1983 Supra Rider aka Mischief IV - Rotisserie Restoration [Archive]

Mischief IV

02-12-2022, 01:26 AM

Time to start another chapter in the book of history for Mischief IV, my beloved 1983 Supra Rider that has been in family since new, albeit with 4 different owners. Approaching her 40th birthday next year, I find it truly amazing that she has survived this long due to the fact that the last 6 years have not been so kind to her. I have owned her for over 21 years now but unfortunate circumstances caused by my own negligence preceded by criminal activity as evidenced from another guy's hands during her first major restoration 11 years ago, led her to be parked in October of 2014. I thought she might be down just for one season, but then she was diagnosed as terminal. You can do everything right and still be the victim of fraud and trust me, I will not hold back on the guy who did this to me and my wife and my boat. (more on this later)
I won't mince words as it has taken years for me to come to grips with the deception but now it is time to move forward as she is once again, under the knife getting restored one final time at a cost very close to what she probably sold for new. The upside to that is, she will be better than ever before and far beyond what the Supra factory could have done back in the day.

Where do I start this thread as there is so much that I'd like to say? I believe I will begin with where Mischief IV is currently in the restoration process and then work towards backfilling the story with her history. For the newcomers, I already had a thread started back in 2006 on this boat before it and myself were accidentally banned permanently so most of this will be new for you but for those who know Mischief IV, bare with me, you may not know the whole story.

I do find it a shame that most forum members have fled from here opting for daily quick fix apps that seem to make it near impossible to find anything posted one day, to the next. I'm not sure how one can follow a complete restoration that way so I intend this thread to be as thorough as it can be and hopefully a good resource if others are looking to do their own restoration on a Supra classic. As long as Imgur doesn't pull a Photobucket, I hope this thread will last a good long time.

Pics will start from December 2021 to February 2022 showing stringers and floor getting completely redone with Coosa composite material. Yes, I opted for composite material obviously after a complete fail with wood last time. Now, it wasn't the wood's fault at all but how the wood was installed of course, but in order to keep a 39 year old boat afloat for another 39 years, I stepped up to the best material I could find after finding one of the best installers in the ATL area. If you have seen the thread regarding my 1991 Supra Comp, then you have seen this shop's work. Their work is simply amazing and the main reason this boat did not get chopped up and sent to the dump. Instead of needing a therapist for treating your depression, all you need is a fiberglass shop that does what they say they will do and be completely honest in the process. So far, I've been over 3 times during the process to inspect, ask a lot of dumb questions and then find other things for them to work on. I'm always happy when I leave. Come to think of it, a therapist may be cheaper.

Without further ado, here is Mischief IV and her new lease on life.

Here she is in all her glory after being stripped down.
https://i.imgur.com/E8eeBVb.jpg

The old foam will remain. No reason to pull out since it was dry as a bone and going with composite material anyway.
https://i.imgur.com/dg2n30Y.jpg

Port side - Blower mounts here.
https://i.imgur.com/cdgLcMy.jpg

Starboard side - Speedo tubes mount here.
https://i.imgur.com/j0pCEpK.jpg

Mischief IV

02-12-2022, 02:19 AM

Once the hull was stripped down of all wood, then the process of glassing in the composite started at the transom, first for the lifting ring, then for the blower mount and speedo tubes, followed by the bow ring. Then composite was added for the swim platform mounts once the stringers were set.

First pic here show some of the old wood that was, wait for it...the original outer two stringers.

So then you have to ask yourself, wait a minute, I thought I had a total stringer job done back in 2009? All new wood.
According to the invoice it was but according to the rotten wood laying there, it was total con job.

fraud
frôd
noun
- A deception practiced in order to induce another to give up possession of property or surrender a right.
- A piece of trickery; a trick.
- One that defrauds; a cheat.

I will tell you how I found this out as we get more into this thread but for now, let's focus on the good work going into the hull.

The long piece of wood in forefront is the original outer stringer. 38 years old.
https://i.imgur.com/gij1Kd7.jpg

Transom
https://i.imgur.com/29QglV8.jpg

Ski Pylon gets sanded before a new coat of Rustoleum is applied.
https://i.imgur.com/uuKDwBp.jpg

Mischief IV

02-12-2022, 02:37 AM

Once you become aware of the fraud that was associated with the previous top cap off stringer job, you have to inspect each and every thing the fraudster touched.

Here, for example, this isn't fraudulent work per se but nonetheless, work that was done incorrectly. This is the bow ring that holds your boat onto the trailer and if you need a tow back to the dock, you sure hope it is strong enough to take the load.

Compare and contrast the work here. First two pics were claimed to be done by a professional that made his living doing this each and everyday.

The third pic IS professional work.

If TitanTN would like to make a comment about how many flakes are in my epoxy floor, now would be the time. :)

https://i.imgur.com/ynny1qd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PDRWf34.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rmpAu1V.jpg

Mischief IV

02-13-2022, 01:04 AM

Once the shop had all the smaller pieces in and around the hull, it was time to install the main stringers. They were very precise in their measurements and took lots of notes upon deconstruction. What I loved most is, they documented everything so I could see step by step along the way. One stringer, then two stringers, then three, and four. I will expound further once I go back on the timeline a few years on how I was promised a photo catalog with the last failed stringer repair job but somehow it went mysteriously missing. SMH.

Everything is super straight here and you can immediately see that this will be a quality job from the start.

https://i.imgur.com/kHq05Wf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZQe9Tn5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pz4ELLd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/l7GQFEU.jpg

Mischief IV

02-13-2022, 01:17 AM

Once the stringers were set in, time for the resin and glass fiber.

https://i.imgur.com/4chUjhl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/79oW3WB.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UACExFO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FklWUje.jpg

Mischief IV

02-13-2022, 11:34 PM

December is now over and most of the hard work with the stringers is a thing of the past. Moving into January and the new year, it was time for new foam to be put down before the flooring pieces were cut with precise care. It was a thing of beauty to see it at this stage and comforting to see how much they cared about their work that no one will ever see once the carpet goes down.

