'86 Sunsport Facelift

[wiatowski]

O.K. so I decided to start a new thread on the facelift... why not the Internet needs more pages doesn't it?
Started to remove the decals yesterday with the eraser wheel... about 30 sec in the drill broke. So I decided to go the razor method... not bad took me about an hour. Started sanding and the wax was so bad I needed to do something different.
Picked up some acetone this morning and stripped the wax off. Will get back to sanding after I take care of the kids for a bit.

My to do list;

1) I have to take everything off the transom still Platform, speedo pick-ups, and was thinking of taking off the Cavitation plate and putting a hinge on it... any thoughts?

2)Wet sand and polish whole boat.

3)Put on tower

4)New Decals? will post what Titan did up for me... was thinking Chrome on Black or Black on Grey.... ooor... Red on Grey. All input will be considered.


Yesterday
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Today
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New Decals
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[86 century]

I am in the same spot.

I used a heat gun to get the stickers off works like a charm once you get the hang of it.

I found a new turtle wax product that works wonders on the goo left over.

[wiatowski]

Big work day today, after consulting with a friend who works at a marina about my sanding issues, he suggested a "total refresh" of the gel coat. Said that my boat needed it due to the years of abuse/ over waxing. What dose this mean you may ask? I have to take off 1/2 mm of gelcoat. Sounds bad but hasn't gone to badly. Got one side rough sanded today. The pics are of the boat wet... but it's what it will be when finished. Enjoy..
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[DAFF]

What were the colours of the lettering ??? Perhaps you could incorperate that into the new stripe package. Blending the classic look with modern stripes..... Looks great too, once you are done I have another which could use a little polish!! :)

[86 century]

What did you use to get the 1/2mm

I am all the way down to 600grit it still looks like I havnt touched it.

[wiatowski]

Some people are going to cringe... worked my way down to 150, My friend said to work my way down till I found something that would cut it. But after I got the hard stuff cleared off it sands pretty easy. I also am dry sanding and washing off the dust between sand paper grades, and am using and 6" orbital air sander. I'm going to wet sand from 600 up. Am hoping to have the whole bottom end roughed by the end of next week,the top for some odd reason doesn't seem to be as hard and 600 and up will probably do. I figure by the time I'm finished I'll have sanded buffed and polished the Hull around 9 times. Lots of work but I'm looking at the payoff in the end. :)

And for all those who are shaking their heads, I'll say this; you know the shell is hard when 220 won't make a mark.

[86 century]

I am finding the same thing 320 wont make a mark.

I started with 1000 wet nothing
600 wet nothing
320 wet same
320 dry started to bring it up.

This is a bigger pain in the ars than I thought.

[wiatowski]

Are you doing it by hand? If you have the tools I would suggest an electric or air orbital sander. Light to no pressure just gliding it across... although I tilted the electric on a bit of an edge and, for lack of a better word, lightly scored the hull and the sanded the scores out... does that make any sense? I can take some pictures this morning.... I'm by no means a a pro but I know there like 5-6mm of gel coat on it. Just have to remember No pressure when scoring, kind of just touching the surface. It's seems to be the only way to get the hull one color and get rid of the stripes.

I agree after reading all the posts on wet sanding I thought this was going to be a cake walk..... Wrong. Oh well just thinking of the results. :D

[DAFF]

I wonder if a final pass of automotive clearcoat would make things pop wit much less effort...

[wiatowski]

I was wondering the same.
Here are some pics for you Century.
This is the scoring I was talking about I will say that the right side of the boat seems to be coming off easier I'm using 220 on the electric orbital.
93449345
This section took about a minute to rough although it's not completely done
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Then I sand with my Air sander with 150 to get the swirls out and get this
93479348
I want to rough the rest of the hull like this before I more up to the next grit. After I rough it I wipe it down with a rag and water sand it with the 150 then wipe it down again. This way if I miss any swirls I can see the and after it dries go over that spot again.
Hope this helps.

[Okie Boarder]

So you're basically cutting into the gel coat with the aggressive grits and then polishing out from there with the less aggressive? You're not going to be applying more gel?

[wiatowski]

Yup.No to adding gel. Was told I didn't need to... although I have to fix a few spots that were covered by the decals. When all said and done will have taken off less than a mm and hopefully will never have to go to this extreme again.

