Saved From a Trip to the Scrapyard

[Shlbyntro]

Haven't had a chance to run the engine yet with all the wet weather. Had to service up the Excursion today but since I was at the shop I felt I had to do a couple little things for the boat so I managed to service the drive, install the drive shower, and install the skeg "guard"

 

[t&y]

Good work man. What did you use to clean up the drive?

 

[Shlbyntro]

Soapy water in a spray bottle with some scotch brite. I can probably get it a little better if I use acid but I have a strong aversion to using acid for anything

 

[Shlbyntro]

And the engine run video is here!

 

[King295]

And the engine run video is here!

Sounds good! Nice work.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Gimbal ring job on the boat today, it was worn out. Refurbed gimbal ring, new ss swivel pin, swivel pin seal, gimbal bearing, u joint bellows, shift cable+bellows, trim sender+limit switch, synthane washers, lube line.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Had some free time after lunch today, waiting on approvals for 2 large jobs and then 3 others that I have approvals and parts for are at marinas that are still closed. So, I decided to work on the Ultra for a couple hours.

Got the new exhaust tips installed and was able to see that the transom is as dry and solid as solid can be.

However the majority of my time today was spent cleaning the bilge.

Before:

After:

 

[Shlbyntro]

Installed new trim tab system today. I'm a fan of Bennett hydraulic tabs and went with a set of small channeled sport tabs since my primary concern is to control porpoising and with leveling and planing out being only minor concerns.

 

[Shlbyntro]

I have to apologize for the mess of wiring in the engine room. It is all cut to length to make a specific run but I won't have the wiring porn for you guys until after the new carpet is installed which will occur after the lake test. I don't want to make any more unnecessary holes in the floor that I won't be able to find after the carpet goes down.

Hope yall are enjoying the updates and progress. So far I've spent about 50% of my budget I've set for this boat and still on track. Stereo equipment, some upholstery, and cosmetics are the only items that still need to be bought and paid for.

 

[King295]

Looking great! Enjoying the progression updates.

 

[Shlbyntro]

It's almost stereo time! Sorry for you guys who don't like it but I'm a big fan of Boss Stereo equipment. Best bang for the buck you can possibly get and if set up right, nobody can tell the difference between it, a JL system, or a WetSounds system until they look at the sticker. (And the sticker price for that matter)

 

[Shlbyntro]

So small side project for the boat, the current Gaffrig shift, throttle controller is OK and works fine, but I've been sitting on this original Kiekhaffer (not sure I spelt it right?) Throttle/shift controller and my favorite part about it is it has throttle detents where as the Gaffrig one does not. And since I was going to be ripping apart one of the control boxes anyway to flip the controls around, I decided to rip into the Kiekhaffer, clean it up and rearrange everything to my liking!

Notice the old control box has the shifter located on the outside where you have to reach around the throttle (maybe that's why the old owner beat the boat up so bad? Haha)

My Kiekhaffer that's literally been living on the floor under my tool box for more than a year now

3x heavy coats of phantom black

2 coats of Merc Racing blue and 2 coats of clear

And the final

 

[Shlbyntro]

New developement. Started work on the rotten wood pieces of the boat. Primarily the engine hatch and the and the rear seat base.

In addition to the multiple sinkings the boat has had in its life, as I stripped the engine hatch, I found evidence of a small engine fire at some point too which I am beginning to think may be a contributing cause the the underwater exhaust leak that caused the first sinking.

Man my Ultra has had a rough life!

I anticipate having the seat base fully completed this weekend as well as having the raw engine hatch built and resin coated

 

[Shlbyntro]

Seat base done, engine hatch to go!

 

[Shlbyntro]

 

[Dalton]

that thing is hammered from top to bottom, what did the old owners buy next?

 

[Shlbyntro]

To my knowledge, they have not replaced it yet as per my purchase agreement for the boat and trailer I also had to pay their bill at my shop and promised them a free bow to stern mechanics inspection of their next boat and have not received a call yet.

It was cherry when they bought it 6 years ago according to a friend of mine who used to service the boat for the guy who sold it to them.

 

[Dalton]

To my knowledge, they have not replaced it yet as per my purchase agreement for the boat and trailer I also had to pay their bill at my shop and promised them a free bow to stern mechanics inspection of their next boat and have not received a call yet.

