21 Pacesetter Daytona Build

[Fonz69]

So here goes, I purchased this 21 as a bare hull this spring and the goal is to make it a family friendly river raft to replace our current 20mph pontoon.

I’ve always been a jet boat guy and my last 21 Daytona had blown 540 bbc and topped out at 120mph. It was a blast and was very thirsty.....now 10 years later and 2 kids I’m looking to build a fun boat to have fun on the WI river that’s behind the house.

This hull had an interesting history as it was 1 of 2 hulls made at the Eliminator East factory in Shawano WI at the time of the changeover to Obsession building them. They built these 2 hulls mine being the first for Hugo and Sally Kimmerling of Pacesetter boats. They used this hull and matching trailer as a display hull to show what they can offer so it’s never been rigged yet.

It changed hands a few times and kept being stored, the guy I bought it from started a jet boat project and made some less then great discussions on where and how to cut the holes in the transom and bottom for a jet drive. My plan is to install a mercury 300xs and rig the interior lightweight as possible.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

So does the vin start with ELI?

 

[Fonz69]

So does the vin start with ELI?

OBS. It was Obsession that layed up the boat commissioned by Pacesetter. Basically it looks like the original design Daytona as it’s out of the same mold.

Had a fun time getting a title as the original paperwork was gone and it was never titled before. I hunted down Bob Omelina one of the last part owners of Obsession who signed the paperwork for the DNR and confirmed the boats origin. I spoke with Hugo of Pacesetter and asked what they called the boats as it was not an Eliminator. He said they never named them anything as they only made the 2 and told me to call it what I wanted to on the title. So a Pacesetter Daytona is what it is.

 

[Fonz69]

So John Johnson from Recon boats out of Iola WI stopped over and will be the one to patch all the fiberglass install a new transom and gel coat it back to black. To help out and save a little $$ I started the not so fun transom and stringer removal.

Stringers will be a 3 ply that raises up in the back to help support the 300xs motor that I’m planning for.

Transom will be 3 ply also, John also builds ski boats for the local ski teams that have 3 outboards hanging off them so I am confident he’s the guy for the job!

Here’s a few pics of today’s fun.

Only half way there.....lol

 

[Fonz69]

The plan for color will be keeping the black gel but loosing the other colors. I am going to use the color we painted my 69 vetted as the main color then fade it darker to the black with a gold pinstripe around it. Here’s the Vette color. It’s based off house of colors brandywine that my dad tweeked to get this shade. We used a gold flake under it so that’s why the gold pinstripe on the boat.

 

[Fonz69]

So a little progress, removed the rest of the transom down to the outside 1/4” glass then made new Doug Fir stringers to match existing ones. Headed a new direction with this project though, going to complete the rough work and return it to a jet boat. Picked up a new project and the shops not big enough (or my checkbook) for both boats so the hull will go over to recon boats to get the glass work completed, the transom and bottom will get glassed back in and gel coated black again so it’s as if it were fresh out of the mold. Stringers are tall again and ready for motor mounts and adding a bilge board in the center like my last daytona had. I’ll post up some pics when it’s ready to be listed. Here’s where I’m at today.

 

[Fonz69]

Here is the new project. 1998 Edge Stealth, should be quick when it’s done. The kids love it already and can’t wait till the motor gets built.

 

[Headless hula]

I saw your boat today. New transom looks good!

 

[Fonz69]

View attachment 634704 View attachment 634704
I saw your boat today. New transom looks good!

Yeah John has been crazy busy but I’m supposed to pick it up next week. Then some cleanup and get it listed.

 

[Fonz69]

Oldest helped me install the front intake brace, not too bad for 5yrs old.

 

[Headless hula]

Yeah John has been crazy busy but I’m supposed to pick it up next week. Then some cleanup and get it listed.

Seems he's picked up some more help. His son was working on your boat. Good guy. I had never met him before, only have dealt with John.

 

[Fonz69]

Taking her apart to do bottom work.

After finding things like this it’s getting all new wiring. That type of problem can leave you stranded or worse yet on fire!

 

[Fonz69]

Seems he's picked up some more help. His son was working on your boat. Good guy. I had never met him before, only have dealt with John.

John mentioned that his son was helping out, John had mentioned he needed to complete 10 new boats before June!

 

[Headless hula]

John mentioned that his son was helping out, John had mentioned he needed to complete 10 new boats before June!

Yea. He's swamped over there, which is fantastic. After moving into the new building, it's just what he needed. Sure is handy to go grab materials. (Beats waiting for express composites to ship)

 

[Fonz69]

Just brought it back from the glass shop and looks good. Some cleaning and it’s going for sale.

 

[HydroSkreamin]

Looks good, good luck with sale!

 

[Fonz69]

Cleaned up and pulled it out in the sun today, the teal color really has more depth to it than I thought.

 

[HydroSkreamin]

Sharp! Just think how nice it would look with a Merc on the transom ...

 

[Fonz69]

Sharp! Just think how nice it would look with a Merc on the transom ...

Haha yes that was the plan but the wife made sense when she said we could only have 5 people in the boat vs the 14 in the pontoon. Since I have that need for speed problem still the go fast jet boat fits the bill.

I might of found the location of the original mold that your 23 was built out of. I was talking race bottoms with a jet guy I know and he happened to mention he had the 23 mold Eliminator used up in Shawano when we were talking about my Obsession hull.

 

[HydroSkreamin]

I might of found the location of the original mold that your 23 was built out of. I was talking race bottoms with a jet guy I know and he happened to mention he had the 23 mold Eliminator used up in Shawano when we were talking about my Obsession hull.

Wow! That’s cool. I wonder how many molds they had for each model. They were really cranking them out back in the day.

What town is it in?

 

[cofooter]

Both really cool projects. Eliminator jets rock! Good work, bud!