Tahiti hulls good-bad? fast-slow?

[MoparTahiti]

I picked up a 1973 18' Tahiti that had a sized 455 for cheap. So I'm getting all the parts to put a Mopar in it. But it also has some floor rot in it. I would like to know if the hull is worth fixing. From some other posts on ***boats my hull looks like a tiger hull.

[HotHallet]

Sorry to report that Tahiti has never been a very good boat. They are unfortunately laid up cheap.

[SPECTRABRENT]

I agree with HotHallett.
Tahiti Boats are junk.
If you are going to start an older boat project, go with a good hull:
NOrdic
SAnger
Schiada
Hallett
Spectra
Howard
Rogers
etc.
Good Luck,
Brent
[ September 29, 2002, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: SPECTRABRENT ]

[AZKC]

I think all the old hulls are worth saving but as stated some of them have some so so glass work. I have put a couple of floors in and if done in an overkill kind of way, it improves the hull strength.
My .02
KC

[superdave013]

Well I'm an old Schiada owner but I'll tell you this. We used to have an old 16' Tahiti with a 400 small block and it ran pretty good. We used to take it out in the ocean (not a good idea) all the time to see how much air we could ge off the swells. You would not believe how high we would get that boat.
My friend now has the boat and has not busted it yet. I say save the old girl!!

[058]

I agree with S-Dave...throw a new floor in it, stiffen it up a bit, just might turn out to be a halfway decent boat. wink

[flat broke]

Hot Hallet is kind of right when he says their laid up cheap. But it's not so much the lamination as the final fitment of stringers and structural components. My dad just bought a 20' 79or 80 i/o, and the floor was completely rotted. We tore up the old floor to find that the keel stringer needed repair because it was rotted as well. Through the process of re-doing the stringer, floor and front bulkhead for the bilge it appears that the hull is laminated fine, its just that they lay one layer of mat over the structural components and then chopergun over it to build it up. Solution, reglass in your stringers and bulkheads with mat and you should be better than new. Now that we're done with the floor, I can honestly say its undoubtedly stronger than new and will sure last much longer. When working with false floors, remember to leave a way for water that will enevitably get under the floor to get out. We used two 5/8 npt bilge plugs (one on each side of the main stringer) to drain the area under the floor when condensation builds up or you're putting the boat up for winter. The rest of the time, the plugs stay in and in theory no water should enter the area forward of the bilge. To do the repair correctly you most definitely should use Marine Grade ply (we used 3/4" for extra strength since the floor ties the boat together in this design) and use only a good epoxy resin. Total materials cost for my dad's floor was around $600 with the wood(the way we laid the floor wasted a lot of wood, but is stronger than the alternative), resin, mat, roving, catalyst, mixing cups etc.
Good luck,
Chris

[MoparTahiti]

The stringers look good, But the one thing I don't like is how the stringers that hold the motor end and then there is about 2" before the front stringer and floor start. This looks like the weak part of the boat. I think If I fix it. I will join the front stringer to the ones the motor sits on.

[wsuwrhr]

Let me know if you are needing any parts for your RB install. I make everything you may need. Reactor products makes a nice aluminum flexplate with a ring gear on it.
Brian
[ September 28, 2002, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: wsuwrhr ]

[MoparTahiti]

wsuwrhr, I have some old Edelbrock front and rear mounts from a v-drive 426 hemi setup. Also picked up some Bassett for a hemi and 383/440 for a good price. But I do need the flywheel and the crank hub for the 1350 u-joint setup for my Berkley pump
Thanks,

[wsuwrhr]

I'll post some pictures, and you tell me what you think.Brian

[diggler]

SPECTRABRENT:
I agree with HotHallett.
Tahiti Boats are junk.
I have a 1972 Tahiti jet with an Olds 455 in it.
I can easily hit over 70mph with it. However, as a concession, I did rip out the stringer and floor and replace them with stronger materials, but only because of the rot.
Now, I don't know about the later Tahiti's. they have much lower freeboard and not as deep a V cut as I have on this older one. I've sen a 1971 Sidewinder that looked very similar. From what I hear, Sidewinders were the predecessor to the Tahiti.
http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Reader_Rides/Jet_Boats/PF_at_Lost_Isle_2.JPG

[SPECTRABRENT]

