VIP Vindicator Restoration

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ingalp01

ingalp01

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Sep 11, 2010
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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

Ditto the above!!! That looks Bad ***** !!!
 
bamjoop

bamjoop

Cadet
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Jul 25, 2010
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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

I can't wait to see your sun deck/engine cover. I am almost regretting not straying from the factory setup.
 
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Dzrtcj7

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Feb 15, 2010
Messages
88
Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

Thanks! I really appreciate the compliments! I'm hoping the design on the sundeck works out ok. Right now the plan is the get it installed on Saturday and be on the water Sunday. Weather is sunny and 80, it's definitely time to be boating!
 
bamjoop

bamjoop

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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

My plan is pretty much the same. Although it is 105 here. Definitely lake time. My guy is making me antsy, but I would rather wait and have him do it right than for him to rush it.

Also, here is another one for sale in Wyoming.

http://www.motoverse.com/vehicle.asp?vin=VVNPC124D989

He also has a windshield brace. This brace looks like one of the ones you can buy on iboats though.

and his one

http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/boa/2439401900.html

Makes me feel even better about the price I paid for mine. Plus the 5.8 engine seems pretty rare.
 
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Dzrtcj7

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

I'm feeling the same about not wanting to lean on my guy. He's really talented, and I want him to take the time to get it right. Especially since I gave him some artistic freedom with the design. He is promising my buckets will be done for me to pick up on the way to the river tomorrow!

I'm surprised too to see where those boats are priced. Ya, it does make me feel pretty good about what I have into mine. That 4.3 looks really small in that first ad. I'm noticing that somehow mine ended up with a really nice tandem axle trailer.

Another piece to the puzzle done:

vip36.JPG
 
bamjoop

bamjoop

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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

Looks great! I want to see some shots in the water now. My sun deck is done but it is still over at my guy's place. I'm hoping to get a call today. I'm supposed to be at the lake already!

Let me know how the tabs work I am ready to pull that trigger if it is worth it. Some video would be sweet if you can get some.
 
bamjoop

bamjoop

Cadet
Joined
Jul 25, 2010
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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

Finally got mine back

154d2b5b.jpg


862d9c58.jpg

The black pockets on the seat backs are mesh
 
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Dzrtcj7

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Feb 15, 2010
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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

Wow! Your boat looks like brand new! It looks really great! That was a good idea on the pockets.

I got my pay off! Spent the whole day on the river and have the sun burn to prove it. Unfortunately I couldn't catch a good pic of it at the dock because the ramp was a zoo.

The smart tabs were awesome! It popped right on plane almost completely level, and does the same coming off. First time I hit the throttle and it popped up on plane my friend looked over like something was wrong. It has never taken off like that. It's still a little unruley in cross chop and boat wakes, but much improved. I'll get a video next time I'm on the water.

The new interior got rave reviews ... I'm really happy. Just took these pictures post boating. It's a little dirty. LOVE the white vinyl though .. 95 degrees and it was cool to the touch. At one point I wandered back to my boat and found 6 people on the engine cover keeping their feet cool! 5 were girls, so I didn't kick them off ;)

vip38.JPG


vip39.JPG


vip40.JPG


I'm the third boat down:
vip37.JPG
 
bamjoop

bamjoop

Cadet
Joined
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Messages
28
Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

Your boat looks sweet! Love the raised back on the buckets and the design on the backs. Gotta keep these things looking good to represent. They are dead sexy on the water.

Looks like I will be getting smart tabs on their way. Have you had a chance to do a top speed run yet?

Also, I didn't notice your boat in the last pic...couldn't get past the second boat.
 
bamjoop

bamjoop

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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

Also, what prop did you decide to go with?
 
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Dzrtcj7

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Feb 15, 2010
Messages
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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

I started with a 23p, switched to a 19p by the end of the season. The top speed with both was about 57mph. I had trouble getting out of the hole with a full load of people with the 23p, the 19p does much better. I'm looking forward to getting some flat water and seeing how the smart tabs affected the top speed.

I think I saw that you are running a 17p. With that 5.8 I'd think you could go bigger. Do you know what RPM you are topping out at?
 
bamjoop

bamjoop

Cadet
Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

I do have the 17p. Today I went out and did some top speed runs. With four of us, a cooler, and half a tank of fuel, on relatively smooth to light chop water I hit 51(GPS) at WOT with my RPM's at 4700. It pulls super hard out of the hole(other than my flat spot issue). The engine seems stronger if I pull the throttle back and drop the RPMs down to about 4500 though.
 
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Dzrtcj7

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

For top speed you may be just a little under propped, especially once you get smart tabs on. It sounds like the power band of your cam peaks at about 4500. A 19p would bring you down about 200 rpms, which i bet would give you a little more mph, especially running light.

Is your fuel tank really, really small?? I think mine is only 15 gal, which is ridiculous! It looks like the previous owner had an auxiliary tank mounted in the bow.
 
bamjoop

bamjoop

Cadet
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Jul 25, 2010
Messages
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Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

I am thinking the same thing about the prop. The previous owner had it to 60 GPS, which he said was scary on this boat, with a 21p running by himself. He said it sucked with a full boat is why he switched. The only reason I am hesitant to switch is the fact that the prop I have now is a stainless. Also we like to pull tubes quite a bit, and the prop does a good job taking off. I may get the other for days when me and my buddy go without the kids and we want to show off a bit.

My tank is ridiculous too. 15 gallons is all. We camp at the lake quite a bit and there are no gas stations on the lake so my deal with my buddies is that I fill it up to start the weekend, but they each bring gas cans full of fuel to refill it on the lake. But if I take it to Lake Powell I will have to carry extra fuel with me somehow.
 
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Dzrtcj7

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Feb 15, 2010
Messages
88
Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

Awesome evening for dinner on the water

vip41.JPG
 
trevtt600

trevtt600

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 17, 2009
Messages
80
Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

You guys both have awesome looking boats. Your interior jobs came out fantastic!!
 
badkins50

badkins50

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
676
Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

WOW - awesome job! great looking boat, she is a real head turner for sure. has to make you proud to step back and take a look at what you have accomplished.
 
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Dzrtcj7

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Feb 15, 2010
Messages
88
Re: VIP Vindicator Restoration

Thank you for the compliments! The hard work has definitely paid off. I'm am really happy with how it has turned out. More than a few times owners of $80k wakeboard boats have come to admire my old VIP.

I'm getting on the water 3-4 nights a week. Boat is doing awesome. I can't get enough of it!
 
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