Converting a Race Boat into a pleasure Boat

[2TR]

More air voids that needed to be ground out and fixed.



Once the air voids were fixed and dry I needed to start sanding. Normally I would use a dark filler/primer to mist
over the surface. Doing this with a air file really show the high's and low's... but I used a white just so I could
get a feel for the shape, size and color. Problem is (was).. sanding makes "white dust" so this was not ideal (but I knew
that going in).. I just could not resist seeing the canopy with a white tint.



Day ended.. damm air file died




So I jumped back over to the Cobra ... but that's another thread.

[Ratickle]

So which will get done first?????

[2TR]

The race boat of course ! ... lol

[2TR]

But I have not forgotten about the cat!!!

[2TR]

The wife is helping remove all the cardboard and tape.. and it's a P.I.T.A.!!

[Bobcat]

Looking good .

[old377guy]

[Buoy]

Very cool!! Thanks for the updates!

[Ratickle]

The race boat of course ! ... lol

You guys have had some tough issues the last couple. I haven't gotten too many good pics of you.

[2TR]

You guys have had some tough issues the last couple. I haven't gotten too many good pics of you.

It's been a difficult season to say the least
Tawas - water hose for the header popped filling the boat with water almost sinking us.
St Clair - Kicked a rod out the block on the 3rd lap ending our day.
Pt Huron - New motor built in 7 days with new everything.. 2nd lap while leading the new MSD box said "I'm done working today"..

[Ratickle]

You were looking pretty strong until then.

[2TR]

It was removed from the back dungeon and I started prepping for paint last night. This is the first time I'm able to look at
the boat in the open and not just from 10ft away..

I like it!!

The hatch lips have been body worked to a nice finish.



The front needed some attention from the trailer damage.

[Ratickle]

It does look really good. And, it looks to be strong!!!!!

[2TR]

I started bolting parts back into place while waiting on paint.



It's a little more difficult to climb in and out that I thought it would be.
I'll be adding a couple grab bars under the lip to help in the near future.


Not really sure how I'm going to attach the rear seats yet, I have a few ideas and I'm open
to suggestions. iT WILL HAVE an aluminum bar like behind the front seats for support. to be honest, I dont
think these seats will get used much or at all.


Another quick wash -

[old377guy]

Its nice to see the project back on track. I'm inspired

[Ratickle]

I'm thinking a trophy next year in Class 4 with 4 people in the boat!!

[old377guy]

Hmmmmmmm. It's nice to see the positive comments on this thread.:

[Ratickle]

Heck, I've raced with Rick. I'd get in there with him again. Just need two more suckers (make sure the on-board air is working though).

[2TR]

Heck, I've raced with Rick. I'd get in there with him again. Just need two more suckers (make sure the on-board air is working though).

This boat will NEVER be raced with 4 people. The rear is not set up that way.. god forbid something happens.

Power is being narrowed down now. I know the boat in SuperStock Cat race lay-up ran 101/102mph, so duplicating that set up and running 94mph (class 3) should not be an issue.. the problem will be the acceleration against a 32 skater with big power, a 32 viper with bigger power, a 38 fountain SV ..etc.

[2TR]

Prep and paint ... The boat was last painted with PPG Concept 91063 White, and from what Sparky says "that's the same white Skater uses(ed)".

I called and found out PPG paints went WAY up over the past years, a gallon of 91063 Concept cost 404.00 gallon and that's not including hardener.
Than I was told to look into Matrix paints, but a quick google search came back with people having negitive things to say about them. After a little looking I found my painter(s) had a uncle who works at
Matrix systemsas a mixer guy (not sure if that's the technical terms or not), he said that matrix hired many PPG mixer and there paints are very much on on par with PPG and the formula has changed drastically over the past year(s) plua a gallon costs only 130.00 - so Matrix it was..

The boat was tapped, wrapped and prepped.