Diggler,
Your boat looks like a nice ride and I am sure it runs well.
I am speaking only from the Tahitis that I have seen and driven.
It is a fact, Tahitis were not well made hulls.
When these boats were made & sold, they were cheap copies of other boats.
Tahiti was probably selling more boats in a month then most companies sold in a year. During the 1970's Tahitis were everywhere(ask OldRigger).
Don't reinvent the wheel, spend a little extra money on a better hull, it will cost less in the long run.
There are good deals out there.
Good Luck,
Brent
www.spectramarine.com (http://www.spectramarine.com)
[ September 29, 2002, 10:54 AM: Message edited by: SPECTRABRENT ]

[disco_charger]

Speaking from personal experience, let me see if I can help you make the right decision for you. I don't have a Tahiti, but it's very close. The production of my boat doesn't compare to a Rogers, Hallet, Spectre, etc. I liked my boat. I liked the way it looked, and it was really cheap. I looked at the boat and asked a couple of questions. Can I do all the work it needs? Do I mind doing all the work it needs? How much is my time working on the boat worth to me? Why do I want this boat? I knew I could do all the work, I didn't mind doing the work, and working on the boat is a hobby to me. I wanted the boat because I had not seen a whole bunch of them on the water, and I really liked the lines. The hull was sort of redeeming in that I had full length stringers and very little rot. Don't look at it like it's a complete investment unless thats all it is. Yeah, you're not going to set any Unblown Gas Jet records in that boat. If you can put it together cheap, and it's going to do all the things you want it to do, go for it.
Now, about that Mopar nonsense... wink
Disco

[Tahiti Owner]

I have a 75 Tahiti with Olds power too. She is not the fastest boat on the lake or river, but I have never spun a bearing, broke a rod,or even have any major oil leaks that others talk about. She handles very well for her age and it still has the original interior, carpet and floor in it! I guess it just goes to show you how things can last if you take care of em...I'll post a pic as soon as i remember how to do it again...

[Tahiti Owner]

lets see if this works web page (http://free.***boat.net/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Reader_Rides/Jet_Boats&image=2Boat_1.JPG&img=&tt=)

[jetboat5150]

I have a '78,18' Tahiti with BBC bought it 4-5 yrs. it was turn key and still is. I have noticed rot in flooring and planning on replacing it this winter. I've got more good compliments then bad on her looks and performance. Think I'll keep her for a while. Hey Dig lets go boating. Jake

[wsuwrhr]

http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Gearhead_Garage/Motors_and_Drives/waterplates.JPG
You will need some plate like this for the water outlets. $50 for the pair.
Brian
[ September 30, 2002, 05:50 PM: Message edited by: wsuwrhr ]

[wsuwrhr]

http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Gearhead_Garage/Motors_and_Drives/dflange.JPG
You will need a drive flange, not necessarily swiss-cheesed like this, but something like it. I would need some dimensions or a part # from your yoke, so I make sure it will fit. $150 for the flange. You can email me for details if you are interested or call at: 909-982-4068. Brian

[wsuwrhr]

http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Gearhead_Garage/Motors_and_Drives/bottomend.JPG
Here is a crappy picture of the flexplate. This is the best one I have. $210 with an SFI number and $200 without. If you ever plan on racing at any sanctioned event, you need a tag. Let me know if you are interested in anything.
Brian
I would be more than happy to set up another Mopar powered boat owner. We are way out numbered.
[ September 30, 2002, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: wsuwrhr ]

[Riverhound]

http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Reader_Rides/Jet_Boats/MVC-558S.JPG
She might not be the best made boat but I like my Tahiti. :D

[Riverhound]

http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Reader_Rides/Jet_Boats/MVC-563S.JPG
A junk hull with a Ford motor what could be better. :D

[Tahiti Owner]

OK I figured out how to make my pic appear here! here is my 455 Olds Powered 75 Tahiti. http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Reader_Rides/Jet_Boats/2Boat_1.JPG

[diggler]

Olds 455 in a 1972 Tahiti:
http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Forum_Graphic_Depot/Complete_Engine_1.JPG

[leland]

I grew up with 1976 a 20' Spectra, 460 ford w/ berk pump. Awesome boat. First boat I bought after college was a 1979 Tahiti 20' supercruiser, 454 w/ berk pump. I replaced the floor and stringers and have had it for fourteen years. Not the quality of the Spectra but has served me well over the years.
[ October 03, 2002, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: leland ]