87 Supra Sun Sport Overhaul

[neilmcg]

This is redo of an original thread "Recommendations for a boat rebuilder." After much thought and feedback from all of you, I've decided to take the plunge and go for it, doing it myself.

OVERVIEW:
* 1987 Supra Sun Sport. PCM 351w w/656hrs. Engine runs great. Will do a carb rebuild and other simple things, but mostly I'll leave it alone.
* Boat ran aground and the prop and rudder shaft are in bad shape. The hull was barely damaged so all things considered, I'm quite thankful.
* Rot is evident in some areas, but I'm taking the "Where there's smoke..." philosophy, so I'll be pulling the deck and redoing the floor and, most likely, the stringers.
* All new uphostery and carpet, and the color is being changed from red to blue.
* Cosmetically, I'm taking a semi-conservative approach; Refined, but still simple. It's a 24 year old boat and I have no desire to try to convince someone it's a new generation Supra. So no wake tower/ballast
(we only do slalom and footing.) Will install new gauges and speedos with new Pitot pickups. Regarding the topsides, I'm keeping simple lines/accents to avoid those "sick" xgames-type graphics....don't want a "tramp-stamp"
boat.

Here are some prliminary pics:

Faded wave, and although the vinyl stipes look ok here, they're all nicked up everywhere else

Bent rudder shaft. Hopefully can fix and balance.

Prop severly damaged

Rear seat frame rot

Swim bracket pulled through, so tramson rot is there. No big surprise

Throttle body is loose, and doesn't produce a true WOT.

This will be a Fall/Winter project. And I'd gratefully accept any opinions and help that you'd be willing to provide.
Thanks,
Neil

 

[tinkeringwackyone]

Re: 87 Supra Sun Sport Overhaul

Way to go, you have a great boat to work on. Go slow and take care in your work and you'll gave a new boat when your done. Good luck

 

[neilmcg]

Re: 87 Supra Sun Sport Overhaul

First question I have is related to floor/stringer replacement in two parts:

1. What is the TRUE difference between polyester and expoy resin?

2. Since I'll be initially thoroughly coating the wood, then glassing and then applying multilple final coats, does it really matter what wood I use? (eg. Douglas Fir.) I hear that some stringers are actually hollow and that it is the glass that acts as the main support mechanism. So why can't one use pretty much any wood?

 

[neilmcg]

Re: 87 Supra Sun Sport Overhaul

Is anyone willing to share their opinion between polyester vs. epoxy resin as an adhesive for glassing in stringers? I know that polyester has a lower modulus of elasticity from that of expoy, but I'm not convinced that in this setting, it necessarily means that it is an inferior product. Anyone with real-world experience willing to share their opinion?
Thanks,
Neil

 

[SDSeville]

Re: 87 Supra Sun Sport Overhaul

Epoxy is stronger than poly, but it costs twice as much. From what I have read, most boats were built using poly, so it should do just fine. When I bought the poly resin I am using for my restore, the supplier (a custom boat builder) said that they use the exact same stuff when building their boats.

 

[neilmcg]

Re: 87 Supra Sun Sport Overhaul

I Need help w/ throttle problem.

I have a Morse throttle and although I took pics before taking it apart, I'm concerned about re-connecting it. I called Morse and they said they had no info available (like a manual) on this specific model. It doesn't have the disc at the top, so it's not the MV series (you can see the acutal pic in the thread). Does anyone know what Morse throttle Supra used in 1987, and if so does anyone have a manual or diagram or know of any resources I can use to figure out how to reassemble and calibrate? Remember I'm a novice so I really appreciate your time and help.
Thanks!

 

[neilmcg]

difference between marine grade vinyls

difference between marine grade vinyls

I just dropped of my uphostery to the shop and they highly recommened a vinyl called ambassador, which they claimed as their best. I did an google search and found nothing about it. The original OEM vinyl in mine was made by Omnova solutions and I was thrilled with it's performance through the years. yet this shop never heard about it and neither did their supplier. Does anyone have any knowledge about what I should consider when chosing a vinyl? Other than thickness, I have no idea what to look for when considering its overall performace.
Thanks!