Back into boating with a new to me Pirata

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.

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Congrats on the new boat. Does look like it got pulled out of forest.

In terms of restoring the gelcoat, I would first get it cleaned to get rid of the dirt and grime. Then be prepared to get an arm workout by wet sanding the hull. I am having good luck starting with 800 then 1000 and ending up at 2000. So far I’m very impressed with Totalboat’s total buff compound. It does not leave any swirl marks or holograms behind.

For the wave what I did was use painters tape to make a box around it. Then mark 1” intervals on the tape. The original color should be close to 3M’s Olympic blue. My sister in law says that she can cut the new vinyl with her cricket using the original as a template. Though your wave and mine are different.
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Quote:

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Originally Posted by rludtke

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.

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Congrats, no where to go but up with a classic Supra. It looks rough no doubt. I have plenty of rough boats too. Over many years however, you eventually get them running or run from the wife.
How are the stringers?

Stringers
Underneath
Probably
Rotten
Already

I've got stripes and waves in all sizes in same Olympic Blue color as H2O mentioned above. If not same size, all I need is height and width and can get those made easily. The rainbow stripes I have aren't gonna look good on that color boat but you could find close match to original stripe colors if you wanted. Getting old decals off is easy and fun. No, not really, just lots of laborious work. Can be done though and that boat will polish up no problem after a good wet sand.

https://i.imgur.com/3Cp8FeF.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/h3arLCX.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/l4FMQdO.jpg

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

https://i.imgur.com/ah1Vain.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nIkaFVA.jpeg

rludtke, welcome home.

You ask for suggestions on what to do with a boat like that.

You might take a look in General Chat for the posting on 10-10-2022, where h20-ski beat out posters such as Mischief IV, Michael Hunter, MJKnox, C Suggs, jBreezy, Gogger, and other Supra pros for the 1990 (cousin to yours) SunSport modification contest. There are 37 mods / upgrade suggestions in that contest.

In particular, see the decal upgrade if Mischief IV's for some reason doesn't work out. And the stainless hull exhaust tips - please don't forget those.

MySupra