Ready to hit the water - '74 V184

[PeterJ]

It fired up in less than a second, as usual.  The thermostat stuck fro a short while.  Shut it off when it hit 200, dropped right back to 180, and then opened after about 5 minutes of sitting.  Re-started it and it dropped back to 160 right away.  Time to take a quick run over to Hoot Lake.

[Rosscoe]

Great to see people getting out on the water. I will soon!

[PeterJ]

Well, it ran great!  Except for the hole in the exhaust manifold, which I just patch with some stove pipe cement every two to three years.  The patch always come off on the first run of the season for some reason.  Maybe one day I'll tackle that manifold...  It is small and fairly easy to patch.

[Jason]

Lookin good!

[PeterJ]

Now I just have to get my son to buff it up.    That poor old boat hasn't been waxed in years.  We have two miles of gravel any way we go from our house and the thing is dirty every time we take it to the lake.  

We had baseball size hail come through back in '03 and put a few good cracks in the gel coat.  I know I haven't waxed it since then.  The gel coat has looked faded since we bought it in '96.  

I usually bring an ice cream pail and rag to wash it while the kids swim.

I've been holding back on recovering the seats and freshening up the gel coat.  I don't want to put more money in the boat, incase something catastrophic happens.  

EVERYTHING about the boat works as it should.  All it needs is is the gel coat and seat covers.  Now that I've found this board, maybe I'll get encouraged to take the plunge on the "looks" stuff.

[PeterJ]

I should add, this boat has the 188hp 302 Ford Mercruiser.  I don't know how common they are.  It is not listed as a power option on the brochure.  But, the motor is one of the things we love most about this boat.  I've never tubed behind it, but my kids say it's the best pull they've ever had.

PeterJ

[Rosscoe]

Looks nice in the water. You've come to the right place for encouragement. I wouldn't wait for something catastrophic to happen any longer. Go for some beautification! Might as well enjoy it while you have it. The sun is really tough on the interior. Do you keep a cover on it?

[PeterJ]

It is ALWAYS covered.  ShoreMaster Fabrics is here in Fergus Falls and they made a custom cover for it.  http://shoremasterfabric.com/

Problem is it spent the first 22 years of its life on a lake.  The original carpet was shot when I got it. 

It would be interesting to get an assessment of the boats condition from an experienced restoration person.

[Rosscoe]

"It would be interesting to get an assessment of the boats condition from an experienced restoration person."

I am sure that would be expensive.
You can get a lot of advice here, from members that have done it all, and its free!
I'd check the floor for soft spots. Very common, then check the transom. Pull the seats and have them reupholstered unless you are good at sewing. Old covers can be used as templates. If floor is good, replace carpet. I'd replace those exhaust manifolds too. If they rusted through on the outside, to me, they'd be questionable on the inside.
The gel could possibly be touched up/repaired in places, but I would try some polishing compound first and if it isn't doing the job, wet sand. Ideally, you'd want to get it back to as close to the original color before gel coat repair. Very expensive to have it all redone.

[Jerry]

My Granddaughter is going to school up there this fall. I taught her everything.