JRorks 18' Brendella Project

[jrork]

Well, at the request of some of the folks and since I enjoy everyone elseÂ’s project threads, IÂ’d start my own.
We picked up this 78 18Â’ Brendella in Oregon about 5 years ago as a bit of a basket case. It had a stock big block Chev and a Panther pump. ItÂ’s a full stringer boat that looks to be splashed from a Southwind (isnÂ’t everything?) and seemed to be very solid. The motor ran but that was about it, Paint looked good from a distance but was pitiful up close. Interior was really nice except for some cheapo black Astroturf for carpet which I replaced right away.
I put together a nice rumpity 468, threw some Bassetts on there along with a ton of SS lines and ran it in this configuration for a number of years. This thing was as turn key as they get. I know many have struggled with MSD setups but my complete MSD setup worked like a champ. One thing I found out talking to folks is that grounds and a pain on these systems so I ran separate grounds to the box, alternator and starter. Never had a problem.
Here is what it looked like for a number of years.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2022-1.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2275-1.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/roost.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2845.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_5648-2.jpg
Unfortunately, like many Panthers, excessive rpms were an issue. Cavatation was a killer for me. No matter what I did I couldnÂ’t get over 67 mph @ 5900 rpm.
I had been following the Panther Energizer concept from the initial mockup through the design and into the production and thought I might give it a try as an alternative to a complete swap of the Panther. I talked Tom at Jet Boat Performance and we came up with a plan.
One of the things that many have told me are an issue with Panthers is a limit of around 500hp. With this new Energizer that is no longer an issue so I have started to gather up parts for a new blower motor.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_7194-1.jpg
Since the belt is going to intrude into the seating, IÂ’m gonna have to fab up some new seating but am going to really try to keep the same style as what it has.
cont......

[H20MOFO]

Lookin Good! Keep Em Comin.

[jrork]

Continued..
With a new pump, new interior and a new shiny interior, the paint was gonna be an issue for me. I was bitching about it when my wife walked into the shop and said “if it’s gonna bother you, why don’t you paint it?�. That did it, that was noon on Sunday and by 4pm it was off the trailer and on a dolly I had just built.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_6781.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_6789.jpg
I picked up some 4� razor blades and proceeded to take the paint off. It was pretty easy since there were a number of different paint jobs stacked on top of each other.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_6897.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_6937.jpg
When I was peeling back the paint I found shadows of license numbers from Nevada and Montana so this boat has been bounced around a bit. Wish this thing could talk and tell me of the fun it had back in the day.
I carefully pulled the rubrail off only to find that this boat was seamed so nice that you couldn’t even see a seam at first. The damn thing looked so sexy that I made the decision it wasn’t going back on.
Here's a closeup picture of the seam where the deck meets the hull. It was this way almost everywhere on the boat.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_6935.jpg
Through the advice of a number of folks on this board and others, I came up with a plan on how to cap it for good. I used West System epoxy for the entire project and though spendy, it’s really nice stuff.
I took my 4� grinder with a 80 grit flapper wheel and ground into the seam and out approx 2� to 3�. Then I took my little air angle grinder and fine tuned it a bit with a 40 grit speed lock and then finished it with 40�grit on my DA. Right about now is when my wife had to hide the guns cause I just took a cool looking boat and ground the shit out of it……..
Wiped everything down real good with acetone and then wetted the seam out. I followed that with some narrow fiberglass tape and laid that into the seam. They suggest all kinds of tricks to work the bubbles out but I found my finger did the best. I followed that with multiple layers of epoxy mixed with some Colloidal Silica and wider runs of tape till I had only a slight groove left. I filled this in with some epoxy mixed with microballons and smoothed that out. Hot Damn! That looks good.
Ignore my hands in the picture. I put them there so get some contrast so you could see the shape. As far as the ripples, thats just water. This thing is smooooooth.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_7333.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_7334.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_7330.jpg
I also filled the thru the transom exhaust holes, decked the boat of the stern and bow light, fixed some slight cracking on the deck , filled a notch in the gunnel that they had cut to clear the old exhaust and a bunch of miscellaneous holes on the dash..
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_7339.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_7335.jpg
Cont.....

