2000 Air Restoration (seadek)

[Chris Parsons]

This summer I picked up a 2000 air nautique that the engine had frozen during winter and put a hole in the side of it.

I picked this up as a project with my dad and after losing my job due to covid it quickly became a must to get back in great condition to sell.

1) New engine
2) New upholstry
3) Seadek
4) Marine speakers and head unit

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Chris Parsons]

Before photos

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Chris Parsons]

Step one was to clean it up and order thr engine. I started the seadek project as I waited for the engine to arrive.

I used a brass drill bit wheel to remove all the carpet glue. I pressure washed all the tanks.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Chris Parsons]

One of the first challenges of adding seadek is dealing with the gap under the carpet at the walk through to the bow.

I used spray insulation to fill the hole then covered it with fiberglass/resin, followed by a mixture of microballoons /resin to create a thick milk shake consistency. Its the red stuff you see below. Allows it to be hard and sandable.

After, I covered it with white gelcoat and sanded it smooth. As you can see in one of the photos below.

I will say the gelcoat did crack but this was being covered in seadek so it didn't really matter.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Chris Parsons]

How to fill the gaps. Lots of opinions on how to do this properly. I choose to make topper plates for the ski locker hatch and the transmission hatch. I used wood soaked in resin then wrapped in fiberglass.

Other options could be cutting new hatches with Coosa board or maybe aluminum topper plates.

I dont have as many photos of this but basically I made a 1/4 inch plate that filled the gaps created when you rip out the carpet. Once the carpet is removed on the hatches the floor is no longer flush and there is a 1/2 inch gap around the perimeter.

The topper plate, as I call it, brings the floor flush and fills the perimeter gaps.

I bolted the topper plates to the original hatches. Counter sinking when possible.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Chris Parsons]

Engine cover

I originally thought I'd just carpet this with new carpet. It was much harder than I thought and I decided to seadek.

I used the same microballoons/resin mixture to level the slight curves on the engine cover. I then sanded everything flat.

Everything was primed with marine primer paint then painted with black marine paint.

While this looks good and is cheaper and quicker if I were to do it again id definitely do gelcoat. The paint is a little tacky and scuffs up stuff easily.

I took some pictures of the seadek install process. This method is used on the entire boat.

Cut the adhesive tape on the under side of the seadek down the middle. Fold it in a "v" shape and flip over. This allows you to slide the seadek around in place. Once its in place simply stick it by pressing down. Then peel each side up one at a time and remove tape and adhere to floor.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Chris Parsons]

Floor is ready for seadek. Photos of seadek to come. Sneak peak of new engine installed.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Chris Parsons]

Decided to pull and paint with vinyl paint the side console. Really made this look a lot better.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Chris Parsons]

Time for engine install.

Ordered a chevy 350 5.7 vortec 300hp engine from Atlantic Marine in Miami. Mericruiser.

My dad and I built a gantry to pull the motor. Used my truck and a tree to raise and lower it.

Also below is a pic of the busted side wall from freezing.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Chris Parsons]

Used a oxidation remover. Buffed and polished. Really cleaned up well. The other side was in good shape already but I did polish it.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Chris Parsons]

Uphostry and seadek arrived. I had a local shop match the skins. I had next level here in orlando scan and cut seadek. Went with kicker marine speakers.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Chris Parsons]

Final product really came together.

Id def do the seadek project a little different but overall it came out well. I swapped trailers and kept the red one seen earlier for my other boat.

Also a photo of the kick plate i made with wood and fiberglass.

Thats it!

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[WakeUT]

I love reading posts like these. The seadek turned out really nice, boat looks great.

[dhmcfadin]

Great work! Did you leave carpet under the bow cushions or did you use Seadek there as well?

[Chris Parsons]

Great work! Did you leave carpet under the bow cushions or did you use Seadek there as well?

Under bow cushions was just gelcoat. Under rear seat it was carpet. I ripped it out and did marine paint. Bow floor was seadek

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk