Probably a dumb question that it seems i may have the answer to but i'm putting my wires back on my Port 454 standard rotation (not sure if that means LH, RH, clockwise or counterclockwise I get so confused) but I'm confirming the firing order... it appears that both engines port and starboard have the same firing order stamped on the engine (13572468) but the distributor have different firing order per the manual which i attached - and it appears that the left motor (which i can only assume they would put the port motor on the left in this diagram) has a firing order on the distributor of 12756348. My question? Does it matter where the 1 starts on the distributor? Or per my picture, should i start it at the top left of the cap? Just confirming, for my port engine, • engine firing order 13572468 (counter clockwise from top left when looking at motor from above) • distributor firing order 12756348 (counter clockwise from top left?)

This should be an easy gasket to find but i'm struggling... the motor is a 1970s Marine Power 454 (in a 1973 36' Tournament fisherman) looking for this gasket ... yes amazon has it but it can't be deliverd until next friday... its the gasket for the thermostat housing on the top of the engine Marine Power part number 16.50 - 00096 (doesnt seem to help) 7.4L Thermostat to Engine Gasket GM 10105135 (maybe?) I feel like this should be common enough to buy at an autozone or napa - i mean if it was on 454s?? I'm just looking for the wrong part number... can you all help me tranlate this part numbers into a common gasket number?

Can you all point me to the quickest place to get gaskets for these risers and manifold on 454 port engine 1973 36’ tournament fish, also the gasket for the water fitting at top front of motor - you’re probably going to say Amazon lol

I bought my 1973 36' TF (FDA-36-0097H) last march with "rebuilt" engines but unfortunately one of them was actually bad. Something knocking inside the port motor and after much deliberation, my only choice was to remove it and send it out to be rebuilt (again!). 1973ish Marine power 454. I'm more than a little frustrated with this endeavor and it has certainly put a hitch in my giddyup. I was not able to use the boat this season (except sitting at the dock) but I got a lot of projects done on her and I still like the boat. Hard to say if I "love" the boat yet because she hasn't really been 100%. I'm hoping I can get it all put back together before the spring! I very much look forward to running her properly and seeing how she performs. I'm happy that the motor is at the rebuilder and I'm half way there.

STYLED IN FIBERGLASS features stories and photos from Commander owners like you. Join our award-winning team of contributors with your how to projects, boating misadventures, exciting cruising yarns and everything in between. Email us your story ideas or send us your photos and articles for publication in one of our upcoming issues. We want to work with members who have been there, done that and learned a lot along the way. Shoot me an email at wpillsbury@aim.com to get started. I can't wait to see what you contribute!!

Looking for shop manual for GM 454 (#333841 stamped in manifold cover) see attached picture, In 1973 36’ TF, port engine do you know what the other numbers mean? What year? What “generation” 454 is it? Assuming it was manufactured by “Marine Power” but not sure.

Finally made WHIT’S END cozy enough to spend a night on her. Still have 90% of the headliner to install but have to pause that for the moment and just enjoy her. It’s funny how some people get so hung up on the headliner like it affects the boat in ANY significant way lol - they should not be looking UP for concerns! Like “that’s the COMPLETE LEAST OF OUR WORRIES” but still people are like “did you get that headliner in? lol I’m like 😳🤷🏼‍♂️no. Also my significant other pictured the one instance he visited the boat. And my dog scotch who attended every visit to the boat but he would like to go home. When I take him to the parking lot to walk etc, he rushes to white cars that look like ours and stands by the back door ready to leave. He’s ready to take ANY car home.

Trying to figure out what to do with this engine, it has a tick. With the manifold covers off, nothing looks/feels wrong, so it must be inside. Please listen to this audio, it actually sounds worse in person, its a clear tick at all RPMs. Not even sure where to start. Mechanic suggested a few options 1. replacing the engine (not ready for that yet) 2. Start stripping it down in the boat and maybe find the problem 3. if not, then take it out of the boat and send it to a good shop to find/fix the issue. I'd like to keep this engine because its the original engines and I'm not ready to repower. The engine was rebuilt only 120 hours ago, but 7 years ago... So lack of use could have been a factor, who knows? The other engine purrs like a kitten! Part of me feels like putting the covers back on and just USING the engine even with the tick (maybe it'll go away 👀?) Part of me feels like replacing both engines with new Crusders and not having to worry (as much) about stuff. (except divorce and financial insolvency) Part of me feels like i should get to the bottom of this so I know both engines are running the best they can? Any wisdom? IMG_1240 (3).mov

Styled In Fiberglass debuted spring of 2001, over 23 years ago! The latest issue continues the Styled In Fiberglass tradition with articles including: Regional Rendezvous, Commander Club Archives, Remembering Clif Orphal, Remembering Herb Brock, Adventures of Briand & Dawn Stone, An Updated Original, OEM vs Aftermarket, Awards of Distinction, Commander Insurance Opportunity, Siford Nautical Art & Prints, The Dock Shop, Boat US Membership Find it in Club News, or click here... https://www.commanderclub.com/_files/ugd/f5bb1b_070fd63b4b744622829bdec0d2fdce4a.pdf

