posted 11-25-2008 11:35 AM ET (US)        

These are some of the pics I received from the seller. I will pick up the boat sometime in December. Hopefully, it is what I want. There is a big risk buying sight unseen, but supposedly there are no soft spots in the hull or floor, the 175hp motor runs good and has good compression across all cylinders. The trailer is solid. The hull looks like it will need restoring, I plan to strip off the bottom paint, and either bring the gelcoat back to life or awlgrip it. The inside looks pretty good. I intend to find a RPS to replace the Todd seat. Eventually, I will repower it with a Suzuki 115 or 140 4s.

The boat supposedly was a fresh water boat from back east, but has been in California for the past 2 years...does anybody recognize it????

I will also post more information after I get the boat next month.

So....how does it look?????

http://s477.photobucket.com/albums/rr131/rsopfe

posted 11-25-2008 12:27 PM ET (US)            

I found this photo of your boat, buried in the Scientists' Log, mostly down the page:

posted 11-25-2008 09:02 PM ET (US)            

Are you going to make the other CW'ers really sick and tell them what a good deal you got on her?

posted 01-25-2009 07:15 PM ET (US)            

I will be a little more work that I had hoped for due to a few more dings and more spyder cracks. The boat seems to be sound overall and I am looking forward to dropping it in the water and seeing how it runs.

It towed home fine the 450 miles from Montery Bay to the San Diego area.

The exterior of the hull and the non-skid has been painted white, and has been bottom painted. I want to clean off all of this paint so I can see what additional work is needed.

I have talked to a few soda blasters already to clean up the hull. One quoted my about $350 to blast the hull, and the other told me $1.50/sq.ft. to soda blast. I plan on having the exterior hull and interior non-skid soda blasted.

I have purchased a RPS on ebay that I will restore and await its arrival. I also have purchased new red rubrail already from Twin Cities Marine.

So...the project begins!!!

Take a look at the new pics, any feedback on the boat will be appreciated.

Also, any comments on the quotes that were given to me for the soda blasting?

http://s477.photobucket.com/albums/rr131/rsopfe

posted 01-25-2009 07:31 PM ET (US)            

Congrats. She has good bones! Just needs your help getting back into shape.

posted 01-27-2009 03:10 PM ET (US)            

I think that you have got yourself into a very exciting and eventful project.
I think that the price paid was a steal..
Let us know if you need advises and directions when busy at work making her shine like new again.
Congratulations on your newest Girl.

posted 01-28-2009 03:08 PM ET (US)            

Serge..I have seen many pics of your work also, and I am motivated now to bring this boat up to par. As of now I am planning on continuing ahead with the restoration, but if I change my mind you will see the ole gal offered first here on CW.

Casco mentioned the trailer issues with the winch and roller....what is the best way to correct that. I know it looked a little weird to me, but is it totally wrong?

Also, the trailer appears to be short for this boat, but it trailered 450 miles home without any problem or swaying. I think it may be the original trailer, and it seems sound other than a rusty axle. The tongue weight is a little light, but on my drive I had no swaying or other problems. Should I concern myself with the trailer, or just use it as is(I usually say if it aint broke why fix it). From now on there probably wont be any long hauling, mostly 30 miles or so to the launch.

posted 01-28-2009 07:18 PM ET (US)            

I would hate to contradict you.
And specially in the advent of you starting on this fun project.
There is no real need to go to an Alwgrip resurfacing material.
What is available here is a valid choice to remain with the original polyester gel resin to resurface this unit.
The main thing here, Ray, is the time and obscene amount of hours to properly prep up the surfaces to resurfacing will have to be invested.
And this regardless of your choice of resurfacing materials.
Hence my offer to take her over if unwilling to go that route.
You could; as many have done before do a partial refit and sail her as is.
Or take your time, money and efforts in having fun doing it.
This spring will see me renewing my efforts in making her shine as she used to be some years ago.
So the choices and options are yours.
Let me know of your needs.

posted 01-28-2009 08:11 PM ET (US)            

I have read many of your postings and am confused as to what process you actually undertook. Did you sand and refinish the existing gelcoat, or did you apply new gelcoat???

Serge.. I appreciate your feedback and pictures also. I have only seen scattered pictures of your boat, do you have a link to how your boat started, pics in process and how it looks now?

I do acknowledge that I would prefer to stay true to the original gelcoat, but there has to be a point where a boat is past the point to restore the existing gelcoat, and from what I have heard, the cost and number of hours to apply new gelcoat is extremely high.

I personally do not have the time to put in 100's of hours on the hull, but I love the look of this vintage boat. I have seen pictures of many classic Whalers that have been painted with Awlgrip and they have received praises from many members on this site. I guess it is a factor of time and money in the end.

posted 01-29-2009 04:26 AM ET (US)            

If you do need further info on the refit of this very interesting project;
I will be at your disposition for any further help.
After having chatted with you for a good part of the hour tonight;
I am sure that you have seen a bit more of most of the dimensions involved in this specific refit.
If in need of further advices,
Do not hesitate to call upon me.
I will be at your service.

Regards,

posted 01-29-2009 10:55 AM ET (US)            

I probably should start new posts on here with specific questions that I have as this post was just a general posting when I purchased my boat.

Thanks in advance to all who will be giving advice for my restoration.

posted 02-12-2009 02:08 AM ET (US)            

I'm sure it's been good to finally get ahold of your boat. With all due respect to the purists, I think that you will be time, money and heartache ahead if you Awlgrip the boat. It all boils down to the "museum piece" versus "attractive boat to be used and enjoyed" choice. If you want a museum piece, you would be better off starting with something which is closer to that point already. If you want the "attractive boat to be used and enjoyed" then Awlgrip will get you where you want to go.

The trailer does look short for the boat, but you may have enough room for some adjustment forward. I agree the winch stand and bow roller in particular is wrong and you will only have problems with continual damage to the bow if you keep it that way. The winch stand post itself seems like it is fine, so you might want to just get a new "arm" to attach the post which will combine the platform for the winch with the bow roller just above. You can get one here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BOAT-TRAILER-BOW-STANDS-WINCH-MOUNTS-BRACKETS-3732_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ280002558420QQptZMotorsQ5fRVQ5fTrailerQ5fCamperQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

But before spending much on the trailer, decide whether you can adjust it to get some support with a keel roller and bunks under the transom. My '73 Outrage has a transom that looks good as new, but let's face it, it ain't a spring chicken...

LHG has a trailer for sale (I believe it's still available) which is already set up for your boat. I spent quite a bit of time and money getting my old trailer back into good working order (paint job and all new hardware plus some tires), and I would have been ahead if I'd just bought LHG's trailer, but it wasn't yet available. That may be your smart move all things considered.

Best of luck and keep us all posted,