Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
Well… I just want to introduce myself, and post up a few pics of my project boat. I’ve owned PWC most of my adult life, but with age comes things like kids. So, this summer, I’m the dad of a cute 3 year old girl who loves the water, so I figure I would get a little boat so she can go out on the water with me.
I started looking at older boats, but everything I found seemed too expensive for what it was, and most of the mid 90’s Doo’s were going for $1500 to $2000 over book price. (localy) So I found this boat about 200mi away for a good price. The boat is a 96 sportster. The boat sat outside, unused for about 3 years. The person I bought it from bought it last fall, and had a new engine put in it, but by the time it was installed, winter was here, and it was never run. This person lost their job, and needed to sell. I bought the boat for $200 over what he paid for the new engine!!
As you can see, the boat’s gell coat was badly oxidized, all the factory graphics were faded and cracked, the bumper was busted (Gunnel trim) and the seats were badly cracked. So far, I’ve rubbed out the gel coat, replaced the graphics, cleaned and oiled all the mechanical parts, and got the engine running. On top of that, I installed a set of hydro turf mats, changed the color of the boat slightly, and check out the steering wheel I got on eBay for $12! Oh… also, I own a small machine shop, so I made some nice billet knobs for the throttle, and shift levers, billet cleats, and a billet wheel adaptor.
I’m hoping to take it out, and throw it in the water this weekend to really give the drive train a work out. And if all goes well… I’ll get the upholstery done the following week.
Let me know what you think.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Well… I just want to introduce myself, and post up a few pics of my project boat. I’ve owned PWC most of my adult life, but with age comes things like kids. So, this summer, I’m the dad of a cute 3 year old girl who loves the water, so I figure I would get a little boat so she can go out on the water with me.
I started looking at older boats, but everything I found seemed too expensive for what it was, and most of the mid 90’s Doo’s were going for $1500 to $2000 over book price. (localy) So I found this boat about 200mi away for a good price. The boat is a 96 sportster. The boat sat outside, unused for about 3 years. The person I bought it from bought it last fall, and had a new engine put in it, but by the time it was installed, winter was here, and it was never run. This person lost their job, and needed to sell. I bought the boat for $200 over what he paid for the new engine!!
As you can see, the boat’s gell coat was badly oxidized, all the factory graphics were faded and cracked, the bumper was busted (Gunnel trim) and the seats were badly cracked. So far, I’ve rubbed out the gel coat, replaced the graphics, cleaned and oiled all the mechanical parts, and got the engine running. On top of that, I installed a set of hydro turf mats, changed the color of the boat slightly, and check out the steering wheel I got on eBay for $12! Oh… also, I own a small machine shop, so I made some nice billet knobs for the throttle, and shift levers, billet cleats, and a billet wheel adaptor.
I’m hoping to take it out, and throw it in the water this weekend to really give the drive train a work out. And if all goes well… I’ll get the upholstery done the following week.
Let me know what you think.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
