Restoring a Neglected 40 Year Old Yacht | Ep. 1

The journey begins! We purchased a 1978* 42' Uniflite motor yacht that needed a lot of love.
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* Changed from 1984 to 1978. The title and registration says 1984 but after publishing this video someone was kind enough to let us know it's actually MY 1978!

[@dougsmith5988]

FINALLY!!! A motor boat channel I can relate to. Not huge expensive power boats like everything else, not a sailboat channel but a realistic subject that an everyday boater such as myself can identify with. Because of my prosthetic foot I'm more suited to this style of boating rather than sailing. Welcome from Vancouver Island!

[@klaaskomvaak1816]

is there no osmosis on the polyester hull at all ?

[@Itsmeandmyadhd]

I know what u mean I getting a sailing house boat and thank you this video I know where to start

[@michael3343]

I love old cheap boats!

[@xOdin330]

@@klaaskomvaak1816 its painted but idk if it's painted with the osmosis coating.

[@littlejohnny47]

When you got to the fact the boat had twin Detroit Diesels, I knew how very, very lucky you were! A solid hull, great engines and drives, and during the haul out - she was surprisingly good underneath! So the interior is dirty and toast in places. Easy fix if the bones are good! You won’t need it, but good luck!

[@Chris-zp6eh]

This has been my dream for almost 30yrs. I’ve lived in Seattle for 35. That’s a fantastic boat for what you want to do. I’m really looking forward to all your upcoming adventures.

[@Hitech82]

You kids are hard workers. That's the most important thing with old boats. Once your done you will know how it's made and works. That will be important when you start traveling. I wish you the best of love and luck. Congratulations. Ps. Those 671 are great engines.

[@brucebenson5908]

When they brought along an experienced diesel mechanic for their first sea trials, I knew they were serious about boating the right way and hit the subscribe bell. Too many buyers of boats on the cheap just aren't safe at sea and yell for the Coast Guard right off the bat.

[@helenarusso]

Hi Bruce how are you doing 😊

[@tommysaraullo1992]

Wow.. $5,000 and it runs.. That's a awesome find.. the engines are what is important.. the rest of the Cosmetic. Really cool.....

[@justinlinnane8043]

I know its been neglected and will need a lot of work but thats a hell of a deal for a boat like this with all its bits intact , no holes and two working diesel engines !! great project . Subscribed

[@jamesvalencia44]

One motor alone worth 5 g

[@johanviskar5781]

you know its youtube bullshit right?

[@justinlinnane8043]

@@johanviskar5781 I know but is all very sweetly done . give them a break

[@williehudson191]

You guys did an awesome job I’m restoring my boat I’m about to give up you guys inspired to keep going because financially it’s killing me ❤❤❤❤

[@ricksmith5230]

The two boats next to you must have loved you guys

[@vitpham9722]

Thanks for sharing yalls journey with us. Looking forward to seeing the yacht on the open seas!

[@dimamill6989]

Having bought some old boats in the past, I can tell you that it is always a good idea.

[@bostonschroeder4310]

Where is a good place to purchase old Boats

[@allan8004]

YES, at last a motor yacht to watch being lovingly re-fitted, thank you so much for taking this on, it going to be epic so I really hope you continue with it while taking us along for the ride, one suggestion straight of the bat, if I may, If it is made of wood or (lumber as you say) and you can remove it, take it out and seal on all sides "including the back" with Penetrating epoxy before you paint, Thank you and good on you, I wish you all the very best, and cannot waite for more, and may I also say, your so Pretty as well, all the best from Australia, Al

[@lukeweeks5400]

First youtube resto i can actually envision myself doing. Well done!

[@kevinjohnston4512]

Absolutely beautiful boat. You'll have many years all the enjoyment

[@BellsRidesAboardSeaBoss]

Whoa! That is so awesome, I can’t wait to watch the whole journey to see this incredible boat come back to life.