[jrork]

Been messing around with some ideas of what to do paint wise. After seeing what the original gelcoat was, I was thinking along these lines.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_7529.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_7522.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_7526.jpg
Punk kid of mine thought this was funny......
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_7538.jpg
I wiped the boat down real well and shot some MP170 epoxy primer to seal up everything real well and then laid some Evercoat Rage Gold on a few areas to get some of the roughness out. Blocked that out and then shot MP282 2K High Build primer reduced 10% and blocked that down with some 180 grit.
IÂ’ve since followed that up with some wet sanding using 400 grit
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0147.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0154.jpg
By the way, my wife is a gem. That's her trimming the hedge in the back ground while I get to play boat. I havent had to mow the lawn or nuthin since I started this project..... wonder what it's gonna cost me? :eek:
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0156.jpg
Other than some pin holes in the bottom that IÂ’m currently addressing with some UCS Icing, the bottom is ready to shoot and the sides are damn close and will only need a slight touch up when I get ready to shoot them and the top.
IÂ’ve talked to many folks and pretty much everyone universally recommends a single stage urethane for the bottom. The rest of the boat will be Base Coat / Clear Coat.
Well, that's it for now. Hope you enjoyed the pics......John

[blown agin kev]

were did you get the injector hat for the blown motor???????????

[Outlaw]

Man That looks like alot of work, Nice Job.
You might as well do a setback Berkley Style pump.

[jrork]

were did you get the injector hat for the blown motor???????????
It's actually not an injector hat but just a scoop. It's called a Shotgun and is patterned like the actual Shotgun Injector hats you're probably thinking of. I picked it up at Speedway Motors.
Man That looks like alot of work, Nice Job.
You might as well do a setback Berkley Style pump.
Thanks, lots of work but tons of fun too.
The Berk style setup may be in the future but for now I really want to see if this Energizer will work for me.
The quality parts used and the ability to change impellers cuts, add a number of the conventional performance accessories and a very nice quality shaft that removes the HP restriction along with the ease of installation makes me really want to try this setup out.
Here's the pump minus the PD diverter I picked up at Jet Boat Performance
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/DSC05971.jpg

[GAWnCA]

Hey Jrork,
Your seam looks as tight as the one on my Miller. There are a couple of spots that may be 1/8th" or less and I was thinking about pulling the rub rail off as well. I have that small 1/2" aluminum crap pop riveted on there and it looks cheap. I'd rather have the raw glass edge and get some fenders to save the hull. I'm going to be painting my boat some time in the near future and was wondering, what are all those products you used?
Looks good so far. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

[jrork]

Thanks. The stuff I used is from this outfit. Great website and fantastic product. The Colodoial Silica is pretty hard to sand but hell for stout. The microballons stuff is for that actual shaping and sands like butter.
Here's the website and good luck with your project.......John
http://www.westsystem.com

[GAWnCA]

Thanks. The stuff I used is from this outfit. Great website and fantastic product. The Colodoial Silica is pretty hard to sand but hell for stout. The microballons stuff is for that actual shaping and sands like butter.
Here's the website and good luck with your project.......John
http://www.westsystem.com
Thanks John!! Keep us informed as to how you are doing. When I get into mine, I'll start a thread for it as well. I was told the seems are a bugger but as you have found on your boat some builders do nice work, so did Miller when it came to matching the deck and hull. Are you using all West System's products?
My wife hates the original orange on our boat so it's going to be redone in blue. That means the trailer gets painted as well. I hope to get the engine back this week, rebuilt, ready to drop in and maybe run it next week-end or the first part of the next week.

[jrork]

You have a PM Greg......take care

[GAWnCA]

You have a PM Greg......take care
Thanks John, I got it and will answer as soon as the pain pills kick in and my back stops hurting.

[jetboatperformance]

Good job ,nice thread GREAT PICs Keep it up !! Tom

[jrork]

Thanks Tommy

[holorinhal]

Hey jrork; Great thread.Your boat is looking good.I think You are making more progress than I am.I wish My wife was as understanding as You'rs.
Have You decided on a paint color and or graffics?
I was going to do a solid blue with ghost flames,but every body and their brother is doing flames,so I am contemplating somthing else.
Its fun capping the hull ,is'nt it.
I need to ask You ,what did You use as a pivot, on the ass end(stern),to flip the boat ,without the pump in the boat?
I am almost finnished blueprinting the bottom and I would like to cut out the intake hole while it is upside down(easier access),But dont know what to do to flip right side up to set the intake. If You got any pics of Your flipping rigging, I would like to see them.That sounded funny.
Progress looks awesome ,keep up the thread....Hal

