WELCOME TO RIVER DAVES PLACE

New to me, 21ft Hallett, Build Thread

crzy2bealive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
4,282
Reaction score
2,866
Well I been wanting to build a jet boat for a long time. Always wanted a Hallett or Eliminator.

I found this Hallett in Phelan yesterday no pump or motor.

Owner had both titles and it was reasonably price.

Pros has new imco tanks and it’s fully capped

Cons - Needs a lot of work lol

Plans are to go full restoration

New gel
540 with 871 blower
New interior

5DBEEDAA-E135-4811-A66F-F11C5A1CB239.jpeg


I barely made it home lol needs new tires. I didn’t have a spare. Likely I was close to home.

I didn’t even tell my wife I bought this thing.

Imagine how that phone call went.

11D3B7C9-D5EB-43EB-B3F8-9A4B1ACEC525.jpeg


It’s rough but after looking what @pull-on did on his Hallett I have been inspired.

784C415B-2815-4AEE-8D11-4ADC1979A3E4.jpeg

20828C67-6CD8-4266-B1C8-9878452D6162.jpeg
 

Bigbore500r

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2014
Messages
18,236
Reaction score
38,235
Well I been wanting to build a jet boat for a long time. Always wanted a Hallett or Eliminator.

I found this Hallett in Phelan yesterday no pump or motor.

Owner had both titles and it was reasonably price.

Pros has new imco tanks and it’s fully capped

Cons - Needs a lot of work lol

Plans are to go full restoration

New gel
540 with 871 blower
New interior

View attachment 1361330

I barely made it home lol needs new tires. I didn’t have a spare. Likely I was close to home.

I didn’t even tell my wife I bought this thing.

Imagine how that phone call went.

View attachment 1361332

It’s rough but after looking what @pull-on did on his Hallett I have been inspired.

View attachment 1361333
View attachment 1361334
Congrats, looking forward to watching the build!
 

pull-on

Roofers do it on top.
Joined
Dec 31, 2008
Messages
1,091
Reaction score
2,545
Being capped and having new tanks is a HUGE plus. What an awesome start. These boats are tanks. There is a couple running around that are rad.

I'll send you my cell on IG and we can talk. You can also check out the mini if you're looking for ideas.

Sweet project. Looking forward to watching this.
 

DarkHorseRacing

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2014
Messages
6,665
Reaction score
13,225
Well the good news is it has a recent sticker so it must have been running fairly recently.

A good cut and buff/polish to start, some deep cleaning on the interior and a little metal polish should make a world of difference. And then just start sourcing the missing parts. Jets are simple so the build shouldn’t be a problem unless you start trying to change things.

I think the trailer needs some immediate love. I’d probably take it to a place and have all four bearings redone immediately, and obviously some new ST tires. Goodyear Enduro or Carlisle make good trailer tires.
 

crzy2bealive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
4,282
Reaction score
2,866
Anyone need an interior? Slightly used. Pulling it out today!
 

Attachments

  • 71659E33-9A87-4D6D-9D05-80FE12FFF974.jpeg
    71659E33-9A87-4D6D-9D05-80FE12FFF974.jpeg
    1.9 MB · Views: 125

77charger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
6,477
Reaction score
8,457
While it’s this far from finish here that pump gone over and massaged with proper set up impeller cut etc it will help out a lot and put the power to the water vs just bolting a stock one on.
 

Backlash

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
14,591
Reaction score
28,482
Nice project!

It's good you plan on pulling those tanks. While they're out, you could always take them back to Imco to have them do a once-over and make sure you're starting off with a solid foundation. It's hard to tell by the photos, but I don't see any mounting tabs on either end of the tanks. If this were my project, I'd want to bolt those tanks in using new bulkheads at each end of the tank. If there aren't any tabs on the tanks, have Imco install those for you. Then install them with new bulkheads later on down the road. 👍
 

Backlash

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
14,591
Reaction score
28,482
How did the conversation go with your wife? 🤷🤣





Probably the same way mine went with my wife when I bought our Daytona without telling her. 🤣
 

crzy2bealive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
4,282
Reaction score
2,866
Nice project!

It's good you plan on pulling those tanks. While they're out, you could always take them back to Imco to have them do a once-over and make sure you're starting off with a solid foundation. It's hard to tell by the photos, but I don't see any mounting tabs on either end of the tanks. If this were my project, I'd want to bolt those tanks in using new bulkheads at each end of the tank. If there aren't any tabs on the tanks, have Imco install those for you. Then install them with new bulkheads later on down the road. 👍
That’s what I’m thinking.