[@bertrambertram9173]

I recommend you check the hull and decks for moister and blisters, some of which may be covered up. Starting in 1975, Uniflite changed a fire retardant they were using and the new substance caused serious blister problems for boats manufactured from 1975 to approximately 1981.If your hull hasn't blistered yet then it most likely won't. Specifically, the problem comes from having switched fire retardant agents in their glassing process and had to change manufacturers in 1975. This is a famous story which you can learn a lot about online. The blisters in no way affected the structural integrity of the hull. Uniflite boats had a sterling reputation and if you get it in shape it you will have a fabulous boat. Also, lot of your model boats were manufactured with gasoline engines and having Diesel engines is a real plus. Please make sure the diesel fuel and tank are in good shape before going any distances. I am amazed they started right up...a real testament to those engines. I am very excited to see how your project progresses.

[@SeekingSeas]

Thank you very much for that history lesson. We definitely have blisters on this boat but I have seen worse. When we're ready to paint we will be fixing all the blisters and hopefully no more will appear. I'm happy they don't affect the structural integrity of this boat and are more of a nuisance than anything.

[@stevebrown5341]

I stumbled across your videos and I was struck with a lot of old memories. When I was in high school and college I worked at a Uniflight dealer. I spent years outfitting and preparing all the models. I also spent a lot of time delivering new sold boats to customers up the east coast. I would pick up boats at both the Bellingham and Swansboro plants. I can say that I know every inch of your 42 DC. Your boat has some great bones. It has a hull that is literally bullet proof. This same hull was used as patrol boats during Viet Nam. It is also flame proof, unlike other boats during that time. They used some stuff called Hetron in the resin. I have done way more than my share of wiring and installations. If you would like to chat, let me know. Best of luck! Steve

[@ShagrattLSD]

Nice project guys!! Thank god the motors work

[@BG-fm7zj]

Looking forward to following along! I have done a few projects like this and boy you guys have bitten off a big one! Congrats!!!

[@ianfrancisledesma4431]

I miss my old '66 uniflite..good times!

[@geertdeschryver982]

Good luck with the boat! Geert Belgium

[@SF-qu3fw]

Many good wishes and may you have fair winds and following seas in your future. Here is a good tip: when powerwashing, sanding, painting, and doing other tasks that create dispersals; dust, debris, and other particles, it's a good practice to buy an inexpensive tarp to string up between your boat and the boat(s) next to you so the debris do not end up all over the neighboring vessel. This may also help keep paints, oils, and other dispersals out of the water 😉

[@SeekingSeas]

Great advice, we stopped doing any pressure washing after the first couple hours cause we didn't want to splash the boats next to us, low pressure and simple green from then on.

[@wazza33racer]

The original press metal rocker covers on the 6-71 Detroits can be problematic for oil leaks, but there are updated cast aluminum versions most people find dont leak. She sounds very sweet on the water ))

[@Izzymohammed1]

Congratulations guys. Best of luck with your endeavour ❤️🙏

[@andrewplantagenet5811]

I’m very happy for y’all! Hope all works well for you.

[@grahamwallace7933]

Great new channel on power boat restoration and adventure dreaming. I hope to see you pass our home on Willow Point, Vancouver Island this summer. Happy boating.

[@jhill1023]

Excellent job guys. I’ll keep watching…

[@Admin-ki7ch]

This boat is a bargain. Do not give up on her. Back in the days these boats were made with quality. Give her the maintenance and attention she deserves and she will serve many more years. Advice: don't try to save a dollar here or there. A boat is not just a pleasure thing. When you experience a storm or heavy weather it is supposed to bring you back to safety. And I speak from my own experience. You have to respect the sea but it can be very nasty. Never underestimate it.

[@timuruddin7088]

Great words!!

[@qasw287]

I work on yachts for a living and this thing is in pretty good shapes from immediate looks 🤷🏽‍♂️😳

[@user-wf2qg7ns5y]

5000 dollars its pretty cheap though

[@rickhodges1731]

Looks like you made a good choice 👌. Years ago a fellow I knew purchased a very similar boat. It was a 42' Viking aft cabin. They look like they could be twin brothers. Uniflight was a very popular brand in those days. This configuration makes for a very comfortable boat for cruising and as a live aboard. Having your engines in good order gives you guys a great start on your rehabilitation project. If you guys are handy and are able to do a good percentage of the work you will save big $$$ as well as gaining a strong sense of accomplishment and pride of ownership! Excited watch your progress.