It was cherry when they bought it 6 years ago according to a friend of mine who used to service the boat for the guy who sold it to them.

I think they need a lavey or boat with very little wood

 

[Shlbyntro]

There's only 1 Lavey out here and I don't think the owner is selling! Lol

They may be taking a break from boating after this one

 

[Shlbyntro]

And boom! Engine hatch done, minus the resin coat. Temp dropped a lot faster than I was expecting today and I don't really want to do any hot batches. That can happen later anyway as I am going to have a professional upholsterer cover the hatch and recover all the seat cushions.

 

[HotRod82]

Great job man, cool seeing stuff get saved from the boneyard......

 

[Shlbyntro]

Great job man, cool seeing stuff get saved from the boneyard......

Thank you sir. I actually enjoy saving boats and selling them more than I do using them or just being an outright mechanic. This one however I am keeping and plan on actually enjoy using it! Im hoping to have it ready for the 2019 Ultra Fest in Havasu and am anxiously awaiting for dates to be posted. It's been 5 years since I've been back there.

 

[Singleton]

Thank you sir. I actually enjoy saving boats and selling them more than I do using them or just being an outright mechanic. This one however I am keeping and plan on actually enjoy using it! Im hoping to have it ready for the 2019 Ultra Fest in Havasu and am anxiously awaiting for dates to be posted. It's been 5 years since I've been back there.

Dates were posted already on the Ultra FB site

 

[Shlbyntro]

Dates were posted already on the Ultra FB site

This is as close as I get to social media. No facebook. Is the June 8-9 2018 dates on their website a typo and those are 2019 dates?

 

[Singleton]

This is as close as I get to social media. No facebook. Is the June 8-9 2018 dates on their website a typo and those are 2019 dates?

 

[J.P.]

Nice work!

 

[Hallett_Whacker]

Beautiful.

You're a talented dude.

 

[King295]

Still loving the updates, you are making some great progress. This also makes me realize I have about zero talent when it comes to shit like this. It took me damn near all day yesterday to make this "extension" for my dining room table for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner to be hosted at my place... lol.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Still loving the updates, you are making some great progress. This also makes me realize I have about zero talent when it comes to shit like this. It took me damn near all day yesterday to make this "extension" for my dining room table for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner to be hosted at my place... lol.

View attachment 703430

I can dig it! I can't believe it turned out as well as it did for me. I don't do wood work ever and somehow managed to turn these pieces out on top of a tool cart with nothing more than a skilsaw and a nail and staple gun. With all the mechanical, I am perfectly in my comfort zone.

The wood work was an absolute challenge and first for me. I was pretty happy being able to get everything just about perfect to within 1/8inch but I think I'm going to be drawing the line here and will be seeking help for the rest of the upholstery and gel coat repairs.

The table looks great in my eyes!

 

[Shlbyntro]

 

[Shlbyntro]

Sorry no updates since the hatch build as I am currently in Commiefornia for the hollidays, but came across this old collage in my parents garage.

2 Ultras that I spent a lot of time on as a kid that belonged to family friends; the ones I was referring to in my original post and memories of which are the driving force behind this restoration.

I'm anxious to get home

 

[King295]

Cool pictures, I'm sure that is some solid motivation to keep the project moving forward.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Weather was beautiful in Austin today, sunny and in the mid 70s so I took the oportunity to get the resin on the engine hatch before our next cold snap. 2 thick coats on both sides. It sucked it up like a sponge. Just the hatch took more than a gallon of resin.

Also got the "New" old Kiekhaffer shifter installed. Surprise! It didn't fit. Go figure the 2 shifters don't have the same footprint and I had to widen the hole 1/4in and extend it 9/16in as well as carefully cut out a relief for the trim wire that no longer runs internally through the shift assembly. That buzz saw of mine is starting to become one of my best investments tool wise.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Productive weekend. In addition to yesterday's work, I recarpeted the entire boat today and bilge coated the engine bay areas.

I still have some corners and such on the carpet that have to be tucked and such around the step areas but the hard crap is done. Leaving her open overy night to dry and vent all those amazing fumes

 

[t&y]

Good job man. Those projects are always fun when you can just keep moving on it. It's the hurry up and wait for parts thing that seems to side track me all the time.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Good job man. Those projects are always fun when you can just keep moving on it. It's the hurry up and wait for parts thing that seems to side track me all the time.

