Update on 272 Restoration...

[ScottyCee]

Coming along nicely, but wow - a lot of work! She's almost ready to splash. Yay!!

I have to finish the canvas - I'll try to get most of it this weekend. Here's a list of the jobs that I have done so far:

Make 3 replacement "outdoor" cushions
Make new canvas enclosure - (50%+ done)
Fab and install stainless rocket launcher
Buff, polish, wax hull above waterline
Scuff bottom - prime / paint
Patch / repair / replace hull striping
Strip and lay up deck panels
Strip and lay up 2 hatches
Patch holes from outriggers and fairing - top and sides
New gelcoat @ hardtop
Remove and replace cockpit rubber trim
Patch holes, dings, scuffs & gelcoat
Replace hinges, pulls, and selected hardware
Replace antenna
Rewire radio
Replace fuel management gauge - port side
Rewire Gauge panel
Add USB Charge station
Add 2 x Oontz speakers (nice!)
Install Electric Pot puller
Install 2 x Electric Downriggers
Install Lowrance HDS-10 and transducer
Install Lowrance NAC-1 autopilot system
Install NMEA 2000 network hardware
Remove a few unused hot "home runs"
Rewire battery maintenance / charger
Clean, inspect, test, (partial rewire) live well, raw water, 2 x bilge pumps
Service, fluid change, bleed trim tabs
Replace all drink holders (important!)
Paint inside of cabinets
Repair upholstery @ interior wall panel
Downsize center "bed" cushion / modify table.
Rebuild Macerator pump, service head.
Replace all water lines
Replace 2 sink fixtures
Replace fresh water "sink" with storage box.
Boat numbers
Add "Ladies" restroom sign 8^)

Motors (serviced prior to arrival)
- Check oil
- Check lower fluid
- replace exterior zincs
- replace head zincs
- grease all zert fittings
- Rebuild all Trim & Tilt hydraulic cylinders
- replace water separators
- tighten all tank fittings
- Replace Fuel & Vent fitting @ main tank.

 

[Bloodweiser]

Looking like a brand new Grady.. Great job

 

[ScottyCee]

Thanks @BW! Kind words appreciated...

I'd say from your observation that you have the best vantage point - just don't get too close!

 

[Bloodweiser]

Thanks @BW! Kind words appreciated...

I'd say from your observation that you have the best vantage point - just don't get too close!

Good to be a humble man, but your boat is sweet, you have done a kick ass resto imo.

 

[ScottyCee]

Thank you.

I hit my first major obstacle yesterday. Time is getting tight, and my sewing machine broke.

Nooooooo!!!!

 

[Fishtales]

Looks very nice and you've changed just about all of it.

 

[ScottyCee]

Thank you. (I just want to be able to trust it.)

 

[Shannon C.]

Well done sir!!

 

[ScottyCee]

Thank you, sir!

Good news - fixed the sewing machine! Timing issue. Although I guess I’ll just come right out and say it. I don’t think making the canvas is the most enjoyable thing I have endeavored. In fact, I’m not sure I’d wish it on anybody LOL!

 

[leeccoll]

Looks awesome, and an impressive get-er-done list!!

Should be proud~

 

[ScottyCee]

So, while I wait for my shiny new marine grade capable sewing machine to arrive via UPS (and the weather to turn decent!), I started my rocket launcher. It's in its infancy - haven't cleaned up or polished the welds at all. My thought was to put two poles behind each seat and leave the middle open but I probably need more capacity. Definitely ghetto, since I used 2 different pole holder styles!

 

[ScottyCee]

 

[Fishwish]

Coming along nicely, but wow - a lot of work! She's almost ready to splash. Yay!!

I have to finish the canvas - I'll try to get most of it this weekend. Here's a list of the jobs that I have done so far:

Make 3 replacement "outdoor" cushions
Make new canvas enclosure - (50%+ done)
Fab and install stainless rocket launcher
Buff, polish, wax hull above waterline
Scuff bottom - prime / paint
Patch / repair / replace hull striping
Strip and lay up deck panels
Strip and lay up 2 hatches
Patch holes from outriggers and fairing - top and sides
New gelcoat @ hardtop
Remove and replace cockpit rubber trim
Patch holes, dings, scuffs & gelcoat
Replace hinges, pulls, and selected hardware
Replace antenna
Rewire radio
Replace fuel management gauge - port side
Rewire Gauge panel
Add USB Charge station
Add 2 x Oontz speakers (nice!)
Install Electric Pot puller
Install 2 x Electric Downriggers
Install Lowrance HDS-10 and transducer
Install Lowrance NAC-1 autopilot system
Install NMEA 2000 network hardware
Remove a few unused hot "home runs"
Rewire battery maintenance / charger
Clean, inspect, test, (partial rewire) live well, raw water, 2 x bilge pumps
Service, fluid change, bleed trim tabs
Replace all drink holders (important!)
Paint inside of cabinets
Repair upholstery @ interior wall panel
Downsize center "bed" cushion / modify table.
Rebuild Macerator pump, service head.
Replace all water lines
Replace 2 sink fixtures
Replace fresh water "sink" with storage box.
Boat numbers
Add "Ladies" restroom sign 8^)

Motors (serviced prior to arrival)
- Check oil
- Check lower fluid
- replace exterior zincs
- replace head zincs
- grease all zert fittings
- Rebuild all Trim & Tilt hydraulic cylinders
- replace water separators
- tighten all tank fittings
- Replace Fuel & Vent fitting @ main tank.