[jrork]

I need to ask You ,what did You use as a pivot, on the ass end(stern),to flip the boat ,without the pump in the boat?
Hal
Hey Hal. How's it going?
The setup I used was focused on the center waterdump hole (now, that does sound funny :D ).
I used a big 1/2 bolt thru a thick block of wood on the inside and then thru another block of wood on the outside and tightened with a nut. Then followed that up with another nut, two big thick washers and then another nut. Stuck the hook from the cable hoist on the bolt between the washers so it wouldnt slip off and let her rip. As long as you keep the one washer reasonably close to the transom, there's not a ton of leverage there. One thing is that my water dumps go through the transom wood so there's lots of strength. Besides, there's not that much weight on the back of the boat as I can lift the back up by myself (just can't hold it for long)....
How's yours coming?........John

[holorinhal]

Yea Thats a good idea ,but I have filled all Holes in the transom,and dont want to drill any,becouse I am not sure how I want to configure every thing.
Mine is comming along good,slow but good.I am kinda at a stand still,untill I get my Intake machined for the ride plate and shoe.I have just about finnished the botom blueprint but there will be a little more work blending around the intake ,once i get it set.I will probobly have to just flip it back over and cut out the hole from underneath on My back.That way I can finnish the inside while I am waiting on my Intake.
You'rs Is comming along great .Keep us posted...Hal

[jrork]

Prior to getting ready to shoot some single stage on the bottom I thought I would mock up the old housing just for grins and I saw a gap between the hull and the housing. It's located dead center and the tightens up to no gap on the sides. The drill bit is a 3/64 and it's a touch smaller than that to give you an idea.
Wonder if I found my cavatation problem on the old pump, hmmmm......
Here's a some pictures
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0165.jpg
Sooo, I layed some epoxy and cloth in there.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0167.jpg
Here's a pic of it with after the DP40 applicaton... gotta love that itch from fiberglass dont you?
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0168.jpg
Much Better!!!
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0185.jpg
Little bit of Rage Gold and then some Icing around the edges and it's smoooooooth
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0188.jpg
I'm pretty much standing down till the paint and speedcoat I ordered comes in. Then all hell breaks loose.
Can't wait to get some paint on there that I'm not planning on sanding off.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0204.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0195.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0198.jpg
Also for those of you who are interested (which I suspect is none besides me), here's a picture of the "spoon" that is molded into the stock Panther intake.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0202.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0200.jpg

[-XTC-]

Looking real good John! Cant wait to see it in the water when completed.
Keep the progress pics coming - they are telling a great story.
Darin

[jrork]

Thanks Darin. Jan and I are looking forward to seeing you guys at the bash.
One thing that isnt told in the story is the $$$$ necessary for this. Good grief paint and supplies has gotten pricey

[malcolm]

I see you found something to do to it while waiting for your paint. :)
Oh yeah, I bought a quart of cheap stuff (crossfire) down at Napa with some clear and it was around $150. I still have most of the gallon of clear if anyone needs it? :D

[jetboatperformance]

You go John !! nice pics keep em coming !! Tom

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

Looks killer. Man I love threads like these.....

[pokerboat]

Looks good I like the filled in rub rail seam. Good job

[jrork]

Boing.......here's the latest update
First is with the sealer. It's PPG DP40LF with some 401 catayst and a splash of DT860 Reducer to seal everything up. Since I live in the toolies, supplies are limited in this neck of the woods so I settled with what they had (DP40) instead of the DP48 which would have been white and would have allowed the bright white to cover that much quicker
I let that cook off for 2hrs and then began laying on the Concept Singlestage. Crappy weather (4" to 6" of rain and wind) makes it so I have to snap the pics inside the shop but hopefully it'll give you an idea of what it looks like. I gotta admit, it looks gray in the pictures but it's actually bright white. Go figger
Here it is with the DP40 at a sealer
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0219.jpg
And here is is with the bright white PPC single stage Concept on it
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0228.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0237.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0239.jpg
Next step is the application of the speedcoat and then flip this boat over for the last time (hopefully)
Thanks for watching this come together.......John

[GAWnCA]