[86 century]

I was wondering the same.
Here are some pics for you Century.
This is the scoring I was talking about I will say that the right side of the boat seems to be coming off easier I'm using 220 on the electric orbital.
93449345
This section took about a minute to rough although it's not completely done
9346

Then I sand with my Air sander with 150 to get the swirls out and get this
93479348
I want to rough the rest of the hull like this before I more up to the next grit. After I rough it I wipe it down with a rag and water sand it with the 150 then wipe it down again. This way if I miss any swirls I can see the and after it dries go over that spot again.
Hope this helps.


Its funny I thought mine looked ok before I pulled the stripes off.

Thanks for the pics that is a big help.

[DAFF]

From the factory how is the gel coat applied??? Is it sprayed if so can you respray it..... Perhaps an automotive clear is not the way if you can re apply the gel/shine.

[86 century]

Turns out 320 on a da with a bit of work will bring down.

Takes a bit of time 3hours in I have almost half of one side done.


Did you do the top of the gunals to.

[wiatowski]

not yet.... just below the rubrail so far.... I don't think I'll have be so aggressive on the top. was going to start with 600.

[86 century]

Im glad mine is white exept the sides.

After this little venture im not messing with any thing else.

[DAFF]

Progress....

[86 century]

I hope he hasnt killed himself trying to get it done.

I can bearly lift my arms and my ride still looks like crap.

[wiatowski]

Planning on doing some work on her today.... took off all the stuff on the rear yesterday.
I had to work too..... and lets not forget the bunch kids I have. lol

[sydneyACE]

I'm in the exact same boat (no pun intended) as you guys. I started with an electric buffer, wool pad and polishing compound. That made-it shiny but the color was still faded. I then switched to a cutting compound (same wool pad), that worked a little better, but I would still have to stay in one-spot for a long-time. Right-now I'm wet-sanding with 600 grit. I'm afraid to take my stripes-off, because I know then I will be forced to sand-it all the way out.

I'm hoping I can buff-out the 600 grit with just one pass of polishing compound, I don't really want to make 3-4 steps...

Keep-us updated with your progress, I'm gonna work on mine for a few hours today and will follow-up after.

[wiatowski]

So I cut the other side of the boat today and have rough sanded half of that. I decided to finish a small section on the back just to get my hopes up. So I wet sanded 320,600,1200,then used rubbing compound then used Buff Magic.... I didn't put polish on it cause I want to finsh the whole boat first... but I needed to see the light a bit.

Cutting
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Cutting to rough Sanding
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320,600,1500,compound, and Buff magic ... sorry it's wet the weather wasn't co-operating today
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Lets not forget what it started out as
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[DAFF]

Nice progress. Any thoughts on the strip package and colours... By the way your comp is still here !!!

[wiatowski]

I'd like to at least put "Supra" on it the wife wants me to leave it blank.
Finished rough sanding the bottom today and got 1/2 of one side done with 320.
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???????
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[DAFF]

Keep her plain-ish. I think the stripe on the all white 10th anniversary boat would be perfect on yours. Try to match the same grey/white as the top portion of the boat. Simple elegant and timeless.

[86 century]

What ever that discoloration on mine is hard as a rock.

150 takes a bit of time to cut it then 220,320,400,600dry,600wet,1000wet, and finaly 3m heavy cut compound.

The more I think about it I should have just painted the darn thing.

[Salty87]

pics, pics...more pics!!....86 century, you're getting some befores & afters i hope!

i've still never seen red gel like wiatowski's from the factory. anyone else seen that before? where's haugy?

paint is nice but gel is more durable. i don't think we'd be reviving 20+ yr old paint jobs as well as some serious elbow grease can bring gel back to life.

[wiatowski]

What ever that discoloration on mine is hard as a rock.

150 takes a bit of time to cut it then 220,320,400,600dry,600wet,1000wet, and finaly 3m heavy cut compound.

The more I think about it I should have just painted the darn thing.

You read my mind! lol are you doing yours a section at a time?

[wiatowski]

O.k. now for my update... worked at her hard today as it's suppose to rain the next 5.... although I will be wet sanding I don't want to do it in the rain. I hadn't yet done the off-white part on the hull. So I broke out the painting tape and though " heck with it I'll just take off the rub rail", so that's what I did.... Honestly it's just because I'm anal when I do repair work. So now the lower half of the boat is completely rough sanded and ready for the the next grit.