AD6E3220-34D6-413E-A8A7-FCB930E6D06B.jpeg
6CB1A1D9-356A-497F-A6B3-930880191297.jpeg
9A0FDED9-B434-4707-9D89-BE71713EE886.jpeg
 

Backlash

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
14,591
Reaction score
28,482
Awesome job! Those tanks already have the flanges, so you'd just have to glass in bulkheads and drill the tops of the flanges to install them between the bulkheads. 👍 Tear the rest of that glass off and clean them up. It wouldn't take much to have them looking beautiful!
 

78Southwind

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Messages
3,900
Reaction score
3,175
I would do some serious inspection of that hull before dumping tons of money into it. I don't know if it's because they are three piece hulls or if ours was cursed. We had a V-Drive, and the hull kept cracking. The owner before us fixed it, then we had to fix it and then the next two ownsers had to fix cracks along side the stringers. I thougjt it was fixed for good after we sold it and sure enough i saw it on facebook having the bottom fixed again. The last guy had a 540 in it but all the other engines were Chevy/Olds 500 HP motors. Good luck, hope it was just our bad luck.
 

crzy2bealive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
4,282
Reaction score
2,866
I would do some serious inspection of that hull before dumping tons of money into it. I don't know if it's because they are three piece hulls or if ours was cursed. We had a V-Drive, and the hull kept cracking. The owner before us fixed it, then we had to fix it and then the next two ownsers had to fix cracks along side the stringers. I thougjt it was fixed for good after we sold it and sure enough i saw it on facebook having the bottom fixed again. The last guy had a 540 in it but all the other engines were Chevy/Olds 500 HP motors. Good luck, hope it was just our bad luck.
Any specific areas to look? I’m assuming anywhere the stringers are glassed in?
 

78Southwind

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Messages
3,900
Reaction score
3,175
Tell me how it's a 3 piece hull.

I don't have any proof, I was just told by the person that sold it to me that it was a 3 piece hull. I will ask my buddy who sold it to me and see what he says.
 

78Southwind

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Messages
3,900
Reaction score
3,175
Any specific areas to look? I’m assuming anywhere the stringers are glassed in?

I looked for pictures of when I bought the boat but I couldn't find any of it with the cracks. If I remember right the cracks ran up the outer strakes. I would just follow the strakes up from the transom to the bow and see if there are any cracks. I am not saying these are bad hulls, I really liked our V-Drive. In fact, a friend of ours had a jet and I never heard of him having a problem with his hull.

My partner in the boat and I sold it to a friend and about two years later it started cracking up towards the bow. When we owned it we had it professionally fixed but the cracks were more towards the transom and up to the front seats of the boat. My friend that owned it before us also had the boat professionally fixed so, it could have just been our boat. I heard it was fixed two more times after that.

I am not trying to ruin your day just saying check it out before you through a bunch of money in to it.

Our Hallett was the White V-Drive and our buddy's was the Orange Jet. We called this picture complete opposites. Good luck with your rebuild.

72_Hallett_Complete_Opposite.jpg
 

78Southwind

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Messages
3,900
Reaction score
3,175
I saw it for sale in 2023 and the ad said the boat had new stringers. It looks like they had the gel done too. I hope they figured it out.

72_Hallett.jpg
 

crzy2bealive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
4,282
Reaction score
2,866
I’m looking to redo the wood on the transom due to some rot.

The current transom wood goes from floor to ceiling.

Floor to the bottom of cap is 22” and actual wood size height is 26”

How would I go about putting a new piece of wood?

Doesn’t seem like I can fit one FULL piece in the transom due to some height limitations.

Is it possible to cut it in half like the highlighted line below and install in 2 pieces.

Does the new piece of wood have to go from bottom to top? Can I keep it one piece but make the height short enough to fit.

I hope this makes sense.
60D3ECF8-D863-4335-8AC0-7C2813FB323E.jpeg
 
Last edited:

crzy2bealive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
4,282
Reaction score
2,866
So something like this.

Making the top section shorter….so I can maneuver into place.

I won’t have a swim step so I don’t need anything bolted up high.

image.jpg
 

warpt71

Lower River Lover
Joined
Sep 25, 2008
Messages
3,658
Reaction score
3,576
is the pump coming out? You might be surprised what you can slip in on an angle. If you held the wood all the way up you may be able to slide a full piece in, or at least get as much height as possible. Slide the bottom in last
 

crzy2bealive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
4,282
Reaction score
2,866
is the pump coming out? You might be surprised what you can slip in on an angle. If you held the wood all the way up you may be able to slide a full piece in, or at least get as much height as possible. Slide the bottom in last
Yah you’re right. Let’s see how she first fits when everything is pulled out.
 

