Ongoing Progress

What seems like small progress, really has been quite a bit. Each day the check off list reduces - slightly.. LOL

 

As of today we are done removing screws and deck. Approximately 200 - 300 screws were removed from the deck. I was unable to remove about a dozen, but as Mark Evans says, that will be an opportunity for someone else on her second restoration in 25 yrs. The sanding process begins. All the battens that needed to be replaced, have been replaced. None were damaged during the removal process, just needed to be replaced because I had installed inspection covers into the deck years ago and the battens were cut during the installation of the pie eye.

 

The final sanding of the deck in about 50% done. Once that is done, we will roll the boat over and start on the bottom. That should be fun!!!! (tongue in cheek).

 

You should be able to see the new lighter colored spruce replacement battens in the attached pictures. Not very many needed to be replaced. Actually only one, the rest are for extra deck support.

 

All the lettering for the boat is complete and waiting for me to get brave enough to start doing the fiberglass repair work. Sounds like a good winter time project.... LOL

 

I think the fuel tank look cool.

 

The NEW propeller is on order. Our cousin is the district sales manager for a VERY LARGE boat builder. He garishly offered to order a Mercury propeller for us. The picture is what the prop looks like..... it looks FAST.

 

The engine is about 80% finished. The internal components still need to be done, but that can wait until next year.

 

The oil pan is back from being modified, the rudder and steering quadrant are nearly finished, the exhaust headers should be in the mail today from Pennsylvania.

 

All the steering parts are on order and should be shipped soon. Rex Marine in California had every part I need to replace the complete steering system. I was able to find some aircraft pulleys for the stainless steel steering cable from an aircraft supply company in California.

 

I found someone over here who will cut the knife edge on the skid fin I cut out of 1/2" 6061 T6 aluminum. IT is the same company who modified our oil pan, did the rudder work and machined the steering quadrant. They have been a blessing to find.

 

We are "STILL" waiting for the shaft coupler and thrust bearing to ARRIVE. Final alignment of the propeller shaft to engine are on HOLD until they arrive. After that is finished, then the engine rails can come back out that the NEW door skin attached to the inside of the boat. Those parts were ordered and paid for in May.

 

The used shaft parts mentioned in the last paragraph arrived today. Another tick mark off the to do list.

Years ago I wrote up an little procedure for fellow boat racers on how to build a Chevy V-6. I had put it on a 5 1/4" floppy disk and that was thrown away about 15 PC's ago. I had a senior moment 25 yrs ago and didn't keep a hard copy for myself.

 

Recently I have reconnected with many boat racing friends, and one of those friends - Rod Bourke, just happen to have a copy of it. He sent it to me and I received it today. Immediately I re-entered all the information and did small amount of updating, not much.

 

I know you will find it pretty boring, but it was fun writing it up 25 yrs ago and it was even more fun seeing an original copy and re-entered it. It will be put on to a CD and keep until that media is outdated (soon I'm sure..).

 

Thank you Rod, that is a treasure to me.