Stringers

Gelling the whole bottom seems like a huge undertaking. What about doing as you are and filling with epoxy and sanding followed by several coats of (dare I say) Imron or some sort of polyurethane paint? I guess I must have read the answer here somewhere but my waverunner is painted and not gelled and it’s 10 years old and doing alright.

Seems to me it doesn't matter whether you paint or gel but that bottom gel has to come off. I wouldn't waste my time picking at it, just grind it off or get one of those tools made specifically for that. Then follow Duanes approach with fill, fair and veil. Paint or gel after that is up to you but I would gel.

Nautiquehunter wrote: I never intended to put this much time and effort into a boat that has almost no value. The fact is I am too far to quit now. I guess the value is in the build . .

Mike, you and I both know along with the rest of us here is that it IS a labor of love. When I first saw it, I knew the potential of what "Tweety" could be especially with a 351 in it while your Brother-in-law asked you if you'd lost your mind and why on earth would you want that piece of crap? It will definitely turn some heads especially on a Lake full of Giants and modern boats. Not that you need a anything to talk to anybody as you come by it naturally' Tweety will be a really cool boat to see, drive and ski behind. Tweety will be a little extra special as it's something that you and Gail restored together. If I lived a little closer I'd give you a hand. Give Minnesota Mike a holla. He's retired and might be thrilled to come lend you a hand. Keep up the great work Mike. It's looking..........tahweet!

Last bit of advice from me is to take that self imposed deadline off the table. That takes all the fun of restoring a boat out of the picture. It will be done when it's done. This is supposed to be fun.

81nautique wrote: Last bit of advice from me is to take that self imposed deadline off the table. That takes all the fun of restoring a boat out of the picture. It will be done when it's done. This is supposed to be fun.

Just don't follow my lead and > 15 years on a restoration of a plywood boat lol

75 Tique wrote: Hollywood wrote: Some might say the slower the better. And dont let a little backlog get you down.

Some of the ads for a $10,000 piece of crap project actually worth $1,000, but include a picture of a "similar" beautifully restored or original boat, that claim the final product will be worth $70,000 always crack me up.

In for a dollar in for a thousand. I would like to get it done for the river run but if it dosn't happen if will be the Supra again. I am working out plans to flip it or hang it from the nose . This is a major setback I will have to overcome.

Inspite of the setback progress is moving forward. Wife got the first front seat done. I question the seat base the holes don't line up the holes in the floor pan. Am I missing something ?

^^^^ What he said. What a great skill to have.

Do you have the lower half of the brackets that screw down? Seats are obviously removable (or you couldn’t get the battery in and out).

Donald80SN wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: 75 Tique wrote: ^^^^ What he said. What a great skill to have. plus 1 plus 2

Plus 3.
She does awesome work.

WOW, great look on the seats. Tell Gail she's awesome and ask if I can send her the Collegian when it's time.

Amazing job on those seats! No turning back on that boat now!

75 Tique wrote: Better view. Pretty simple.

Mike,
So you may get a better idea, those "studs" for the knobs in the aluminum floor plates are 1/4-20 flat heads countersunk, tapped and staked into the plates. If you will be fabricating new, I'd locktite them in instead of staking.