Transforming An Abandoned Boat Into One Of The Most Famous Boats On Social Media.

For most of my childhood this very boat above was a part of it. Not in the way many may think however, this boat was always in the background rotting away in the bushes. The boat previously had A full life in Florida before it sat in someone else's bushes for 10 years before again coming to rest in ours for another 20.

New to the content creation space this year, I wanted A build that would push my limits and create content people would enjoy. Never did I ever imagine "Snook'ums" would be such an amazing and horrible project.

The Issue's Begin

On a sunny April day I air up the boat tires and rip it from the grip the golden rod and pricker bushes have on it. The build seems simple, make the boat ready by July for fun on the lake. First looks show some minor issues, A rotten front deck, lots of dirt and rust, and the paint is terrible.

Tear Down Begins

Very quickly days working on the boat become weeks, and minor issues turn major. It quickly becomes clear this wont be done in time for summer. The boat shows signs of neglect, rotten wood, chipping paint, wires missing etc. and pairs that with salt water damage, A rusted trailer, corroded gauges and lots of seized bolts. Months in the summer turn into cold days mid January, where I rewire the entire boat alone with no heat in the basement of the shop. By spring the boat is rewired and ready for all the structural and cosmetic work it needs.

The Build Begins

With the weather finally warm (and my followers getting anxious) its time to hit this boat build hard. A new front deck is installed, all new wiring is completed, equipment like a new horn, nave lights and gauges are installed. The engine runs but not well, resulting in an overheating issue from corrosion, it is removed to get a new one. The outside paint is sanded for new paint, as well as inside the boat. The trailer gets new bunks, wheels and tires, and hardware.The transom is discovered to be rotten too, it gets cut out to be replaced.

The Final Push is Always the Hardest

The boat already missed the July 4th deadline, if it's going to be done for summer I need to work faster. Working in the warehouse with nothing but a fan to cool me off on these 85 Degree days, I work day after day to get the boat done. Final sanding is completed, the transom and front deck fiberglass and Fairing compound are sanded and ready for primer. I get the boat on jacks and pull 15 hour days, painting in the morning, letting it dry and doing another layer until 4 am in the morning. The new (to me) motor is painted and mounted, and the speakers, subwoofer and amp are all installed. Finally small touches like the new decal, a cooler seat and deep cycle battery's (to power the sound system) are installed.

A Ship is Safest in Port, but That's Not What A Ship Is Made For.

The time finally arrives to put my hard work to the test, its both exciting and nerve wracking as this boat hasn't seen water in at least 35 years. The first run isn't so great, the motor is having issue's which I solve by fixing the ignition timing. Over the next few days I fix issues with the sound system, motor and small things I did wrong. The boat looks and performs better than I expected, considering its a 1988.

The Money You Save Buying A 2 Stroke Motor You Spend In Gas

Over the next few months "Snook'ums" provides me both with loads of video/content opportunities and endless fun days on the lake. It becomes a favorite of many on the lake with its odd design and the fact the sound system cost more than the boat is worth. We surf behind it, hit wineries, get lunch by water, and spend hundreds of dollars in gas and oil for priceless memories on the water.

The boat now spends its days in the shop for the freezing winter months. It is odd to see it so different then how it looked the first time it was here. Ironically it will need more work to be ready for next year. Until then it waits, ready to give smiles to all that come aboard it.

Build List, Cost and Hours spent

The boat needed a lot of new parts, here is a list of them. New Storage Hatches,LED lights, 4-8" speakers, 12" subwoofer, 4500W amp, speaker wire and bluetooth receiver, Evinrude 90hp engine, cooler seat, new gauges, nav light's, new steering unit and cable, 3 interstate batteries, console canvas, all new wiring, new front deck (plywood,fiberglass,fairing compound), new transom, paint and primer (kingston grey),custom decal, trailer tires, trailer bolts, trailer bunk brackets, trailer rollers, new hoses on entire boat, new fuel filter and fuel lines, fire extinguisher, horn. Since the boat was free this build cost me a grand total of $4,361 to build.

This build took me 8 months, and roughly 1,200 hours of labor to complete as I worked mainly alone on it. The boat racked up an amazing 8,141,0000 views over the course of the build with its videos and provided my page with a lot of exposure.

This boat build challenged me daily, with a lot of the work it needed being brand new territory for me. During the process it was tough but I owe much of my early success with content creation to this boat and I am excited for the next big build!