My motor is finally IN ! #@$%^&* ----- A !!!!
 

After many, many months ( almost a year )of ridiculous sanding and glassing and thinking, I'm proud to say that my vision is almost completely realized. I just saw a nice, brand new Mercruiser 350 Horizon w/ a Bravo III 'plopped' into my 23 Tsunami.

In the word's and expression of Ralph Kramer - " How shweet it is ! ". Sheeeeeet ! The job looks great. When taking the two i/o's out and re-installing (1), we had a lot of re-construction to do. And a lot of options. We ( a priceless, literally and figuratively, fiberglass buddy )left a little more side-room in the engine compartment - and man it is nice to have that room ! It is a very professional job, thx to my buddy ! I was basically the grunt sander and planner. He did all the finesse stuff to make it "right" and look it too.

A few loose ends and I will be ready to enjoy her. When she is 100% done, I will mail a few pix /CD to Jason to use as he sees fit, for the site. My jaw drops when I see the pix from the 1st day I got her to now. It's like a 65 year old woman going in for some 'plastic surgery' and coming out like a 28 year old "hottie".

abl

Re: My motor is finally IN ! #@$%^&* ----- A !!!!
 

Congratulations !!!! Looking forward to those pictures!!! May she treat you well !!!! [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: My motor is finally IN ! #@$%^&* ----- A !!!!
 

cant wait to see your hottie [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

strick

Re: My motor is finally IN ! #@$%^&* ----- A !!!!
 

Way to go ABL!!! [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Is it Spring yet? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

-Hooper

Re: My motor is finally IN ! #@$%^&* ----- A !!!!
 

Congrats Alan. I'm sure you can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: My motor is finally IN ! #@$%^&* ----- A !!!!
 

Alan

Way to go [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] Could You just post a few for us all now just to take the curiosity edge off? [img]/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

Re: My motor is finally IN ! #@$%^&* ----- A !!!!
 

Come-on now! Lets see them.start us with the befores. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: My motor is finally IN ! #@$%^&* ----- A !!!!
 

Here you go Brad...

http://www.theboatzone.com/gallery/album05

Re: My motor is finally IN ! #@$%^&* ----- A !!!!
 

I have all the pix. I tired to download (10) pix about 2 weeks ago on the Boat Zone, but it took WAY too long. Download failed.

John, can I send them to you to get them posted ?

It actually would be of interest to anybody who has a Sceptre/Tsunami or has an i/o ( or two i/o's ). The way this project was done was top notch ( again I was a grunt here following a pro's direction ). I have learned a great deal about the construction of boats, especially this one.

And, I might add - this site was a HUGE help in so many ways. The CSC site is actually very addictive !!! I found myself reading threads about the smallest details - that type of info is indespensable.

One thing that I did learn is that it is very easy to underestimate the budget of a resto. Because, once you get going, you realize that you have the opportunity to really build a boat - to your own specs and needs. That can get a bit crazy $$$. Some people have the, "I'll do it over a few years as I use it" mentality, or people like me, who say, "I want it completely the way I want it before she ever hits the water". Neither way is more right - just different personalities. The way I did it, knowing I did not want to miss any of my boating season, took up alot of my free time - physically and mentally. It's amazing how many decisions you have to make, some of the small ones taking up much more time than the big ones. I still laugh at how much time I spent trying to find the perfect windshield wiper motor ! Or, choosing a cabin light ( I still have not found one I like ! )

And, here is the most insane part. Ready. I have never even been in a SeaCraft! Yes, you read that right. I bought this boat based on word-of-mouth from very salty characters; hardcore fisherman, boatyard owners, marine mechanics, fiberglass guys, rich guys, poor guys - the thing that sold me initially was that everyone said the same thing: " it's built like a brick [censored]-house, and the design has withstood the test of time and proven to be one of the best hulls made in that size boat. What else did I need to know ?

Think I'll go have me a beer. All this typing has given me a thrist. Oh yeah. Some tools that were absolutley indespensable:

- Porter Cable electric D/A w/ the roll of stick-on sandpaper ( 80 grit, 120 grit and 220 - 600-800 grit for the gelcoat polishing)

- Makita 4 1/2" grinder - w/ sanding adapter - 24, 36, 80 grit.

Those two tools were used every day!

- Makita 7" , commercial polishing wheel w/ 3M compound, finished with 3M " Finesse It "

Those were the biggies...

Re: My motor is finally IN ! #@$%^&* ----- A !!!!
 

ABL - now that I'm working again, I can't take those pics anymore as my online time to manage my sites has been drastically reduced. Here is a link to the previous thread on how to post them. If they were taking to long to download it may be because the Internet / Site was slow (that worm has screwed the Interent up for past 2 weeks). Also, make sure that you are uploading pics 1024x768 and smaller. Some people have posting 1.3-4 Mega Pixel images and those are too big and will croak my server.

http://forum.classicseacraft.com/sho...=&Number=15171

Thanks!

John