What's on my agenda from now till next season...

Kristof that is SWEET!

I just ordered a new prop for mine today and I hope to replace the whole stereo in April or May...looking to go with Roswell but need to give Brian a call first.

Well... Started taking off the exhaust manifolds.

First we started to unscrew the bolts from the risers and managed to break of a few of them (red arrows)

A question here: why are the holes marked with the green arrows covered by the gaskets? Does water not have to flow there?
On my newly bought gaskets, there is indeed no hole in these places? Why is that?



After we got the risers off, we started getting the bolts from the manifold off... 15 of them came out without a problem, but then...
One broke off, followed by an "Oh f*cking cr*p" out of my mouth



First we tried to weld a nut on the part of the bolt still sticking in the block... Four tries later, still no budging from that thing!
My uncle even has a special tool that uses induction to get stuck bolts loose. But even then, no movement whatsoever...
After that, we started to drill... After busting three drill bits on that @#§%£+/"& bolt, we called it a day (it was already 9 PM) and I drove home...

Tomorrow we'll have another go at with fresh motivation
Drill it out, tap new thread (luckily, my uncle has taps for american thread)...

So what started as a one hour job is turning into a two day job...
Gotta love these old boats

Kristof, heat is your friend on those bolts!

The low side of the manifold/riser water passage is the one that is supposed to be blocked. It forces water to be pushed out the top passage. Otherwise, the majority of the water would flow out the low side (path of least resistance), but that wouldn't keep the top of the riser very cool.

As my parts arrived on wednesday and the forecast for the weekend was high temps an lots of sunshine, we jumped into fifth gear and got everything back together.

Tested the engine on the hose and went for a test run on the lake. She runs like a champ and free of any leaks! Whoo hooo!!!

Today, I spent more than 8 hours on the boat to get her back to a nice shine.
A waterski season and pulling a showteam has it's toll on a boat
Started with a good wash to get the brown-green mess off from sitting in the water at the marina.
Then, buffing with 3M heavy compound. After that polish and finish with a nice coat of wax...

Man, everything in my body hurts right now! But the result is very satisfying indeed...

Kristof wrote: A little video from my new bling lighting...

Kristof,
I never realized you were into the "bling"! Over here, the blue lighting on the tower wouldn't go over too big since blue lights are reserved for the authorities.

OverMyHead wrote: We would also have to wreck the whole look with a 360 degree white stern light when under way or anchored.

Dave,
I sure agree. It's too bad the white stern light in the transom never went over for many years. For now, we have to put up with the 360 or use the 180 black electric tape trick crossing our fingers it won't be noticed!

8122pbrainard wrote: Kristof wrote: A little video from my new bling lighting... Kristof, I never realized you were into the "bling"! Over here, the blue lighting on the tower wouldn't go over too big since blue lights are reserved for the authorities.

If only you knew the plans I have for my Beamer Pete... Badabling!

She's ready... Spot the differences

Wow Quinner!! We speak Dutch now eyh??

Looking good.

Pete,

They used top qualitiy material (from 3M). Each side is done separatly, so if one side is scuffed or whatever, the wrap can be removed on that side in about 15 minutes.
(Is that fast enough to get back to original Pete? )

The laminate is also sealed with a special product on the edges, so no water can get behind it.

looks very nice, Kristof!