Originally, the boat had half inch plywood for the flooring and when I had the last stringer repair done, I was told it would be 1/2" as well. When you pay someone for 1/2" marine plywood, you just expect that's what they would use. I did have one low spot in my floor and wondered why it flexed as much as it did. It also wasn't level at the bow area. I began to question a lot of things shortly after the repair done in 2009 but still trusted in what I was being told and she ran real good so did not focus on those small things. Imagine my surprise almost 12 years later to the date when the new shop tells you that the floor was 3/8" and looked like basic plywood. If the stringers did not rot first, only be a matter of time before the floor did. A WTF moment for sure. I think at this point, I wasn't really surprised. Even after learning of the first betrayal years earlier regarding the stringers, you go back and replay all the conversations in your mind that you had with a crook and it all starts to make sense now as you see the entire fraud presented before you.

If you're keeping score at home, so far the Crook = 2, Boat Owner = 0
That is 2 outer stringers not replaced that were supposed to have been (that I paid for)
3/8" basic plywood for flooring instead of the 1/2" marine grade (that I paid for)

https://i.imgur.com/RlfDpHO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VNpirUt.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fEJW6c0.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UMMSB7V.jpg

Mischief IV

02-13-2022, 11:40 PM

https://i.imgur.com/F5vq0Zw.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FNAlcP9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fN8bGSY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LiKV6tV.jpg

Mischief IV

02-14-2022, 12:23 AM

Prior to glassing the floor in, we see part of the last bit of 3/8" flooring they kept as a template. (pic 3) Currently, this section is cut anew (pic 4) but they want to hold off on drilling holes to make sure they have everything in the right location in case they got off from measurements. Once they lower the top cap down, they will confirm locations, lift up top cap, drill holes and then lay carpet followed by setting top cap back down. Did I mention they were very precise? It was also in two separate pieces before and with the Coosa, easier to make as one piece.

Those holes in the old wood are for the 4 vent hoses for fresh air intake, battery cable, cooler drain, and throttle, steering and engine cabling.

https://i.imgur.com/64t2T3q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TK5kkVO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zbmT0C1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/cMepkYG.jpg

Mischief IV

02-15-2022, 12:59 AM

I'm gonna go back in time for a minute on this post. I apologize if I am still bitter in this thread, as I have been through the five stages of grief and finally have reached acceptance and I know this will be great in the end, but getting here has been a struggle.

It is just a boat and for most people not worth this much trouble....but this boat has been a big part of my youth, my journey into adulthood, pre-marriage, marriage and now into old age it seems. So, the betrayal wasn't so much about losing the money he stole and the costs associated to put her back together but more the 7 years I've now lost without the ability to make new memories with my family and friends sitting behind the wheel. Somedays I just accept it and all is well and other days, it hits you hard in the gut and feel guilty even though I had nothing to with the fraud. I feel ashamed that I referred 15 people at least, if not more, to this guy's shop and wonder if he did the same for all of them.

We're gonna look at his shotty work today which led me to find the rotten outer stringers. But in reality, I had an engine mount on the port side stringer that started to look like a sinkhole. Engine was slowly tilting over just 5 seasons after supposedly a professional stringer job had been done.
I had to investigate further and so the motor was pulled in March of 2015.

In these pics, I had asked him to extend the battery box to accommodate a bigger battery and this is what I got. I was like, "seriously?" and he said, yeah, not worth the time or money to fix. This was nearing end of stringer job. He said, you don't see it anyways with the battery in it.
He obviously had no clue who he was dealing with. I left it alone and thought, I will fix it right when I have a chance. So while I thought I just had a small section of stringer that needed attention after pulling motor, (thinking water got in at lag bolt) I will do the battery box as well at same time...the way it should have been done by a professional (I use that term lightly for him)

When I pulled the box out, I immediately saw old foam. Oh man, old foam I thought? He took this apart and showed me some pics with new foam. Why the hell is old foam under the floor? Out came the cellphone with a camera and I stuck in the hole between the main stringer and outer stringer and I honestly can't remember what I did next. I think I screamed, I yelled, cussed, and then cried before calling the guy that did this to me. I remember him saying to me, "I don't like the tone you are taking with me!" Haha, yeah, that's the problem. Oh, by the way, he offered a 10 year warranty and told me to get lost as he would not honor it. Lol, you mean you don't want to take the top cap off again and just look inside and then close it back up without doing anything? Gotcha.

Seriously, the thought that I have original outer stringers in a boat that just underwent a top cap off restoration years earlier knocked me sideways and backwards to the point where I was inconsolable for weeks.

Please see this wonderful work of 'shart' for yourselves.
In pic 2, you can even see where the top cap meets the floor and it has a bump and not level. But give him some credit, he did put new foam underneath there to prop up that outer stringer so it would not collapse as fast.

Tell me what you guys think?
https://i.imgur.com/NOcp74N.jpg

Spot the old foam?
https://i.imgur.com/q2XR0hx.jpg

Kibbles and bits for stringers.
https://i.imgur.com/wnUe3qo.jpg

Great job!! Thanks.
https://i.imgur.com/7O1d8EY.jpg

Mischief IV

02-15-2022, 01:07 AM

Before or after? Which battery box version do you like best?

Same box, different skill level.

https://i.imgur.com/hNbZxz6.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qUMbyDC.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dVS2UOT.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wlvnvTx.jpg

Mischief IV

02-16-2022, 01:22 AM

Middle of January 2022

Floor is down and glassed in at this point. That means the exhaust pipes are in and connected to the new hoses. Have four sections of flooring that are removable unlike the past job. This is more consistent with later Supra builds. Some Supras don't even have a section of floor at transom and it is open. My shop decided to make the pieces whether I use them or not. They won't be carpeted. Originally floor was solid to transom except for the middle section to access rudder and steering cable. Now this will allow me to access the exhaust connections and swim platform through bolts.

