rludtke
02-25-2024, 09:38 PM
Some of you may recall my posts from long ago. I raised my kids on a 1987 Comp TS6M. We owned and used the heck out of that boar for about 15 years. Eventually however, it began to take on a little water, and I was aware of stringer rot around the engine mounts. It clearly was due for a structure overhaul, but I lacked the shop space large enough to do the work. So about three years ago I decided to sell. Breaking the news to my kids was really tough, they loved the boat, the wakeboard identity, and the solid memories it represented.
I am a sucker. My youngest two daughters, now that they had both graduated from college, and had established careers, began pressuring me about getting a boat again. And when my wife chimed in, I knew I had no choice. But this time, I want to surf...
So, I just purchased a 1990 Pirata for $3000. It's dirty, a little rough around the edges, and hasn't seen much love recently. It has 850 hours on the Chevy 454. I brought her home just two days ago. I am blown away by how big and heavy the Pirata is compared to the Comp. My half-ton Avalanche really notices the weight. She doesn't fit on my street nearly as well as the Comp did.
On the test drive, she started and ran well, but after warming up, would occasionally quit running. She always started up again. So, I need to sort this out. The engine is stock accept the distributor has been replaces with the later GM HEI, which seems like a good idea. I am suspicious of a bad 12-volt supply connection to the HEI, but I have yet to begin troubleshooting.
My plan after I work out the bugs, is to add an extended pylon, ballast bags in the front and rear, and add a wake shaper of some sort. I need to learn how to set these big hulls up for boarding and surfing. I am interested in a tower but am not sure the cost is worth it. Maybe I'll buy one if I can find one wide enough on the used market. I will also need to learn how to bring the gloss back and remove the damaged Supra Wave stickers (and hope that I can find replacements, I like the old school look).
I would like to find copies of brochures from this era, as I am curious about what the Piratas looked like when new, and I am curious about the other models as well. I also need operator and maintenance manuals if they exist. Are there copies out there?
Tell me what you would do with a classic old boat like this.
20015
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20019
I am a sucker. My youngest two daughters, now that they had both graduated from college, and had established careers, began pressuring me about getting a boat again. And when my wife chimed in, I knew I had no choice. But this time, I want to surf...
So, I just purchased a 1990 Pirata for $3000. It's dirty, a little rough around the edges, and hasn't seen much love recently. It has 850 hours on the Chevy 454. I brought her home just two days ago. I am blown away by how big and heavy the Pirata is compared to the Comp. My half-ton Avalanche really notices the weight. She doesn't fit on my street nearly as well as the Comp did.
On the test drive, she started and ran well, but after warming up, would occasionally quit running. She always started up again. So, I need to sort this out. The engine is stock accept the distributor has been replaces with the later GM HEI, which seems like a good idea. I am suspicious of a bad 12-volt supply connection to the HEI, but I have yet to begin troubleshooting.
My plan after I work out the bugs, is to add an extended pylon, ballast bags in the front and rear, and add a wake shaper of some sort. I need to learn how to set these big hulls up for boarding and surfing. I am interested in a tower but am not sure the cost is worth it. Maybe I'll buy one if I can find one wide enough on the used market. I will also need to learn how to bring the gloss back and remove the damaged Supra Wave stickers (and hope that I can find replacements, I like the old school look).
I would like to find copies of brochures from this era, as I am curious about what the Piratas looked like when new, and I am curious about the other models as well. I also need operator and maintenance manuals if they exist. Are there copies out there?
Tell me what you would do with a classic old boat like this.
20015
20016
20017
20018
20019