Nice Job!!! And to think,all I've accomplished today is filling holes in the deck that didn't need to be there in the first place.
Now for the Speedcoat and then the top! I can't wait!! :D

[holorinhal]

hey John; You are kiking My ass! Looks great!
Is the single stage white a urathane?
I may have painted the bottom by now if I had an intake already set up for a shoe and ride plate.I am doing a setback and still have to do some blending after the intake is set.
You are right about one thing,straightining or blue printing the bottom is a shiat load of work! progress looks awesome,keep it coming....Hal

[jrork]

Thanks guys. So far so good.
Yep Hal, it's an acrylic urethane. Here's the product sheet

[GAWnCA]

Thanks guys. So far so good.
Yep Hal, it's an acrylic urethane. Here's the product sheet
Thanks John. This is very helpful. Is that a PPG product? Greg
Opps, I should have read a little further down the page. Yup, it is!

[jrork]

Here's the latest. The weather isn't quite good enough for me to risk it outside so hopefully this'll do. Besides, its time for Monday night football...
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0242.jpg

[GAWnCA]

Here's the latest. The weather isn't quite good enough for me to risk it outside so hopefully this'll do. Besides, its time for Monday night football...
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0242.jpg
How did you decide where you would start the speedcoat?

[tittyman]

I was looking at the photo in your first post..who coated those headers and how much did they charge you..they look great..was that done by a company in Oregon that has a burnishing maching for polishing the ceramic coat after it is completed?

[jrork]

I was looking at the photo in your first post..who coated those headers and how much did they charge you..they look great..was that done by a company in Oregon that has a burnishing maching for polishing the ceramic coat after it is completed?
Sorry, I missed your question. Actually, those pics must be an optical illusion as they were brandnew chromed Bassett twisties. I gotta admit that in the pic they do look like they're coated.
There is a company in Auburn Washington called Performance Coating that I've looked in to. Certainly not cheap though. If I recall correctly it was something like $360 for the set and there was a limited warranty as the headers have been used. If they were brand new headers they would lifetime warranty them.
I swung by and checked out their work and it looks really good though I have no personal experiance.
What does the joint in Oregon charge??

[taylormanss]

great looking boat!

[jetboatperformance]

Jrork said..."Sorry, I missed your question."
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D : Tommy

[jrork]

Instead of bustin by balls Tommy, why don't you get busy so it won't say "coming soon" and instead says something like "check it out" on your signature.....:)
Thanks Taylormanss, it's getting there

[jetboatperformance]

Rhonda and I figuered you were staggered by titty mans avatar lol :D T

[jrork]

Rhonda and I figuered you were staggered by titty mans avatar lol :D T
:D Now don't be corrupting Rhonda............by the way, how did a crusty old bastard like you manage to catch someone as nice as her? Jesus, I gotta talk to her...
Anyhow, here's some pics from outside. Gotta love that beautiful blue sky huh. I think it was brighter in the garage.....
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0253.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0256.jpg

[tittyman]

The place I was referring to in Oregon is in a town called Milwakee, not sure of the spelling but you get the idea. They claim their coating looks just like a manifold or carb from Edlebrock. They said they charge about 450 for headers which I thought was high no matter what the quality or shine.
In regards to my avitar...those are sweet. Nothing like having nipples the size of a can a corn..

[jrork]

Jeezus, $450 is damn high.

[jrork]

Okay, here we go...:messedup:
Flipped it rightside up and settled the bottom down on some cushy carpet.
Washed it down and got it masked off.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0274.jpg
Used some PPG DP48LF with a splash of DT860 reducer to seal it off. Gonna let it cook off for a few days and then start in with the Rage Gold followed with some MP282 2K primer to make it smoooooth.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0284.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0282.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0279.jpg
Thanks for watching this disaster come together.........john

[GAWnCA]

John,
I can hardly wait until I can get this far along on mine. You do good work!! Greg

[holorinhal]

Hey John; That thing is looking good!
Have You decided On the colors? Are You going to do any graphics?
I am still waiting on My intake to get back.I wish I had sent it earlier,but I was a little low on cash,and I procrastinated a little too.Ok Alot!....Hal

[GAWnCA]

John,
When you were doing all the filling and priming and prep work, did you find that the original gelcoat was wavy? If so did all that smooth out as you finished up the prep? Greg

[Wicked Performance Boats]

John, The boat looks great! You do nice work. That slammed chevy looks like something my nephews would own. Do you know them? As they just live up the road from you. Their names are Shawn and Jason Beck. I will definately be up next Labor Day to meet all you Northwest jetboaters. Pat

[malcolm]

I think we're gonna raise the water level of the lake by a couple feet with all the boats that are gonna show up next year. :D
Glad to hear you're making the trip Pat! We all look forward to seeing your boat up close.