I'm pleased with the progress and not regretting the extra cost for the composite as I got to stand up and walk across the hull for the first time. The floor felt very strong and wasn't budging a bit under my weight like before. No unexplained bumps either as all was smooth and flat. The end result will be a boat that is stronger than ever before, the hull won't flex as much and definitely lighter overall than going with wood. Hopefully even a tad bit quieter with all the new foam. Definitely worth the couple grand extra for composite over what the dork for brains charged me back in 2009.

https://i.imgur.com/GzuscmB.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/13orgm3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1cHHVYb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zjQdFJU.jpg

Mischief IV

02-16-2022, 01:41 AM

The engine compartment will look a bit different than other builds you see here. This is composite and won't take to sticking lags straight down into it without some damage the way the material is constructed, so the engine mounts will bolt through on the sides. The access is wide open so we can torque bolts. If any water gets in, which it will, it will drain to the transom and out the scupper holes as seen in post #7. There is no foam to impede the path as this is same compartment as the exhaust tubes. (see post #6)

https://i.imgur.com/zkWtybp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/redbnzA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YH24J2M.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0G3MVxK.jpg

Mischief IV

02-17-2022, 12:50 AM

From 2 weeks ago till today, February 16th.
Not much progress as they were gonna start the carpet but decided to hold off till they repair the top cap from my stupid mistake. Hull is all ready for bilge epoxy. Should be done by end of week.

Pre-epoxy pics.

https://i.imgur.com/zls5NtN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CgFRNNI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iWuwk9B.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/D3YRG5d.jpg

Mischief IV

02-17-2022, 12:52 AM

Sanded and ready to go. Bilge epoxy will be black with a sheen. Can't wait to see it.

https://i.imgur.com/GvkqES6.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PgrSOhN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/mh3kE5O.jpg

Mischief IV

02-17-2022, 10:59 PM

Making the bilge sexy today. First coat of bilge epoxy got done using the Awlgrip family line of products for easy clean. Can't wait to see what it looks with the red carpet up against it.

In the bow, you will not see that paint on the angled piece as the floor still has to go down. The decision was to paint it before installing floor piece since the cooler drains here and just below it, the bilge pump sits at the lowest point for pickup.

Decided to have the transom cleaned and painted as well for cleanliness sake. Won't see it either after top cap goes back on and gas tank installed but nice knowing it is all fresh and new. Doing this rotisserie restoration, we are trying to think of every single detail and make it better than it ever was before.

They still have to paint inside engine box on the outside main stringers and do the second coat but shop is quick to send pics as I was just over there yesterday with Michael Hunter.

More to come...

https://i.imgur.com/SJ1uE2e.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/u752w7u.jpg

Mischief IV

02-19-2022, 12:33 AM

Before they start on the top cap, they applied more cloth around the top perimeter on inside hull for strength. The top cop has been off 3 separate times and the hull looked like Swiss cheese (so does top cap) and now the rivets will have something strong to grab upon reassembly. They are also going to add a layer on the inside of the top cap but not repair any holes in the gelcoat on the outsides as that would be a nightmare for them and my bank account.

Before
https://i.imgur.com/8XzYzD4.jpg

After
https://i.imgur.com/mBoBbyC.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qA4erbv.jpg

Mischief IV

02-19-2022, 01:52 AM

Now that we have seen pics from the hull being completely empty, to new stringers, then new flooring and finally bilge paint (from Dec. '21 to present day), we're gonna revisit the breakdown and start to go back in time for a little about what has transpired over the last several years.

The shop would not take the top cap off so that became my responsibility. I brought them a hull with carpet. The shop got backed up with other jobs and then the Coosa became one of those materials that thanks to the pandemic and supply chain issues, became very difficult to get in-stock. So I brought the boat over to the shop in October of 2020 and it sat for one year. It had already been 5 years since I took the motor out while she sat in my garage so wasn't too broken up waiting another year as I have other projects and boats to fill my time.

I brought the hull over on the trailer, left if for them till they swapped over to one of their boat dollies and then took the trailer back home with me.
When my hull arrived, forum member rlove30188 was having work done on his 1982 Supra Star so I was able to get a few photo opportunities with the early classics together.

Once again, we get the opportunity to see just how fraudulent the other shop was that did the stringer repair. These pics tell the complete story right here. This was a quick and easy con job that pocketed him lots of extra cash. Clearly, the original foam was not removed and clearly, the outer stringers were not removed. Everything he told me he would do, he did none of it. He should be in jail and I should have sued him into oblivion but thankfully, his shop is closed now as he got a collapsed lung from years of working with fiberglass and retired for health reasons. Karma is a bitch and I hope for his sake, it tears him a new one.

Let me tell you what you may not be able to see in these pics here. Get this, the stringers are two different kinds of wood. Yes, 2 fricking kinds of wood. Cause again, what you pay for is not what you get. It is truly unbelievable. I could not make this story up even if I tried. I paid for Douglas fir and no doubt, he decided to put only one stringer in made from it and then I guess he said, "Screw this, let me run to Home Depot and grab some pine so I can use the extra cash to buy some fishing lures. I've got a hot date tonight with my rod and reel. Hell, maybe even have enough left over for some more taxidermy."

Seriously, I found out about this way back in 2015 when I started cutting away the fiberglass to see where the wood rot was around the motor mounts. You'll see quite a few of those pics as we go along but that was just days before I found that the outer stringers were still in the boat and rotten. "I don't like the tone you're taking with me" still rings in my ear to this day. On a side note, the pine was less rotted than the Douglas fir that everyone so bragged about being better for rot resistance. It held up extremely well regardless or was better glassed in than the Douglas fir, who knows?

Oh well, time to update the scoreboard.

