1999 Longhorn Nauique Restoration

[dhmcfadin]

Peak HP in a tow boat is useless unless you plan this to be a barefoot boat, in which case you have the wrong hull and propulsion type to start with. Those torque numbers in the low range are really nice though. That's something you'll feel.

I agree. The boat will be used for waterskiing and cruising around. Definitely not a race boat. I may try a different intake manifold to break the 500 ft lbs mark but I kept the gt40 manifold because you’ll always know what the original engine was in this boat. Still have lots of time to decide lol.

[dhmcfadin]

Couple updates:

1. Fiberglass work is moving along nicely. Once all of the deck repairs are complete and newly laid fiberglass is cured, the deck will be removed from the hull once more, then re-sprayed inside and out so that even when you lay under the dash or observer seat, no raw fiberglass will be seen. Everything will be finished out. For the floors, short strand fiberglass filler is being used to flatten everything out. Then a layer of glass will be laid down to seal everything in. There are 10 ribs that run vertically up the sides of the bow. Once the deck is removed again, those will be cut out and replaced. The rear ribs were reinforced and re-glassed.
2. The engine was run a couple more hours on the dyno. A little more timing and some tuning brought the horsepower up but the more data that was logged, the more it became apparent that engine was starving for air. My goal with the rebuild of this engine was to maintain the GT40 intake so that anyone who looked under the engine cover would know what PCM engine this boat shipped with. I didn't think the stock intake would be such a bottle neck but the ecm and dyno don't lie. When I thought about the money spent thus far on the engine, I could no longer put form over function. I decided to make the swap to a Holley High-Ram EFI intake. Throttle body size is moving from a 70mm to 92mm. New fuel rails and shorter distributor are part of the package. Hopefully the engine will be up and running next week.
3. I've started talking with Ron Tanis from Ski Boat Parts Online about him doing the engine and trans installation. I am still deciding if I am going to a 1 1/8" prop shaft. If so, he will also be replacing the strut. After watching his video's online, he's the man for the job.

[dhmcfadin]

[dhmcfadin]

Pylon came in yesterday also! I wasn't crazy about the extra height but nautique just doesnt make the original anymore and no one in Austin, Houston, or San Antonio were willing to re-anodize.

[t.franscioni]

What did your glass guy use to fill the bow top deck screw holes? I was thinking just the little 1/4” strand thickener mixed with poly resin. I wanna do that also I’m never going to use the button on bow cover.

[dhmcfadin]

I've also selected the Seadek color combo.

Beach Sand base
Terra Brown top

[dhmcfadin]

What did your glass guy use to fill the bow top deck screw holes? I was thinking just the little 1/4” strand thickener mixed with poly resin. I wanna do that also I’m never going to use the button on bow cover.

He ground out each hole and then filled them with Everglass short strand fiberglass filler.

[dhmcfadin]

What did your glass guy use to fill the bow top deck screw holes? I was thinking just the little 1/4” strand thickener mixed with poly resin. I wanna do that also I’m never going to use the button on bow cover.

He ground out each hole and then filled them with Everglass short strand fiberglass filler.

[t.franscioni]

Thank you!

[SilentSeven]

Why did you patch the exhaust port?

[dhmcfadin]

Why did you patch the exhaust port?

Because I am running dual exhaust due to the larger engine size. Same configuration as a python boat. Engine needs to be able to breath inward and outward.

[SilentSeven]

ah...got it. totally makes sense. I would have guessed that you wouldn't have to had to patch the factory hole..maybe enlarge or add a second. thanks for the explanation!

[dhmcfadin]

ah...got it. totally makes sense. I would have guessed that you wouldn't have to had to patch the factory hole..maybe enlarge or add a second. thanks for the explanation!

Here’s the reason. The stock exhaust port runs along left hand side of the rudder which is free and clear from obstacles. If I were to run a second exhaust through the transom on the right in same position as the left, my exhaust tubing would run into the rudder arm. On python boats, the dual exhaust ports are further apart to maintain symmetry and prevent the exhaust tubing from hitting the rudder arm. It’s a tight fit but it’s what Nautique did so I’m just following their lead.

[Evening Shade]

I'm amazed at how fast this project is moving along. I figure it will move even quicker once the glass work is completed.

Most projects seem to stall out by this point because of lack of resources (time and/or money), but you seem to be on schedule for a late spring/early summer splash date.

Awesome project! Keep up the good work!

P.S. If I'm ever in Austin I would love to take a ride in this boat.

[dhmcfadin]

I'm amazed at how fast this project is moving along. I figure it will move even quicker once the glass work is completed.

Most projects seem to stall out by this point because of lack of resources (time and/or money), but you seem to be on schedule for a late spring/early summer splash date.

Awesome project! Keep up the good work!

P.S. If I'm ever in Austin I would love to take a ride in this boat.

Would be happy to take a cruise!

Thanks for the encouragement. I am hoping to be in the water by early June.