Note to Daff... you were right the cap has been off before, but for some reason it looks like they didn't take all the foam out. :(
the reason the floor moves/ creaks.. you know what I'm talking about... is because they nailed the floor down instead of screwing it. But the stringers look good... Guess I'll have to do a cap off resto one day.

Question to the viewers.... How much of the underside of the hull should I do? what thinking of just doing the first part... I'll include a pic.
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I want to sand this before I move on to the rest so I can sand 1 grit at a time.

Here are a couple from today... anyone tell me how hard it is to put the rub rail back on?
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One more question.... How can I take the teak railing off with out drilling out the plugs... any suggestions?

[86 century]

Yes I have taken a few pics.

Im so worn out I cant lift my phone.


My hull has a step about 4" from the bottom it changes to white so you have a lot more color to work on.

[DAFF]

Salty as for the red gel I have another just like it. My 86 comp. It has the exact stripe package and grey wrap on the top side.

As for the floor they are all nailed from the factory. In time the nails rot and become loose feeling. My comp did the same thng but the floor was soft too... I must say the ol SS looks alittle naked with all her trim removed. But with all your hard work and attention to detail she will look like new. The boat looks so factory still perhaps the original stripes should be put back on. Sure the rainbow stripe was outdated but in a wierd way it looked correct.

I'd leave the bottom of the hull till later. You have enough to do getting her back in the water....

[wiatowski]

Daff did you get my message about the swim platform?

[DAFF]

Nothing is teak on the Comp. So putting a teak on the rear would look silly. Why get rid of the teak?? With a little elbow grease it will look 100% beter than fibreglass. It looks great in the water....

[wiatowski]

Probably right... I wouldn't mind making it bigger though.... tell you one thing I have no intentions of sanding it this year. :p

[wiatowski]

Got home from work today and started sanding with 320. Decided to finish the transom completely to see some progress.
Still haven't started on the cap, but I want to get the bottom done first.
Before
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During
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After
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[86 century]

Lookn good man when you are done with yours I will send you the tickets and get all the crazy canadian beer you want to come down to finish mine up.


Will get a keg a day if I haft to.

[wiatowski]

For the life of me I just can't get over how hard it is to sand. I will make this suggestion, dry sand all grits. It's dustier, but a lot easier. Dry sand, then wipe with cloth and water let dry and repeat. Ive been using an air sander, and It's still so much work.... hoping to have the bottom done by the weekend...let's hope.:|

[DAFF]

The SS is looking much better... Lots of work but the results should be stellar. Daw the add on Kijiji too. Guy is a dealer.

[lively]

For the life of me I just can't get over how hard it is to sand. I will make this suggestion, dry sand all grits. It's dustier, but a lot easier. Dry sand, then wipe with cloth and water let dry and repeat. Ive been using an air sander, and It's still so much work.... hoping to have the bottom done by the weekend...let's hope.:|

HA HA i just finished block sanding mine with 1000 and thats 3x 320 / 400/ 1000... it does suck

[wiatowski]

Gotone side done today.. here are the results.
95189519952095219522

Time for a shower... I'm exhausted. :)

[wiatowski]

Sorry... lest we forget.
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[chrisk]

Lookin' beautiful man, keep it up!

[DAFF]

^^^ Chris has an Accent tower.... I feel your pain, just got done polishing the Launch.

[wiatowski]

Finish sanding the blasted hull!!!! :) All I have to do is Buff it with compound. Hopefully it doesn't rain tomorrow even though it says it's going to. Will post pics when hopefully tomorrow.

[Okie Boarder]

Looks good...so have you compounded or polished at all yet or is that just after sanding?

[BigCity444]

Looks really nice.

[wiatowski]

It has compound and polish on it. Just have the right side to do with compound and polish. :)

[DAFF]

Any more thoughts on your stripe package??

[wiatowski]

Wife wants me to go with chrome on black Or the cream and red combo to make the whole boat match, that is if I do anything.... I shouldn't argue cause she'll be driving it more than me. lol
I still like what Titan did up for me, but was also thinking of just putting Supra on the side, Or Supra Sunsport... kinda like how the Nautiques are. And maybe put the supra wave on the back.... Want to get it finished first take some pics and have the brother in-law tinker using photo shop.
I didn't get a chance to finish buffing it today, hopefully It won't rain tomorrow.