[jrork]

John, The boat looks great! You do nice work. That slammed chevy looks like something my nephews would own. Do you know them? As they just live up the road from you. Their names are Shawn and Jason Beck. I will definately be up next Labor Day to meet all you Northwest jetboaters. Pat
Thats great news Pat. Can't wait to tip one back with you. More folks the merrier.
I've talked to one of your nephews a couple of times. He's the one with the regoddamndickulas fast STV. Very cool boat.
Thanks for the compliment. It's getting there

[Harley5229]

I will definately be up next Labor Day to meet all you Northwest jetboaters. Pat
We are now all witnesses to this statement...got to hold you to it dad...plus it's your birthday weekend and what better way to spend it than with the Skagen crew!!!!
John - the boat is coming along so well...might have to make a trip out that way one of these days to see it in person!

[jrork]

We are now all witnesses to this statement...got to hold you to it dad...plus it's your birthday weekend and what better way to spend it than with the Skagen crew!!!!
John - the boat is coming along so well...might have to make a trip out that way one of these days to see it in person!
HotDamn! She's calling you out Pat! :D No backing down now
Thanks Brittney and, you got my number. Give us a call anytime

[wolfie]

That's turning out nice.
Damn glad to see some Jetters up in the PNW. My wife is dying to get out from behind the Zion curtain move back to Seattle. If she gets her wish at least I know there'll be some real boaters there. Mybe I can negotiate a restoration of my boat into the deal.
Where do you guys usually go?

[Harley5229]

That's turning out nice.
Damn glad to see some Jetters up in the PNW. My wife is dying to get out from behind the Zion curtain move back to Seattle. If she gets her wish at least I know there'll be some real boaters there. Mybe I can negotiate a restoration of my boat into the deal.
Where do you guys usually go?
Wolfie - when sticking close to home most people hit the Snohomish River (if North), Columbia River (if really South) Lake Tapps or Alder Lake. Maybe some adventurous people hit Lake Washington. When planning more a weekend of it, Moses Lake area (Potholes) or some of the larger lakes in Eastern Washington. Some good places to run around here and a great group of people!!

[jrork]

That's turning out nice.
Damn glad to see some Jetters up in the PNW. My wife is dying to get out from behind the Zion curtain move back to Seattle. If she gets her wish at least I know there'll be some real boaters there. Mybe I can negotiate a restoration of my boat into the deal.
Where do you guys usually go?
Thanks Wolfie. Jump onto the link below and get registered. By the time you move back here you'll know everybody and will be uh....prepared :D
http://www.skagenboats.com

[Wicked Performance Boats]

HotDamn! She's calling you out Pat! :D No backing down now
Thanks Brittney and, you got my number. Give us a call anytime
The heat is on!!!!!

[jrork]

The heat is on!!!!!
Ya think?
You'll like the bash up here. Got a handful of bighitters for you to try to run against and a whole bunch of us slow ones you can beat up on to boost your ego if you get your butt handed to you.:) :) :)

[Wicked Performance Boats]

Ya think?
You'll like the bash up here. Got a handful of bighitters for you to try to run against and a whole bunch of us slow ones you can beat up on to boost your ego if you get your butt handed to you.:) :) :)
Cool John, I like a good race AND a cold Budlight!:D

[jrork]

a cold Budlight!:D
No worry, I've got your back on this...

[jrork]

:mad: I was scuffin the epoxy sealer down to get ready to spray some 2K primer when I caught out of the corner of my eye what looked like a crack!
Ground it down and found what almost looked like an air bubble in the glass.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0290.jpg
Layed it back and wiped it down good with some acetone. Damn I hate that stuff. It'll find any knick, cut and sratch in your hands and burnt he crap out of you. I guess I could wear gloves but that might get in the way of my beer drinking.
Did a Wet Out with some West Systems epoxy and then followed up with some strands of glass buried in another coat of West Systems.
Scuffed that down and it' looks good now. Hope it never comes back.......
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0291.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0292.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0296.jpg
Gonna squirt some DP48LF to seal it off and then I'll lay some 2K primer over everything to start to blocking......stay tuned.

