My Winter Project...

[Jetaholic]

...is almost finished.
This boat is a 1978 Marlin Tigershark.
The fiberglass shop is about to finish up on the restore work they are doing on my boat. I should have her back sometime this week. Then it's re-rig time!!!
The shop that did the work is Fiberglass Unlimited out of Clovis CA. For those of you who are familiar with Tarva boats, two of the 3 previous owners of Tarva boats, Manny and Vido, are the guys who run this place. Their work is some of the best you'll find anywhere.
First...the before pics...
http://www.marlinboatforums.com/pics/before2.jpg
http://www.marlinboatforums.com/pics/before3.jpg
http://www.marlinboatforums.com/pics/before5.jpg

[Jetaholic]

Now for the current shots...taken as of this last Friday...
http://www.marlinboatforums.com/pics/boat/boat46.jpg
http://www.marlinboatforums.com/pics/boat/boat47.jpg
http://www.marlinboatforums.com/pics/boat/boat48.jpg
http://www.marlinboatforums.com/pics/boat/boat49.jpg
http://www.marlinboatforums.com/pics/boat/boat50.jpg
http://www.marlinboatforums.com/pics/boat/boat51.jpg
http://www.marlinboatforums.com/pics/boat/boat52.jpg

[BajaMike]

Looks like a nice, fun little boat!!!
:D

[Jetaholic]

And this is the new trailer she will reside on.
Trailer custom built by Mike Kelley at Target Trailer Service in Clovis CA.
The trailer has surge actuated disc brakes on the front axle. The actuator has an electric bypass that is activated by the reverse light circuit on my truck. Way cool feature. All the lights are LED lights.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21114&stc=1&d=1166736439
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21118&stc=1&d=1166736439
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21119&stc=1&d=1166736439
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21120&stc=1&d=1166736439
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21122&stc=1&d=1166736634
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21123&stc=1&d=1166736634

[moneypit]

Nice.. Your Camera puts off a little haze. Good work though.

[Jetaholic]

Nice.. Your Camera puts off a little haze. Good work though.
Yeah that's the best I could do with a cellphone cam.
And thanks! :D

[topless]

Wow Jon, I'm actually impressed. Nice work and I can't wait to ride in it. Hell I'll even buy you some of that polish I was telling you about.:D

[Jetaholic]

Wow Jon, I'm actually impressed. Nice work and I can't wait to ride in it. Hell I'll even buy you some of that polish I was telling you about.:D
Thanks. I'm gonna have to relearn how she rides now...she rode OK before, but with all the issues we found on teardown...she's gonna ride a lot better. I can't wait.

[TAF]

Wow Jon, I'm actually impressed. Nice work and I can't wait to ride in it. Hell I'll even buy you some of that polish I was telling you about.:D
Very nice! And I thought you were just a stalker:idea: I can't wait to see Topless ride in yer boat as well. Maybe we can start about 10- 15 threads about it and post alll the pics. That will be an event! Then the photochops will begin w/ all the people who got to ride w/ Topless in yer boat.
Can't wait!
:D

[topless]

Very nice! And I thought you were just a stalker:idea: I can't wait to see Topless ride in yer boat as well. Maybe we can start about 10- 15 threads about it and post alll the pics. That will be an event! Then the photochops will begin w/ all the people who got to ride w/ Topless in yer boat.
Can't wait!
:DNo cameras allowed and stop giving my stalker ideas.:mad:

[beyondhelpin]

Nice work. Looks very clean. Can we still say clean?!:D

[Jetaholic]

Very nice! And I thought you were just a stalker:idea: I can't wait to see Topless ride in yer boat as well. Maybe we can start about 10- 15 threads about it and post alll the pics. That will be an event! Then the photochops will begin w/ all the people who got to ride w/ Topless in yer boat.
Can't wait!
:D
And I'm sure Brown would find a way to incorporate RCL in this whole event. :D
Of course now I wish I would've gotten a shot of the paint guy spraying the boat...Lou would've been perfect for that.
I had at first decided to name the boat "Your Mom" (so I could say "I'm at the lake riding Your Mom), but actually Ali and I came up with "The Topless Stalker" as another possible name candidate. :D

[HocusPocus]

this was my first year in about the last 10 or so that i don't have a winter project boat to play with. I figured this year i would take a break and relax a bit but instead im just bored. your project is coming out great and i can't wait to see it completed.

[Jetaholic]

Thanks for all the compliments everyone.
This boat went to the shop for a bit more than just paint. The floor was completely rotted (have pics of that too), the stringers were hit too. and a couple changes were made.
Here is the list of everything that has been done on her.
Replace false floor, keel & stringers
Removed bow fuel tank
Replaced floatation foam
Moved bulkhead underneath the bow that blocks off the floatation forward to give more leg room
Plugged off thru-transom exhaust holes for headers
Install gunwhale supports (originally the back bench seat was the gunwhale support)
Semi-blueprint the bottom
Prep & gelcoat
Replace transom eyes
Replace rub rail
Paint CF numbers
Reset pump intake
This boat was at one time Aqua Boogie1's first jet boat. It's had a few more owners since him before I got it, but I found out that he used to own this boat once I started posting on the boards. When he had it, the boat originally had an Olds 403. He had to rebuild the motor since it had a spun rod bearing when he first got it. From what he told me, he had to file the bearing out of the rod, then he replaced all the bearings along with the crank.
He ran the boat for 2 summers before he ran it aground at Lake Camanche and sucked up a bunch of mud. Two runs after that, the motor blew. He was gonna put a BBC in it, but someone on Hot Boat (wish I knew who it was) was selling a completely built 455, so Aqua bought that one. However that motor didn't last long, and he sold it not long after that motor died.
She was in need of lots of TLC. When I got it, she had a 455 in her and was turn key. I ran it about 7 or 8 times before I started the teardown.
Among a few other things, I'm building a BBC 454 for her and I've completely rebuilt the pump. Here is a list of additions she'll be getting.
Converting from Olds 455 to BBC 454
Pump has all new internal parts
Pump and intake has new powder coat
Changed rope packing in the pump to a neoprene seal
Added a Jet-A-Way to the pump
Replacing all electrical wiring
All new switches, gauges, etc etc
New steering wheel (courtesy of Vin-Dog)
Adding a manual Place Diverter (again, courtesy of Vin-Dog)
Diverter has new powder coat
Changing from thru-hull exhaust to OT headers (Bassett Long Collector)
Converting from a bow fuel tank to saddle tanks
Adding bow and stern lights

[Jetaholic]

The boat has been cut & polished and they're putting on the rub rail as we speak. Then they'll mount the pump for me and get her back on the trailer, then I'll have her back to start the re-rigging.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24664&stc=1&d=1172179513
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24665&stc=1&d=1172179513
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24666&stc=1&d=1172179513
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24667&stc=1&d=1172179513
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24668&stc=1&d=1172179513

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

That is looking SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The paint is killer;) You are going to have a bitchin' ride very soon;)

[RitcheyRch]

Looks good. Definitely a lot of time and money has been spent on it. Cant wait to see it once is complete with engine and interior.

[Jbb]

Looks like your plan is coming together nicely...nice job!