View attachment 13167

Wow freak I’m inspired
I have a 1993 marlin that has been sitting on land for nearly 14 years,
My Brother In law and another friend mentioned possibly helping me restore it.
So we Went to visit it and evaluate.
It’s on!
2 stroke 2002 Yamaha 250s with Very low hours were put away right and still turn over.
So we are hoping that won’t need replacing as that may be the deal breaker
I recently built a very large shop that the boat will fit in, so first step is to find a trailer and move her home.
Really looking forward to this project, and I’m sure I’ll be picking all the greatgradys
Minds in the near future.
Thanks for the inspiration
Fishwish

 

[Legend]

nice job - looks great!

 

[ScottyCee]

sounds great! I'm in the final throes with this one. We launched it yesterday and unfortunately found that the motors wouldn't turn up to high RPM. we're going to do some testing and figure out what's wrong but it sure looks like we have a bunch of water in the gas. with a little bit of luck a couple of 6 gallon cans piped straight into the motors will make them sing. Guess I'm not looking forward to having to drain the tanks and clean them but probably should have done it in the first place.

I learned some hard lessons about trusting surveys and appraisers without sitting in the thing and running it myself. I will not buy another boat of this size and price range without performing my own sea trial. Period. Pretty much 0 for 3 between the broker, the boat surveyor, and the motor guy. Everybody said and documented that everything's great, but so far the only thing that really is nice is the hull seems to be perfectly sound. All the work I've done seems to have taken, and although we went fairly slowly it was absolutely wonderful to be running around in it yesterday.

Weeks ago I pulled 25 gallons of gas from it and ran it in my little outboard, my lawn mower, and my truck and all of them showed no signs of any problems. it smells completely normal, as do all of the exhausts. I guess the kicker is that the outboards are pulling from the bottom of the tanks. I also added some ethanol and octane boost before running, but looks like I'm going to be draining it anyway now. No fun. First world problem.

 

[magicalbill]

I must add my props to the others on your marvelous restro job. I am always amazed at skill sets like yours and others. They are waay beyond me.

If something's wrong with mine, I jiggle the battery cables and if that doesn't fix it, I call my dealer.

Hope your fuel problem isn't too involved.

 

[ScottyCee]

Thank you. Very kind words.

I guess I'm lucky because I find great passion and things like mechanics, welding, electrics and electronics, etc. Couple more years of working and I'll get to tinker full-time!

 

[ScottyCee]

At moorage...

 

[Shannon C.]

At moorage...

Beautiful, my good man.

 

[ScottyCee]

Thank you. I love it so far. Super stable and comfortable, albeit at slow speed...

I posted above that I should have cleaned out the fuel tanks before running it (Negotiated condition of sale was that is shipped to me empty!), so now I have 180 gallons of gas in barrels and am the proud owner of a VERY nice fuel pump. No real pain here except a good workout and 40 bucks total for 4 barrels. Gas is going to everyone on craigslist that wants a "free no-warranty" fill-up.

The motors sounded great idling in the driveway, but now I'm wondering what I really got for my money with my motor survey. $500 bucks bought me the printout with run time by RPM, knowledge that the T&T RAMs were going to need work, and that slightly cool running temp may indicate time for thermostats. M-kay. But here's what I know about so far that the survey DIDN'T tell me. (You remember - that survey I paid a certified Yamaha guy to perform!)

- Total cleanout of VSTs (and everything upstream) - they were caked with varnish - no WAY was that from firing up with old gas a week ago. Sorry.
- Low pressure pumps
- High pressure pumps not tested yet
- Timing belts - super loose and allow 90 degrees twist plus. Probably original equipment.
- Some hoses, clamps, filter elements
- Other TBD! 8^)

No way did he really run these motors beyond idle. Once it's done I'll know it's solid, but this is unplanned work. I didn't risk more than I was willing to lose - but I still trust people and get caught up in believing that they are good and honest. Not always the case apparently. Some of them are even certified.

If I didn't love working on this thing so much I'd be pretty pissed off at both myself the the team of liars that put me together on this deal. But I love it. I'll be the guy smiling while rebuilding motors on the 4th of July!! (Try not to hit me with your fireworks!)