@Pmt133 did a great job. I spent about $10k - $11k on mine, but it was now several years ago. Another in-depth documentation thread if you want to read:
https://forums.iboats.com/threads/1987-power-play-xlt-185-floors-stringers-and-upholstery.739025/
36 or 40 grit on a 4.5" grinder worked well for everything on mine, including the bedding compound. It was softer than the glass. I'm sure you know, but be really careful spinning up those big discs. My 4.5" flap wheel took a chunk out of my finger, and I've got the scar to prove it.
Lanier Marine Liquidators. I'm just about 2 hours away. Would love to go browse, but not sure if they allow that. Check them out on Google Maps with satellite overlay....soooo many boats.
Foam for where? Under the floor? You'll want to use a 2-part expanding foam. It comes in various densities (pounds per cubic foot). I used all 2 lb foam for below the floor of my restoration project, and I bought it from US Composites. Follow the directions, and mind the ambient...
The flex seal and raptor lining is a bad idea. It won't soak into the plywood and adhere well. Do it right - buy some polyester resin, coat every side of the wood in resin, then encapsulate the plywood in a layer of CSM. The materials aren't that expensive (I recommend shopping at US...
If you spend a couple of hours with that ski locker cover and it will look amazing. Just make sure you don't throw that out thinking it's rotten. I disassembled mine and skimmed the boards in a planer, then sanded all the sides and edges. A couple of coats of teak oil and it went from that...
Well, as stated there is no manual with any useful info for the rebuild. Make Scott eat crow and finish the project, and post lots of pics here. He's not far off on pricing and timing, though. It looks really rough with huge patches of missing gelcoat, so you're going to have your work cut out...
I just use automotive power steering fluid on my 87 Mercruiser 260. It's all automotive parts in the PS system anyhow....no marine magic going on there.
China is a country, not a company. There are thousands of companies in China with the capabilities of making these parts. These companies are different, have different business models, and therefore different quality control standards. Just because something is made in China these days doesn't...