[pokerboat]

When you burn your hand with the acetone the cure is cool your hand with a cold beer. The boat is looking great.

[GAWnCA]

When you burn your hand with the acetone the cure is cool your hand with a cold beer. The boat is looking great.
WHAT????? :eek: :confused: :rolleyes: and waste good beer???? Just drink more beer!

[pokerboat]

NO WASTING BEER IF I HAVE A BEER TO COOL MY HAND IÂ’M DRINKING IT !!!!!! PAIN KILLER.:)

[jrork]

Okay, since I already have given a sneak peek to a bunch of you as to what I'm thnking for the boat, I might as well officially spill the beans on the colors and layout.
This was not easy as I thought and I sketched many different colors and styles but I kept coming back to how much I like the old days in drag racing and loving reading and hearing about Ronny Sox row that 4-speed in the Sox & Martins cars. All of those were painted Red White & Blue.
http://www.draglist.com/artman/uploads/daily_pictures/start_002.jpg
Then in the late 70's I was involved with a buddy on his ProGas Camaro and it to was painted Red White & Blue. This was actually a 1970 car but we hung the the 78/79 (can't remember which) to make it look new. Nice car and that was the end of my racing days (kids, job, house, etc...)
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0345.jpg
So, here it is give or take. It's liable to change a bit but this is what I'm thinking. I may pull the swoop a bit further up and back (or I may not).
May not be for everyone but I think it'll look pretty cool. Obviously the trailer will be painted with some cool wheels and tires attached
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/BluewithRed.jpg

[Wicked Performance Boats]

John, I like that color layout!!! It follows the kiss theory[keep it simple stupid]. Are you sure you'll make Potholes with it done? Can't wait to see it in person. Pat

[pw_Tony]

I completely agree on the color! Looked great on my pops car ;)
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd6/pw383426/_MG_8686sh.jpg

[jrork]

Thanks guys and for your question Pat, oh hell ya.... You're gonna have to come up here some time and put a wrench to it..............

[jrork]

I completely agree on the color! Looked great on my pops car ;)
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd6/pw383426/_MG_8686sh.jpg
Cool looking car your dad had. What did it run for a motor?
Me and my buddy use to run one of those. It was a C/SM car. Good times
Thats me in my old yellow and blue football jersey from highschool with a stupid looking straw hat... I weighed about half of what I do now......:(
Best part is you can't see the mullet that is under that hat........:D The 70's baby.....
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0349.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0362.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0363.jpg

[pw_Tony]

He still has that car and a couple other dusters. Runs hi tens with a Mild 360 small block.
It's actually silver, with red and blue candy clears. It worked out pretty good with the VERY deep candy colors, made out some stripes over the silver with the red and blue was pretty easy.... now spraying a candy color evenly is the trick.

[jrork]

Very cool I'm a diehard Chevy fan but those cars will always hold a special place in my heart. That thing would scream scary RPMs.. We were required to have full interior, 10" slicks and be damn near street legal. Couldn't mess with the heads, 780cfm max carb and a whole bunch of other rules that I can't remember (such is life in the NHRA)
Ran low 11's which for the 70's was pretty damn quick.

[jrork]

One of the biggest fears of mine was how I was going to lay out the lines. I had it in my head but couldnt get it penciled on the side of the boat for nothing. My wife walks out and nails it first try.......... :mad:
You gotta squint real hard but you get the general idea. I've got some tracing paper and I'll transfer the artwork over on to that so I'll have it and will allow both sides to be symmetrical.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0388.jpg

[speedymopars]

I completely agree on the color! Looked great on my pops car ;)
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd6/pw383426/_MG_8686sh.jpg
Hehe I like :-)

[BILLY.B]

Boat looks like it's coming along real nice John. Have you been keeping track of your hrs ?. It's always amazing to add them up at the end. Good luck on the graphics.

[jrork]

Boat looks like it's coming along real nice John. Have you been keeping track of your hrs ?. It's always amazing to add them up at the end. Good luck on the graphics.
Aw Billy, I don't think I wanna know how many hours I have in this thing. I'm pretty sure folks like yourself would probably have 1/20th the time I have put in to it and it'd look a whole lot better.
Thanks for the post....

