Outer Reef 26 Trawler Project - Initial Walkaround

This is a glimpse at the project we got ourselves into! This boat has great potential and we're cleaning it up from sitting over 20 years. It'll need the same cosmetic fixes as the sailboat we just restored like paint and cushions. Mechanically it'll be more complex as there are more systems, but we're up for the challenge.
There is not much information on these boats as there were only a few produced. I believe there were 34 of the 26' boats built and 6 of the 27' boats built in Bradenton, FL. EDIT: This boat says 26'5" on the title, not 27' as originally claimed by prior owner. This boat is a 1985.

[@sckirschstein]

Please, don't let us without further episodes. It's going to be an amazing story.

[@stevenmurphree]

I've taken some video in the last year but never edited it. We hope to do another trip in May and I'll post an update after that.

[@sckirschstein]

Take your time but keep continuity. I strongly suggest to arrange for the best, all that frankenstein wiring and equipment I could see, to increase reliability. All that vintage radar stuff take too much space and deck visibility. The same functions are now integrated on a single tablet. However, redundant key equipment will be allways greeted. Could be the A/C be restored?

[@mountainmandale1587]

I had a 1984 Isuzu diesel pickup truck, and those engines are bulletproof. I hope you are able to get it back in decent shape.

[@stevenmurphree]

Yeah we did a trip in the FL keys this winter and are still slowly improving it.

[@coldisle]

Steven…that’s a fantastic little trawler and WELL worth the effort. She is a beauty!

[@bretwilson5197]

I once drove a campervan from Punta Gorda Florida to Houston on 15 year old tires. I'm pretty sure I use my entire lifetimes worth of luck on that trip. Can't wait to see more video of the boat , I really like the layout.

[@stevenmurphree]

Good story! I've been carefully watching these tires and they're still in great shape. I've towed twice to a lake 30min away. Will be replacing them and adding spare before the next long trip

[@keithborg7374]

Looking forward to follow you on this project... ☺️. Good luck, it's a lovely boat!

[@stevenmurphree]

Thanks! It's running and I've cleaned out the fuel system. Still sorting out the all kinks. I'll post an update soon!

[@OrieCipollaro]

BOAT Bring On Another Thousand! Watch out for that black mold and good luck!

[@osu3221]

Is get underneath and straighten out all the bilge and pull the motor and freshen it up. Pull the tanks and have them cleaned and pressure test them and attach new fuel pumps. Get the blower working properly and vented. That's just me, I'd get everything below decks pristine before I started anything inside. Check the batteries and make sure it has a proper charging system, one where is trickles down to exactly what the batteries need. Check on the hydraulic steering, flush it and new hoses and fluid. Then I'd start with new lines for the fresh water tank and ant fittings and change the thru hulls to bronze, they look to be plastic. Sounds like a lot but it's mostly grunt work. Lots of people go right to cabin work before they know exactly what's up under the deck.

[@g7eit]

A really nice boat. The big boat feel in a small package.

[@jamesblackburn934]

Nice Find!

[@stevenmurphree]

Thanks! Drove way outta the way to pick it up.

[@AlaskaRog]

Great Boat! I have a similar boat, an IS25, and am lucky to count Top Fun Guy, whom you mentioned, as a friend. I have a similar walk though video of my boat on KZbin. Thanks for sharing! Cheers, Rog AlaskaRog on YT.

[@mvintrigue-trawlerdiy1101]

Your lucky...you have those nice aluminum frame windows all over the place. A good cleaning alone will do wonders for that boat. Cant wait to see it in the water.

[@stevenmurphree]

Thanks! I posted a video of it on the water about a week ago.

[@edquier40]

Top Fun Guy Rocks!

[@hoopoo3721]

What a beautiful boat 😍❤️

[@peterhoulis1184]

Awesome boat

[@stevenmurphree]

Thanks! Working on engine run video edit now!

[@haroldconnell2973]

We did the same with a 25 foot nimble nomad

[@chapter4travels]

This would be an awesome Great Loop boat!

[@stevenmurphree]

Thanks! That's looking like the plan but we are going to explore some on the Tennessee River and get the boat sorted first!

[@chapter4travels]

@@stevenmurphree Ah, you are right on the loop, how nice. Sure, a boat of that age needs a lot of hours run to work out bugs. Several years ago I was looking at the loop trip really hard. I was drawn to Albin 25's but would have taken your boat anytime. In the end, I felt doing it single handed was more than what I'm capable of with my very limited experience.

[@lessthengoodgamer5087]

beauty will clean up real nice

[@magicalminty6203]

Looking forward to the after video on this boat.

[@stevenmurphree]

Me too! I hope to splash it for the first time in 20 years by November.

[@osu3221]

And NICE FIND!!!!!

[@stevenmurphree]

Thanks! We've actually been using it. Need to do an update video but have been lazy on the edit side.

[@cfgyvr6321]

looks a lot like an Independent Shipwrights IS25 built in Coombs British Columbia. Some youtube channels featuring them.

[@stevenmurphree]

I agree on the IS25 familiarity. I've been watching some of those BC channels and hope to copy a few of the retrofit modifications. The beauty of a trailer trawler is this boat may one day visit those waters!

[@fernandsimard4112]

This is one of the most beautiful boat.. You're lucky...

[@stevenmurphree]

Thank you! We're happy to be bringing it back to life.

[@michelrood2966]

Looks like a nordic tug ..beautiful boat. Give her much love..Did you have her surveyed ? Subbed btw

[@stevenmurphree]

We did not. It was very much a risky purchase and it's taken a lot of time sorting out. Luckily that's the kind of project I enjoy so it's worked out well.

[@michelrood2966]

@@stevenmurphree I am an ex boatyard worker situated in the Caribbean, maybe I can give you some tips along the way..

[@omvaren]

Isuzu diesel, the very best!

[@99thehighstreet69]

We need a windless.lost too many anchors.

[@99thehighstreet69]

Love it but don't like hornets.Great boat.Nnnnnnnnice.

[@rickyskong6797]

I've a '79 with an isuzu c240 and borgwarner velvetdrive transmission which is cooked. Unable to find a good mechanic in this part of the world.

[@stevenmurphree]

The engine itself seems pretty bulletproof. There's an izuzu marine engine owners group on Facebook full of good information. Good luck on your velvet drive!

[@johnwebb3610]

I have a 82 just got a few months ago would love to see you on FB I made a outer reef 26 page on FB I'm the only one on there right now

[@BubHDTV]

I have a 1980 . Spent years restoring it and now have it on Smith Mountain Lake in Va. I can’t find your FB page