New member, first time boat owner, could use some suggestions - 1993 Sport Nautique

[nbobinger]

Hello everyone, first time boat owner and new member. I recently purchased a 1993 Sport Nautique that needs some love. I have attached some pictures, hoping to be able to do some of the work on my own, so any help and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Here are some pictures of the exterior:
plan on trying to save the paint, do you think I will need to wet sand or just heavy compound to cut/buff? If I do have to wet sand could anyone provide grit progression for sanding process?











Interior:
Need to get all the seat cushions in the back and front left rewrapped, located in Columbus, anyone have any good suggestions? Hoping to be able to clean up the rest of the vinyl with some elbow crease and cleaner.













Looks like the trailer needs carpet fixed, is it best to jack the boat up to do this or wait until I can put the boat some where in the water for a day?

Let me know if you guys have any other suggestions from the pictures. Hope to keep this thread updates with the progress as I go along!

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!
- Nick

[vanhanbr]

I would wet sand to save yourself time. Go 600,800,1000, then heavy compound with wool, then 3m finesse-it with foam pad.

[JD ski]

This company has all of the patterns that Correct Craft has made over the years and specialize in our boats. I have not used them but reports I have read state they are not cheep, but well worth the money.
http://www.christinesmarine.com/

As for the bunks I did a boat as you suggested. I purchased pressure treated wood and marine grade carpet. Measured the lumber currently being used and cut the new boards to length. Attached the carpet to the lumber via staples and hauled the boat and gear to the water. In my case I went to a very little used boat ramp and put the boat in the water and anchored it close to shore.Went into the parking lot and removed the old bunks and installed the new ones, attempt to keep the alignment of the bunks the same.Then, I put the boat back on the trailer. and returned to the parking lot. Now you need to look at the bunks again. The new bunks are straight and you will need to curve them to fit the bottom of the boat. So, you need a floor jack and possible a block of wood to use as a spacer. Loosen the bolts on the adjustable brackets and jack up the bracket until the bunk is supporting weight. In some cases the braces are not adjustable and you may be able to use ratchet straps to pull into place or the weight of the boat will bend the boards.

[nbobinger]

Well took the stern seats out and went to the local upholstery shop and they just quoted $600 to redo the back sets, got to keep looking around Christine's takes too long

[TRIP]

Congrats, nice boat!
Yeah you'll be wetsanding...
Be careful to not use chlorine or products with chlorine in it for the upholstery.

Looking forward to seeing it shine again!

[nbobinger]

Ended up going with a local shop that could get them done within 3 days, Christine's was going to take 3 months....

[hondaprlud]

Congrats! That thing will be sweet with some elbow grease.

That boat looks familiar where in Ohio was it?


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[nbobinger]

Congrats! That thing will be sweet with some elbow grease.

That boat looks familiar where in Ohio was it?


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Columbus, OH bought it off a guy that has had it since 2009 when he bought it from PA

[hondaprlud]

Not the same unless my friend sold to the PA guy. I'm in NE Ohio, but get down on O'shay once or twice a year.


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[nbobinger]

Well my buddy got me supplies to work on buffing everything out. Pending the weather stays clear for next weekend I have a long weekend and hope to knock it out. Plus stern seat cushions will be done this week and my buddy is going to re do my teak swim platform next week.. Hope to have it to the shop for prep the following week and ready to go by 2nd week of April.

[ScooterMcgavin]

Looking forward to seeing the progress on the new ride! Congrats and welcome!

[DaveNH]

I know you want it done quick, but Christine's skins will make the boat look brand new, with perfect original patterns and good quality skins. Up to you, but might be worth the wait.

Your buddy doing the swim platform - I suggest you don't sand it, unless it has urethane on it already. Sanding makes it look great but also makes it very slippery, people will have their feet slipping out from under them, sometimes funny, sometimes smacking into the transom on the way down. Just steel wool or wire brush to get some staining out, maybe some teak cleaner, then teak oil, has the best result without being slippery.

Nice boat, like the colors! Good luck with it!

[nbobinger]

I know you want it done quick, but Christine's skins will make the boat look brand new, with perfect original patterns and good quality skins. Up to you, but might be worth the wait.

Your buddy doing the swim platform - I suggest you don't sand it, unless it has urethane on it already. Sanding makes it look great but also makes it very slippery, people will have their feet slipping out from under them, sometimes funny, sometimes smacking into the transom on the way down. Just steel wool or wire brush to get some staining out, maybe some teak cleaner, then teak oil, has the best result without being slippery.

Nice boat, like the colors! Good luck with it!

We can agree to disagree on Christine's. Maybe if it was on a section that had multiple colors and specific stitching I could understand. However, I am not going to wait 90+ days for a single color simple vinyl on a seat cushions that I can have fully done and assembled for only $50 more in 3 days. Pretty simple and logical if you ask me.

Thanks for the info on the teak swim platform. I have the 3 stage star brite kit for it, and he does his every season but will pass along the info.

[DaveNH]

Totally understand on the skins.

What do you plan to use the boat for mostly, skiing, boarding, everything? I'm a big Sport Nautique fan, and happen to think your hull is one of the best looking hulls they made. Really versatile boats, with a lot of room for friends and family.

[nbobinger]

Well it has been a long weekend but this is where it stands as of today. Got some rain all day so going to have to finish the detailing up later this week. Buddy is working on swim deck this week and then it goes into the shop for a season prep.

Before:





During:














AFTER: