1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Not a whole lot of progress to talk about - we have been waiting on a core head to replace the one that was cracked. It is supposed to arrive this week. The bottom end of the engine is rebuilt and balanced...just need heads to complete it.

I started compounding and was not happy with the results. I could see way too many sanding scratches from the 400 and 600 grit. So we completed another complete wet sanding yesterday. I will get back to compounding and buffing once my supplies are replenished (ordered and on the way).

I have readied the deck for KiwiGrip which will go on tonight. I wanted to wait until after the engine was installed but cant stand waiting with the project sitting idle.

I'll get some pictures up when there is visible progress worth showing. Originally I thought this thing would be in the water by April 1...now it is looking like Memorial Day.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

I was wondering about you. Glad to see that you are still at it.

 

[Walkenvol]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Sometimes delays are beyond our control.....? Hope your parts come in soon as this is currently my favorite thread on the forum.

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

KiwiGrip is done! It was really easy to work with. I scuffed the the epoxy with 40 grit and taped the areas I didn't want to cover with non-skid.

I researched different systems and chose KiwiGrip based on reviews I read on many different web sites, including iBoats. The gallon of material and the 3" wide specialty roller cover cost me about $140 including shipping. The "paint"
is applied with a brush - the consistency is more like mayonaise or yogurt.

After liberally applying the goop with a brush it is rolled out with a roller cover that looks like a very loosely woven filter material or a humidifier element. The roller creates the texture.

The entire job took me about 90 minutes. It will be dry to the touch in 24 hours and completely cured in 72 hours. I am going to find some welting or other material to clean up the transition from the deck to the carpet - but here is what it looks like now...

My intent still is to make a snap in carpet system for the boat - but this will get us on the water for now and will be nice to have under the carpet for wet days.

More compounding and buffing in the near future. Then the interior can go back in. Whenever the engine parts are ready that will go together and in quickly (again) (I hope). Once the engine is in and aligned with the prop shaft the rudder can go back on and the fuel tank can go back in. Then it will be ready for a water test!

I have surpassed the $8,000 mark on this "great deal" ski boat.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Looks great! If and when the time is right..you will really like having removable carpet. Corinthian marine made mine and I couldn't be happier. Nice work!

 

[Walkenvol]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Love the idea and appearance of the KiwiGrip. I assume it has the same UV protective qualities of applying gelcoat over the epoxy fiberglassed floor? When I redo my supra, I may forget the carpet completely.

 

[Shife]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

You will be very happy with the Kiwi Grip. I've used it on a few boats now and been very satisfied. Their customer service is top notch.

Give it a week or so before wearing shoes/hard use. It takes longer to cure than you would think.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

We have also completed wet-sanding. This thing was a mess. In areas I started with 220 wet! We progressed to 400, 600 and 1000 on the entire hull and cap. Removed the windshield for better access.

Here is a shot of the side with water on it. Compounding and wax should produce a good result.

In what areas did you start with the 220?? I'm just wondering if by doing that you were able to come close to blending in the weathered Gel coat with the parts that were under the old graphics? Today I used 400 then to 600 and then buffed it out. It came out pretty good.

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

I used 220 very sparingly on gouges near the bow. I used 320 on bad areas as well, mostly below the water line where the oxidation was really bad. With a lot of elbow grease wer were able to blend these areas and sand out the deep sanding marks from the heavier paper. That said, I found that spending a lot of time with 1000 at the end is important.

 

[tinkeringwackyone]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Looks nice, glad to see the progress you have been making.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Looking nice, I may check into that Kiwi Grip stuff....I have been wanting something to put under the splash well other than carpet. On the budget, haven't you heard a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into? The only thing that is worse is owning a boat dock....I'm so smart I own both!

 

[RangerJim]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

I like the look of your hull without the graphics, tint the glass on the wind screen and that would be a really clean, slick looking boat. Too bad about the motor troubles, but glad I came across your thread, I too am going for the Kiwi-grip flooring after seeing your build. Good luck with the rest of your build and happy boating this season.

Ranger Jim

 

[MTribe08]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

I used 220 very sparingly on gouges near the bow. I used 320 on bad areas as well, mostly below the water line where the oxidation was really bad. With a lot of elbow grease wer were able to blend these areas and sand out the deep sanding marks from the heavier paper. That said, I found that spending a lot of time with 1000 at the end is important.

Great! Thanks.

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Engine is done at the machine shop - I am going to get it this afternoon. I will begin assembly tonight with the hope of installing again by this weekend. I plan to get the buffing done and will have the graphics applied next week.

This thing WILL be in the water Memoria Day Weekend (even if I have to quit my job to get it done).

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

The unusually warm weather for this time of year in Wisconsin has made it a bit more uncomfortable working on the boat. I'd rather be on the water but really want this thing done for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Last Thursday we started assembling the engine. The machine shop assembled the bottom end since I had them balance it. We got the oil pump and pan on, the timing chain and gears installed, the timing cover and water pump installed, the heads on and the lifters/push rods installed. We will get the intake on and other miscellaneous parts/tin on...then paint the whole thing. Next step will be to reinstall.

My technical assistant/motor guy spent the weekend with his family (on his 42' Sonic) so I spent the weekend in the garage working on the hull and interior. With the help of my 15 year-old son good progress was made. We've gone through 2 quarts of 3M buffing compound getting the hull and topside "just right." We are not done yet - but getting close. With the top side done we installed the teak.

Then we went to work on the interior. I have previously replaced the backing wood on many of the interior pieces. We cleaned the vinyl and started installing. It is starting to look like a water-worthy vessel again!

I bought a new helm seat off eBay but have not bolted it in permanently yet. The color doesn't match perfectly, but the style and adjustability are great.

I competed the compounding on the transom so that I could intall the speedo pickups, the rear tow eyes and the swim platform. All below water points were sealed with 5200. With this done I couldn't help but install the graphics to see how the old girl will look.

The same red/white "SUPREME" graphic will be applied to each side of the boat in 11" high, 10' long vinyl. This will make this 26 year old boat look a bit more modern.

As the pictures show - the engine compartment if very empty. I hope to change that this week and be testing on the water next weekend.

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Back with an update - and a good report for a change!

Sanding, compounding and buffing are complete. Graphics are installed. She doesn't look anything like she did when I brought her home in late January!

I bailed out of work early the last two days to get her done before the 3-day weekend. I assembled the engine, painted it and got all accessories installed the past few evenings. Everything is new or rebuilt...everything!!!

With the assistance of my friend and his cute little skid steer (whoa!) I dropped the motor in this afternoon.

Within a couple hours it was running...LIKE A WATCH! We aligned the prop shaft and got everything buttoned up. Dog house went on tonight and the helm seat will go in tomorrow.

Saturday we boat! Updates to follow.

 

[kenneth5071]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Boat looks awesome man. Bought an 84 also and taking the engine out tomorrow. Strigers, deck, interior are gone. Hoping mine will turn out somewhat close to yours. Question: The orginal graphics down the side look like they are inbedded, was this the same for you?
Ken

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

I took the original graphics off with a heat gun. They were vinyl. Even after all the sanding and buffing you could still see the profile of where they had been. The new graphics covered it up and you can't detect the "shadowing" now.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Wow! Looks great, I can't wait to see her in the water!

 

[Walkenvol]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Way to hang with it as you've got a fantastic looking boat that should be good for another 25 years!