[Blackntan90]

Can you tell me how you got it off the trailer? I would like to get mine off the trailer and do some work, but at the launch there is no power so I need to do it at home.

[wiatowski]

Can you tell me how you got it off the trailer? I would like to get mine off the trailer and do some work, but at the launch there is no power so I need to do it at home.

put landing gear all the way down, blocked up the back. lifted gear back up. lifted the front with the tractor, and pulled the trailer out by hand.
if you don't have something to lift the fron end with others have used a jack to lift the front and slowly work the trailer out, by lifting, moving, setting down, and repeating.
I would suggest maybe parking a pick up beside it and using a long 4x4 10-12' have a couple of people lift it and someone pull the trailer and then block it.

[wiatowski]

Finally!!!! got the right side done today...well except for the bottom itwas to wet to lay under the boat and finish it. Hopefully on the weekend. Time to start the top. (sigh) at least there isn't much more to do, and the plus side is I can do it standing up....my back is killing me.
Here's the pics.
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[lively]

she looks good man ! all that hard work is finally paying off ! cant wait to see when its all done

[DAFF]

Showed my son Nolan a recent pick of the boat. He said "Nice ski boat!!" Then I informed him he used to ride in it !! Had to pick his jaw up from the floor.

[wiatowski]

hahaha! thanks. Still don't know what I want to put on it.... I have an idea... lets see if it works... stay tuned.

[wiatowski]

So I didn't have all day but did take a few hours to work at the top. Took off the bow rails, cleats and went at it. Am doing the top by hand for the most part and got the right side bow portion done. I'm doing small sections but completely finishing them. Question... How hard is it to take off the windshield? I realize that most wouldn't... but looking to do a thorough job. Here's the pics from today's work.
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[Sdc77]

Amazing restauration ! Can you list exactly what do you use for that work ? What sand paper, what polish, what tool ? I would like to do the same on my hull.

[wiatowski]

6" orbital sander, 320,600,800,1500,
used my 7" rotary buffer, 3m buffing compound, Yacht Bright's Buff Magic, and pro polish.
Had to go down to 120 for the hull. 320 for the top.
One more... I can't get over the difference.
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[wiatowski]

Windshield screws are hard to get at, but just a few on each side and windshield sets right off. Hardest part is maneuvering your body into position to access them.

Your work looks great! Once you get done bringing back the color, are you going to wax the whole boat?

That's what the pro polish is. It's a polymer wax

[DAFF]

I think the ol Freightliner is getting jealous, her tanks and buds need a good pollish too!!

The more I see of the SS all polished up the more fitting her original stripe package seems to me. Sure the new stuff might moderize the boat but.... Where and the heii will you ever a nicer 86 all factory Sunsport with the original interior, nice teak and matching factory trailer too!! Agavdba's boat and this one too should be kept as a reminder of the roots of Wakeboarding and the classic lines of Supra!!

You wait the first time out all the pains of this clean up will pay off. NTM the first time behind the boat and the wife taps the throttle. You will have to remind her not to floor it out of the hole like the Bayliner. You will pop out of the water like you have never experienced before. :)

[BigCity444]

I agree with DAFF, there are many inexpensive ways to get a modern look on a old boat but there's nothing like the rainbow stripe and wave to clearly set yourself apart on the water. In the end it's your decision which all of us can't wait to see because what you have done so far is amazing.

[DAFF]

You ready for the lake yet?? 80's in the forecast here in the tropics of Ontario.

[Hagman]

Anybody know where to get the rainbow strip tape? I found a role from a X supra dealer that he had setting on the shelve sense the late 80’s . The wave & lettering are easy but finding the tape is another task.

[wiatowski]

Thanks for all the encouragement... decals are on the back burner for the moment as I try to make progress?! right side of the top just needs 3M and Buff Magic and polish. The back and left side needs 600, 800, 1500.... Took the windshield off back cleats and gas vent to do a proper job. Suppose to rain but hope to have things buffed and starting to go back together by Saturday.... if the weather holds out that is.
Here's a few snaps from today.
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Decided to tint the side windows... should I do the fronts too? Suppose to be mirror finish 20% tint.
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I got looking how much I have taken apart.... almost into stringer rebuild territory! :)

[DAFF]

The boat looks naked.

