the original Fiber glass tanks, and I have had no problems with them.
No problem on the questions.... I will post a few more pics for you,and thanks for the compliments. I spent alot of time and money on this boat. Whoever buys it will be very lucky.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/681IMG013.JPG
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/681IMG012.JPG
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/681Picture_313.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/681Picture_318.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/681River_008.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/681River_007.jpg

[riverbound]

I'm not Riverbound but I am a Spectra owner.
If you haven't already, check http://www.spectramarine.com/ and sign up.
Lots of info about our boats over there.
Forensic
Thats a great site too.....plus I got A LOT of help in the "just Jets" section.

[superdave013]

a long time ago I got to drive the old spectra 18J that was Rick Folwer's old endurance boat. That thing ate chop better then any other jet boat I've ever been in.

[riverbound]

a long time ago I got to drive the old spectra 18J that was Rick Folwer's old endurance boat. That thing ate chop better then any other jet boat I've ever been in.
Yah, mine does pretty well....one thing I learned was instead of trying to plow through the chop and trim down. It actually prefered to have a littel postive trim. It would ride MUCH better on top of the water than trying to go through it.

[stashtrey]

Right on, guys. I've been a regular lurker at spectramarine.com. Great site.
You make a good point for the bow rail... it is also kinda handy for floating it onto my trailer.
I have the stock 460 in it... no mods. I don't have a diverter which I'd really like to do. My concern is with all the holes that will be left when I remove the trim tabs. I'm not sure how to fill them properly.
I have the short stringers too.... was just curious if anyone had full.
I too have found that mine rides much better through the chop if I just open it up and skip across the tops... but I've hit some big wakes a few times and gotten tossed around pretty good.... enough to make me want to check my hull for a giant crack... lol. I think the diverter would help me with this to keep the nose down at mid speed...otherwise I get a lot of bow rise and kinda flop up and down.
Mine is very very similar to your's, riverbound. I have red/white paint and no wood grain on the front slope though. I need to do my interior and I really like your side panels. I was thinking of just wrapping my tanks with carpet but it doesn't seem like it'd be too much work to just build some panels and upholster them like yours.... would be cool to have some little compartments like that tool.
I really appreciation all the responses, guys.
I've posted pics a few times on here but the site I hosted them on (not ***boat) disappeared recently. I have to dig up my digitals from the home pc.
oh... I also have the tinted little windshield.
Did you add any foam or anything in the bow?
Do the side panels on your interior help deaden some of the noise from the engine compartment? I can hear quite a bit as I don't have anything there blocking it....

[stashtrey]

errrr.
'tool' s/b 'too'
wasn't calling you a tool. lol.

[riverbound]

My concern is with all the holes that will be left when I remove the trim tabs. I'm not sure how to fill them properly.
All the holes from the tabs were filed when I had my gel redone. They also filled the holes from where the windshield was.
I have the short stringers too.... was just curious if anyone had full.
I know there are certain years that are full stringer 18's I think it was the older boats. And some were ordered with them. it is rare to see a full stringer 18.
oh... I also have the tinted little windshield.
Mine had it, but it was broken and I didnt want to spend the $$ for a new one
Did you add any foam or anything in the bow?
No....I keep alot of stuff in the bow, chairs,skis, Subwoofers, etc....
Do the side panels on your interior help deaden some of the noise from the engine compartment? I can hear quite a bit as I don't have anything there blocking it....
Not sure, the interior was like thatwhen I bought the boat. So I dont know how loud it would be without them. I do know that when I put the new motor in and had to cut the engine cover for it, it was a little louder. but the exhaust was also opened up to 4" so it was louder from that too.

[Squirtin Thunder]

The one I purchased from Disco Charger was a Hallett 4 stringer almost the exact same boat. I don't know enough history to say much except it was very strong and thick. It is the exact same boat as Hallett Daves Boat and Sleekveinos, except for his is silver flake.

[spectratoad]

What Boat?
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/681River_007.jpg

[phebus]

Maybe you guys could meet at the gym, and talk about it. :D :D :rolleyes: :jawdrop: