1999 Longhorn Nauique Restoration

[dhmcfadin]

Hey PN,

A couple months ago I posted in the new member section about a boat that was recently passed down to me. The official Nautique model is a 1999 Sport Nautique but we call it the "Longhorn Nautique" or "Ol' Horney". The reason being, in 99, my dad special ordered this boat from correct craft with a burnt orange color scheme and logos authorized by The University of Texas. Since taking delivery, my family has put over 4000 hours on this boat. As a result, the boat needs a lot of love. Now that the she is mine and after months of research and planning, I have officially begun restoring her. The goal is rebuild the boat better than when it left the factory while improving its performance and technology. Most importantly, the boat needs to remain tasteful. Here's a list of items we will be tackling this winter.

• The GT40 351 is the original numbers matching block (the engine has been overhauled twice in its lifetime but the block is the original). It will be rebuilt into a 408. Goal is 500 hp, 500 ft lbs.
• The deck of the boat will be removed, all fiberglass will be properly fixed (lots of small repairs over the years, not all of them done right).
• New gelcoat over the entire deck, hull, and interior walls and floor will be sprayed.
• Complete Seakdek flooring will be installed. Floors, gunnel steps, interior walls, etc.
• Dash pod will be turned into a mold and the recreated in fiberglass. It will wrapped in a tan vinyl or marine leather of some sort with stitching.
• New switch, gauge, and radio overlay panels will be built.
• New upholstery
• Transition to ballast bags instead of hard tanks.
• Replacing OEM tower with New Dimensions.
• Interior will be brought back to oem patterns but I will be adding some small details that should make it stand out when you look close.
• Windshield, vents, and all metal parts throughout the boat including the engine support plates will be powder-coated black.
• All chrome will be restored.
• Ski pylon will be re-anodized.
• Complete JL Audio System with bow speakers.
• Full LED lighting.
• Perfect pass added
• Completely stainless steel exhaust from the manifolds back built by FAE here in Austin, Texas.

Here a couple photos of Ol' Horney in pre-restoration state:

[dhmcfadin]

Tomorrow the boat will be taken down to McQueeney, Texas to have the engine pulled and start addressing all of the glass work that needs to be done. I spent the weekend taking the boat down to a bare hull and deck. All wiring and harnesses have been removed along with virtually every other part within the boat. Once, all of the glass, gelcoat, and seadek is done, it will go to San Antonio for upholstery and then back to my garage for final assembly and wiring. It's gonna be brand new when we are done!!!

[dhmcfadin]

Throughout the next couple months, I will be putting a couple items up for sale:

• Complete GT40 fuel injection system with complete harness, ECU, fuel system, injectors, new FCC high and low pressure components, etc. The whole package.
• 1.23: 1 40 series transmission
• Complete exhaust system from the manifolds back. Hull hugger muffler and down pipes are in great shape.
• Possibly an FCT2 tower

[shag]

Can't wait to see the completed project! 100 amp alternator upgrade?

[dhmcfadin]

Can't wait to see the completed project! 100 amp alternator upgrade?

Absolutely!

[Evening Shade]

Wow! You've done some serious work already just stripping it down. I will be be following this awesome project.

[GMLIII]

Looking forward to seeing your progress on the restoration.

[Evening Shade]

Are you still planning on doing everything you mentioned in the first post? That's a huge list. I'm curious what your budget is on this project? It sounds like it will be really awesome!

[dhmcfadin]

Are you still planning on doing everything you mentioned in the first post? That's a huge list. I'm curious what your budget is on this project? It sounds like it will be really awesome!

Yes, that list is most of everything that will be done. Since I am only outsourcing is the glass work, upholstery, and engine, I am saving a ton on labor. Yes, I am spending more than the boats worth but this is a family heirloom, it's priceless to me.

[Evening Shade]

Yes, that list is most of everything that will be done. In regard to budget, I am at about 25 all said and done. Since all I am only outsourcing is the glass work, upholstery, and engine, I am saving a ton on labor. Yes, I am spending more than the boats worth but this is a family heirloom, it's priceless to me. It's the only boat in world from correct craft with this color scheme. Also, I don't have kids yet so I am justifying the cost of this project lol.

Its definitely a great story and well worth preserving for another 4000 hours!

[nautique9911]

Awesome! CanÂ’t wait to see it!



Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[Bevostein]

Hook'em! I can't wait to see this boat come together!

[Evening Shade]

dhmcfadin I'm curious how your dad was able to talk Nautique in to building this one off boat?

[GMLIII]

dhmcfadin I'm curious how your dad was able to talk Nautique in to building this one off boat?

A pre Planet Nautique boat back in the day . One of a kind. LOL

[dhmcfadin]

dhmcfadin I'm curious how your dad was able to talk Nautique in to building this one off boat?

The boat was ordered through Sail and Ski San Antonio by Troy Triplett. My dad and him were friends. The story my dad always told me (and I am probably butchering this) is that they were chatting about ordering a new boat after our 97 went of over the spillway in a flood. My dad made the joke along the lines of, “if you only you could build me a longhorn boat. Troy apparently said let me see what I can do. Nautique gave the ok, my dad went to the University to request permission for colors and logos. The rest is history.

I imagine today it would not be possible with the logos and branding but who knows. Nautique does still offer custom gelcoat colors for a price.