Often thought of tinting the windows too, don't worry about tinting the fronts(just do it) . You will find you rarely sit while driving. I would stand with one hand on the RHS window frame and a knee on the centre portion of the walk through while the other hand on the wheel. I liked the extra vision while driving plus the wind in my hair. You might find it different on an inland lake, but I doubt it.

You better call in the hazmat crew to clean up all the Sunsopt blood from the drive.

[wiatowski]

So this afternoon has been the first time in almost 10 days that I've been able to work on the boat.... grrrr. Anyways got the top finished, rub rail back on and rear lifting hook/ tow hook in, and rear vents... Lot of time on my feet but finally I'm done with all the sanding... just have to clean and put her back together. My tower came in, I have to got and pick it up, so lots of work next weekend. Thinking It should be on the trailer and in the water by the beginning of June....I hope.
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1214.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1213.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1212.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1211.jpg

[wiatowski]

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1210.jpg

Sorry for the water spots. :oops:

[joel210]

Looks great!

[TitanTn]

Looking awesome. You've got that shining great.

[Okie Boarder]

She sure cleans up nice!

[wiatowski]

Indeed the end result is looking that it was worth the aggravation. I'm just hoping I'm happy with the way it will look with the tower on.... hoping to install it this weekend... Not to far from you today... in Fort Payne, AL.

[TitanTn]

Indeed the end result is looking that it was worth the aggravation. I'm just hoping I'm happy with the way it will look with the tower on.... hoping to install it this weekend... Not to far from you today... in Fort Payne, AL.

That's a long way from home. And you're only about 1.5 hours from me as well. Are you working there, or just passing through?

[wiatowski]

That's a long way from home. And you're only about 1.5 hours from me as well. Are you working there, or just passing through?
Dropping off some coils and heading for home...not that far.. 1000 miles maybe. Hopefully I don't have to wait to long to find something home. Need to make a stop in Toronto to pick up a new rad for the old girl here.
Funny I probably could visit most of you individually any given week. Started my day this morning in Dayton, and here I sit 7 and a bit hours of driving later. I've been at this for 20 years and the one thing you learn is that the world isn't as big as you think it is.... travelwise I mean.

[Jetlink]

I've been at this for 20 years and the one thing you learn is that the world isn't as big as you think it is.... travelwise I mean.Know the feeling there man, I have had breakfast in Toronto, lunch in Houston, followed by dinner and cervesa pool side in Mexico. Drives the credit card and banks crazy too as they think the card has been stolen. :D

[wiatowski]

Know the feeling there man, I have had breakfast in Toronto, lunch in Houston, followed by dinner and cervesa pool side in Mexico. Drives the credit card and banks crazy too as they think the card has been stolen. :D
Flying is cheating! :p

[DAFF]

May 24 weekend and you boat is still on blocks...... :(

80 deg highs in the forecast too. Time for some camping and boating with the kids.

[wiatowski]

May 24 weekend and you boat is still on blocks...... :(

80 deg highs in the forecast too. Time for some camping and boating with the kids.

Ya it sucks but I'm piecing it together now. Picked up my tower yesterday... did a quick set up on the lawn to see what it looked like... I don't mind it.
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1229.jpg
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1230.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1233.jpg

Not sure if I like how it bows out... I can adjust it a little, and maybe it will depend too where the feet get place.

[wiatowski]

well..... not the best of days for me. Tower is almost on... really tough to put backing on and wiggle my arms in the small spaces. On top of that on one of the bolts the thread was damaged a little bit but I decided to use it anyway.. long story short I ended up having to snap the bolt to get it off. Gonna see if they'll send me a new one...I doubt it. anyway don't think it looks to bad any thoughts?
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1234.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1235.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1236.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1240.jpg
Didn't even make it to the nylock...

[Salty87]

is this your daily driver?
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1233.jpg

tower looks great. red/grey hull is a knockout. gonna be turning some heads for sure.

[86 century]

The rear arms on the tower will swivle in.

I just put a realy similar tower on the bravura last week.
I like the way they bow out less chance of hiting your head on the tube.

[wiatowski]

Got home this afternoon, got the front cleats mounted and bow rails. tight fit for a a big guy. lol
98889889

[TitanTn]

Got home this afternoon, got the front cleats mounted and bow rails. tight fit for a a big guy. lol
98889889

That makes me claustrophobic just looking at the pictures.

