With the start of the Vice boat thread. I thought I would share my summer project with everyone. I still have a lot to do, but here are some of the pictures of my 1983 2001 nautique. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/482043.jpg" alt="Upload">

<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/482048.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/482049.jpg" alt="Upload">

<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/482055.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/482056.jpg" alt="Upload">

Wow, looks great.. What did you use to paint the hull with? The motor and bilge area look clean. <BR>That is going to be a sick boat.

I didn't paint the boat, but the guy who did used this awlgrip stuff that is really good. The test sheet says that the stuff can withstand sitting in battery acid for 2 years and only lose 1% of the final volume.

Looks awesome Leo. What kind of tower are you going to throw on that thing. I sold my 87 a couple months ago and right now I am wishing I didn't. It looks like you scrapped painting it with the 2001-2002 gelcoat scheme.

Yea, Because the previous owner stored the boat in the water, the gelcoat got blisters. I had to have bottom paint, or the blisters would show through. I might add a traditional 2001 stripe, or a more modern stripe. For right now I think we are just going to add our College club logo.

i love you man...haha

oh yeah when do you want me to come down leo?

Whenever you want, some of the corps guys are coming august 8-9 weekend. Probably the week before school starts would be good.

Leo, looks really good. Did you ever add any rudder / prop protection to the trailer? I think it would be worth the trouble since you have so much time and effort invested in the boat.

Looks good. Can't wait to see it out at Lake B. BTW, that lake is being overrun by wally's in I/O's with towers that like powerturns!

Rich, I went to a welding shop and the guy said he doesn't have time to be messing around with a trailer. <BR> <BR>Brandon, that is why we only go on weekdays and early on weekends.

Looks good Leo. <BR> <BR>I finished up my 2001 on Sunday and not it looks like it is going to rain untill wed. go figure. <BR> <BR>Do you mind me asking what it costs to paint. That will be my next project.

The guy in TN painted the boat for $1600. The price would have been cheaper if he didn't have to do the bottom coat. The bottom coat was $800 and the sides were $800. If I didn't need the bottom coat, it would have been $1250. Also, I didn't have the deck painted, that would have been another grand. I would really recommend taking it to this guy if you live near him. It isn't worth the hassle doing it yourself when he does it professionally so cheap.

leo you are my hero

Leo did you have spacers under your motor mounts? I had 6 total and cant remember how many went under the front and how many went under the back.

Leo, call me &amp; I can weld anything. Let me Know what youwant, &amp; I can track down the material at S&amp;K Steel, of Del Paso Pipe &amp; Steel. I have a Miller 240 welder &amp; a Blue Bullet bender....so I'm ready. Just call me. 916-521-1495

Leo, <BR> <BR>Thanks. That sounds like a pretty fair price. and it looks great. <BR> <BR>Jeff, <BR> <BR>I had 2 spacers under the front of my motor. I would say you just need to make sure it is aligned with the prop. There is also quite a bit of adjustment that you can do with the motor mounts.

Thanks Jon....I was told to buy the newer motor mounts but they want like 400 bucks for them!

I think Skidim has the motor mounts. I don't know how much they charge? They also have the replacement rubber inserts too.

if you have a commander engine shoot me an email and i will get you the part number. They a re a bushing inc. part number. I bought mine for around a 100 to my door. <BR> <BR>bchesley at nctv dot com

Well I have the old mounts still attached to the motor pulled the mounts and engine out at 1 time.

Jeff, There is a pretty good chance that after the stringers were replaced they are not going to be the exact same height. If you want to use the old shims I would say it is going to be a guessing game with a lot of lifting the motor up and down. <BR> <BR>If you get the newer style mounts it is going to cut down on the shimming but wont really help anything else. If you have a good way to lift the motor I would just use your old mounts and the shims. I used a skid loader when I took my motor in and out and it made the job a breeze. <BR> <BR> <BR>I do understand that it is very important to get eveything aligned correctly. I think it can be pretty hard on the trans if it is not.

Damn Leo, you're sure staying busy. Any new tricks to report on?

Yea, hot as he77 too! Not too many new tricks. BS 5, TS front, switch indy 3 landing wrapped, and trying to get my tant to blind consistant.

I tried a HS 3 landing wrapped and almost tore my arm off...never again

Its all about looking away from the boat and waiting for that last 180.

My recent progress.

<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/485167.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/485168.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/485169.jpg" alt="Upload">

looks good leo. did you consider adding tanks or bags before installing the floor. or can you retro fit the boat with bags?? it would be kinda pimp to make compartments/lockers on the sides of the engine.

Alan, I made fiberglass tanks. One to go under the back seat, and one up front. I didn't like the idea of installing it under the floor because if something went wrong, I would have to tear the floor apart.

Leo why did you cover the pieces of floor between the stringers to the sides of the engine?

That is how the original floor was. If I didn't, there would be a cavity for water to run up and down between the second and primary stringers.