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1986 Eliminator Liberty rebuild...

ChrisV

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Great thread. Waiting for more. What colors are you going with?

I just sprayed it white. Never spray gelcoat before so I just kept it simple. Didn't want to make it harder on myself.
 

stingray11

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Impressive, keep up the good work.

Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk
 

AZmike

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It's definitely a job. I no professional by any means. Just gather as much info as I can on here and youtube. If you got time, do it. haha

I've been all over youtube soaking up info. I'm thinking this might be a good winter project to stay busy...
 

ChrisV

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I've been all over youtube soaking up info. I'm thinking this might be a good winter project to stay busy...
Boat works today is basically where I learn all this on Youtube.


These two threads on here definitely played a roll also.
 

Nanu/Nanu

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Boat works today is basically where I learn all this on Youtube.


These two threads on here definitely played a roll also.
This has to be the fastest restoration thread of all time! Haha keep up the good work your sled looks nice man!
 

ChrisV

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This has to be the fastest restoration thread of all time! Haha keep up the good work your sled looks nice man!
Only because the boat is almost done and just waiting for the motor hahaha. I'm just photo dumping.
 

ChrisV

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After a long time of sanding its ready for gelcoat. I just spray the boat white because I didn't want to complicate it since this is my first time gelcoating. Prep the shop and wipe down the boat couple times. Ready to shoot in the morning. I couldn't sleep at night cause I felt like I had a final the next day. Was pretty damn scared.
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ChrisV

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Tape off the bottom and lets go!

I spray 3 coats of Durakote and high gloss clear additive mixed at 70/30.
Then 3 more coats at 50/50. Used a big tip spray gun on amazon. Believe the tip was 4.5mm. Gotta double check.
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RichL

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Just stumbled on this thread. Very impressive. Keep up the good work. Will be following.
 

MV Mike

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Wen can i drop my Boat off:???
Amazing Skills!!!!
 

ChrisV

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haha thanks guys. I honestly don't know what I'm doing majority of the time. All guess work really.

Spray the boat with rubbing alcohol mixed with blue dyekem then started to sand the boat down and get it ready for polish.

220 grit dry, 320 wet, 400 wet, 600 wet, 800 wet, 1000, then final with 1500. This process took forever. I definitely respect dudes that do this on the daily. Hands and shoulders was feeling it.
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Backlash

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This is really turning out nice! Since you've done the modifications to the hull, some angles of your pictures make it look more like a Rush or a Rayson Craft. 👍 Keep posting up the pics! You've motivated me to wash all the grime off of mine! Hahaaa!! Tomorrow I might even get a little glasswork done. 😎
 

ChrisV

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Previous front eye hook was eating into the hull because Of the uneven surface area. So fab up a plate and welded it to the eyelet. Polished and applied some 4200. Made an aluminum 6"x6" .875 for backplate inside the hull. Should be strong now.
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Backlash

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Not sure what you would call this. Built a battery tray deck. Then painted it with bilge paint. View attachment 1027148 View attachment 1027149

We'll go with what you said...."Battery tray deck." 😁

Did you put any bilge pumps underneath said battery tray, or did you just mount one in front of it? Just curious. I guess I could learn some patience and wait for you to upload more pictures, but what fun would that be! 🤣 Looks great my friend! Glasswork looks solid too! 👍
 

ChrisV

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We'll go with what you said...."Battery tray deck." 😁

Did you put any bilge pumps underneath said battery tray, or did you just mount one in front of it? Just curious. I guess I could learn some patience and wait for you to upload more pictures, but what fun would that be! 🤣 Looks great my friend! Glasswork looks solid too! 👍

The pump will go be the drain plug area. Hopefully it will work hahah
 

ChrisV

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We'll go with what you said...."Battery tray deck." 😁

Did you put any bilge pumps underneath said battery tray, or did you just mount one in front of it? Just curious. I guess I could learn some patience and wait for you to upload more pictures, but what fun would that be! 🤣 Looks great my friend! Glasswork looks solid too! 👍
I'm also far from patient. I wanted this project to be a one year project. If I took my time it would come out nicer. Really want to use it this season. Today would be one year since I bought it.
 

ChrisV

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I'm also far from patient. I wanted this project to be a one year project and not couple years. If I took my time it would come out nicer imo. Really want to use it this season hopefully. Today would be one year since I bought it.
 

