Old school/new school mix, I need an opinion??

[Buoy]

Alright, I've had this wild little idea going through my head for my 24, and I need to ask the brethren here for some opinions on this.

My boat is an '80. And I love the old-school of it. I absolutely love the tall life-line down the deck. This is the sort of thing I was looking for when I bought the boat (and I always wanted a 24 Pantera).

OK, so my wild idea:
I need to replace the rubrail. Existing is the big heavy extruded aluminum which I want to keep that look. Replace with the exact same thing (already found it at TACO).
Here's where I get crazy...
I'm thinking about glass capping the deck hull joint on the transom, and about 6 inches up the gunwale with NO rubrail on the transom (come on, who needs a rubrail on the transom??).
The original rubrail had some 4"x4" 90 degree transition pieces to go from the hullside to the transom, and I thought it looked a little bulky, and would like to change it to a bit of a smoother look.
I want to keep the boat old-school, but with some modern improvements.
I was talking with Sean about this the other night, but I wanted to get a few more opinions.
So, what are your thoughts guys??

[Dude! Sweet!]

So does that mean I can't comment here?

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Tough call. I like old school too. I do think the clean transom would look cool. Maybe keep the corner pieces. I think having the corner protected is something to consider.

[Buoy]

So does that mean I can't comment here?

Comment away. She used to be your girl. Should I buy her D cups. or Double D's??

OK - enough nonsense...

Tough call. I like old school too. I do think the clean transom would look cool. Maybe keep the corner pieces. I think having the corner protected is something to consider.

Jim, what I was thinking was to have the rail extend to about ~3-4" of the transom, and then make a piece out of the rail to form kind of a "bullet" to extend to the corner of the transom. Just take the rail and make it taper down to a point. Fully protected to the corner of the transom, but transom totally exposed. I like the big curve on the Deck/Hull joint on the transom, and I think capping it might make it look a little sleeker, and yet accentuate that line a bit more at the same time.

I like this idea, but, I'm want opinions if you think it will detract from the old-school feel of the boat?!?!?!...
The life-line is staying, the interior is being updated - but not radical.
Gauges and controls are being updated.

I guess I'm trying to say... she's an older girl, and I don't want to put her on botox, just buy her a new dress so to speak. Am I going too far?

[tomcei]

post a few pics of the areas your contemplating

[Scarab KV]

Older women have a certain sex appeal. Dressing them up in the younger generations clothes takes away some of the appeal.
Just my .02

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

You are the one to make happy. I have been thinking the same thing on mine. I have decided to keep it as it was delivered. Teak, black dash and all. It has only had the gauges changed and I am going to change them back to the Stewart Warners it originally had. Maybe the deck hatch will get white instead of smoked plastic in it. Not sure yet.

[Scarab KV]

Same here. Under all that White is a pretty cool paint scheme IMO of coarse

[Buoy]

Damn.
Now I'm starting to think maybe I should quit f-in around, and paint it black with orange-brown-gold hockey stick and the old school Pantera lettering...
........................

[Buoy]

Older women have a certain sex appeal. Dressing them up in the younger generations clothes takes away some of the appeal.
Just my .02

Very interesting thought.
I see the young generation everyday at work, and the way they dress to go out...
I wouldn't want to see my wife dressed that way, it looks silly.
Am I getting old? (rhetorical question).

[Mikeb4]

post a few pics of the areas your contemplating

I agree, a pic would help me visualize the mod .....

[Scarab KV]

Very interesting thought.
I see the young generation everyday at work, and the way they dress to go out...
I wouldn't want to see my wife dressed that way, it looks silly.
Am I getting old? (rhetorical question).

Nope...just defined

[Ratickle]

Or finally getting some class......

[Scarab KV]

Or finally getting some class......

Ouch...that one's gonna leave a mark.

[stormrider]

I like it on this phantom.

[LittleDcsRodShop]

Hey Tim, I just seen this..

To add to Storms visual, the rear of the activators are also something to look at..?.

Wow isn't it funny how 1 idea always seems to bring on 3 more !!! haha

One thing to keep in mind & that I often tell customers is that its just as important to know what you don't want than to know what you want !! That may sound odd but I often have guys bring me, or email tons of pictures & still not sure exactly what they want.. So thats when I start drilling them on questions like that..

Not sure that made any sence..?

The balance of old school/modern is a tough one to hit allot of times..

[Buoy]

Thanks Scott, you just helped me in my indecision.

No, really, I know what you're saying, and I'm debating if this is a project I want to take on, and then, If I decide to take it on, will I be happy with the results?
From the exterior I want the boat to look old-school, but refined.
I want the interior classic, but modern.
I'm actually considering making the cockpit a quick-change from a sit down to a three-man stand-up.
I have a few ideas.
Guess I'm trying to make this two boats out of one.
Sean did the right thing and just bought two Pantera's. P-rick... I'm jealous.

[LittleDcsRodShop]

Forgive any oversight but are you keeping the windshield or redoing it as a fairing ?? it all factors in..

I totally understand the battle of balancing new ideas while still trying to remain somewhat loyal to the original plan.. I'm fighting it everyday !!

Oh yeah almost forgot yeah Sean is a p-rick.. however ya just can't help but love the guy..

[Bobcat]

while I was out working in the heat of the Florida sun that pr*ck Sean sent me a text photo of a beer that was 3/4's gone.

[Dude! Sweet!]

And here I am, coming on this thread to try to be helpful... And it turns out all my so called buddies are MFing me!

And for the record, if you guys all knew me better you'd realize what an understatement "Penis" is! Funny, last night one of my life long best friends (even in the face of being challenged as she is, by her femaleness) was SCREAMING at me "why are you such an ASSSHOLE!" over and over. Ha ha ha!