Finally starting to see the light!

[Craig W]

Well, it's been a HUGE undertaking with rebuilding both my father in law's 20' bowrider and my 16.5' bowrider over the last 3 months. I'm finally able to begin breathing again. I had the floor down and engine re-installed mid Feb in my FIL's boat and today I finally got the floor panels cut and dry fit. YAY! it's starting to look like a boat again! I should be carpeting by the end of next week.<br /> My boat's photo album in "brief"

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Finally starting to see the light!

Even though I rebuild cars all the time, I dont think I have the patience you guys have that undertake the things you do when rebuilding these boats. Youre doing an awsome job.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Finally starting to see the light!

Lookin' good Craig. Getting the floor layed in is the best part, its all down hill now. <br /><br />Lubedude, patience is an understatement sometimes. I have rebuilt a few vehicles in my day (69 GTO was my favorite project), but boats are a whole different world. Right now I am in the middle of wet sanding and polishing my gelcoat. Originally I was going to paint the boat, but I have decided that since I had to sand it anyway, I may as well restore the gel. It is mind-numbing, but it is coming together. I am cutting the oxidation with 320 grit wet sanding, then 600 grit wet sanding. I am then using #0000 steel wool (it sounds weird, but it is very fine and works), followed by polishing compound, then wax. It is working admirably, but it isn't as fun as it sounds. I am 1/4th through, but thats okay....

 

[G DANE]

Re: Finally starting to see the light!

Just looked at your photos - man you did some awesome work !

 

[jfholijr]

Re: Finally starting to see the light!

Dude you ARE coming to my house and you WILL be helping me do mine tooooooo. hehehehe<br /><br />Man that is totally cool.

 

[Craig W]

Re: Finally starting to see the light!

thanx guys <br /><br />patience is an interesting choice of adjective Lubedude In my situation, I wouldn't necessarily say it was so much patience, more like just a strong desire not to become too overwhelmed (and cry ) due to how the project kept increasing in workload at an exponential rate - it was a case of "oh my gawd! it WAS actually possible to create MORE work!"<br /><br />As many here know (and I have now too easily found out), the "snow ball" effect is a scary but realistic thing with boat resto's. Honestly, this whole thing was supposed to be *just* new carpet on my FIL's boat (along with some woodwork to rebuild panels etc, prior to sending stuff out for re-upholstering) and my boat was supposed to be *just* fixing a 2'x2' soft section in the floor!<br /><br />Really, anyone with some time, a few tools and a desire to save some $$$ and take on a project/hobby can do this. You just gotta treat it like eating an elephant <br /><br />and thanx for the incentive JasonJ, I'm looking for a down hill slide in my near future <br /><br />btw - I meant to post a link to the photo album for the work on my FIL's boat. Only a couple pics missing which show the engine is no longer on the floor but nicely placed back in the boat where it belongs!

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: Finally starting to see the light!

I think I too am starting to see the light. (and I hope its not a train) Have got the transom all but finished. Last piece of roven to finish. Motor sittin there waiting to go in. Inside cabin, have put in new floor, new dining table floor, removed all walls to be recovered, replacing hull liner, reinstalling, sanding, painting, new rub rail. Simple as that!!!!<br /><br /> http://community.webshots.com/album/110268993cbtppY <br /><br /> http://community.webshots.com/album/111063375YvUCZM <br /><br />Jim

 

[Craig W]

Re: Finally starting to see the light!

Nice work Jim, glad to see it's coming along well.... and I thought my project(s) was ambitious!