1972 Seacraft Seafari - The Fun Begins

[John3325]

Hello everyone,

I figured this is a much more appropriate place to post my progress and questions as I work towards getting my new to me Seafari ready for the water this year.

So far I have added some backing to the outrigger bases and started to clean her up a bit.

I attached some pictures of the progress I made today. After about 2 hours of using 3M Super Compound, the port side has been brought back to life! Hoping to get the Starboard side done tomorrow and one more final coat of wax on the hole thing. It probably won't be perfect again, but it definitely has that shine again and after putting just one coat of wax on the hull looks good.

More pictures and I am sure questions to follow as I move forward.

[Vezo, Part II]

Wow! The starboard side looks really good already! Has she been painted or is that garage kept original gel coat? I have not refinished a boat in almost ten years. Has 3M come out with something more or less abrasive than the original Heavy Duty compound? I have a lot of experience with that along with the Finesse It II and III. Getting ready to start on my new to me 1976 Seafari and the gel coat looks great for a starting point. Just assisted my buddy bringing home his second Bertram 20 for a complete restoration and the crazed original 1968 gel scared the Buh-Jesus out of me! The boats will be restored side by side in his shop in Thunderbolt, (Savannah) Georgia. Those members watching The Heritage Golf Tournament this week may see his completed 1966 running as a tender inside the Harbour. She's a looker, for sure. Complete yacht quality finish. Interested in your progress. Best of luck.

Vezo, Part II

[DonV]

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...olish-wax.html

Here's a very good article.

I tried the Presta product and I was very pleased, followed with Collinite and good for a year. eBay is your friend on buying these type of products. Bottom line....it's all "elbow grease" to really make it shine.

[John3325]

Vezo, original gelcoat from 1972. It has some gelcoat repair here and there, but only the transom was painted when the conversion was done. Sides where also taped off for the white boot, and whoever put it on decided to spray it. Boot came out good but it also left some white bloctches on the side of the hull where the tape did not cover.....oh well. Not too worried about it, for the year and how bad it was I am still extremely happy with it. Not sure if its new stuff, I think its been around for awhile. 3M Super Duty Rubbing Compound, comes in a black bottle. Used about half on just the port side, probably the other half today if I get home with enough time to get it done.

Collinite is what I used for the one coat of wax I got on it, great stuff.

[Bushwacker]

The last time Powerboat Reports ran a comparison test before they went out of business, Collinite Paste wax was rated the most durable. It'll probably last a year since you're so far north, but in S. Fl. it's only good for 6 months at best.

PBR also tested the liquid coatings, and Polyglo beat ALL the waxes by a good margin! It's not cheap . . . last time I checked a kit was about $65, but it's enough to do a 20' boat a couple of times. Not quite as good but still much cheaper than a new urethane paint job! Will make old chalky gel coat look great, last 2-3X longer than wax, and MUCH less work than the wet sanding/compounding/buffing/ wax routine! Other members on here have also used it with good results. I'll never wax again!

[Vezo, Part II]

Interesting. I'm old school. Still hand waxing the MA with Mothers pure carnauba paste wax. Of course she has only left the garage a total of 160 hours since transom rebuild and new 1999 Johnson 175. Haha

Can't wait to bust into her but have another 15 Whaler to complete first.

[John3325]

Started the woodwork and got the bottom painted, been a little busy with work over the past few days so I will try to get some pics of the progress up soon.

Also made a little divider out of some marine grade I have in the garage to separate the batteries from the gas tank.