Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted June 30, 2022 Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 (edited) Welp, operation RCB Restoration is nearing completion. . Before I presume, any interest out there in seeing the picture timeline between then and now? Should have closure in about two weeks. Beware I've said 'about two weeks' for about 4 weeks now... I didn't have the liberty to post as it went, so you may get the fast-motion movie, but without the tedium of waiting for progress. We're about 700 man-hours into the restore at this point, consumed much the winter and spring after work and some weekends You may recall the 99 I found last October, pound rescue.. Edited March 28, 2023 by ReallyGottaSki pix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted June 30, 2022 Baller_ Share Posted June 30, 2022 Would definitely be interested in final results and recap. These are great boats. The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted June 30, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 Ok, here we go... Last October multiple Power washer and magic eraser, razor because we don't need no steenking badges... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted June 30, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 Interior gutted mid November Looks like the rear seat bottom the only thing that doesn't need attn First part bought was a functional and sturdy trailer jack It took weeks to eventually determine what colors the boat is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted June 30, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 December, goes inside, and my friend and I hit it hard, as we have some heat Part of the plan is to replace all soft parts, hoses, control cables, etc as we go Fuel tank and exhaust come out Driveline comes out Oh look at that, strut is bent. Still amazing it was undetectable on the test drive like that. Still would have bought it.. Lots of buffing till arms ache occuring in-between these pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted June 30, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 Raw water pump rebuilt, New brakes, backing plates, pads, cylinders assembly, hard and soft lines, brake actuator All stern hardware removed, including wedge Alternator and brackets a crusty mess, new alt, and brackets were ground, primed, painted Buffing, buffing, buffing Determine the boat is Natural/regal red/black/opal white/ (reversed under rub-rail) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller VermontSkier Posted June 30, 2022 Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 This is awesome! Was this the one that was for sale in Mass and was on Facebook marketplace for a while? Great job, psyched to see more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted June 30, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 Indeed Spencer! that's the one. we must have both watched it all last Summer. More to come Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller VermontSkier Posted June 30, 2022 Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 @ReallyGottaSki sweet, this is going to be an awesome ski tug, keep the pics coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted June 30, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 Steady supply of parts coming in Started dialog with Gabe's very early, glad I did as we needed that time Choosing white/tan/red accent instead of black accent it had Throttle repacked with grease All three new cables, helm, pinion and tilt Peeled up the dry rubber mat on the driver's footwell Restoring dash soft parts Ruder dropped and greased, Tiller pivot changed from nut/bolt to a fixed stud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted June 30, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 Heater, new fan and new core, wet and dry hoses, is relocated to in front of the driver's feet, to maximize access to the bow storage Speaker holes on the dash....I have a plan.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted June 30, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 Test holes under tank and under driver's seat, she's soaked like I suspected.pump the brakes.. Hey at least the pylon is polished at this point. Pylon bearing was restored, actually didn't have to buy one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Gar Posted June 30, 2022 Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 May want to consider getting rid of the HDS box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted June 30, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 A little teaser from Gabe It *would be some time till we are ready for that @Gar , yes, valid concern Skipping ahead, this hds tested out, it's a good one, at least for now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Gar Posted June 30, 2022 Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 Curious how did you test the HDS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted June 30, 2022 Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 This is an epic resto! I redid a bunch of that stuff in mine last year but you're going WAAAY further than I did. My vinyl was still good. I started needing a new strut bushing, which turned into: Since I need a strut bushing I will need to drop the rudder so I should probably just pull out the back couch and the gas tank and since I've got that all out, I may as well just rip up and replace the yucky carpet and since that stuff is all out I guess I'll redo the exhaust hoses and fuel lines and as long as I have the flooring up, I may as well re-glass and level the floors and since I have all the upholstery out, I may as well have my mom sew on some new strap to the top of the gunnel nets and... