1986 Ski Nautique 2001 resto project

[TRH299]

I have had the boat out a couple times after I gave it a quick cleaning and buff job. I straightened a few dings in the prop, got the tach working, got my registration numbers on, got a new hour meter, refinished the swim platform, repaired a cracked blower plenum and basically am now confident that the boat is mechanically sound.

Last week I decided I was done using it for the summer and took the drivers seat to a local upholstery shop I have used before. He found good matches for the vinyl. I told him to order enough vinyl to do the whole interior and start on the somewhat complex drivers seat. He had given me a rough quote of $5K to do the entire upholstery job. That is too much for me to swallow so I told him I may try and learn to do the rest of it myself.

So..... on Friday I am buying a used Consew 206RB-1 industrial sewing machine that is in need of some TLC. I am going to fix up the machine then start practicing sewing with it on scraps. If all goes well, I will get good enough to do the rest of my interior.

 

[fibersport]

That's a great sewing machine. I'm in the process of making a new interior for my Century. It isn't that bad, just take your time. If you've never sewn before, take your time and practice, practice, practice! If your machine has a clutch motor, I would suggest installing a servo motor and possibly a set of reduction pulleys. It will make for a much slower startup and better control. If you have a source for some cheap vinyl, use that to make up practice covers, makes things much easier overall. Contact me if you want to discuss, happy to share my experiences.

 

[todhunter]

repaired a cracked blower plenum

What I thought you meant...


vs. what you actually meant :

 

[TRH299]

That's a great sewing machine. I'm in the process of making a new interior for my Century. It isn't that bad, just take your time. If you've never sewn before, take your time and practice, practice, practice! If your machine has a clutch motor, I would suggest installing a servo motor and possibly a set of reduction pulleys. It will make for a much slower startup and better control. If you have a source for some cheap vinyl, use that to make up practice covers, makes things much easier overall. Contact me if you want to discuss, happy to share my experiences.

Thanks... Been looking at doing a gear reduction at the least and if that is not sufficient then I might buy a servo motor also. I got the machine home and have been looking it over for issues. Thus far I have ordered a new tensioner assembly as mine has a broken spring/hoop. Also found I may be missing a small spring washer gizmo that is supposed to be in the bobbin retainer. Person I bought it from did not know much about this machine as he got it from his grandparents estate. Supposedly it missed stitches on occasion when last used. I have watched a bunch of videos on hook timing and needle height along with walking foot adjustments. I still need to order some proper needles for vinyl (135-17?). Probably will repaint the table legs and might repaint the machine itself if I can find matching gray hammer finish paint. Gonna be fun to learn a skill that will also save me a ton of money