If you're keeping score at home, so far the Crook = 3, Boat Owner = 0
That is 2 outer stringers not replaced that were supposed to have been (that I paid for)
3/8" basic plywood for flooring instead of the 1/2" marine grade (that I paid for)
Half Douglas fir, half pine for main stringers (Boy, did I pay for this)

Breaking down the shotty work from the swindler.
https://i.imgur.com/h8veaBL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IldEXUg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/W1x9fqI.jpg

Mischief IV

02-19-2022, 11:04 PM

I really didn't tell the entire story last night on the top cap. This shop was originally going to begin the stringer job in December of 2019 and so I had the cap off the weekend after Thanksgiving that year. The removal went super smooth and we did everything by the book. Well, maybe not everything.

Forum member NGAVChris (who happens to be my brother also) gave up one of his Saturdays to come help me. It was actually fun to do but a little nerve wracking at the same time because we just weren't sure how strong the top cap was or wasn't. At the end of the day, Mischief IV was in two pieces again for the 3rd time in her career.

Brief history lesson: I actually purchased this boat from NGAVChris in October of '99 after he purchased his '97 Sunsport. He had a partial stringer repair done in early 90s for Mischief and by 2006 or 2007, the lag bolts for the motor mounts pulled out with ease. Of course, if you've read the previous posts and you're still here, then you know how great the second stringer job went. I thought I was done with top cap renovations after 2009. Boat ran great for 5 seasons before more signs of trouble. I even said to the wife, we should sell it. She said why? I said nothing left to do. Famous last words.

Back to December 2019 and top cap mishap. Some heavy rains moved in and you can guess how this ends before I spell it out to you. My mistake was in the tarp situation trying to protect the top cap from sun damage and I failed and failed miserably. The weight of the water was too much. I got rushed the evening we took it off and now I play it over and over in my head where I went wrong. Should have had some more support for it and a place for the water to go. I believe I cried for 3 days straight. There is nothing like to trying to resurrect the old family boat one more time with new stringers and then you go and blow it by a dumb mistake on top cap. A roller coaster of emotions for sure.

My wife and I debated for days whether or not to continue the project or just let Mischief be and sell for scrap. Problem with that though was, we had already spent a pretty penny for brand new upholstery before we found out she was terminal with wood rot. I had the upholstery stored in the top of the garage for years and who would want what I had in the color I had it in? I called shop and told them I don't think Mischief will make the slot and had a good long talk with owner. He said, listen Daniel, it's only fiberglass and I can fix it, just depends on how much you want to spend. He assured me that it would be better than new but we still decided to hold off for while and think more on it.

I asked about my slot as I was ready to get Comp project going and asked if he would not mind substituting boats. He said, bring me your Comp if you want. So off went Comp a few months later to shop in 2020 as it could be turned around quicker (famous last words again) as we were hoping to see her on the water by mid summer 2020.

After 5 months in the shop and not making the summer deadline, the Comp went back in the garage as we thought about upholstery options. A couple of months later, the shop called and said let's bring Mischief IV in now and we'll get started on her. Well, fast forward to fall of 2021 and now he was finally able to lock his guys in on this project after having the Coosa board show up.

Pics of drop off to shop in October 2020 next to rlove30188's 1982 Supra Star

https://i.imgur.com/UVhZFZQ.jpg

Notice uneven floor at blue arrows.
https://i.imgur.com/Ikwkqhx.jpg

Notice motor box area and rotten main stringer.
https://i.imgur.com/tdnYPR1.jpg

Notice motor box area and rotten main stringer.
https://i.imgur.com/w3cj0Ml.jpg

Mischief IV

02-21-2022, 12:26 AM

Here we are once again for the daily blog on Mischief IV's rescue and recovery rotisserie restoration. For the 6 of you that have clicked this link and have made it all the way to post #19, I applaud you. I will be giving you all free pics as a token of my appreciation at the end of this post. Parental discretion is advised. This is boat porn no one wants to see.

I guess I will show you the top cap damage now. This is my mistake. Would have rather had all my toe nails pierced but you live and learn and then find the best fiberglass shop in town and shell out a lot of money. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Still painful though 2 years later as the top cap was in pretty mint condition for its age. I do not recommend you try this at home.

Pics are from December 2019

https://i.imgur.com/VQuAC9E.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Wgujo9Y.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/DhL2ne1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/z4fGS4l.jpg

Mischief IV

02-21-2022, 12:53 AM

Not sure what kills me more, the cracked fiberglass or the fact it has now sat outside for 2 years. Both suck!!
This boat was never stored outside at all in the prior 36 years to the accident. Never. I built a garage around this boat so in hindsight, probably would have figured out a way to store it back inside if possible. Lesson learned.

Post accident, I jacked the top cap up and then used my finest carpentry skills to make custom pine 2x4 pieces that blended in nicely with the fiberglass. You can't even tell where the damage is now and just thought about leaving it like this. It would probably buff out nicely and no one would notice.

Pics from January 2022 readying the top cap for transport across town.

https://i.imgur.com/UE4iFQb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OI9T9T8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yNrJffr.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pV7Il03.jpg

Mischief IV

02-21-2022, 11:24 PM

In today's blog we are headed back to present time as we need to get this top cap across town to the shop and let them ponder all the areas that need work. This would prove to be quite the day figuring out how to transport without doing anymore damage to it. The Saturday before the trip across town, we spend making a cradle to sit it down on a flatbed trailer and not allow any flex with the movement. I'd say we spent 4.5 hours throwing ideas back and forth till we got where we felt comfortable with it. Special shoutout to NGAVChris for another day of help. He always comes through.

One quick hour ride days later and the shop got to feast their eyes on the mess that will consume their day's work for the next couple of months. We're gonna make some improvements along the way to make it stronger in areas where the factory failed all the while swapping the wood underneath for composite where the cleats, bow rail supports and tow rings connect.