[@burgerbash3829]

That is a nice boat without all the mess

[@eddiespagetti8395]

Beautiful. Anything beats these chicken coop prison cell block style condos. Living in a boat is freedom. Beautiful . I have lived in RV and a boat like this is my next project. Looks like great fun and alot can be done for low cost if you know the right people . Great vid. Thank you for sharing.

[@justinmorrison8068]

Looks like it’s ready for a 3 hour cruise:)

[@jessen00001]

Nice boat 👍

[@jimbluebaugh6090]

Awesome! I'm going to start a restoration on my cruiser next spring.

[@crowdog56]

Crikey- the fact those motors cranked right over shows just how good those Detroits are! You're soooo lucky!

[@erikwilson9498]

ALL GOOD! looking forward to following you

[@superioraddiction6069]

I have the same boat, (1984).. can't wait to see what it looks like when you're done. Good luck and enjoy the adventure...

[@Jeemdeecreations]

Nice! What did you pay for it if I may ask?

[@benjaminchong82]

Finally a motor boat refix

[@zzzxxzzz3248]

Looks like a bargain so far ! Thanks for sharing !

[@darrylb4048]

Good for you guys. I live across the strait from you guys in Sidney, BC and will keep an eye out for your vessel when you get to cruising. Great find.

[@PK075]

Love these sort of videos great story guys👍 from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@earl81ful]

Damn you guys did some good work with her in a short amount of time! enjoy!!

[@vincentwesolowski459]

I just found your channel. You guys are lucky so far. Good luck with your project. I’m looking forward to watching all of your videos.

[@newmanlord4052]

Wow you got it going congratulations all the best...

[@devinthomas4866]

Ya'll are rockstars!!

[@Chr.U.Cas2216]

Dear Seeking Seas couple. 👍👌👏 It looks like as if you made a great purchase. Congratulations 🎉. Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards, luck and health in particular. To all three of you of course.

[@LetsGoOutdoors]

Looking forward to watching your progress on this project. Hats off for taking something like this on! New sub.

[@frankrbernat606]

Great video 💯 🏖🌴😇

[@davidhienz3224]

Good luck with the project

[@carlito8278]

good luck with your restoration project.

[@user-id8ng9eq9h]

hard work goes a long way. good luck with the project

[@teamus1756]

$5k what a deal absolutely amazing. That boat is huge and can easily entertain friends and sleep out n the water. Dock parties are awesome

[@jamesparker6017]

Coral Gables Florida 🌴🇺🇸 USA DEFINITELY not my part of the country but enjoying the boating anyway 👌 🏄

[@jamesr.epstein]

Like Dougsmith5988 I also love the channel. I'm located in the heart of the CA delta. When I was younger I and family restored a 1965 Owen Contessa. Now I get to watch and enjoy your endevours with the Uniflite.

[@briansmythe3000]

Wow Hit a Home run there , 5 grand and the engines Worked and Hull was Ok Well done

[@stephenblake2196]

Wow!! Nice!! You lucked out very minor work!! Soap and water go a long way?? Run the boat and enjoy the time on her ?? The flash means cash!? She was mint just the way it is ?? Mechanically sound ( maintenance) update the electronics and good to go ?? REMEMBER!! 1 alright but 2 is better??? Good luck 👍!!!

[@DOUBLEDEFENSE]

Man you guys stole that boat two running diesels for five grand congrats

[@SeekingSeas]

Thank you!

[@OzcarMike641]

great work guys !

[@garthbirney1307]

Congrats and good luck!

[@crowdog56]

I built these boats in Bellingham at Uniflite during the '70s. 5k is dirt cheap for one, they went for 100k in 1978! They are solid as a rock and those motors should be serviceable- worth being worked over for sure. If no bubbles in gelcoat you're in luck! There are people in Bellingham who know all about these boats and could help you out. Padden Creek Marine is one of them. Good luck- you'll have an excellent, seaworthy boat when you finally finish! Keep in mind south Puget Sound has some nice places to drop the hook and easily reached from Seattle, too.