[DAFF]

The kids used to play inside there all the time. You should of picked up Nolan on your way home, he is always ready to lend a hand plus much more flexable than us old guys. Tower looks nice, all the stainless will be stellar in the water. I'm thinking red leds too!!

[lively]

Got home this afternoon, got the front cleats mounted and bow rails. tight fit for a a big guy. lol
98889889this is why i love my long locking 3/8 extensions makes this so much easier .. lol how the hell did u get in there ..

[wiatowski]

this is why i love my long locking 3/8 extensions makes this so much easier .. lol how the hell did u get in there ..

Very carefully...:) lets all bear in mind that I'm 5'-10" 210 lbs. Flexibility was a must, and I think at one point and time i had to dislocate my hips.lol

[wiatowski]

Yes... yes it did! lol Have no idea why I was working in my undies... I just do sometimes.

So today... Installed windshield, finished tower install, holes cut to install new thru exhaust parts, ski pylon removed.... (I was gonna leave it till it hit me again today).. after an hour or so of getting no where but mad.. it got the grinder, and the point that I was mad at it. also fitted the new cover... had to make some alterations for the tower. I bought it at Wal-mart for $60 to test to see if it would work, figured that was a good price for an experiment. Oh! and taped around the nicks I need to gel-coat.
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Hahaha left it under the tarp! will show what she looks like on Friday hopefully when I finish!

[Salty87]

"I don't always work in my undies but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis." Lol

boom pow...LOL

i was thinking...now THAT'S a bow sac!

kicks its a$$ wiatowski! your tower looks great.

[DAFF]

Happy to see you have turned the corner.... making great progress now !!! PS looks great too!!

[Graeme]

Awesome, damn, can you come do mine? ;)

[wiatowski]

A trip to NS would be nice this time of year..... lol thanks, sorry to hear about yours, quite sure she'll be as good as new in no time.

[Graeme]

Check the other thread...moving to Trenton this summer...can't wait to get back...boated the Trent-Severn in the Supra last year for 8 days. I miss the waterways and lakes!

[Okie Boarder]

Looking good! That did look like quite a tight fit in the bow area...wow!

[wiatowski]

Well I'm almost done! Just have some cleaning to do, replaced the fuel filler and fuel lines today. Have new rubber mat on the swim platform too! Front is completely back together, have to wire in the new radio, amp and sub. Finish installing second bilge pump, and put my decals on..... they should be done today or tomorrow. Hoping to be on the water and in the air next week. On a sad note when putting my gas tank back in I noticed that the stringers are getting "punky"... am hoping to stave off a stringer job for at least a couple of seasons before I have to do engine and stringer rebuild.... hoping for 3 but will probably only get 2. What should I be looking for before doing them? just when it's bad by the engine mounts?

Pictures to come soon. :)

[TitanTn]

Well I'm almost done! Just have some cleaning to do, replaced the fuel filler and fuel lines today. Have new rubber mat on the swim platform too! Front is completely back together, have to wire in the new radio, amp and sub. Finish installing second bilge pump, and put my decals on..... they should be done today or tomorrow. Hoping to be on the water and in the air next week. On a sad note when putting my gas tank back in I noticed that the stringers are getting "punky"... am hoping to stave off a stringer job for at least a couple of seasons before I have to do engine and stringer rebuild.... hoping for 3 but will probably only get 2. What should I be looking for before doing them? just when it's bad by the engine mounts?

Pictures to come soon. :)

Gotta prove it with pics! Sounds like some great progress though.

You should be able to delay the stringer job until the motor mount area goes bad. You just hope that it goes bad in a way you'll notice before damage occurs. I can't remember if it was Cadunkle or Wotan on this board that had a motor sink into a rotten motor mount, the driveline became seriously out-of-line, created a hole where the prop shaft goes through the boat and his boat partially sunk. Just be sure to keep a watchful eye on the engine mounts.

[DAFF]

Keep her dry inside and you will get 3 more years at least. When the stringers go bad near the engine you will know !!!! I doubt you will be able to resist some engine work before then anyhow. Drive it this summer and enjoy the surf. Wish I could be there to see your first set behind the boat..... I'm thinkin' permasmile!!!

[wiatowski]

just a teaser... got home today and started putting on the decals. had to finish with the gel-coat repair.. if the rain holds out hoping to have it finished tomorrow.
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1263.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1262.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1261.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1260.jpg

[Hematoma]

I feel your pain with the tower install, I would not do another EVER, that and getting the wiring in the tubes for the tower speakers. I'll go without speakers before I ever do that again. Total PITA. Boats looking nice I dig the red.