Pics from February 2022 showing the loading onto the trailer

https://i.imgur.com/GFMGpcH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UFjYpnH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yNAbkV9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LF5EMeb.jpg

Mischief IV

02-21-2022, 11:40 PM

More top cap pics the next day making sure all the straps were on and snug tight. She got a quick wash before the trip.

Failed to mention earlier that every single piece of teak had to come off along with anything that wasn't fiberglass other than the windshield and bow rail. We kept the windshield on for strength but its coming off upon gelcoat repair and we will then repair broken glass.
The bow rail proved helpful in the lifting process and it stayed on, otherwise, she is as naked as a jaybird.

https://i.imgur.com/faLCa4t.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ebQIK0z.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/SW2l5TA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8YVMS4b.jpg

Mischief IV

02-21-2022, 11:53 PM

One aerial view and then we are ready for travel. Big brother is in the background wishing he could go off to the fiberglass shop and get some work done too. Big brother BEAST was built one month before my RIDER in 1983. BEAST was built in May and little sister in June. Would be cool to know if they were in the factory together at some point and now I have them reunited 39 years later. BEAST needs a full custom rebuild with new Chevy 454.
I want to see it restored but wife is hesitant knowing now about the '86 Sunsport I picked up that she didn't know about if that makes any sense.

Pics are from February 16th, 2022

https://i.imgur.com/BDsOFDX.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ArgWaz7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RB4wTFV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QUB3I2h.jpg

Mischief IV

02-22-2022, 12:11 AM

Last of the top cap transport saga. She made it across town with no worries. Here are final pics showing her at the shop. Just left trailer and all until they could unload at their convenience. Here the top cap will get to reunite with her better half while getting back to ship shape form. How a-boat that?
We having fun yet?

Pics are from February 16th, 2022

https://i.imgur.com/xkYuS3G.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pAd0YTG.jpg

Mischief IV

02-23-2022, 12:16 AM

Alright, for today's posting, let's go back and visit the top cap removal from 2019. Why not? Do you have anywhere else to be? Me neither. Let's get started shall we?

Taking the top cap off is rare nowadays seeing these boats are aging out quickly. 10 -15 years ago, seems a lot of guys were doing it and then they would never finish the job and end up selling boat piece by piece...or take 3 years to do it. Michael Hunter maybe the only crazy guy I know to keep doing top cap removal stringer jobs and not sure why he is still doing it. For the love of it for sure because it is a lot of work. Still cheaper than a new Boatmate trailer perhaps and keeping another Supra from the dump.

In 2008 - 2009, I debated doing my own stringer job but then said, hell no, it will be in pieces for eternity after watching other threads on here. Lol, little did I know then what I know now. Hey, let's get it done quickly in the off season and it won't be a big deal. 7 weeks later and it is ready to go again. Sure, it lasted for 5 seasons and has been torn apart now for another 6.5 years but who's counting? Oh well, who knew Donny Bennett and his brother at Bennett's Boat Repair in Maryville, TN would cheat me out of $4900.00 bucks? He was referred to me by Supra, he said all the right words, had worked on Mischief IV prior to the stringer job and claimed he had done over 100 stringer jobs. I really wonder how many are all done completely wrong like mine or did he just find me to be an easy mark?

New shop is great but he confided that he didn't have room for the top cap storage and it would save me a lot of money (hahahaha) if I could do it myself. Of course I can I said, but ultimately should have waited for a long drought I reckon.

The process really wasn't that bad. I built the lift structures for the come alongs one evening and went to town the next day on it. Again, another huge shout out to NGAVChris who is always there to lend a hand, or perhaps better said, come help clean up my messes. If I recall, I would say it took us 6 hours one afternoon start to finish. It was a lot of fun and I got excited, if only for a brief moment, before top cap failure became imminent.

Pics are from November 30th and December 1st 2019

https://i.imgur.com/KEAlhKQ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EWtwZl2.jpg

Simple 2X4 across the transom at ski locker made for easy lifting
https://i.imgur.com/gMf95pc.jpg

Simple 2X4 across the bow rail made for easy lifting
https://i.imgur.com/NzT5Upl.jpg

Mischief IV

02-23-2022, 12:41 AM

Top Cap Removal continued. Started winching evenly slowly little by little. I have to admit we were nervous and constantly watching to see if any thing was sagging or gelcoat cracking. Have to check and make sure we did get all the rivets. I believe it came apart easier than we thought. The freeboard is pretty deep on these boats so you have to go pretty high to have the clearance to pull boat from underneath it. As soon as we were able, we quickly measured and then installed three 2x4s across the hull so it would not flex outwards.

Pics from December 1, 2019

https://i.imgur.com/qPUUGFX.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0MNm7Nr.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MfvJDtV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JurTuJv.jpg

Mischief IV

02-23-2022, 12:49 AM

Finishing up the day's activities on a high note.

Pics from December 1st, 2019

https://i.imgur.com/JsyK6cG.jpg

NGAVChris is happy with his work.
https://i.imgur.com/ooiL70W.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/mz1NBVV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1z8Oik1.jpg

mischief4

02-23-2022, 02:19 AM

Thanks for restoring me. This better not be a Humpty Dumpty situation where they can't put me back together again. You better find the right king's men is all I'm saying. Damn, 6.5 years man, where the hell have you been? Was sick to my stomach just waiting around for you while my insides felt rotten. I was about to keel over. Get it? No seriously, we've been through a lot together though haven't we? Remember that one time that you yelled at me because I would not crank? I haven't forgotten what you said man but I forgive you.

Would mean the world to me if I could be back on the water for my 40th birthday next year. Tell Big Sexy that I can't wait for a photo op together so I can outshine her. Why doesn't our little sister, the Comp, have a nickname yet? She's cute but ain't all that. Tell her I get my spot back in the garage when I am back from surgery. And what's up with this forum? There is more activity at an old folks home. Feels more dead than I was but I'll be resurrected soon so I'll be outta here.

Later imposter!

