Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

I like the color choice. I was thinking of midnight blue for mine, but ended up going with something close to the original color.
Dave

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Thanks Dave, I was a little shocked when I opened the paint can but after letting a sample dry I was happy with it. May have had something to do with the flourescent lights and six pack!

I took the day off from my day job to get the non skid applied and get it ready for rigging. After this weekend I hope to have the bracket and most of the hardware installed.

Taping off for the nonskid. All of the pics have a blue tint to them from the tarp.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...english/r4.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...glish/r3-1.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...glish/r2-2.jpg

While cutting the holes for the hatch handles I realized I had cored to close to the edges as you can see from the cores. I will have to grind a little bit of the coring back to make room for the lock ring.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...glish/r1-2.jpg

Non skid applied.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...english/r5.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...english/r6.jpg

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

This weekend I was able to get a lot of hardware and fixtures installed.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...lish/019-1.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...lish/020-1.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...nglish/021.jpg

Also had some much needed assistance with the rub rail and bracket.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...nglish/002.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...nglish/009.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...nglish/004.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...nglish/007.jpg

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Very nice, Will. She's really coming together. I can't wait til I'm ready to start rigging mine. Seems like it's taking forever.
Dave

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Oh yeah!!!! This is when all the sanding, and sanding, and more sanding.....plus the other "fun" work pays off!!! Some nice jewelery to break up the solid colors. Looks very nice, congrats!

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

I love that dark blue!

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Thanks guys. I took the day off yesterday to try and get her ready to move out of my backyard. Made some progress so hopefully Monday will find her getting fitted for a T-top. After that motor goes on and I will finish up the wiring and hoepfully splash before months end......

Fastened down the center console and finished installing hatches in the stern.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...10504-1512.jpg

Same in the bow.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...10504-1558.jpg

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Rubrail looks nice! I just put the same one on my 20fter and I ended up a bit short. Do you have any leftover rubrail and/or stainless insert that you would be willing to sell?

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

I do. Send me a PM with contact information.

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

For the first time in two years the boat is leaving the backyard! Going for a T Top. Motor and electronics to follow......
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...10507-1141.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...10507-1142.jpg

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Outstanding job! Can't wait to see the finished product. Are you getting excited, yet? (Duh...) :D

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Looking good! From the appearance of your rigging kit, I assume you're planning to rig the motor like Don does, i.e., down into the bracket instead of straight into transom? It requires slightly longer cables, but I prefer that routing, as it leaves a much cleaner swim platform!

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Bushwacker, thanks for the heads up. I am planning on having it rigged as you describe. I bought the motor through a friend who owns a dealership so they will be taking care of it.

Uncleboo, I am excited. Still have some work to do but I should be in the water before Memorial Day weekend.

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

It looks great man. Can't wait to see her wet. You've done an awesome job.

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Thanks Noah, I can't wait either. Getting her back on Friday from the T-top installer helped. Just have to get some wiring done and the engine should be hung this week. I've been using my camera phone more lately so the pics may not be quite as sharp.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...10520-1252.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...10520-1351.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...10520-1351.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...10520-1351.jpg

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

That top looks really nice.

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Damn nice!!! Take lots of pictures now while she's clean 'cause I see lots of fish blood in the near future. :)

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Thanks Don! I finally splashed her the first week of June. It's just taken me some time to finish all the wiring and finishing touches. Thanks to everyone on here that provided comments, ideas and motivation. Of course it took twice as long as twice as much money but I am very happy with the finished product. Still breaking in the motor so I haven't been running to hard yet.

Named ERLINE (Er-Lean) after my grandmother who taught me how to fish the Suwannee river when I was a kid.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE001.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE032.jpg

I was convinced I was going to go with the mini-rocket launcher from Birdsall but after talking with Bob he convinced me to go with his original. It's 34" wide and gives you more "cheek" room.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE033.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE003.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE002.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE012.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE013.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE014.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/DSC01526.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE053.jpg

I used the original hatch from the box on the console to make a deck logo. It also hides the hole where the tie rod from the Float On Posi latch fastens to the top cap.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/DSC01531.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/DSC01530.jpg

The stainless cup holders have a 1/4" drain tube that drain out the fittings on the side of the console.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE049.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE018.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE019.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../ERLINE045.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/DSC01534.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/DSC01533.jpg

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Of course it did.......which equals twice as much satisfaction!!!! Great job!!

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Absolutely a beautiful job!!

Now, get out there a enjoy it!

And God Bless Erline.

Lloyd

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

all i can say is WOW! love the look of the light at night. what is the name of the color you painted it?

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Will,
She's nothing less than beautiful. Now you can spend some time on the water with the family.

I hear the shrimp run on the St. Johns has started early this year. Let me know if you want to get together some time this summer. We usually try for shrimp around Palatka, but we've caught them at Doctor's inlet too.
Dave

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Bad azz!

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Ive been watching your thread the entire time and you did an outstanding job! Enjoy her you certainly deserve it.

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Gucci all the way Will. Great Job :cool:

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Outstanding Job Will :cool: Love the name also. Now go have some fun and be ready for all the compliments your gonna get at the launch ramp! :D

Strick

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

It's not just another boat, but a 'Lady of the Sea'.....and one BEAUTIFUL one at that! Cangratulations. Terrific job.

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Awesome job, Will! What a beautiful lady. :cool:

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Beautiful! Great job, I really love that console...

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Thanks for all the compliments guys.

Basswacker, it's Royal Blue.

Dave, let me know when your up this way, I've got shrimping on the to do list.

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

VERY NICE!

Love the color combo...high on my choices for color on the 21.

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

Me too :D

Will, she looks awesome! For your first one...that's surely something to be proud of!

Brandon

Re: 1978 SF restoration, my first one.....
 

wow just went through all the pages in this thread and am very impressed at the final product it came out looking great. I just wonder why my center console dosent look like ur original console mine being a 78 20sf as well?

Happy New Year fellow Seacrafters. I awoke on Christmas day and jolly Old St. Nick had left a set of 12" x 12" Bennett's under the tree. I had done a ton of research and talked with folks at the manufacturers about this. I finally decided to follow No Bones lead and crossed the strakes with them to avoid cutting a hole in my swim platform. Test runs so far have been successful and do these tabs really "man handle" to boat. I spent about 8 hours over two days installing but would have probably only taken me 6 if I had someone to hand me tools and not have get in and out of the boat a hundred times.

After consulting Don Herman I cut a notch out for the actuator. You can see where I had originally laid it out but ultimately decided to position closer to the chine.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/DSC02130.jpg

Tab and actuator installed.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/DSC02133.jpg

Hole cut in my console.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...glish/tabs.jpg

Rocker switch installed.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/DSC02134.jpg

Was really happy to have the picture for our family Christmas card made on Erline this year!

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...glish/Xmas.jpg

Nice Job Will! you will be glad you have them after a few runs in a snotty chop.

BTW: I see your trailer bunks run right under the tabs. Be sure to get a "Bennett Auto Trim Retractor". Very easy to install & you won't have to worry about forgetting to raise the tabs before you load up :eek:

Capt Chuck, I appreciate the advice. I will get one installed.

The boat look awsome and a cool xmass card pic

That's a gorgeous result.

Looks good, Will. You won't regret adding the trim tabs. Once you get used to them, you'll wonder how you ever did without them.
Dave

Very, very nice Will!!! Great shot of your family and the Christmas SeaCraft.