Productive Weekend

rfarkash wrote: Great idea on the plastic. What did you use for non-skid?

I didn't use anything and they still work great (never slipped). If I was going do, I'd just put some of those stick-on stepping strips (black) you can get at Overtons.

Great idea on the plastic. What did you use for non-skid?
Will have pics of the muffler step by step rebuild up later this week.

Thx

Ron

Oh, and by the way, although I'm sure I'm going to get a boat load, on my platform (as well as on my previous boat), I got tired of the platform turning bad so quickly after all the work to clean and oil it. So I got some varathane with included stain and stained/coated just the top and sides (so the wood could breath underneath). I did that 10 years ago with a touch up coat three years ago. Absolutely no problem, and it ALWAYS looks great (I'm constantly being asked if I've just oiled it, even now). I suspect it might not last as long as an oiled platform, but essentially half (top half) of the wood is not exposed to water at all, and the bottom side dries out quickly.

Anyway, doing the platform twice in 10 years is a reasonable service interval IMHO.   

Side topic, but while I was always a "water and vinegar" guy to keep water spots down when wiping down the boat, I have recently switched to Babes Boat Bright. The biggest reason (besides the much better fragrance) is that it includes a light wax, so every time you wipe down your boat, you put a little wax on it. I haven't waxed my boat in almost a year now and it is still slick and water beads. Great stuff! And just like my platform, my waxing interval has been extended dramatically!! More time for skiing!   

It's been a long winter of maintenance on my newly acquired 1989 SN, but finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. Forgot how fun it was to have a project to work on!
Finished up a bunch of work and should be ready to go in the water next week. What I got done this weekend:

1 - Took off rotten trailer steps. Need to figure out if I'm going to replace with diamond plate, or go the wood/carpet route again.

2 - All new trailer lights. Got a mid-range set (waterproof, all stainless hardware) so these should last a few years.

3 - Replaced bow light. Scraping that old gasket off sure was fun, but a bit of elbow grease and acetone finished the job.

4 - Installed new impellor, double checked all hose connections, redid strainer routing for easier access. Will post pictures tomorrow.

5 - Finished engine/strut alignment. Within .001" best I can tell. Started off with the block of wood method to center shaft in log, but after I got it close, found it was easier to push couplers together so they would just start to engage on the inner lip, then feeler gauge around. Seemed more consistent and reliable that way. Only took about an hour to get everything dialed in, but lots of little adjustments in 3-D. Whoever designed the front engine mounts should be fired - what a pain to get at the 1.5" lock nuts! BTW, how tight should the pinch bolts for side/side adjustment be torqued? Seemed like there was a bunch of give to them (i.e didn't feel a hard stop).

6 - Invertaflo Muffler repaired. This was my first attempt at fiberglass repair, and learned a lot! I will post pics tomorrow as well with a bunch of the step by steps. By no means a work of art, after some filler and paint, should be good to go.

7 - Teak restoration. Man I love working with teak. Such a sense of accomplishment to take a dirty, nasty piece of wood and transform it into a piece of fine furniture :). Used a powerwasher and the 3 step starbright procedure, and can't believe how clean it got. Sanded everything down smooth (pretty neglected by PO), and waiting for the rain to stop so I can start oiling. Got all new SS screws (upsized to get a bit more bite) an using washers under the heads to prevent poke through, but may need to hit the tips with a grinder prior to insertion just for good measure.

All in all a very productive weekend. Getting psyched to water test the stuffing box adjustments next week and then get her all compounded and buffed out. Can't thank you guys enough for all the information on the forum - it certainly makes life easier and hopefully I can provide some input in the coming years as I get older and wiser :)

Thanks
Ron