[pokerboat]

Looking awesome jrork keep us posted.

[jetboatperformance]

:D Sand sand sand beer beer beer :D ....T

[McIntyrelocal]

i like the layout your boat is gonna look really nice and in my opinion super clean keep up the good work.;)

[holorinhal]

Hey John; Your boat is shaping up nicley! Looks like You are going to be ready for paint soon.
Do you have a spray booth to use? What are Your plans for that.I would be intrested to hear,becouse I am going to spray Mine Myself and not sure what I am going to do.....Hal

[jrork]

Hey John; Your boat is shaping up nicley! Looks like You are going to be ready for paint soon.
Do you have a spray booth to use? What are Your plans for that.I would be intrested to hear,becouse I am going to spray Mine Myself and not sure what I am going to do.....Hal
You've got a PM Hal......

[holorinhal]

Thank's John Got it....Hal

[jrork]

Here's the latest pics.
I'm done sanding and now just need to get it, the garage and my head ready to spray some color.....
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0390.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_0391.jpg
Stay tuned.......john

[jrork]

Holy cow, I can't believe this thread is still here. Much has happened since the crash of the board. I'll have to post up some pics to drag this back up and not leave it hanging.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1083.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1090.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1092.jpg
Colors are Pure White, Pure Red and Viper Blue Metallic Pearl. The pics dont do any of the colors justice.
It's all base coat / clear coat except for the absolute bottom that is bright white singe stage urethane with speed coat on the back.........John

[holorinhal]

Hey John.
Yea Man You gotta finnish the thread.That's what mine ,or is now still ,going to be.:confused:
I see all Your pic's are still intact? All Mine are just red X's.Must be something about where You have them hosted. The HB Moderator did say they were working on reloading all the pic's and Members galleries.
Can't wait to see moe of You'r boat....Hal

[jrork]

Yah, I switched to Photobucket quite some time ago when the last group of pics were lost on ***boat a few years ago. So far Photobucket has worked well.
Hopefully more pics tonight as I'll be up to my ears in my rail kit install...

[jrork]

Though I spend most of the time on PerformanceBoats.com nowdays, I don't want to leave this thread unfinished so I'll post up and update
Here is my attempt at a rail kit installation.
Figgr'd since I needed to trim the plates a bit I'd try to make a poorboy millin machine (i.e. router and straightedge)
Picked up a carbide router bit
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1514-1.jpg
My straight edge and some WD40
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1515-1.jpg
Are you ****tin me, this actually may work!!!
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1519.jpg
Pop's old router he left me when he passed was not up to the portamill idea
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1521.jpg
Off to Homedepot and picked up this badazz mofo
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1523.jpg
Like butter......this thing is making me look like I may actually know what I'm doin (though we all know better)
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1524.jpg
Due to the design of my 10qt oil pan the plate lightly touch a portion of the pan. To keep from vibration potentially rubbing a hole in the pan from the plate, I decided to fire up the Portamill one more time.
Bitchin!!!!! Works regoddamndiculasly well
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1528.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1530.jpg
I took baby steps and took a little off at a time fired up the "portamill" which from this day forward will always be refered to as the "PuertoMill".
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1531.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1533.jpg
Stay tuned folks........john

[jrork]

I continued my trimming tell it was setting right and then took a 3/16" carbide tip roundover bit in my router and gave the edges a nice round finished look.
I then went over everything with some 400 grit
Here's a pic of my rails with some 400 ran over them
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1641.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1647.jpg
I was going to leave it as a satin finish till my son talked me into polishing the plates.
He used 600, 1000, 1500 & 2000 wetndry and then polished them. He was right, it looks much better.....
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1644.jpg
And last night, we bolted the motor in for good :)devil
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1669.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1666.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1664.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1661.jpg
Yah, the interior is still a mess
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_1667.jpg

[jrork]