JBreezy

02-23-2022, 09:02 PM

Mischief IV

02-24-2022, 12:25 AM

LOL awesome thread, Dan. And perhaps the first forum entry authored by a ski boat in history, or at least that I have ever seen. I really do find the restore process and pictures fascinating. I didn’t even know the cap popped off like that, but of course now that I see it the design makes sense. I don’t comment much but I am reading and enjoying.
And not so patiently waiting to get on the water again, though that’s still months away in my region of the country. Picked up my first water toys this weekend, a pair of O’Brien water skis at play it again sports. We’re excited, even if we’re not in the cool club with waterskis, it fits my era boat

Thanks JBreezy. Speaking of first forum entry...you win for first reply to this thread. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!! If you're ever in ATL, I'm buying.

It only took 2 weeks and 28 posts but funny enough, I've had several PMs/ texts today saying they are one of the 6 people that have been reading this. So, maybe I underestimated the number by a few and we're up to 10 members now.

Mischief4 has her own voice and it should be heard She's still beautiful and very much would like to stay 39 forever. I do feel however, she could use a refresher course on her Latin. :)

My wife says Mistress IV is perhaps a better name for her and I am not one to argue with her (not true) so she has a point. Why the wife is feels slighted I could not tell you because it's only been a 34 year love affair so far with this boat.

I only buy used for most everything. Can't blame you. We were up 75 degrees today so not complaining about cold but we shall have more cold temps before spring and yellow season showers our nice black cars. Thanks for replying and best of luck this season. I still have lots more to post on this thread.

I have posted many ski pics on my other thread out and about with other forum members. Check it out.
https://forum.supraboats.com/showthread.php?21982-My-Life-with-Supra-and-Supra-people

Zjz125

02-24-2022, 09:35 AM

JBreezy

02-24-2022, 10:19 AM

Thanks JBreezy. Speaking of first forum entry...you win for first reply to this thread. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!! If you're ever in ATL, I'm buying.

It only took 2 weeks and 28 posts but funny enough, I've had several PMs/ texts today saying they are one of the 6 people that have been reading this. So, maybe I underestimated the number by a few and we're up to 10 members now.

Mischief4 has her own voice and it should be heard She's still beautiful and very much would like to stay 39 forever. I do feel however, she could use a refresher course on her Latin. :)

My wife says Mistress IV is perhaps a better name for her and I am not one to argue with her (not true) so she has a point. Why the wife is feels slighted I could not tell you because it's only been a 34 year love affair so far with this boat.

I only buy used for most everything. Can't blame you. We were up 75 degrees today so not complaining about cold but we shall have more cold temps before spring and yellow season showers our nice black cars. Thanks for replying and best of luck this season. I still have lots more to post on this thread.

I have posted many ski pics on my other thread out and about with other forum members. Check it out.
https://forum.supraboats.com/showthread.php?21982-My-Life-with-Supra-and-Supra-people

Oh I've been lurking on the Supra people thread too. When I first signed up on this forum I went back and read many of the archived post, so now it's been fun to put a face and boat to the names.

They say there is no boat as expensive as a sentimental boat. (well they say it about sentimental cars, motorcycles, tractors, or whatever too). Mischief IV takes the cake. But man, beautiful boat, timeless, full of memories, family history - who could blame you for putting so much into it? She doesn't need to stay 39, she literally is getting better with age.

Looking forward to the rest of the story.

Jetlink

02-24-2022, 04:03 PM

Let’s be honest here, Mischief IV is going to be more new than original at this point in time so I don’t think it’s really an almost 40 year old boat at his point. It’s only 40 on paper.

Mischief IV

02-25-2022, 12:07 AM

Let’s be honest here, Mischief IV is going to be more new than original at this point in time so I don’t think it’s really an almost 40 year old boat at his point. It’s only 40 on paper.

You may be on to something...what year were you born? :)

Mischief IV

02-25-2022, 01:36 AM

Oh me, I have made an error in this thread. Because I am getting older by the day, my memory isn't quite...wait, what was I saying?
Oh yeah, I thought I took the motor out in 2015 as I stated previously in one post. Sifting through pics, (133,606 on old computer) I now remember what happened in winter/ spring of 2015. My wife asked me in February if I wanted to buy a lake house and I said no, so we compromised and bought a lake house. 2 months later we closed on Cabin Snowball. One month later after that, the wife had surgery and was laid up for awhile so we did not even get to use the lake house until end of June. By summer, I had bought a used pontoon so the family could get out on the lake and six months later, it miraculously gave birth to a jetski. Of course, the wife asks if we need a new dock now and I said no, so we compromised and bought a new dock later that fall. At least Cabin Snowball was living up to its name.

I finally told myself in spring of 2016 that we have to get Mischief up at the lake and so one evening, I had a good long conversation with TitanTn in regards to what he thought I should do. He advised me on what type of materials to order and laid out the process.
He had just pulled his motor in and out about 12 times for his Saltarè which led to another conversation and I'm not sure he really offered, but Mischief IV headed to TN one afternoon to have the engine yanked. If you don't know TitanTn, then you're missing out, cause even if he were cloned, he'd still be one of a kind. I will say he has impeccable taste in friends, which is why he won't pick up the phone when I call him now. I kid him cause I can. He was a huge help to me personally and before I knew it, the motor went from boat to pickup truck in close to an hour's time. Shoutout to Ryan, TitanTn's son for all his help too.

I have bounced around a bit so far on this thread, so if you are confused, don't be, I have a new updated timeline that fits in your pocket and won't cost you a penny.

Timeline update.
December 2009 - Numbnuts' stringer job.
October 26th, 2014 - Last Mischief IV sighting on water.
March 13th, 2016 - Motor pulled.
December 1st, 2019 - Top cap removal.
By December 15th, 2019 - Top cap wrecked.
October 15th, 2020 - To Shop for stringers.
October 15th, 2021 - Shop removes Numbnuts' stringer job.
December / January 2022 - Install composite stringer job.
February 16th, 2022 - Top cap delivery to Pro shop for repair.

