1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

[hawk200282]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

I might of been able to help you with the grinding. Only if you were about 1000 miles closer.

 

[sphelps]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Well Thanks SP! What was it that hooked your interest? The certificate or the photo op?

I think that it was the fact that this great service was FREE ! I like free stuff .. And water at a reasonable price .. How can you beat that !
And a cool certificate would look nice hanging on the wall ..

 

[Mud Puppy]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

I might of been able to help you with the grinding. Only if you were about 1000 miles closer.

Thanks for the offer Hawk! The distance does pretty much cut out the after work thing and maybe a little much for a weekend even.

I think that it was the fact that this great service was FREE ! I like free stuff .. And water at a reasonable price .. How can you beat that !
And a cool certificate would look nice hanging on the wall ..

Exactly S.P.! That's what I was thinking when I put the add together and the certificate was "Hand Crafted" too! That normally drags people in on its own.

BTW, just caught your new sig...ound:

I had to use the "Pound" emoticon that GT used earlier for my signature line. It cracks me up!

 

[Mud Puppy]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Hey Hawk? I just made it over to look at your Ebbtide restore. I started the other night and just made it through the original post and got interrupted. I really like the older "Classic" boats for their look. They just have more character, but I am a "Classic" and the Mrs. thinks I'm a character too!

One of the first things I do (or try to) is to travel to the restores that you all have done or are in the process of doing, each and every one of you.

I think that is is only right to do so. If you took the time to look at my thread, I'll take the time to do in turn. Besides, I get so caught up in these, that I rarely have time to look at the main forum. I got so wound up with reading some of those threads, I hated going to work.

There are so many I have enjoyed reading, I just wish I had more downtime to do so. Ones like Decker's, GT1M's, JB's, Zool's, and SP's restores. If there's a link, I go to it. I may have not read them all, but I will. I'm trying to make it all the way through SP's MFG right now, and WOW. I'll make it eventually.

I've made it quite a ways through Wood's '61 Lonestar also. That's another WOW!

And Glenn, I love your boat; that Starcraft just looks good sitting in the water and I'm sure even better cutting through it.

I like the newer boats too, they just loose my interest after the mid '90s.

 

[Mud Puppy]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Sorry for no new updates. The weather was a hole lot more conducive to working outside this weekend, but it didn't happen. Did have an awesome Daytona 500 Party on Sunday and an awesome ending to the race Sunday evening.

Last week I had a QAR Inspection to to mention the Prime Source Inspection and this week I am finding out were are getting a new FAA Inspector, plus we are working on a new Quality System and we will have audits on it as well.

Now I'm finding out that the weather is sliding backwards this week starting tomorrow.

Starting to get pretty depressed on the boat rebuilding thing. :sad: & :blue:

 

[hawk200282]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Hey Hawk? I just made it over to look at your Ebbtide restore. I started the other night and just made it through the original post and got interrupted. I really like the older "Classic" boats for their look. They just have more character, but I am a "Classic" and the Mrs. thinks I'm a character too!

One of the first things I do (or try to) is to travel to the restores that you all have done or are in the process of doing, each and every one of you.

I think that is is only right to do so. If you took the time to look at my thread, I'll take the time to do in turn. Besides, I get so caught up in these, that I rarely have time to look at the main forum. I got so wound up with reading some of those threads, I hated going to work.

There are so many I have enjoyed reading, I just wish I had more downtime to do so. Ones like Decker's, GT1M's, JB's, Zool's, and SP's restores. If there's a link, I go to it. I may have not read them all, but I will. I'm trying to make it all the way through SP's MFG right now, and WOW. I'll make it eventually.

I've made it quite a ways through Wood's '61 Lonestar also. That's another WOW!

And Glenn, I love your boat; that Starcraft just looks good sitting in the water and I'm sure even better cutting through it.

I like the newer boats too, they just loose my interest after the mid '90s.

Hey, thanks for checking it out. That was my first restore so I'm sure it could of been better, but turned out pretty good.