Wow, it's been a while since I updated this. Here's some of the latest.
Carpet is in, both motor plates & pump plate that Tom at JetBoat Performance hooked me up with are cut, polished and in.
Today I got to open the box that contained my new seats from Lucky Stiff. This guy is the shnit.
While it may not look it in the pics, the colors are spot on and the material is NICE!!!
LuckyStiff not only gave me a great product but he went out of the way to make sure I was not only happy but that I was in the loop as far as progress and shipping. I figured that if I was half as happy with the seats as I was with his service I was gonna be thrilled. Turns out the seats are BITCHIN!
He spent hours on the computer and phone with me trying to find a color and grain pattern that I liked that matched the colors (Viper Blue Metallic Pearl and Pure White) and let me tell you, he nailed it!
Thanks Skip, you're a class act :)devil:)devil:)devil............john
Seats are just mocked up but it gives you a hint of what it's gonna look like.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2743.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2745.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2748.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2750.jpg

[Luckie Stiff]

John, I'm stoked that you like the seats, and I'm proud that you chose my seats to finish off that beautiful boat with. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.
Skip
The Hot Seat Co
"Sit On It"

[jrork]

Here's one more....... whoops, I may have made a mess out of myself..:D
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2746.jpg

[dregsz]

Hey John,
Congrats on "finishing" the boat!
I recall the "here it is w the clear" thread at NWO.
I brought a 78' CVX20 blown up 460/Berkjet project home today and started tearing into it.
Not a truly fast boat, but probably faster then my last one, (eventually).
We'll see if it's ready for this Labor day.
Evan

[jrork]

Hey John,
Congrats on "finishing" the boat!
I recall the "here it is w the clear" thread at NWO.
I brought a 78' CVX20 blown up 460/Berkjet project home today and started tearing into it.
Not a truly fast boat, but probably faster then my last one, (eventually).
We'll see if it's ready for this Labor day.
Evan
What a sweet ride Evan! There's a bunch of jetboaters on the wet side of the bridge and 2 or 3 in Gig Harbor.
Also, if there's anyway you can make it. Labor Day at Mardon is off the hook, followed closely by the DVD unvailing after all the recording is burn to plastic. Last years movie was a gas.
Don't hesitate to call for some help and check out http://www.skagenboats.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=1. The whole NW Jetboat crew hangs out there and every one is a quality person. Good friends with zero drama.
PS....I still kick myself that I didnt jump on your Superboat when you were selling it. I've always wanted one........john

[holorinhal]

Here's one more....... whoops, I may have made a mess out of myself..:D
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2746.jpg
John Your boat really turned out Georgeous! I just hope Mine turns out half as nice......Hal

[GAWnCA]

John Your boat really turned out Georgeous! I just hope Mine turns out half as nice......Hal
Hal, from what I've seen you are doing one heck of a job on yours, John is just further along... I think. :cool:

[jrork]

John Your boat really turned out Georgeous! I just hope Mine turns out half as nice......Hal
Oh please, Hal yours is gonna be over the top. I've been pretty quiet here as I've been thrashing to get ready for the big Labor Day bash east of the mountains.
So far, plumbing and wiring is similar to stuffing 30 lbs of sh!t in a 5 lbs sack. mount one thing, in the way of something else, move that, now this doesnt line up......grrrrrrrr

[KONAKID]

great thread and beautiful boat! nice work!:cool:

[jrork]

great thread and beautiful boat! nice work!:cool:
Thanks Kona. It's getting really close. Hope to fire it this coming week after I go over everything again and check connections.
Here's the latest. I'm modifiying the starter and alternator wires cuz I can't stand how they look but otherwise this thing is done on the wiring and plumbing.
I have two bilge pumps in there that were a royal pain to fit in there behind the pump plate. One is a 1000gph on a mercury float switch wired hard to the battery (with a inline fuse) and the other is a 1200gph controlled by a switch on the dash.
I drilled and tapped a number of holes in the rear motorplate the provided a nice mounting point for the cushion clamps holding my boost pressure line and wires coming from the dizzy, coil and temp sender.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2832.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2834.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2836.jpg

[JETBOY03]

jonny boy that thing is looking really clean!!!

[jrork]

jonny boy that thing is looking really clean!!!
Thanks Austin. Ended up drop kicking the wire from the Alt to the starter and ran multiple heatshrink over it and then passed it through an old nitrous line I had after I sanded the braids back.
Looks much better in my dumbass opinion.......
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h157/jrork/IMG_2882.jpg
Still gotta do the starter wire but I'm thinking this is gonna just right.
PS........hit the key and it spun over like a mutha...... Next is to add some fuel to it and hear it cackle.........:D