[wiatowski]

Well aside from a bit of cleaning up.... I'm done. Decals put on, new radio amp and Sub installed, and mirror.... sorry not in the pics. Thanks again to Mike and Clint for the measurements. Should be on the water tomorrow.... lets hope.
Boat Porn...
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1268.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1267.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1265.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1271.jpg

[wiatowski]

More!
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1266.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1269.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1270.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1273.jpg

[wiatowski]

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1274.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1276.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1278.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1279.jpg

[wiatowski]

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1280.jpg
Well that's it... as youcan tell I still haven't recived my wake racks yet.... not so nice email going out today.
Just in case you forgot
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1091.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1092.jpghttp://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/IMG_1077.jpg

[sybrmike]

Wowsers - talk about shiney! I'm really diggin' the mirror stripes. The Transformers logo on the bow is quite appropriate - you've really transformed that boat.

[lively]

Man what a thing of beauty! Looks great bub ...

[wiatowski]

The mirrored look is great as it really seems to pop! Looks updated as well yet kept its originality.
What does the sticker represent on the hull?
Ya the wife and I agree that the chrome updates it with out losing the classic feel. As for the Autobot sticker...it represents nothing... well extreme coolness:) Always been a transformers fan, thought a small tag would look good with out being gaudy. :) Will have to paint the trailer when It's in the water... wife just complained that it looks like crap comparedto the boat now. lol

[mdb122]

Looks GREAT ! Well Done - One of a kind, and sure to turn some heads !

[TitanTn]

Looks great. I love how you made it a modern classic. It hasn't lost its heritage, but it doesn't look 25 years old either. Great job. Let us know how the lake run goes tomorrow.

[DGREEN]

Oh buddy! u gotta be proud of that beauty!! Great work.

[DAFF]

I am so excited for your maiden voyage. All that hard work will pay off and the kids and momma are going to love it too. Try to keep the chrome stripe out of the sun as much as possible. It will turn cloudy and white in time, mine is 4 seasons old now and is starting to show its age.

Great job and congrats on your boat!! ;) She looks perfect.

PST.... You need a new project now, nothing nicer than twins...

[csuggs]

Jay - you can really be proud of what you've accomplished - what a beautiful boat! Can't wait to see it on the water!

[86 century]

Looks good
I will bring mine up around the end of the season what ever you charge is fine.

[BigCity444]

Incredible. Would your sticker guy like another order? I would buy the same decal for my Mariah.

[wiatowski]

Incredible. Would your sticker guy like another order? I would buy the same decal for my Mariah.
Can always ask... cost me $140 for everything... I would say that's not to bad. $125 for the decals for my sign lady. I bought the pinstripe and Autobot sticker off ebay for $15 off ebay.


Thanks for all the praise....could get out on the water today. :( hoping weather is better tomorrow.... will take lots of pictures and video.

Thanks all, for the support and advice.

[wiatowski]

I am so excited for your maiden voyage. All that hard work will pay off and the kids and momma are going to love it too. Try to keep the chrome stripe out of the sun as much as possible. It will turn cloudy and white in time, mine is 4 seasons old now and is starting to show its age.

Great job and congrats on your boat!! ;) She looks perfect.

PST.... You need a new project now, nothing nicer than twins...

Trust me... I been considering the boat in Mass.... trying to find the $$$ you get the PM I sent you.

[Okie Boarder]

Looks good...I kinda like the chrome stripe and stickers...a little more modern without totally losing the classic feel.

[wiatowski]

I know I posted this on the June picture thread... but this id the icing on the cake of this thread. One last picture and video. Enjoy!:)
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u436/wiatowski/firstrun.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1dYPgirITo

[Salty87]

beautiful boat on beautiful water...a real joy ride, i'm sure. congrats!

i just noticed a red 'sport in a driveway in my neighborhood. a dead ringer for your 'before'. i don't know the guy, i should find a way to give him the link to this thread.

[Okie Boarder]

Very nice!

[87SunSportMikeyD]

Wowww looks amazing!!! love the silver decals and stripe/wave. I may have to do that someday. Way to shine her up!!

[Gregmacdog]

sorry to hear the news, any ideas how that happened?