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here's a close-up of the starboard top edge. You can see nicks and scratches from the last 50 years... I'll probably sand as many as I can out, but leave a few of the bigger ones... for character... This boat IS a 1958, after all! Even when I'm done, it's going to have its share of dents and dings...
Tomorrow, I'm planning on working on the steering wheel and trailer, to get the last little bits ready for paint HOPEFULLY next week. Also, once the rest of the bow is polished, I'm enlisting a couple of buddies to help me flip it over on the dolly, so i can get the bow and bottom edges polished and sealed.... before you ask... NO I'm not polishing the bottom! haha!
Well, I started working on the wheel... and found out it was rubber, so I'm not sure how well it will take the paint (though it was originally painted)... I'm probably going to shoot it black again, and just hope for the best. getting a new wheel isn't a huge ordeal, and I can do that after the boat's together.
I went ahead and started cleaning up the transom brace, though! That piece on my boat was rough cast in sand, I guess... and I thought it would make a nice shiny spot at the rear, so I started cleaning up the surfaces with a scotchbrite wheel. It cuts through aluminum like butter, and helps make the casting nice and smooth. After it's all smoothed out, I'll buff it to a respectable shine and re-rivet it in.
I just caught on regarding your member name after seeing a Frank TV ad last night with his parody of the President - love it! Regarding the wheel - you may want to explore dipping the rubber portion of the wheel in the liquid material they use to coat tool handles etc. I would assume it comes in black, would give you a firm grip, and may not flake off or wear off as quickly as paint? Just a unresearched thought - i have seen it in red, orange and blue by the can at local home improvement stores but may be available in other colors - black, wonder woman gold, silver etc???
It looks like Klattu's new boat mascot comes with additional floatation at no cost! Keep the updates rolling in. I liked the pin-up airforce bomber idea a lot until the naming it after your kid thought was posted. One will sit far better with the at-home audience then the other...... Wooden ski's are a must - preferably with shiny silver hardware.
I did not win the ebay auction as the reserve was not met but was the high bidder. Little spooked that the seller never responded to any of my email questions and the posted description and photos were very weak. I am hoping it is due to poor posting skills versus deceitful intent as his other auctions are equally poort on content.
Shot a message saying i would have bid more and picked it up next week if he would respond or offer more etails - cross fingers.
This was found under the 60 horse before putting on the 1958 35 Sea Horse...
I took off the riser...that let PO use a long shaft motor.
Decided to leave on the plywood for now.
Gives motor more transom support, plus a 3/4" setback.
Just had to set it on there for a look see...
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Hey American......noticed on yours, the rear trim tab is full width.
Mine is only two short ones.
I saw that. No 2 of these boats are alike, I'm convinced! haha! Did you ever get a set of vintage controls to go with the motor? I played with mine a little this weekend. I can't get it to turn over anymore! I don't get it. It pulled fine for a few goes, now it's stuck. My motor is really clean, like it's never been run much... hope that's not an indication of something bad lurking within!
I got my hull flipped over on the dolly this weekend, and started working on the bottom. There's a nice dent near the rear that I need to fix, and now that its upside down, I can see all the little bruises on the lower bow... how depressing! haha! You won't see em when it's flipped over, so they stay... for now, anyway... I'll post some more pics when I get a chance. and NO... I WON'T be polishing the bottom, for the curious...
While it' upside down, I'll reseal the keel and the seam on both sides. the sealant that's in there now pulls out in chunks! I'll also sand the front bow sides as well as I can and polish them. The front bow is MUCH easier to polish with the boat upside down.
Now for the trailer... I decided to break the trailer completely down, rather than leave any 2 things bolted together. One of my buddies made a good point... the rust will leave streaks over the new paint, and I'll have to do it all over again.... so the "do it once, do it right" rule has come into play... adds a little time to the project, but worth it, i would say. For tail lights, I plan on putting on some stainless Model T replicas (the ones with the "STOP" in the top part, and the red light below). I think that'll add a little class to it! I also got the new rollers in last week as well. Still need to order all the stainless Steel hardware, but there's no real rush yet, as the trailer hasn't even been painted yet.
Just missed a set of vintage controls on Ebay last night.
Went way over my bid anyway.
Was a new in the box Simplex, will all the attachment ends, just not cables, for $112 +/-
Will keep looking.
Probably need to see if my motor will even run too.
I did spin by hand, just never tried to start yet.
What prop you going with?
I found a 10" x 12p cheap.
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I saw those controls! Planned on bidding on them myself, actually. I have a set that's right for 1958 or 9 and up.. but I like the look of the ribs on the mid 50s ones. I'm going to try to strip the paint off my current set and polish it to see what it looks like. That would look cool, huh? shiny controls!
you can get the knobs for it at McMaster.com, btw.
I need to take some pics of the boat upside down! I'll try to get to that this afternoon/evening
In honor of Alki and her battle with cancer we will be participating in the 2008 American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Please click here if you would like to see her page and donate to the cause: Donate
I'm liking that rear cover, and i ain't even gonna try to spell it.
Good to see those colors, I know now not to go that direction.
Motor is just like mine, missing front emblem too.
What kinda controls you got?
These are what I have now..gonna change to the more round type if time.
Now this would look good polished, and a matching color in the grooves, like old finned valve covers
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In honor of Alki and her battle with cancer we will be participating in the 2008 American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Please click here if you would like to see her page and donate to the cause: 
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