The 36 foot tournament fisherman that I bought was in very good condition and pretty much ready to run, but I was determined to remove the flybridge. It has been more work than I imagined, there were many systems, wires, and hundreds of screw holes and bolts, that had been a part of the boat since it was new. There were 3 large wiring “ports” in particular that all needed to be filled and covered. But I finally filled all the holes painted the hardtop and added my own NAV lights, handrails, anchor light and horn. I am really happy with it. I was able to use the large handrails that were originally mounted on the side of the flybridge. I was able to mount the Nav lights on the side of the hardtop, which is a very streamlined look. I was able to find one of the Jetson anchor lights off eBay and put a very bright LED lightbulb in there that is going to work great. I mounted my stern white light on the rear end of the hardtop, which is a unique approach, but seems to be perfectly legal. I have red and green and white in the stern all very high so it should be good. I have kept the main center area clear because in the future, I might store a rigid inflatable up there, and my 20-year-old son is already climbed up there and walked around. It’s quite a large expanse of a hardtop and it seems that young people will probably gravitate up there and and jump off and stuff like that. It also could be an excellent spot for an enormous solar panel system. But I don’t really want or need that, but maybe it’s something to explore in the future who knows. But I left the center completely open. And maybe someday even put in a couple of skylights, that might be nice too. I’m just happy to have all the wiring done and so now I can put the headliner back in inside the salon. For diehard flybridge people, you should know that a gentleman drove 15 hours to pick up my flybridge, ladder and bridge helm station and will be using it on an identical model Boat, the same 36 of which he needed an original flybridge. So the entire unit is living on on a sister ship, which is nice. It did not go to waste.

Looking for a starter for port 454 engine. Boat is 1973 36’ tournament fish, I don’t think these are the original engines. (correction, these are the original marine power engines) I will take the old starter and have it rebuilt but also wanted to order one delivered and quickly get back up and running. NOBODY seems to have this starter, it’s discontinued by Arco. Did they replace this model with another one? It can’t be this hard to find a starter for a 454? Right? Any help would be appreciated. Thank u, Whitney

Excited to have a Commander again, launching my 36’ tournament fisherman hardtop next week and look forward to sharing all my new adventures! I put the name on today and cleaned house in preparation for launch, can’t wait to be in the water. This is my second WHITS END but I didn’t want to call it WHITS END II because I don’t really like having that “II” after the name, and it’s also fitting, because, I’m really reclaiming the time I had on my first WHITS END (a ‘66 38’ express hardtop) before I had kids, and now my kids have all grown up and the name is back. I never thought I would own one of these fisherman convertible style boats, in fact, they were never ever on my radar. I don’t fish. But now I am excited about the large salon flooded with sunlight, the cozy lower cabin configuration and the salty high bow and frankly how handsome (dare I say “sexy!”) it looks as a hardtop. We will see. I’ve been around since the early days of the club and I cherish the friendships I’ve made here. I look forward to meeting all the new members who joined while I was out yelling at my kids for 15 years! I had forgotten how happy these boats make me, the endless projects and plans. I’m back!!

Can anyone shed any light on when this badge was used? Do you have it on your boat? What model and year? It has a star and 3 vertical stripes in yellow and the boat length in white letters on a red field. It appears that the graphic represents the insignia of a Navy Commander. When was it used and what models was it used on?

My new 36’ tournament fisherman is without any nav lights and I’m considering my options. I anchor a lot and will need a good anchor light that is separate from the nav lights. I operate in NY harbor and need strong nav lights to be seen by ships, ferries etc, but I also care about the style of the fixtures so they should look good on a Commander. Curious to other 36’ owners (or similar), WHERE exactly ARE your port/starboard nav lights mounted? Factory? Where is your mast light mounted or do you use your anchor light as a mast light? The stern light is easy and im pretty clear on that, so my questions are really around, front nav; red, green, white/anchor. I’m interested in mounting to the hull or lower deckhouse, NOT interested in mounting to flybridge (more on that later). This question would apply to other Commanders with a similar broken sheer higher bow, like the 35 or other fishers… I remember my old 38 had the nav lights mounted in the port lights which was cool, but that is not an option on the 36 TF. Per the guidelines my 36 falls below the 39ft requirement but I think I’d like to still meet that “over 39ft” standard including a stern light. How are your nav lights configured?

This boat has always interested me but seems like a rare find, not many made, anyone have one?

I bought a Commander! CCHMG097O575 or FDA-36-0097H Currently named SKIMMER II, located in Charleston, SC. Not really sure what year it is, but it appears to be the 97th one built? Not sure wether to call it a Sport Cruiser or Tournament Fisherman? I am very excited about this model as i feel it offers many of the features that I need here on the Hudson River and New York Harbor/East Coast. I've owned a 38' Express, 19' Super Sport and a 55' and never ever thought i'd get near any type of 'fishy' Commander but then i realized how practical the large salon, lower back deck and high bow could be for my waters... I'm assuming the fishing rod holders can be drink holders? And the fish box/bait wells can be used to ice down beverages?? It has been worked on for over 5 years by our very own Lee Dahlen so I'm benefitting from all his handywork AGAIN! I'll keep you posted! Excited to begin this new journey.