STARTING WORK ON 77 SCEPTRE

[ROCKAWAYJOHNNY]

I have a 1977 SeaCraft Sceptre. The boat is a little hungry. Great power though...Mercury 225 OB with very low hours. The hull and deck are very strong. Overall she just needs a major cosmetic overhaul.

I bought this boat through my cousin who owns a marina out in Hampton Bays, LI. It is the first boat I have ever owned and I am pretty psyched about taking on the project.

Since the purchase I have become an avid follower of CSC. I have learned a wealth of information about the classic SeaCrafts by reading all of your posts.

Now, that being said, I am looking for some guidance/opinions.

Can anyone help with a site or dealer for the window stops for the windshield? In other words, the long formed channels that install in the framing to hold the windshield glass panels in. I need this for the front as well as the sides.

While on the topic of windshields...mine is very faded...oxidized, and pitted in certain areas. What is the best way to bring it back to its original shine? I was going to use sandpaper...raise the grit...finally wet sand with a 1500 and then use a buffing compound. How does that sound?

The hull is in great shape but it really needs paint. What type of product/application would you recommend? I am good with a sprayer and have a few hvlp guns with all the trimmings so I am probably going to spray the hull.

How do I find out what type of finish is currently on the hull? Most product specs caution you to find out what the current finish is made of in order to make sure you get proper adhesion with the new product.

I have a lot more questions but being that this is my first post, I decided not to plague all of you.

Thank you in advance.

RJ

PS I will be posting pics as I progress.

[ROCKAWAYJOHNNY]

[floorboy]

Wow that is a different looking top. Looks nice. I used signature finish pain on my deck and it looks great. It can be sprayed and left in the water for an indefinate time.

[abl1111]

I like that hardtop too. Where is it from ? I'm on LI too and am looking for a hardtop and like the non-clutter of the aluminum.

Don't sand the windshield unless you're going to paint it. It's anodized aluminum - not meant to be sanded to restore. You have to either accept it for the way it is, or sand, repair and either Imron, powder coat etc... A BIG project.

The gaskets can be got by American Marine somewhere in Florida ( seach this site, you'll find a lot of info. ) If you're going to resto the windshield / windows, I would recommend buying the newer window 'dogs' - the OEM ones are cheesy.

" Been there done that.. "

Good luck !

[McGillicuddy]

Welcome aboard RJ,
Aluminum channel and gasket rubber window stops can be had here:
http://www.americanmarine.com/productguide.pdf
I think they were oem for SeaCraft.

Good luck the rest of the way. Nice boat.

[Dilligaf]

i just went outside to make sure your didnt steal my boat..... i even got the rust marks from the bolsters i just took off to redo..... seriously...