2003 Xpress H51 brought back to life!!!

Bought this 2003 Xpress H51 17 ft aluminum bassboat last fall. Had a blown Force 75 HP on it. COMPLETELY stripped down to a bare aluminum shell, and replaced carpet on decks, rod lockers, and storage compartments. New set of Mercury gauges, new TM, new Mercury control box and cable. Mounting a 2005 Mercury 9.9 2 stroke, and using it for my new limited HP lakes around me.

Before (carpet is worse than it looks in pictures)

[IMG]http://i459.photobucket.com/albums/q...ee463df0-1.png[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i459.photobucket.com/albums/q...137b06e2-1.png[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i459.photobucket.com/albums/q...pszdqkrfsn.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i459.photobucket.com/albums/q...psufwreqhs.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i459.photobucket.com/albums/q...pscngmiusi.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i459.photobucket.com/albums/q...psfueg3ldq.jpg[/IMG]

What an awesome rig for little lakes. We'll done!

Now you need to make some black delrin spacers for under your seat post.

How hard or easy was the install?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cbr900racer22

How hard or easy was the install?

---

Because of the way most of the edges along the deck and compartments are on this boat, they have a grove that the carpet has to " tuck" into, it was a little tougher than it would have been on most other boats.
I took my time, and did it right. Probably have around 50+ hours in strippung old carpet and glue off, cutting new carpet and installing new carpet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oncebitten

What an awesome rig for little lakes. We'll done!

Now you need to make some black delrin spacers for under your seat post.

---

Thanks!

I may just cut an inch or so off the end post.

You did a really nice job!!:thumb up2: The 9.9 makes me cringe.:laugh: Hang a 115 on it with a hyd. plate, and let it eat.:devil: (but I do know why you went with the 9.9)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xpress spanky

You did a really nice job!!:thumb up2: The 9.9 makes me cringe.:laugh: Hang a 115 on it with a hyd. plate, and let it eat.:devil: (but I do know why you went with the 9.9)

---

Attachment 181684
SCREEEEEEEEAMS POWER!!!!!

What prop you turning on that 9.9 and whats your prop to pad measurment? :laugh: Nice rig.:thumb up2:

Took it out yesterday just to make sure i had throttle and gear linkage right, and had to do a couple things to trailer while boat was off of it

[IMG]http://i459.photobucket.com/albums/q...psfueg3ldq.jpg[/IMG]

Two of the Finger Lakes here in Upstate NY are restricted to 9.9 motors. Boy, a rig like yours would be perfect for fishing those lakes! What a fantastic platform for fishing. Well done.

Great looking work!!:thumb up2:

Nice job ! That will make you a nice rig for what your wanting.:beers:

Dang nice job on that carpet!

You sure know how to shame a fella's rig ! :laugh:

After seeing how nice yours is ... I just went outside to back mine under the carport from drying after a good wash and realized it's time to give mine a facelift. I have that exact hull in a 02 model with plenty of war marks and wear. Makes me want to start a project.

Congrats on an amazing job !!!

Enjoy !

Someone has to ask....

What's the top speed?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sphill

Someone has to ask....

What's the top speed?

---

LOL
8.4 mph gps with the 9.9hp! :eek:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OhioChamp183

8.4 mph gps with the 9.9hp! :eek:

---

It may not win any races, but with a twenty gallon gas tank, you're 9.9 will give you range! :thumb up2:

Black the windshield out.:thumb up2:Nice job!

I like how you took the death seat out and put in two solo seats with a step in between, that was a good idea. Did you just cover the compartment under the seat

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kuks24

I like how you took the death seat out and put in two solo seats with a step in between, that was a good idea. Did you just cover the compartment under the seat

---

I HATE BENCH SEATS!!!!!

i removed the "underseat compartment" which was an all aluminum box, that is simply screwed down to the floor. with a hinged lid. Re carpeted it, and reinstalled it.
Amazing thing I realized about these Xpress boats, after "completely" tearing it down, is that there isn't an ounce of wood anywhere in it!

since initial post, I swaped out the Merc 9.9 for a 25hp, with 20 hp stickers on it! Good for all the limited 20 hp lakes around me! Lol

Top speed with 25hp is around 24.5 with a gps! MUCH better than what the 9.9 did!!!