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Bruce_Butterfield Posted June 30, 2022 Baller_ Share Posted June 30, 2022 Wow! I really admire your spirit and desire to fix her up. From a strictly financial standpoint that boat should have been sent to the landfill and you could have found a similar model/year and got to pristine condition for much less effort. Is there something that made that boat special and worthy of going the extra mile? If it was easy, they would call it Wakeboarding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rockdog Posted June 30, 2022 Baller Share Posted June 30, 2022 This is a huge effort @ReallyGottaSki. Desire to finish can easily wane on an epic like this, congrats on your mental toughness here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 @Gar , there was some faith and hope, then it got a wet test two weeks ago for a shakedown. Leaks at risers, rear plug, circ pump, and one muffler had a weeping crack. But hds appears sound, and stringer çavities stayed dry @UWSkier , thank you, yes I'm privy to the mushroom effect, yours sounds great! @Bruce_Butterfield indeed, luckily we don't charge ourselves shop rates ! else pure lunacy. No attachment to it aside from the energy investment so far. I'm a chronic turd polisher, hence my 82 supreme, that performs quite well, efficient, great wake, but remains hull -limited regarding space and spray. This model has been a desire for 10 years or so. I was aiming for a well cared for boat with engine issues. I moved on just the opposite. Pure hobbyist endeavor. Going full retard. Time aside, I should have something uniquely custom to my uses, for 16.5 counting all expenditures. @rockdog , thanks, yes there were some pondering after certain setbacks, like the foam, pushing through. Great support and assistance from a great friend too, helps bunch. Supportive girlfriend as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 So after some research, and courage in our abilities, proceeded to drill 11 5-6" holes in the floor, and prepare for a foamectomy surgery. A 65 and sunny degree day in February was approaching , and it was go time. What you are viewing is a stout power washer, with a variable angle attachment and 'turbo tip', that pulverized the wet foam into mush, and had two shop vacs rotating to keep up, taking turns nozzle or shop vac. Surgery took 6 hours of spraying, but 95% of hull foam is gone. Separated the water, Three contactor sized bags of foam into the dumpster Then it went back to the garage with fans for a couple days. Some holes, like under the tank, seats and bow, got an access plate. 7 others each got a layup of 22 progressively larger layers of glass and epoxy. Then leveled the floor with epoxy w/ filler Without the foam, the floor needed further strengthening, so it got three layers of glass and wetted out with more total boat epoxy Short video.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Constructed some block off plates for the dash speaker holes, and added 3" defroster vents , for those dewey morning sets. Mufflers painted, new hoses and tbolt clamps. New fuel lines, naturally. Spark plugs, cap and rotor. The new in box 515 that came with the boat, is ready for installation. Windshield frame was prepped, etching primer, and semigloss black Stern hardware is starting to go back on at this point Swim lights were just for the fun of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ImperfectPass Posted July 1, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 What paint and primer did you use on your windshield frame? It looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Tank went in, new hoses, centrifugal blower, for continuous, quiet operation Water separator, since these didn't have one Accent led lights under gunnel, just cuz Access panel, from plywood, got three layers of glass, then strips of HDPE to build it up to 1" Bottom polished. Pulleys polished My friend extended the prop guard a half inch, because it only had a 1/16" clearance to the prop. Looks and feels seamless. We had to heat and tweak the bends for the new angles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 @ImperfectPass Donny I think it went steel wool, prep solvent, perhaps duplicolor or Rust-Oleum etching primer, then Rust-Oleum semigloss black, in the silver professional series can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted July 1, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 I can tell by your attention to detail that this thing is going to be an absolute gem when you're done. These are such amazing boats to drive and ski behind (not to mention some of the best lines ever on a ski tug). Love seeing them get some resto love! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Trunk lid, not savable... Platform, not savable... Thought about reusing some slats with a new frame, no go. Platform hardware restored Time to do rug.. My first purchase arrive some time ago, I put it aside till I needed it. Go to use it, and it's just an inferior product, not usable. It will line the trunk, and makes a good worktable surface for upholstery. Local marina scored me a big roll of a sturdy product, sand color and strong backing Used the old pieces as a template to rough-cut the new carpet in one piece A local legend in our lake came over to supervise the glue-in after after the test-fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Engine cover, stripped Perfect pass tidied up, and defroster ducting in place Access cover carpeted as well Eva foam in the driver footwell Girlfriend - can't wait to ski it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Yay! foam arrived, time to make seats Start with the easy one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Heater, finally settled Starboard outlet to the driver's feet Center outlet splits to the defrosters Port goes to the pull-out tube. The vertical tubes are fresh air from the cowl to the hollow stringers that also act like ducting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Platform construction More like wood machining, if you're one who had done this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 More seat work.. Slow going, don't want to mess up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Passenger seat base in, driver's seat- in Engine cover, covered with scrim Driver armrest is covered in scrim, and some matching red, instead of factory white Got this neat silicon edge molding from the Amazon, there was just bare fiberglass in the carpet wrap prior. I'm deleting the drink holder , nla, and the netted pockets, for a clean look on the engine cover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ImperfectPass Posted July 1, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 @ReallyGottaSki - Did you completely rebuild your trunk cover? Awesome what you’re doing here. I have a 99 response OB and seeing all the nuts and bolts of the boat has me completely hooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Engine cover-covered. The cooler hatch... Epoxied ply, with some rtv for anto-rattle. I had a peice of carpet bound, and bonded it to the hatch, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Platform - done Sanded, treated, and mounted to the