Need Info for an IMP Eleganza 255
#1
Need Info for an IMP Eleganza 255
After many years of being on the fence about buying a boat of my own I finally took the plunge recently and bought a 1989 IMP Eleganza 255.
I operated a bunch of my buddy’s 20ft Bayliner’s, Chris Craft’s and such when I lived in Florida years ago, but I’ve never operated anything like what I just bought, and I’m super excited about eventually getting her in the water and learning as much as I can.
The boat’s in decent shape and she’s structurally sound but she’s definitely a project.
Next spring the engines are going to be pulled, thoroughly inspected, and possibly rebuilt (if need-be), cockpit interior upholstery redone, and spider cracks repaired.
Once the engines have been sorted, the outdrives will be getting new seal kits and they'll be thoroughly gone through to make sure they're in good shape along with the gimbals.
I’ve done tons of research on these boats and I’ve read just about every thread in this forum where you guys have discussed them, and those discussions helped a lot.
The problem is, IMP is no longer around, and I can’t seem to find a company that picked up where they left off. I can’t find any information on the materials, electronics, gauges, hull structure, or anything else on these boats.
All of the electronics & hydraulics works, and the items that need to be replaced on the engines are more or less universal so no worries there.
This boat has twin Mercruiser 350’s
I’m just trying to get my hands on some of the build history of these boats and what went into them. (if that’s possible)
Any help in that direction would be most appreciated, thanks guys…..
Once I get up to ten post's I'll post some pics...
I operated a bunch of my buddy’s 20ft Bayliner’s, Chris Craft’s and such when I lived in Florida years ago, but I’ve never operated anything like what I just bought, and I’m super excited about eventually getting her in the water and learning as much as I can.
The boat’s in decent shape and she’s structurally sound but she’s definitely a project.
Next spring the engines are going to be pulled, thoroughly inspected, and possibly rebuilt (if need-be), cockpit interior upholstery redone, and spider cracks repaired.
Once the engines have been sorted, the outdrives will be getting new seal kits and they'll be thoroughly gone through to make sure they're in good shape along with the gimbals.
I’ve done tons of research on these boats and I’ve read just about every thread in this forum where you guys have discussed them, and those discussions helped a lot.
The problem is, IMP is no longer around, and I can’t seem to find a company that picked up where they left off. I can’t find any information on the materials, electronics, gauges, hull structure, or anything else on these boats.
All of the electronics & hydraulics works, and the items that need to be replaced on the engines are more or less universal so no worries there.
This boat has twin Mercruiser 350’s
I’m just trying to get my hands on some of the build history of these boats and what went into them. (if that’s possible)
Any help in that direction would be most appreciated, thanks guys…..
Once I get up to ten post's I'll post some pics...
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Damon R. Fowler (02-18-2021), Twin O/B Sonic (12-22-2020)
#2
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You might try calling Raymonds Boats and Motors in Gravois Mills, MO. They are still around but I am not sure in what capacity. It was my understanding, that the Raymond's was a part owner in the IMP Boat Company. Good Luck.
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#3
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I used to run with with a guy who had a 235, he was NUTS about this boat. I remember I liked it a lot, how it sat in the water and general looks. Seems like IMPs are fairly heavy boats for their size, which usually lends itself to a good build quality. While I've not seen this guy for 20 years, I'll see if I can find out if he's still around. Like I say...he was a VERY dedicated IMP owner, one of those guys who, if he still has the boat, probably has info on where to find things.
Good luck with your project, keep us posted please.
Good luck with your project, keep us posted please.
#4
Thanks Helmwust, much appreciated and I will definitely give this place a call to see if they're still around....
#5
I used to run with with a guy who had a 235, he was NUTS about this boat. I remember I liked it a lot, how it sat in the water and general looks. Seems like IMPs are fairly heavy boats for their size, which usually lends itself to a good build quality. While I've not seen this guy for 20 years, I'll see if I can find out if he's still around. Like I say...he was a VERY dedicated IMP owner, one of those guys who, if he still has the boat, probably has info on where to find things.