Funny you say that. I ran out of carpet and glue. Had to stop everything and run out and get it after finishing the main floor section today

 

[HNL2LHC]

Nice progress on the boat. I have been following it from the start. If you have a free minute and you are looking for a little fun. I’d get you $20 if you want to go kick my brother in the nuts for costing me $250K two years back. LOL

Keep up the work I am look forward to seeing your project completed.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Nice progress on the boat. I have been following it from the start. If you have a free minute and you are looking for a little fun. I’d get you $20 if you want to go kick my brother in the nuts for costing me $250K two years back. LOL

Keep up the work I am look forward to seeing your project completed.

What's the story there? ?

 

[Carlson-jet]

Following your thread. Looking good.

 

[HNL2LHC]

What's the story there? ?

LOL My brother is a butt hole to say the least.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Had to take anote short break from the Ultra this weekend to do some maintenance to the Formula. Oil changes on both mains and the genset, winterized all 3 as well and installed a new (ish) tv. Picked this baby up for 20 bucks at a garage sale. 28" with a built in DVD player, can't get any more perfect for a boat right?!

 

[WavetoWave]

Awesome project, nicest Ultra in my opinion. I'm also thinking of moving to Austin, love it there.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Sorry I've been slacking for the past couple weeks all. I've been reluctant to drop the engine in the boat knowing that it won't be protected without the engine hatch and its holding me back from finishing up some of the wiring not having it in the engine bay. My upholsterer finally made it up to the shop today and picked up my pieces to be recovered. Engine hatch, rear seat bolster, 6x butt cushions, and he is duplicating the ultra logo for my bolster. $1450 for all including new foam, vinyl, and logo. It is my first time using him and I am hoping for the best as I have not been impressed by any of the upholsterers in the Austin area as of yet, I have seen some of his work though and am feeling pretty good about him. I'll keep yall posted

 

[Shlbyntro]

Awesome project, nicest Ultra in my opinion. I'm also thinking of moving to Austin, love it there.

Thankyou. It is one of my favorites too and will be one of the extremely few boats that I actually intend to keep once it's done. Hit me with a PM about Austin if you're seriously considering it. It's an awesome place depending on what you like to do in your free time

 

[Shlbyntro]

Sorry I've been away a while, had to take a detour and perform a lift on my Excursion. But I do have this small carrot of some subwoofer panels I made for the boat while I wait on the more intricate pieces I sourced out like the hatch and seat cushions.

More to come soon I hope!

 

[Shlbyntro]

Some small progress made on the stereo today. Everything is mounted and ready to be wired in. Wiring will probably take me a literal 2-3 days of which all you'll be able to see is a nicely tied up loom of wires. (All to be done after engine hatch is done and engine goes back in the boat)

 

[Shlbyntro]

Stereo is wired in! Still have a couple wires to clean up and some finite tuning to do. most everything is sounding great on it but I still have some work to do on Ragae. Sorry this is the only decent pic I have as everything is hidden on the final product.

 

[MeCasa16]

Stereo is wired in! Still have a couple wires to clean up and some finite tuning to do. most everything is sounding great on it but I still have some work to do on Ragae. Sorry this is the only decent pic I have as everything is hidden on the final product.

View attachment 720780

The wiring looks great. You also killed it on the layout. I’m curious why you didn’t slap some carpet behind it to really make it look perfect? I would love to hear this system someday.


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[Shlbyntro]

The wiring looks great. You also killed it on the layout. I’m curious why you didn’t slap some carpet behind it to really make it look perfect? I would love to hear this system someday.


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It's hidden behind a full side panel cover on the port side of the boat. It will never be seen except for when the entire boat is disassembled. Only thing that will be visible are the speakers and signal processor. And the 2 subs when the engine hatch is open. It's a shame but I still couldn't bring myself to do a hack job on the wiring....

In other news, I just got the final pieces of my upholstery back today and they look amazing. Will have pictures soon

 

[02HoWaRd26]

I’ve scanned this thread a few times, i see why people say that it’s these types of threads that make RDP so awesome. Love seeing each persons ways around and personal skills. I’ve used other tricks and hints on my rebuild, really dig the layout on the new deck hatch I’ll be stealing that I’m sure.
Rather than hide all your amps why not do an exposed wall over them?

Cannot find a pic in my roll of the setup with the three instead of just two that i recently did lit up but they all look flush mounted that way.