brackets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 @ImperfectPass Donny, my trunk lid has had the least progress to-date. I have been going back and forth for months whether to glass ply, or try glass over foam board.it was time to pick I just bought the ply for that project last night, so should get into that next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Battery installed, into fresh tray And switch added, at an accessable location Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ImperfectPass Posted July 1, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 @ReallyGottaSki - 10-4 on the trunk lid. I need to rebuild mine as well. Vinyl is good but the board has broken down near the brackets. FYI - you might consider reinforcing it where the brackets attach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted July 1, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Looks great! Where'd you source the pylon trim ring? When you're done here, you should port this post over to the Malibu forum too. Those guys would eat this up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 @ImperfectPass indeed, a stout design appears needed there. I anticipate bonding some 3/4 ply on top the 1/2 in those locations @UWSkier my buddy found it at a local marina, I learned it was a trim ring on a pedestal seat destined for some bass tracker type boat I'm sure some may point to this thread. I had considered mbc as a location to photodoc the build, but decided on here. mbc I find a bit clouded and diluted from my specfic interests lately, due to all the umbrella models, new watersports boats but relevance to slalom is a stretch and a search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted July 1, 2022 Baller_ Share Posted July 1, 2022 If I understand correctly, you removed the wet foam beneath the floor and left it empty. Are you concerned about the loss of sound deadening or, more importantly, loss of flotation from that? Accidentally swamping the boat could turn a messy inconvenience into sinking and a complete loss. The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ronny61 Posted July 1, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 Is that the Plantation teak combined with Mahogany for the swim platform? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 1, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 @MISkier , valid concerns Sound wise, experience steers me to not be concerned, as my supreme is also not cavity filled, by design, and has proven to be the quietest boat of our bunch with my other mods. Level flotation issue, is admittedly a rationalization.. Foam always gets heavy, eventually. There is 4" of foam under the top of the deck. so the boat will be recoverable I suspect. I've been first to respond to a fairly new-at-the-time overturned centurion BW comp than never leveled, just the bow pointing up, the stern banged along the bottom to shore. So, it's not a sure thing level flotation is effective. The foam that was in this boat, and many like its contemporaries today, was essentially already water. Pre sunk, if you will. I put more air into it, so to speak. It won't go down fast unless punctured. Closed bow is a big plus on this model regarding stuffing it. Gas floats... Yes, all a calculated hamster wheel of rationalizations Yes it may not float level all that long. but, will never bloat again either. Replacing the foam was a serious consideration until I spoke more with other boat restorers, who seemed dismayed by their effort and temporary results, in all sorts of crafts. I didn't want to do this again on the same boat @Ronny61 , good eye, yes plantation teak, atop 5/4 uhm, my bud says mahogany, I think it's meranti. We can call it mahogany, because he gave me those scraps from his deck project! It is seriously solid, zero deflection even with the wide brackets and no support in the middle So different than the springboard that it had Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ronny61 Posted July 1, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 I built a new platform for my 2000 Malibu SS LXI with the Plantation Teak....cost me $350 delivered to my door. The Burmese Teak would have cost me around $1800 at local hardwood store...no brainer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BlueSki Posted July 1, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2022 This is awesome. Any stories that are funny now that were not when they happened? I can’t imagine how many things I would have done that would have elicited foul language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 2, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 2, 2022 @Ronny61 , oh yes, I do recall you inquiring if I needed your old platform! Very gracious,. At the beginning of the project then, I had a lot of unknowns to work out still I'm certain somebody is happy to buy it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 2, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 2, 2022 Fins brushed, just cuz... Time for a shakedown.. It's vorking! A few drips... Stern plug fixture, circ pump, tranny cooler, riser gaskets, and hairline crack in one muffler endcap But, it works, even the pp activates. Launches hard with the 515, and that was not all of it at once; easy then part throttle then a little more Took out the muffler and ground out the crack, trying some epoxy with milled fiber and silica. My bud took apart and soldered the cooler; leak tested, painted, no leaks Stern plug hole was all mashed from factory. that got patched with same mix, drilled, and grooved to mate with the casting boss so it takes the torque instead of the screws, two of which had no meat behind them. New riser gaskets, and circ pump. Next outing will have the engine cover on, and spinning the 449. Maybe the couch also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 2, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 2, 2022 Stainless tnuts were bedded and screwed into the the rear panel, for the engine cover hinges Sound abatement lining the engine cover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller tjs1295 Posted July 2, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 2, 2022 Wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted July 2, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted July 2, 2022 Now you fballers have to wait real-time, like everyone else ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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