[@jeremyallard5449]

Great channel guys good luck with your adventure’s

[@johnbookis9833]

Awesome! Best wishes!

[@josephkordinak1591]

Good Luck guys, I am glad you knew enough about detroits to check the injectors before you tried to start them.

[@sailingprojectparrot]

Love it, new sub. We also just restoring an old sailing yacht, also been lived on and not been out to sea in years 🙈⚓️

[@klarson82]

I am in port orchard, good luck with your restoration

[@mennoboon8037]

Nice project boat👍

[@paulwalker9423]

New to your Chanel but absolutely loving it so nice it’s a motor yacht as well ,thanks for bringing us along on your journey

[@SeekingSeas]

Thanks for joining us!

[@kaygreen7249]

Love the channel really like the day content keep up the good work 👏

[@zooba1974]

Lookin good guys!!!

[@sandybecher3514]

Just loving this!

[@jakeswillemse1549]

Damn you guys are so lucky wish i had such a opportunity. This channel is great cant wait for the next episode good luck to you both and all the best follow your dreams and never give up . Jakes Cape Town South Africa 🇿🇦

[@elbertdulworth2379]

WOW ! Amazingly Awesome ! Beautiful just Beautiful I really enjoy watching the both of you putting in so much love 💘 This is a true work of art in the making A Dream Come True and A Journey Together ❤ that You Will Always Remember ❤ ❤ I can't wait to watch all of your videos on this beautiful work of art Together Thank You for Sharing Respectfully Elbert

[@SeekingSeas]

Thanks Elbert, we are really enjoying doing this project together!

[@derekfairminer4263]

Those engines are awesome

[@SeekingSeas]

I think so too!

[@paulgrimm]

Hi Hannah . That looks like a job . Amazing what a powerspray Will do. That’s a lot of boat 5k. Congrats

[@MrJerobona]

Amazing project! Congratulations! And, of course, I am subscribing!

[@SeekingSeas]

Thank you!!

[@capitan280]

Congratulations ! Good business

[@adgkato9765]

My Wife and I live on are Uniflite in Port Orchard, our boat needed a lot of TLC also and is looking great. Hope to see you on the water soon!...

[@SeekingSeas]

I'm curious how long the restoration process was for you guys? Maybe we'll see you out in the puget sound this summer!

[@Holdfast1812]

We have the YF 48 - or your boat with a 6 foot cockpit added. They are great boats and worth the work you put into them.

[@josephchung2475]

I am enjoying your videos and I also owned a 1975 uniflite 36 dc loved it had it for 20 years. seacure had all my uniflite parts i needed i hope they are still in bussiness. looking forward for more videos !

[@SeekingSeas]

Thanks for the comment, we love hearing from other owners of these fine boats. Tim at SeaCure is still going strong. Just ordered some parts from him a couple weeks ago. It's a great resource for Uniflite parts.

[@andrewleach1661]

Best of luck you guys gonna enjoy watching ur progress and like everyone else this is more up my street can't wait to watch the transformation and watch ur voting style change as u grow more comfortable and confident ....WELL DONE

[@SeekingSeas]

We're still trying to get comfortable in front if the camera but we'll get there. It helps that we have so much fun working hard together and sharing the experience with all of you.

[@stevekiray1676]

What a great combination..a navy spec. Uniflite hull with Detroit diesel..couldn't ask for more reliability!

[@RedHawk785]

Geez, I would love to have had the same experience. Fantastic. A new 42 ft. yacht would really have nothing over this one. You can add the Garmin's and whatever other electronic gismos new ones come with but not the $2 million price tag. You probably did not spend more than $25,000 to have the same enjoyment, utility in every respect and pride of ownership. Even more of the last attribute since you did so much of the work yourselves in restoring this Queen of the Seas to her former stature and elegance.

[@a_nggas6814]

Nice old boat 😊⛵

[@trymyss396]

Projects like this are great dream-builders!

[@SeekingSeas]

Agreed, we're excited to inspire others to follow their dreams too!