Good luck with your project, keep us posted please.
Good luck with your project, keep us posted please.
The guy I bought this boat from raved about it, how fast it came up on plane, and just in general how "trouble-free" the boat was for him over the years.
He bought a Baja Outlaw with two 502's in it so he's all set for speed, and he just wanted this IMP to go to a good home.
Also the owner of the boat storage place I have it stored in for the winter has already done a thorough assessment of it, and told me that while she's a project, she's got good bones and has the potential to be a rock star.
Please do get back to me to let me know if you get in touch with the guy you knew that had the 235 to see if he could give you any info that you could pass along.
I'll be leaning on all of you to help me with this project, so I'll definitely be updating all of you.
I'm a member of several car & motorcycle forums and I regularly keep all of those cats abreast of my projects, as I'll be keeping you guys abreast of this one.
Thanks Again.....
#6
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I've got a Eleganza 255 I bought last spring but its a single 540 that is a mismatched hodgepodge of parts, just pulled the engine on mine to start exploring the transom condition and stringers, my inner liner is cracking at both ends of the stringers so I'm concerned about the stringers still being bonded to the hull. Might need to pull all that out and replace with a more conventional stringer and mount system. It was topping off at 53mph last summer. All the bushings in the transom assembly are worn out as are the seals so that is a work in progress. Rode great in 2-2.5 ft waves, could still do 50 in them.
#7
I've got a Eleganza 255 I bought last spring but its a single 540 that is a mismatched hodgepodge of parts, just pulled the engine on mine to start exploring the transom condition and stringers, my inner liner is cracking at both ends of the stringers so I'm concerned about the stringers still being bonded to the hull. Might need to pull all that out and replace with a more conventional stringer and mount system. It was topping off at 53mph last summer. All the bushings in the transom assembly are worn out as are the seals so that is a work in progress. Rode great in 2-2.5 ft waves, could still do 50 in them.
I'd be curious to know what year your boat is as there has been many conversations on the engine mounting set-ups on IMP boats from 1986 and back being a strange, unconventional engine mount set-up.
Mine is an 89, and quite honestly I haven't had the chance to really dig in and look into the items your mentioning but all of that will be more thoroughly examined next spring when the wrap comes off, and we commence with the repairs.
The owner of the boat service/storage pace where she's currently being stored for the winter was able to do a full assessment of all the systems and the hull prior to wrap, and he's telling me that (so far) he likes what he see's. She's definitely a project, but worth the time & money to bring her back to life.
He told me that his glass guy thoroughly went through the boat, and the only thing that needs to be addressed are some spider cracks on the hull surface here & there, but other than that he says she's solid. To be fair the engines haven't been pulled yet so who knows what's awaiting us when that happens.
Another thing that I've learned about these IMP boats (through various forums) is that their hull structure is apparently very thick (up to 4 inches thick in certain areas) so people both complain & compliment about how heavy they are.
People rave about how well the extra weight makes them handle rough water, while simultaneously complaining about how they're just too heavy & under-powered, but anything from 50mph and up on the water is respectable.
I'm sure you'll get your transom area issues sorted out without too much pain, and please post pics of your boat along with any interior shots. (if you have any)
Thanks again for the reply.....
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bajaman (12-25-2020)
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I'll see what I can do when I get back to the boat. Mine is an 89. The only area I have seen truly thick material is in the transom which appears to be about 4 inches thick. There are a couple pictures online of a 255 with the transom cut off of it. I think the inner liner and stringers are different with twins vs single.
#9
I'll see what I can do when I get back to the boat. Mine is an 89. The only area I have seen truly thick material is in the transom which appears to be about 4 inches thick. There are a couple pictures online of a 255 with the transom cut off of it. I think the inner liner and stringers are different with twins vs single.
Thanks.....