Marios Metalworks

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Very cool build so far. Especially enjoying the import cars. The Integra is my favorite Honda chassis 👌
 

Marios Metalworks

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That’s a clean build right there. I already know your wiring for the boat is going to be done well.

Excited to follow along with this build.

FYI: I have a 2001 GSR in Voltage Blue. Bought it when I was 23 and managed to keep it stock outside of suspension work. Tall order back then when I was @ Full-Race. Tony over @ T1 hadn’t even touched a skyline yet 😆
 

ChrisV

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That’s a clean build right there. I already know your wiring for the boat is going to be done well.

Excited to follow along with this build.

FYI: I have a 2001 GSR in Voltage Blue. Bought it when I was 23 and managed to keep it stock outside of suspension work. Tall order back then when I was @ Full-Race. Tony over @ T1 hadn’t even touched a skyline yet 😆


I swear every fab guys use to work at Full Race haha. Tony is killing it right now. GTR is a good market.
 

Marios Metalworks

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Love watching Tony grow. He has a solid team and they continue to innovate.

My oldest brother was one of three original founders. Good times.

If we ever link up on the water remind me to tell you some good stories from back then.
 
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ChrisV

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Mounting the motor. Took couple hrs to measure and mark the drilling points. This boat ain't very symmetrical at all. Really drove me nuts. Cut out a template on card board and then center punched it onto the hull. Then made a drill fixture to make sure the drill bit goes in straight. This is important because I'm fabbing up a transom brace inside so the holes need to line up.

Don't mind me using the car. Forklift ran out of gas and it was a Sunday. Had to make something work.
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ChrisV

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It was really nice to see the motor mounted. Its huge. Crazy thing is, its 10lbs lighter than my old johnson.

Cut up an transom plate to distribute the load on the surface. The jack plate got some pretty sharp edges.

Then build a transom brace on the inside. I'm not to confident in my glass work so this is just a precaution. You never know haha
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Backlash

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Nicely done! I like the transom tie downs on the jackplate. Means less holes in your brand new transom. 👍
 

ChrisV

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Installed a Seastar pro steering system. Along with carbon attometer gauges. The extra hole will be my headhunt. Got tired of my passenger skipping the track. Also don't really need a MPH gauge because I will use my phone with an draggy app.
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ChrisV

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Started to build the seat frames. Wanted to move the rear seat forward to distribute the load. Got it of the back to back front seats. All marine plywood that was expensive as shit. Glassed
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and coated with resin.
 

Water Romper

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I have been following your thread and I had to go back to the original post- the VERY beginning, did I read this right: "This is my first boat so I'm learning a lot from it. Definitely fun working on it" THIS IS YOUR FIRST BOAT??? and your doing all this incredible work?? DAMN! I've been boating for over 30 years and get nervous just changing the impeller. Love your updates and comments, cant wait to see it finished and the "Maiden Voyage"
Your fab work looks awesome- I see a nice little "side job" you can start doing custom fabrication. Great job!! keep the post alive
 

ChrisV

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I have been following your thread and I had to go back to the original post- the VERY beginning, did I read this right: "This is my first boat so I'm learning a lot from it. Definitely fun working on it" THIS IS YOUR FIRST BOAT??? and your doing all this incredible work?? DAMN! I've been boating for over 30 years and get nervous just changing the impeller. Love your updates and comments, cant wait to see it finished and the "Maiden Voyage"
Your fab work looks awesome- I see a nice little "side job" you can start doing custom fabrication. Great job!! keep the post alive


Thank you! It's actually my second boat. The first one i bought only lasted two weeks. It was so slow i couldn't stand it. Took forever to get on plane.

As for the fabrication. Thats my main job. Kinda the reason why I have space to do this. I can't wait to get this running. Kinda just waiting on the interior and engine. Hopefully running by mid August. Still got time in the season.
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ChrisV

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Time to do the electrical while waiting for the seats and engine.

Bought all my wires from ProWireUSA. Great selection of stuff. Mainly for motorsports.

Will be running two group 24 AGM batteries. One for the engine and the other will be for the stereo.

Will be using a SwitchPros to turn on and off accessory items. bilge, stereo, lights,etc. Solid state relay so less items to fail. Cleaner too.

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