Author Topic: 1969 GT-160 Project Underway (Read 8839 times)

Dyounge · « **on:** May 29, 2019, 11:44:35 AM »

Mild restoration of my ‘69 GT-160 has begun. I’m actually about a month in and have more picture updates to post in the days ahead. But wanted to post these as I know how much I enjoy seeing everyone else’s projects.

50 year old hull had lots of crazing of the gelcoat. I ground out each one with a Dremel and filled with Total Boat Total Fair

Hyperacme · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2019, 03:35:34 PM »

Great progress !
Keep pictures coming ..

carlsoncvx18 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2019, 05:46:40 AM »

Keep up the good work

Looks like you had quite a few stress cracks you ground out.

What did use to grind them out and fill with?

Plugcheck · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2019, 07:33:13 AM »

The fairing compound you used is an excellent choice for filling the ground out crazing. Only drawback is that after 24 hours, it becomes so hard, it is harder to sand. From the looks of it, you spent a lot of time chasing cracks with the Dremel. Great progress, hopefully be out on the water soon. BTW, what are your plans to finish the hull? Paint? Gelcoat?

Dyounge · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2019, 12:19:37 PM »

Quote from: carlsoncvx18 on May 30, 2019, 05:46:40 AM

What did use to grind them out and fill with?

Dyounge · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2019, 12:27:06 PM »

Quote from: Plugcheck on May 30, 2019, 07:33:13 AM

BTW, what are your plans to finish the hull? Paint? Gelcoat?

Thanks Michael! You’re right, though. So. Much. Sanding! I knock it down with the 5” rotary sander first then finish by hand. For finishing I’m going with paint. Full system from Alexseal. Have heard really good things about them so we’ll see. Green Metallic and Oyster White with a clear coat over it all. It’s a two part polyurethane for yachts. Should hold up plenty well for my needs...hopefully!

Dyounge · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2019, 12:39:59 PM »

Cut a plug out of the floor and found wet foam. 😟 So cut out access panel, ripped it all out, and put a heater on it for a few days to dry thoroughly. Stringers are solid thankfully. Put another layer of 1708 over everything in the rear for extra insurance. Then put in the pink closed cell home insulation foam and sealed it all back up. That last pic doesn’t show all the foam I did BTW. I crammed it in everywhere I could.

Dyounge · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2019, 11:20:55 AM »

Bought an early 90’s Bayliner Cobra last fall to steal a motor from. 130HP 2 stroke Yamaha in good condition. Fingers crossed no troubles this season. Have an appt at Hannay’s to have it gone over after I get it installed. Removing it went pretty quick. First thing that’s gone quickly all project!

Hyperacme · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2019, 12:31:48 PM »

Would love to get a 130 HP Yamaha !
Your GT should go pretty good with that motor ..

Sadly .. we're going to put you on a short "Time out" for posting the word "BaYliNeR" ..
LOL
Just kidin'

Dyounge · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2019, 04:16:49 PM »

Quote from: Hyperacme on June 02, 2019, 12:31:48 PM

Sadly .. we're going to put you on a short "Time out" for posting the word "BaYliNeR" ..

Ha! 😂 I suppose that is a four letter word around here!

Hyperacme · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2019, 04:55:18 PM »

Keep posting progress pictures and we'll let it slide …
LOL

Dyounge · « **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2019, 10:16:46 AM »

Paint time! For a paint booth, I used a 10'x20' canopy frame. Was similar price to buying PVC pipes and fittings and i figured something designed by an actual engineer would be sturdier than anything I could've cobbled together. I wrapped it in 6mil plastic that came in a 20'x100' roll and was more difficult to hang by myself than I expected. Seams were duct taped and a box fan installed. A far cry from a legit booth, but there is actual negative pressure in there with the fan on. I laid down the primer and it felt rougher than I want. I suspect too much overspray staying suspended in the air. It sanded out fine, but I will add another box fan before I shoot the topcoat. I have no expectations of a perfect, professional job, but, after all this work, need it to be decent. This is nerve racking. Hopefully I don't ruin everything. Wish me luck!

Hyperacme · « **Reply #12 on:** June 03, 2019, 10:28:16 AM »

Great progress !
Are you painting Yamaha white and putting old Johnson decals on it ?

Dyounge · « **Reply #13 on:** June 03, 2019, 12:19:29 PM »

That’s my biggest conundrum currently. Let me put my flameproof pants on before I explain! At first I was going to paint it like an Evinrude Strangler but use green instead of the blue. Then I landed on keeping it simpler and classier and paint the midsection of the cowl black and add chrome strips to mimic an early Mercury. But now that it’s implementation time I have all kinds of doubt. This will sound like sacrilege to some but I am open to suggestions.

I would still label it a Yamaha. I'm not trying to fool anybody into thinking it is an actual Strangler or Kiekhaefer. Just trying to backdate the motor a bit so it looks like it belongs on a 1969 boat.

Hyperacme · « **Reply #14 on:** June 03, 2019, 01:53:35 PM »

LOVE the Strangler look !
Wouldn't offend me a bit ..
I would stay with the blue, but maybe trim off the "Strangler" off the bottom of the 135 decal.

Would black vents / trim in rear of motor interfere with decal placement ?

Hyperacme · « **Reply #15 on:** June 03, 2019, 01:55:51 PM »

OR .. Maybe "Super Strangler" !

Plugcheck · « **Reply #16 on:** June 03, 2019, 02:32:58 PM »

I think it's a great idea to match the engine look to the watercraft vintage. Likely won't fool the diehards, but in the end, it's your boat, do what you want.

dorelse · « **Reply #17 on:** June 03, 2019, 03:38:09 PM »

A modern engine with a more 'period' look wouldn't bother me one bit either...

Dyounge · « **Reply #18 on:** June 07, 2019, 11:08:45 AM »

Good news is she's painted! Bad news is the color is not what i expected. I'm trying to hold off on final judgement until I can get it out in the sun, but the green seems darker and bluer than the chip I was sent. It is what is is. I'm certainly not starting over at this point! I just hope the interior still works with the new shade.

On to the trailer this evening and then getting motor rigged this weekend. Appointment at Hannays on Monday. I want to be on the water before the end of the month!

Plugcheck · « **Reply #19 on:** June 08, 2019, 10:17:47 AM »

Looks great, hope to see some pictures of it out in the sunlight. Hopefully the color is closer to your expectations then. Over a light sealer, colors tend to be lighter, I wouldn't have guessed darker.