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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
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    Lake Nottely, Blairsville, GA
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    Default 1983 Supra Rider aka Mischief IV - Rotisserie Restoration

    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.


    The old foam will remain. No reason to pull out since it was dry as a bone and going with composite material anyway.


    Port side - Blower mounts here.


    Starboard side - Speedo tubes mount here.

    1983 Supra Rider aka Mischief IV
    1983 Supra Beast
    1985 Supra Rider
    1986 Supra Sunsport Skier
    1987 Supra Marauder
    1991 Supra Comp ts6m
    2012 Supra Sunsport 242

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Lake Nottely, Blairsville, GA
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    Default

    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.


    Transom


    Ski Pylon gets sanded before a new coat of Rustoleum is applied.

    1983 Supra Rider aka Mischief IV
    1983 Supra Beast
    1985 Supra Rider
    1986 Supra Sunsport Skier
    1987 Supra Marauder
    1991 Supra Comp ts6m
    2012 Supra Sunsport 242

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Lake Nottely, Blairsville, GA
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    Default

    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.






    1983 Supra Rider aka Mischief IV
    1983 Supra Beast
    1985 Supra Rider
    1986 Supra Sunsport Skier
    1987 Supra Marauder
    1991 Supra Comp ts6m
    2012 Supra Sunsport 242

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Lake Nottely, Blairsville, GA
    Posts
    1,247

    Default Stringers

    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.








    1983 Supra Rider aka Mischief IV
    1983 Supra Beast
    1985 Supra Rider
    1986 Supra Sunsport Skier
    1987 Supra Marauder
    1991 Supra Comp ts6m
    2012 Supra Sunsport 242

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Lake Nottely, Blairsville, GA
    Posts
    1,247

    Default Stringers

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








    1983 Supra Rider aka Mischief IV
    1983 Supra Beast
    1985 Supra Rider
    1986 Supra Sunsport Skier
    1987 Supra Marauder
    1991 Supra Comp ts6m
    2012 Supra Sunsport 242

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Lake Nottely, Blairsville, GA
    Posts
    1,247

    Default

    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)









    1983 Supra Rider aka Mischief IV
    1983 Supra Beast
    1985 Supra Rider
    1986 Supra Sunsport Skier
    1987 Supra Marauder
    1991 Supra Comp ts6m
    2012 Supra Sunsport 242

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Location
    Cambridge, MN
    Posts
    33

    Default

    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


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    2002 Supra Legacy
    1991 Alumacraft Lunker
    Old Town Discovery canoe

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
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    Lake Nottely, Blairsville, GA
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JBreezy View Post
    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/showthr...d-Supra-people

    1983 Supra Rider aka Mischief IV
    1983 Supra Beast
    1985 Supra Rider
    1986 Supra Sunsport Skier
    1987 Supra Marauder
    1991 Supra Comp ts6m
    2012 Supra Sunsport 242

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2022
    Posts
    1

    Default

    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.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Location
    Cambridge, MN
    Posts
    33

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mischief IV View Post
    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/showthr...d-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.
    2002 Supra Legacy
    1991 Alumacraft Lunker
    Old Town Discovery canoe

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