[@dnnsmrgn]

So, glad you are doing this. I myself wish to do the same and all that is out there are sailing videos. Wish you both the best of luck. I have subscribed and hit the bell and will enjoy watching your journey.

[@driverguy7]

I could totally do this. Thank you for sharing your experience !!

[@HeyMichaelLeo]

I may have built most of that interior, since I worked as a shipwright, on the 36 Double cabin, and the 42' Double cabin from 1975 - 1978. I did most of the wood work and installed some fly Bridges. Fun to see again.

[@SeekingSeas]

That's amazing, would love to chat with you some time.

[@HeyMichaelLeo]

@@SeekingSeas anytime, are ya'll on Telegram?

[@SeekingSeas]

We're not on telegram but if you email your contact info to contact @ seekingseas.com we could go from there.

[@HeyMichaelLeo]

@@SeekingSeas seem like that Domain is available. Did you type it correctly?

[@SeekingSeas]

@@HeyMichaelLeo Hi Jeff, yes its ([e-mail])

[@kenaidog6974]

I chartered a 1976 Uniflite with twin Volvo 235s back in 93 out of Valdez AK. They are great boats and went out of business because no one could afford them. Hull is solid glass.

[@SeekingSeas]

We love ours!

[@ashleighelizabeth5916]

Good bones on her, amazed that it wasn't worse considering how truly terrible it looked at the start of the video. Good luck!

[@19211926]

I skippered a 42 Sport Fish for a few years ut of San Diego back in the early 80's. Wonderful boats. I hope you have lots of money because thats what it takes to fix up and operate a boat like that. Just the fuel costs are out of control. Have fun.

[@SeekingSeas]

Thank you! We both work in cybersecurity, with less time then money these days. That's the biggest reason we went for a motor yacht versus a sailboat, it will allow us to do short trips a lot easier and more frequently.

[@jorgegmendez6241]

new to your channel and already in love Thank you

[@grumpyjohntxredneckrc6346]

W@@W Y'alls Got A Smokin Deal On A Great Boat! 👍👍😁😎

[@mikepech1648]

You got a good deal. Hope you have a great time with it. I always had older boats. The work to get them in working condition was well worth it. But you should have found the last owner his method of housekeeping to keep in the pristene condition you got in in. lolol

[@SeekingSeas]

We are having a great time with this boat, definitely some challenges as well but overall great boat.

[@juliedouglas2888]

Follow your dreams Guys.

[@benbirkigt493]

Just ran across your channel and subscribed i really enjoy your content and love boating I'm considering buying something similar myself for a live aboard keep up the great work and look forward to more cool content. 👍

[@captwar]

You got a good deal on that boat. It is fiberglass and has a pair of 6-71s. I would have turned the engines over with a wrench before I tried to use the stater. Glad it worked out well for you.

[@SeekingSeas]

Definitely got a deal, our thought was just to bump the stator to turn it over a little but they ended ended up just firing right up. Probably should have turned them by hand.

[@tallishyeti2756]

I used to fly a cargo route into Port Angels so apparently I’ve flown over your boat many times!

[@SeekingSeas]

Lol, that's pretty cool. Small world, you most definitely have flown over this boat.

[@1958indyfan]

Pressure washers are soooooooo underrated. This is the first cruising channel I have subscribed to that has engines. Let's hope that Big Oil doesn't hold a gun to our heads too much longer so you can put some miles on that thing.

[@SeekingSeas]

Pressure washer worked great, just had to be careful of the other boats around us. Hoping the fuel prices go down a bit so we can do some cruising soon.

[@mcpojack]

Hello from a fellow Uniflite owner. I have had my Uni for 22 years and it is a 1975 32ft Sports Sedan. Have been crusing to Catalina Island for many years and love the boat. Built lika a tank and a pre-blister. Wish I had diesels but am blessed with Crusader 270s that are gas hogs!! The price of entertainment is steep.....

[@SeekingSeas]

So far, so good. Unfortunately, we do have some blisters that we'll have to deal with before we paint. Our deisels are nice but also a hog, worth it though!