It is still a work in progress. I plan to update the thread as soon as I put the new vinyl floor in and sand the bottom for paint. It also needs a good buffing still. After I got done the deck, I just threw the old carpet in there to get a little boating done before the season ended last year. Plan to finish up the cosmetics before spring.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Great looking tri hull. The work that you have done thus far is totally amazing to say the least. It does become frustrating at times but all this work will be worth it. You will have a brand new boat that will outlast you. I am doing my second boat, I didn't learn the first time. Keep up the good work. The weather does suck this year. My boat is buried in many feet of snow and it's killing me. On the lighter side, the Daytona 500 was awesome. Go Junior....

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Daytona was awesome...way to go Junior!
The weather up around your parts, not so much...:smow:
Hey mud, don't worry it...there are so many things in life we cannot control, that if we focus on them, we'll never get anything done...
Heck, even with the beautiful weather we get down here, so many things conspire against my boat time that I gave up a long time ago to try and put any kind of time expectations on the completion of my build...well, honestly, I am going to try and finish it before Armageddon...
We have a belief around this resto forum that goes something like...If you are thinking about the boat, it is time well spent on the boat......

 

[Mud Puppy]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Hey, thanks for checking it out. That was my first restore so I'm sure it could of been better, but turned out pretty good.

It is still a work in progress. I plan to update the thread as soon as I put the new vinyl floor in and sand the bottom for paint. It also needs a good buffing still. After I got done the deck, I just threw the old carpet in there to get a little boating done before the season ended last year. Plan to finish up the cosmetics before spring.

Hawk, make sure you you post those pics you you get to that point. Look forward to seeing them.

Great looking tri hull. The work that you have done thus far is totally amazing to say the least. It does become frustrating at times but all this work will be worth it. You will have a brand new boat that will outlast you. I am doing my second boat, I didn't learn the first time. Keep up the good work. The weather does suck this year. My boat is buried in many feet of snow and it's killing me. On the lighter side, the Daytona 500 was awesome. Go Junior....

Tall, Welcome aboard! Read quite a few posts with your Handle attached to them. You and about 2 dozen other "experienced" restorers are those we "newbies" look up to. Hope my restore doesn't let any of you guys down and Thanks for the complements!

P.S. We woke up to snow on the ground again this morning, however it was just a dusting and was gone by 900 hrs. but we are in for more this Friday, Sunday, and first of the week. YUK!

Daytona was awesome...way to go Junior!
The weather up around your parts, not so much...:smow:
Hey mud, don't worry it...there are so many things in life we cannot control, that if we focus on them, we'll never get anything done...
Heck, even with the beautiful weather we get down here, so many things conspire against my boat time that I gave up a long time ago to try and put any kind of time expectations on the completion of my build...well, honestly, I am going to try and finish it before Armageddon...
We have a belief around this resto forum that goes something like...If you are thinking about the boat, it is time well spent on the boat......

Thanks GT for the encouragement! Yeah, weather here is pretty predictable; it's unpredictable!

We have a saying around here about the weather; "if you don't like the weather here in Missouri, just wait 5 minutes and it'll change!"
Only problem with that is, I heard the same in every state I have been in and even heard it overseas too!




So My Only Question Is Of Tall & GT: How did you guys see the back of the Captain and my vehicles to know they had 88 on them from Dartmouth and Miami anyway?

I knew you guys were good, but WOW...

I'm Impressed!


On a side note; our semi-small audit and meeting our new inspector went really well today as expected, but sometimes you can just get overconfident or you can go the other direction and be all apprehensive about it. It's never completely as you thought.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

I saw the 88 sign on Google Earth. lol. Seriously, I just guessed at the Daytona 500 comment. lol. I appreciate the kind words but just trying to give some words of encouragement. Sometimes we tend to over think this boat building stuff. Sometimes it gets tiresome and frustrating, but hang in there, your are doing a great great job.

 

[glnbnz]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

That's funny because that is how we describe weather in Southern Illinois :lol: don't like it wait around 20 minutes or so...it will change

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

And don't forget to pick up these great looking Tri Hull Club Stickers. :lol:

 

[Mud Puppy]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

I plan on getting "Official 3V" stickers as I get closer to splashing her. I don't think I can be a member in good standing if I christen her without them.

