My Gelcoat resto project!!

Last night I started the restoration of the hull on my 89 2001. This is for sure going to be a pile of work but I can already tell the results are going to be well worth it. I inherited this boat from a family member that bought the boat new, has been well maintained, and has always sat on a hoist. They are avid slalom boys and skied behind this boat literally on a daily basis. they call themselves "Team Low T" LOL. That being the case, covering the boat was not regularly done and the interior is for the most part destroyed. Although I don't have the flow for a set of $2,200 Christies marine skins + the foam, I can however put some labor into the gel coat!! I've been running the boat for two summers now as is, addressing gauge issues and restoring the teak. I have been on the water all my life and have had a few boats but this one is my favorite. These boats are some of the best quality I've seen, even against my buddies 88 Mastercraft 190 when you climb back into the Ski Nautique, you can tell the boat is more sturdy. The slow speed/docking maneuverability is the only drawback but its really more of a learning curve.
This project unfortunately will be a two part saga lol, fall and spring as the boat will not fit in my garage and will have to be stored over winter.

Any tips and or pointers are welcomed yall!!

Cheers!!

Hey there. I just went through all of this with my 93 SN. It is really a labor of love..usually more labor than love! ha ha ha

Anyway, if you need any help removing the vinyl decals, get a 3M stripe remover wheel. WELL worth the money: https://www.amazon.com/3M-Stripe-Wheel-Mandrel-Diameter/dp/B00063VT0G

Otherwise, follow the wetsanding, polishing, waxing procedure outlined here in the FAQ's and you won't go wrong. I had some serious dock rash, scratches and gouges which had to be filled with gel patch, and it all turned out very nice when I was done.

for decals you should be able to find everything you need from either Nautique Parts, or Christines Marine.

Hope that helps.

Wanted to share this as well.
The original Mahogany shift knob I restored. For whatever reason everyone on the lake always asked about it.

Here's what it looked like when I got the boat.

Epoxied the threaded insert back in.

Filled in all the massive cracks and final sand.

Expoxy coat.

Final clear for UV protection!!

Flyweed, I have the opposing color combo (cranberry main, grey on top. Where did you get the gel patch? Spectrum says those colors are only available in gallons for $250+.

I got the light Cloud grey from Spectrum in their smaller patch kits..the darker colors I had a local fiberglass shop make up a small patch of the darker colors..I wasn't going to pay for a gallon of it from Spectrum.