Backlash

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
14,591
Reaction score
28,482
You can also do what many shops do. You cut the top of the cap off just above the transom, about 3-4" forward of the transom, and drop the new core material straight down through that opening. It allows you to replace the transom with one solid piece of core material without having a two-piece core. If you can't slip the new piece of wood into place, then I would try to use that approach versus using a two piece core in the transom. Just my .02. 👍
 

crzy2bealive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
4,282
Reaction score
2,866
You can also do what many shops do. You cut the top of the cap off just above the transom, about 3-4" forward of the transom, and drop the new core material straight down through that opening. It allows you to replace the transom with one solid piece of core material without having a two-piece core. If you can't slip the new piece of wood into place, then I would try to use that approach versus using a two piece core in the transom. Just my .02. 👍
I’m getting it completely re gelled so that is an option!

Better than some off these other videos where they cut the whole back half off lol
 

pull-on

Roofers do it on top.
Joined
Dec 31, 2008
Messages
1,091
Reaction score
2,545
I admire you guys with that much ambition.

I should add, when I'm done......I'm saying "fuck that" to any more projects. LOL.

The mini is almost done. Need to add the hatch and swim steps.
The 300T is almost done. Need's some clean up and transom maintenance.
The 270T is being rebuilt from when the drive broke loose and damn near sunk.

My ambition has left the building.
 

pull-on

Roofers do it on top.
Joined
Dec 31, 2008
Messages
1,091
Reaction score
2,545
So something like this.

Making the top section shorter….so I can maneuver into place.

I won’t have a swim step so I don’t need anything bolted up high.

View attachment 1362801

I agree with an earlier post. I think with the pump removed, you can tilt up and under a full, 1-piece board, to the transom.
 

crzy2bealive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
4,282
Reaction score
2,866
Haven’t had much time to work on it, but I’m working on getting the intake out.

People gave mentioned to apply some heat and then use a jack so I’m going to try that this weekend
 

rivermobster

Club Banned
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
59,690
Reaction score
60,405
First thing throw a straight edge on that bottom

Sorry laughing, but I'm not 100 percent sure, blueprinting the bottom of a Heavy jet boat, would make a whole lot of difference?

Or are you saying, just to verify there are no structural defects?

I like project too. The satisfaction at the end is so worth it. 👍🏼
 

Backlash

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
14,591
Reaction score
28,482
Sorry laughing, but I'm not 100 percent sure, blueprinting the bottom of a Heavy jet boat, would make a whole lot of difference?

Or are you saying, just to verify there are no structural defects?

I like project too. The satisfaction at the end is so worth it. 👍🏼
You would be surprised how much a straight bottom improves the performance of most hulls. Typically, over the years, there has been a slight amount of "Hook" built into many hull bottoms. I've been told a lot of things, but the most repeated idea was that it helps the boat roll over onto plane. The problem is, that design runs out of legs rather quickly when you start adding power and looking to improve performance. Meaning, the hull doesn't free up as much as it could if it were straight. Hence, straightening the bottom.

Carry on. 🤣👍
 

rivermobster

Club Banned
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
59,690
Reaction score
60,405
You would be surprised how much a straight bottom improves the performance of most hulls. Typically, over the years, there has been a slight amount of "Hook" built into many hull bottoms. I've been told a lot of things, but the most repeated idea was that it helps the boat roll over onto plane. The problem is, that design runs out of legs rather quickly when you start adding power and looking to improve performance. Meaning, the hull doesn't free up as much as it could if it were straight. Hence, straightening the bottom.

Carry on. 🤣👍

Makes sense!
 

crzy2bealive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
4,282
Reaction score
2,866
35688BB4-DB10-4BC0-BB45-D224CC7F4388.jpeg

5B3553E1-FFC7-44B0-B79C-41AC97B28371.jpeg


Well I ended up selling the motor mounts and a bracket for a 30 pack of coors lights.

Funny thing is I had these parts at the bottom of the trash can lol.
 

wzuber

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
8,126
Reaction score
11,929
Sorry laughing, but I'm not 100 percent sure, blueprinting the bottom of a Heavy jet boat, would make a whole lot of difference?

Or are you saying, just to verify there are no structural defects?

I like project too. The satisfaction at the end is so worth it. 👍🏼
A straight bottom is an effecient bottom whick means he'll get more benefit from that blower motor he's plannin for the build.
I wonder who's going to install the new intake adapter in the beauty? I hope it has an adjustable shoe n ride plate to go along with it.
 

rivermobster

Club Banned
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
59,690
Reaction score
60,405
A straight bottom is an effecient bottom whick means he'll get more benefit from that blower motor he's plannin for the build.
I wonder who's going to install the new intake adapter in the beauty? I hope it has an adjustable shoe n ride plate to go along with it.

If course you are correct.

I'm just thinking it wouldn't make any noticeable difference in a big heavy jet boat. It's a lot of work to blueprint a bottom Properly.
 
Top