Pics of TitanTN, son Ryan pulling motor at his place.

https://i.imgur.com/Oa19fZO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qTiUgGd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ACEJMdK.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IrKdQPx.jpg

Mischief IV

02-26-2022, 01:10 AM

I have been following as well. Thank you for the quality of posts, serves as good inspiration. Signed up today for the site.
Just finish up stringers and floor on my old comp. More backyard to Rotisserie but, one can aspire.

Once complete I'll create a thread. For now the little time I have needs to be on the boat.

Welcome to the forum. I appreciate the response. Would love to know more about your Comp when you have more time. Best of luck on the rebuild.

Oh I've been lurking on the Supra people thread too. When I first signed up on this forum I went back and read many of the archived post, so now it's been fun to put a face and boat to the names.

They say there is no boat as expensive as a sentimental boat. (well they say it about sentimental cars, motorcycles, tractors, or whatever too). Mischief IV takes the cake. But man, beautiful boat, timeless, full of memories, family history - who could blame you for putting so much into it? She doesn't need to stay 39, she literally is getting better with age.

Looking forward to the rest of the story.

I have an exclusive membership to the MORE MONEY THAN BRAINS CLUB which ironically doesn't charge annual fees.

Speaking of sentimental, here are some pics of the early years.

1983 Supra Rider with 1983 Chevy K-5 Blazer. I've always wondered what it would be like if I still had the truck and not the boat.

https://i.imgur.com/zMqYtGg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RPlbhn5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8J88C7b.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Yg5AczC.jpg

Mischief IV

02-26-2022, 01:49 AM

The early years.

https://i.imgur.com/7yruG6L.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XNz4DGT.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MBoQMcm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/D8tnUuY.jpg

Mischief IV

02-26-2022, 01:57 AM

Take the way back time machine to when I was 19 years old cleaning the family boat.

https://i.imgur.com/WBQImm6.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/18IjJ9e.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wB3CzOJ.jpg

The original cover
https://i.imgur.com/TDXob6N.jpg

Mischief IV

02-26-2022, 02:04 AM

Original MSO from Supra Sports, Inc. July 11th, 1983

https://i.imgur.com/aOHThWO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lqh4IzZ.jpg

Bill of Sale

https://i.imgur.com/Gox25HI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fkFuYKe.jpg

Mischief IV

02-26-2022, 02:18 AM

Bill of Sale 1999 when I purchased Mischief IV

https://i.imgur.com/MRucCKy.jpg

Trailer MSO

https://i.imgur.com/2mUsdfv.jpg

Myself, with brother NGAVChris and high school friends. We skied 5 people on this day. 3 on double and 2 on slalom.

https://i.imgur.com/J755KjN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GseeFqC.jpg

JBreezy

02-26-2022, 09:19 PM

Mischief IV

02-27-2022, 12:34 AM

Man that blazer is cool. There is something about that era of truck. Killer combo with the boat behind it. And yeah with this kind of history and memories with the boat , I can see the attachment for sure.

Thanks, it was the awesome 80s for sure with good music and carefree attitudes. If we weren't at the lake, we were 4 wheeling in a mud puddle or looking for a hill to climb. Boat seem to fit our lifestyle for so long that it became an heirloom.

Tonight, gonna keep it short and simple since I'm tired. However, I believe for tomorrow evening, I will get into the upholstery side of things in detail and take you on a journey back to the year 2015 and show you another shop's work that must have hired Beavis and Butt-head to do the upholstery. No worries there as I did not a pay but a small amount and you know the expression, "you get what you pay for."

Here is a sneak preview of some of the items that were restored just prior to removing all dash items for new upholstery or that I have been restoring since I broke it down to have ready upon reassembly once boat is ready.

DASH from 2014, last season on water. All gauges were restored with new glass and chrome bezels. It is the original style gauges but not all are original to Mischief IV. They are in original format as they would have been from factory. The hours represent how much I have put on the motor since I acquired the boat in 1999 as it was replaced shortly before purchase. Tach is the original in unrestored form.

2 NOS Airguide Speedos imported from Australia dated 2001 that were still in box and never opened. They worked great but I do not like that they have a website on them and have since purchased new Supra faceplates to update or perhaps better, retro-date them.
I have also bought 2 older Supra Airguides off eBay for backup.

Switches were brand new in 2014 with custom engraving. Cannot find the old style that were made of a rubber that always cracked. This was closest replacement to push-pull style keeping with the same tradition in color and appearance. Of course, no one knows what a cigarette lighter is today so that became the USB charger followed by horn button. Boat is very simple compared to today's nonsense.

https://i.imgur.com/RnXREVY.jpg

Note steering wheel assembly above. Maybe hard to see but chrome was less than desirable with cracks and pits. Throttle was the same.

https://i.imgur.com/4RJ8wdd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KLFYHxA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Cl2T32k.jpg

Mischief IV

02-27-2022, 12:42 AM

Hopefully a noticeable difference for our small viewing audience at home. Steering assembly is made of pot metal so cheap alloy but in decent enough shape to strip off old finish and lay down new chrome.

After

https://i.imgur.com/8Z7Rusp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/15rXRpq.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4pEQJvB.jpg

Mischief IV

02-28-2022, 11:19 PM

Quickie Update. 2-28-22

Went over to the shop today and they were able to get the top cap moved inside and next to the hull. Work should begin soon. The jig we built worked great and they just carried it in shop with 5 guys and sat on floor. Went over a few details with shop owner, grabbed trailer and headed home.

