My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

[hdradaza]

Bought this used and decided to redo everything. I only bought the hull and did not include the engine as I was going to buy a brand new engine.

It was used primarily to tow amateur wakeboarders and banan boats in a local hotel here in the philippines.

I am very buzy and don't have much experience DIY so I had to hire people here to do the work... hey cheap labor here!!!

With no boating experience whatsoever, I set out to design the boat. I scoured hundreds of internet pictures (unfortunately did not find iboats site back then). I started out by plotting where the cooler would go. And you can see in this picture. In hindsight bad idea... I think this would add to my future porpoising problem.

I wanted to keep the inside as open as possible, thinking this would be a family / party boat. The inverted V on the bench was inspired by this boat here.

 

[hdradaza]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

I forgot... we took out the console and had a brand new one fabricated. You see the interior here taking shape without the console yet.

still waiting for my pics to upload to flickr. Will continue this in a few hours.

 

[hdradaza]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

I wanted graphics that would stand out. So we settled on this one which I adobe photoshopped before doing the actual work.

For the interior cushion and overall layout, I used google's SKETCHUP (3d modelling) and came out with this design.

I have a laser cutting/engraving business so I was able to use my laser machines to cut out the templates for the paint job on the outside.

and VOILA -

My console was now done and i like it!

 

[hdradaza]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

 

[hdradaza]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

I have since added a few things here and there and will take pics and post em.

Tell me what you guys think!

 

[hdradaza]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

Installed for the stereo are 4 - 6.5inch focals. My Rockford amplifier (inside the console), 1 - 12" kicker subwoofer (under the console) and 1 waterproof head unit cd player. Will take pics of the console and the stereo too.

Coming are smart tabs!

 

[DJ]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

Looks GREAT! Nice work. Congrat's!

 

[oops!]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

awesome job, nice design

be proud
any one would be happy with that bote

 

[dancudayo]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

That is a sweet boat! I'm so jealous. But, when I saw that bright blue clear water I was totally jealous! Good Work!

 

[rocky100]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

Wow! beautiful boat---you did an outstanding job---congratulations!

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

Wow, hey congrats, that was a bang up job you did on that. Very Very nice!

 

[oops!]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

i was just noticing.....

first of all the console....
did they fab it...and how????

i wanna do some fab on my bote and i am thinking the best way to do it.

second....
is that the trailer?

you might wanna think about springs on the axel. if your trailering far that will beat yer boat to stuffings!

again....nice boat

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

Man that looks really great !!!! great Job

 

[hdradaza]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

the console - yes they fiberglassed it. I called up my buddy's that are into fabricating fiberglass molds for sound system set ups in cars. They specialize in making really cool speaker and trunk boxes. From my understanding, they make molds with fiberglass using CLOTH. Cloth forming is what they call it. 7 steps to make the molds using cloth to be able to get the curves in there. They first made the basic framework and then added cloth from one edge to the other edge. They have to stretch the cloth a whole lot. To me it looked like the type of cloth they use in speaker grills. Here is a pic of the console before the cloth was added on it.

The round sharp edges to get the ferrari effect for the gauge covers were PVC pipes cut at an angle. The subwoofer box is downfiring towards the floor.

To me it is amazing work they did on it.

for your second question. Yes that is the trailer. But don't worry. It never runs in the streets. My boat is stored at the beach house. Around 20 meters down to the water. It just goes up and down the boat house.

 

[Lakester]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

hello,

very nice presentation. i enjoyed seeing ur restoration. hard to believe it is the same boat... i am thinking u may want to consider going into boat building as a side line...

thanks


regards

lakester

 

[LeftFeild]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

Very nice touch,judging from what i have seen so far this might raise the bar somewhat.

 

[hdradaza]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

...

 

[hdradaza]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

Thanks for all the comments guys. It feels good knowing that even experienced owners like you thinks I did a good job.

A few more pics...

For the back rest in front of the console, I originally had a cushion. But after sitting in it and lying down, my head would rest right against the sharp edge of the front of the console. So I had a flip up head rest fabricated so I can just flip up the head rest if I want.

After the first 2 or 3 runs we had, I noticed a lot of porpoising from the boat (due to weight in rear, will add smart tabs next month). And then we realized that there are no grab handles. I installed these soft flexible grab handles so we can still sit over them at any time. And I don't have to worry about protruding hardware for my son.

Bringing the boat up and down caused some minor damage to the keel as the boat hit the trailer. Then came the keel guard. Used my laser machine to cut through the rubbery material to make a hole for the metal bow eye in front.

Coming up next - the sound system! Have to take pictures first!

 

[oops!]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

wow
thanks hd.
im still blown away with that console !!
your right, it has that racy italian look.
wild how they did it.
i guess i gotta play with that kind of an idea for fabbing my stuff...

again beautful job
cheers oops

 

[Nandy]

Re: My first boat - Restoring an 18 footer !!!

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your project, what an inspiration. That was a supperb job! Congratulations and enjoy.