We moved 4 military units last week, but we have 2 more new ones coming back in so the shop is still loaded. I have yet to get my Blazer running so I can pull it there on the weekends; it's just been too cold. out:

I just hope that with the weather the way it is here, my new friends and acquaintances don't give up on me and my rebuild.:frusty:

I have however been able to find some Kiekhaffer sales brochures online from around that era. They are from 1969 Boat House Bulletins on I/B and O/B models that are power balanced to give you GO...GO...GO! The advertising was so catchy back then. :der:

Let me ask you all; what do you think I should pull the boat with when I get it restored? I've got an old '67 short-bed, step-side C10 but I don't know if the captain will go for restoring both of them at the same time. :fear:

I just have to figure out some way to break the news to her "gently" to avoid getting things thrown at me :behindsofa: and having to fix my own meals. izza:

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Blazer should do fine for now, if the fix is not too expensive and can be expected to let the Blazer continue a good, lengthy service life...
Which will give you plenty of time to finish the boat, then begin restoring the C10 and have it color coordinated with the boat...:cool-new:

And NAH!, Don't you worry none about us giving up on you on account of weather...heck we'll follow along to the end...whatever it may be...

 

[Mud Puppy]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

***UPDATE*** ***UPDATE*** ***UPDATE***

Finally was warm enough for me to get out and diagnose the Blazer. I was dreading what I would find, but was simply done.

Last time as we left our faithful hero, the engine was overheating and the exhaust had come loose from the front of the muffler as the train rounded the bend with the schoolmarm tied to the tracks.

Seems the overheating was not a bad water pump or vapor locked coolant system, but the fact the serpentine belt was off and laying all over. The studs in the front of the water pump which hold the clutch fan and pulley had come loose. Two of them are missing while the other two are ready to fall out. Not sure why the exhaust was pulled off to change the timing chain or why it is running so ruff, other than it did get rather warm the night I brought it home. It was too cold then to even raise the hood. I would say that the antifreeze wet down everything on the engine, thus the ruff idle.

Oh, and about the schoolmarm...

she was able to free herself and the train has come and went. I am so glad she was resourceful so I wouldn't have to mess with it!

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Good to hear that it wasn't a hard fix. Is this your tow vehicle?

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Most excellent News!
Glad to hear the schoolmarm made out OK...
Oh and the Blazer, too...

 

[Mud Puppy]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Good to hear that it wasn't a hard fix. Is this your tow vehicle?

Fraid it is for now. The Captain has me on a short leash (we haven't been in the water enough over the past 37 years for her to have gained any higher rank). Hoping that will all change this summer. Was wanting a 2014 Z71 and I was denied, was going to settle for a '07 Ram ans I was denied, found a....I'm sure you has guessed the outcome!

I'm really wanting to restore my old '67 Stepside. I got "T-Boned" in the driver's door in 2000 and haven't had time to change cabs out on it. Motor is all sealed up on it and I prepped it for storage. Tires were nearly new and they are junk now though.

Most excellent News!
Glad to hear the schoolmarm made out OK...
Oh and the Blazer, too...

Cloud cover rolled in and I headed for the dock sort of speak; setting back watching "Wanted Dead Or Alive" and "The Rifleman" on MeTV.
Hopefully they will have the studs at O'Really's tomorrow, but if the weather continues to change for the worse, it will just set a little longer. Upsetting the belt was only a couple months old.

I'm driving the Captain's beater currently. I think I look pretty sexy driving a "Soccer Mom" van, but I think I'm a heartthrob anyway or at least that's what I told the schoolmarm.

 

[sphelps]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Good news on the Blazer . Hopefully new belts and some exhaust work will let ya escape the soccer mom ride .
Hang in there spring is on the way !

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 1971 17' Invader Tri-Hull Restoration, The Madness Begins

Nice to hear that you got a break in the weather . . . not much of a break where I am. Probably going to have to wait until April to do any glassing or painting