Will start posts re: upholstery in a few days. Been delayed but I have found all the pics so when I have a chance, I will get more into detail about that debacle and continue thread.

https://i.imgur.com/eHuoFdH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bum05EF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/cSW2lYk.jpg

SimpleManAZ

03-01-2022, 04:29 PM

JBreezy

03-18-2022, 11:08 PM

Where are we at with this? Any progress from you the shop on the cap? refurbished hardware pieces look great!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

h2o-ski

09-09-2022, 11:06 AM

Hey Mischief,

Do you have any updates on your restore? I have just about run out of popcorn and I want to see how it comes out. :)

Mischief IV

09-16-2022, 04:34 PM

As an owner of a Supra Rider, I've always appreciated your posts, stories, and restoration pictures. Fell out of my chair when I saw your top cap mishap. Cannot imagine your feeling at the time, and still now. I know your goal is to make her 10X better than she rolled off the showroom floor, and there is no doubt she will be.
Best from AZ

I appreciate that. I haven't been the same since to be honest. Small simple mistake on my part and I don't like to make mistakes.
It will be better than new. Stay tuned.

Where are we at with this? Any progress from you the shop on the cap? refurbished hardware pieces look great!

Sorry, so spring came and went but since this is a winter time project, the shop asked if we could put on back burner and I was fine with that. Once summer starts, it wasn't going to get done anyways. Finding time to finish my Comp has been near impossible so having another boat sitting there too did not make sense and the shop has a lot of stuff that is seasonal. I have a real good relationship with the owner and he's been real easy to work with. Also, if he's not working on it, I'm not getting billed on it either so makes it easier on the wallet.

Hey Mischief,

Do you have any updates on your restore? I have just about run out of popcorn and I want to see how it comes out. :)

Keep the popcorn ready but as I explained above, she went on the back burner for awhile. I appreciate you guys checking in on me and I should be more active here now but get busy with so many different projects and my wife says I have Attention Deficit Disorder so I start one project and move to next, then start another and maybe eventually come back around to finish the ones I started first but I am also slow at everything I do and that makes for long drawn out projects. We also traveled to Africa this summer for 3 weeks and then I have either traveled here in the states or been at my lake house a lot as well so just don't ever check forum on phone.

Once the season is over in a few weeks, I'll focus more attention back on Comp and then the shop says he will have the Rider ready by mid December or first of January. I would love to have a spring push to get it back on the water for its 40th Birthday. Keep you posted for sure. Be great to have both boats ready for next summer! May have to have another Southern Supra Reunion to celebrate.

Mischief IV

09-16-2022, 05:34 PM

Update:

As I previously mentioned in the last post, work stopped in the spring to accommodate the shop's request to work on boats that could be easily repaired and used for the summer. Last time I passed by was middle of May to pick up the swim platform my brother's '97 Sunsport that he had repaired and refreshed so I grabbed these pics and honestly forgot about them until today.

He was able to set the top cap on the boat and test fit. It looks like a boat again which made me extremely happy. The battery box is in the original position and love that the floor is flat, not wavy as per the last screwed up stringer con job.

The plan is to start repairing the top cap on the top side of it, lift it up, then make repairs to the underside. Once completed, he will spray the entire top cap gelcoat that he has had matched using a company out of Florida. Instead of patches here and there, the color will be uniform and less work down the road as gel made fade. He will then lift top cap once more to install the beautiful red carpet I got and set top cap down...forever I hope.

But anyway, the shop will be getting back on it here shortly so any new pics I get, will post.

https://i.imgur.com/1LCVteo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7XF0DZi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bDshq3s.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/poPrBb7.jpg

cadunkle

09-18-2022, 07:13 PM

h2o-ski

09-19-2022, 09:50 PM

Good to hear that you got some time to get away. Props to the shop, their work is top notch.

Mischief IV

09-27-2022, 06:48 PM

Don't know how I missed this thread, with needing stringers on my Saltare. Thanks for your amazing level of documentation. Haven't made it through all of it yet, but I'm sure I'll have questions as I get closer to doing mine. It's great to see a composite build. Which Coosa product did you use for the stringers and floor? How did you prep and attach the pylon and motor mounts? Drill, epoxy, and through bolt? Fastener holding ability is my main concern with composites, but I'd strongly prefer to go composite and never need another boat. I'd love to just outsource the job but reading about your experience with Donnie, who seemed to be the go to guy for Supra restorations, makes me very hesitant to outsource this one. So many shady folks who do a "good enough" job that'll last a few years and not sweat it as most people tend to not hold on to boats or any other vehicle.

Thanks, Cadunkle. The brand is Coosa Composites and I'm not sure if the product has a model number. It is super strong but lightweight. I'm very impressed with the quality of material. The pylon is bolted into the stringers just as it would be with wood. There is no give.
The big difference will be motor mounts as they will also bolt through for maximum strength. Due to the way the Coosa stringers are made, my shop doesn't recommend putting lag bolts in from the top, therefore you will see both sides of the main stringers in the doghouse area and not the typical built out box so we can access the nuts for tightening.

I thought based on Donnie's reputation and seeing his work firsthand that I would have been safe but he had other intentions so please don't find a shop like Donnie's if you sub the work out. It is a huge time constraint if you do yourself and if you're lucky enough to find a shop like I did, it will be well worth preserving your Saltare for futures generations.

Gonna start talking about upholstery here shortly. Still rounding up pics. Stay tuned.

Mischief IV

01-14-2023, 03:15 PM

UPDATE: January 2023

I'm back! No one else here it looks like on the forum but gotta keep this thread going...I guess.

Well, I got a call from the fiberglass shop in December that they put Mischief back in the rotation and were ready to get this top cap done. After an 8 month layoff, I met with the shop owner Chris to discuss where we stand with the project and what our goals were to finish her up. It is always exciting to check out his work and see his shop full of direct drive boats being restored. Could be a few more months at best cause he is making quick work of it now.
Here are some pics. Top cap coming back to life. He is saving my ass. Do not wreck your one of kind top cap like I did. It does cost money to put back together.

https://i.imgur.com/Enk281A.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/afRon0q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7zGNasY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1Jrdzhi.jpg