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Fire damaged 4-tec sportster - my latest project

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Last week I picked up this 2004 seadoo sportster 4-tec with severe fire damage to it. I saved quite a bit of money (paid $3000), but now I have a lot of work to do. The previous owner did a poor glass job over the exposed fibers, but at least I don't have to touch them. I sanded a bunch and added some of my own resin to make it manageable. Now I begin my work. I will add photos to this topic as I progress.

Currently I am looking for a few parts if anyone knows where I can get cheap used ones please let me know:
-4ft of black bumper rub rails
-full seat
-front cooler lid

20120827_141418.jpg20120827_141426.jpg20120905_105533.jpg
After a few hours:
20120905_105552.jpg20120905_105604.jpg
If you noticed I had to get my kenwood system installed right away. Oh yea also the boat runs perfect!
 
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Yikes!! Maybe I will replace that expired fire extinguisher on my boat ...

Keep us posted with pics on the progress!
 
I just cant justify spending $500 for one seat from the factory. How the fire started was two owners ago the guy had the boat in his garage with a cover on. He had halogen lights sitting next to it working on something. He went to the store and the light fell over on the boat while he was gone. It all caught on fire and by the time he got back his whole garage was nearly on fire.

BMANN06 said:
Yikes!! Maybe I will replace that expired fire extinguisher on my boat ...
Click to expand...
Same thing I did, as soon as I got the boat I made sure all my jet skis had good extinguishers
 
n-mod said:
I just cant justify spending $500 for one seat from the factory. How the fire started was two owners ago the guy had the boat in his garage with a cover on. He had halogen lights sitting next to it working on something. He went to the store and the light fell over on the boat while he was gone. It all caught on fire and by the time he got back his whole garage was nearly on fire.Same thing I did, as soon as I got the boat I made sure all my jet skis had good extinguishers
Click to expand...

2 owners ago - So the guy you bought it from, he got it, but didn't restore it. I'm glad the motor runs fine. Are you going to do all the glass and painting work yourself?........Good luck with the project.
 
The last guy started the fiberglass work but never finished. Yes, im doing all the work by myself. The only thing I might not do is make the seat covers if I can't find new seats. I have a place in town that say they can do the whole thing for $200 and match it perfectly.
 
Here is what I got done last night. I found out that resin jelly is the way to go on the walls.
20120906_103221.jpg20120906_103229.jpg
 
Now that's a restoration project!

The work you've done so far looks great...quite an undertaking!
 
That fire extinguisher that fits in the compartment on the boat is useless. They really are only big enough for something very tiny, This looks like a good project and if you got a good price, you shouldnt have to put too much into it. That fire damage really isnt that bad.
 
I was able to to find a set of red seats from a 07 speedster for only $100! I also found the rub rail and cooler lid but they were $300 total. I ordered a 95 sportster ski locker lid but found it its the wrong size. I guess in 95 they made them bigger. I can verify anywhere from 96 to 2004 they used the same size lid. So if anyone has one for sale please get in contact with me. Also I'm looking for two grab handles if anyone has some. Just a few more hours of resin and I will be ready for gel coat! Im thinking of covering the two damaged areas with speakers so I don't see the damage if its not perfect.
 
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You can find universal non sea doo grab handles for like $13 a pair. look on ebay or google great lakes skipper.
 
Thanks for the tip but he seems to be out of the grab handles, Also im still looking for a cheap floor hatch.

I got my seat and hood today, the hood will be painted yellow when the body is, and the seats will be reupholstered to match closely to the other seats. Most the resin work is done, just a bunch of sanding then I think I will do one more coat of clear to smooth everything out, then its gelcoat!
20120913_121015.jpg20120913_121030.jpg
 
Wow, looking good! I will do body and paint work all day on a car, but HATE working with fiberglass!!! You have much more patience than I lol.
 
Not much progress recently. Its been too cold for the last two months now the boat is in storage. But I did manage to get all the parts I needed for it. Looks a lot better with a floor hatch in it. I will update this again in early spring when I start working on it again.
 
n-mod said:
Not much progress recently. Its been too cold for the last two months now the boat is in storage. But I did manage to get all the parts I needed for it. Looks a lot better with a floor hatch in it. I will update this again in early spring when I start working on it again.
Click to expand...
Cool. I was just thinking of this project the other day, so I figured I'd ask :).
 
So since I am bringing this boat to a spring break trip to the florida keys I have been doing some more work on it to make it look presentable and reliable. In the following photos you will see that I installed some speakers to cover some damage. And I sprayed on some garbage spray paint so it looks prettier temporarily, but will come off easily later on. I also attached the rub rail with a couple rivets to prevent dock damage. The lack of a garage and the rain/snow storms we've been getting has made this project a little more difficult.
image-3.jpgimage.jpgphoto.jpg
 
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All but the rear center bottom seat should just pull out. They are held in by plastic darts. Most have troubles keeping their seats secure. A hard pull on the seat will pop them right out.

Edit: I forgot the backrests also have S shape brackets so pop the bottom of the backrest off the darts and slide up. Same with the seats.
 
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Awesome, thanks! I've been reading that the darts will have to be replaced. Any ideas where to get them or is there a better way to reattach?
 
Hey, I managed to get all seats and backs off except the middle bottom! I climbed in the engine compartment but couldn't tell if there were screws under or not! Do u know how to get the middle bottom out?
Thanks again, the others were a breeze!!!
 
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