The Messer Log

[Messer]

Moving along.... floor is cut... will button up tomorrow..

[Messer]

wet glass, but in... still working on it..

[Messer]

Ok, floor is in..solid and waterproof.   Took the dive platform off to make the new bracket support, transom is bullet proof. The pix are from before I started cleaning the stern (sticker removal, scrubbed, wet sand with 600, 800 and 1000, then buffed with 3m rubbing compound and polish).

Next- sand blast outside swim deck brackets (hope they look good or I'll repaint black), refurb teak, install all components. After living on the coast for long I was spoiled with the abundance of boat stuff.  You want a challenge, try to find a tube of 5200 in Talladega Alabama...

[backfoot100]

Nicely done Messer. God , that dark blue looks so nice when it's cleaned up.

Keep after it. It's looking great.

[kjerchinger]

you've been busy messer, nice job ! were did you get your marine greade plywood at ?

[Messer]

Backfoot- thanks brother, she should shine back up. Better pix later, those were from a phone.

K- I called Souther Star manufacturing in Sylacauga Alabam (close to me) www.southernstarmfg.com. They build boats and repair but were gracious enough to let me buy product from them. It was $58 dollars for a sheet of 1/2 inch. I realized that I could cut all the parts out of two boards, so I have one extra for odd stuff later. I went ahead and cowboy'd up and bought 5 gal of resin/hardener, still have about a gallon and a half left, but theres not a hole in my boat that's not filled to the rim.

[backfoot100]

Hey Messer, looking back through this I wanted to verify that you weren't planning on putting those top support brackets for the swim platform back on?? From the pics I couldn't see the holes in the top of the transom that they were bolted to so I assume that you've relegated them to the trash which is where they belong. The work that you've done so far in getting the transom and floor back to how it should be will give the original (bottom) platform brackets all the support that they'll need.
About the only thing that you might consider is getting new quick detachable brackets for your swim platform. It's a handy feature to have but certainly not mandatory. I thought about it when I redid my floor but didn't think I really needed that functionality. Now looking back, I probably should have gone that route. Being able to pull a couple pins and remove the platform for the extra room in the garage or for cleaning would be a nice featuire to have instead of laying under it, removing a dozen screws and then still having the bracket sticking out a foot from the transom that will definitely put a welt on your hip when you forget that they're there. Ask me how I know?
At least it's something to think about if you haven't already.

[Mike Harry]

Agreed on the removable platform brackets. I wont re-write everything that I did back there, but see my post on restore and Ive got some pics of mine installed. They work great.

Also, if you have time and want to, send me your brackets....... Ill powdercoat them for you instead of paint! Just a thought. I do a little coating on the side here and would be happy to throw some black on for you if you would like.
 
On a side note...... I am from Sylacauga which is pretty darn cool (small world aint it). In fact, just day before yesterday I was there (back home now) we were in town for the Bama A-Day game. If you are looking for 5200 in the future bass pro carries it and if they dont have it Rambo's near Childesberg on hwy 280 (sell ski boats and stuff) should have it or should be able to get it.

[Joel]

Messer, Mike & Backfoot....  You guys are all welcome to redo MY floors anytime!!!   Great job dudes!!

Joel

[Messer]

Mike I truly appreciate the offer... my brother in law and I are planning on sandblasting the original brackets to see if they will have a nice finish, if so I'm going naked. Thanks again, truly generous offer! Speaking of Sylacauga, Gomer Pyles old lake house is still on Logan Martin Lake right across from us. I left the area 2 weeks out of high school to play Army, Navy and Coast Guard and just retired (25 years later) last year this time. Saved all our dough to build and live on the lake.. and tinker with an old inboard.

Backfoot- I think I am gonna stick with the original brakets for now. I went ahead and molded a compartment on the inside stern to be able to get a wrench on the nuts so I can remove if need be. With the new glassed in wood, 3/16 aluminum backers I did in fact throw those knee knocking, toe twisting ugly braces away. ... oh yeah, if you ever meet my wife, watch out. I convinced her that your slant cut exhaust make the boat run better and she is missing a chunk of shopping money...ha!

[Mike Harry]

Some of my family is still in Sly town, but some have moved on down to Lake Martin (which is where I usually hang around because that property is on the water  ).

My grandparents and uncle owned Dan's Lake Hill Marina next to the hwy 280 bridge for years before Russell's took the land back over and built the moster marina that stands there now. Where I spent my summers. That makes 4 or 5 of us from around that area........ may just have to have a mini-style-AMskier-reunion one of these days at Logan or Martin........

Bye the way, boat is looking great!

[backfoot100]

Backfoot- I think I am gonna stick with the original brakets for now. I went ahead and molded a compartment on the inside stern to be able to get a wrench on the nuts so I can remove if need be. With the new glassed in wood, 3/16 aluminum backers I did in fact throw those knee knocking, toe twisting ugly braces away. ... oh yeah, if you ever meet my wife, watch out. I convinced her that your slant cut exhaust make the boat run better and she is missing a chunk of shopping money...ha!

I understand about keeping the stock brackets. Just thought I would throw it out there while you were at that point.

As for loosing the those ankle bangers, you truly will never appreciate it as much as that first time that you stand on the platform strapping on a ski and not having those God awful things in the way!!!!!!

Not to worry about the slant tips either. You'll have to learn that any "extra" parts that you put into that boat is a "safety feature".  In this case, the extra noise created will alert other boaters of your presence which will help to keep them at a distance with no chance of endangering you or your passengers. Or how about the additional brilliance of the tips is essential to GPS tracking and you'll never have to worry about getting lost. Or my personal favorite...the enhanced exhaust tone helps to clear your head of any distractions and focus completely on your skiing and/or driving for your skiier thus preventing any accidents.
See what I mean? All Safety Features. You can't go wrong. Learn well Grasshopper.

[dwelter]

Messer, do you currently live in Mobile? I am right across the Florida line in Milton. Your swim platform brackets are thru bolted with stainless washers and lock nuts on the backside. I had the same issue and resolved it by cutting access panels on each side below the gas tank and putting in back up plates for the thru bolts to anchor to. The fenders can be purchased at any trailor building shop. There is actually one close to my house where I bought a set and remade the carpeted guides. If the carb has never been serviced that you are aware of, my suggestion is to go ahead and have it rebuilt. It will save you future headaches and improve reliabilty and performance. A tip though, have a marine shop do the work not an automotive, they are set up differently.

[Messer]

I need to change my profile, I no longer live near the coast  but have moved to Logan Martin Lake on the Talladega side. Understood on the brackets, I'm relieved that I went ahead and took care of the issues and now have a compartment to gain access. As for the fenders I bought some at tractor supply and they work fine, but I will cut the slants in as soon as the trailer queen unroots herself. I spent the whole summer without messing with the carb and may go for a repeat... If I have any troubles I'm gonna just buy the kit and try the rebuild myself, I've enjoyed the "quality time" with her so far in the fix ups!

[dwelter]

Messer, first of all my appologizes for the late response, I am new to the forum and did not review the entire thread. You are tackling and doing a great job on your deck repairs. FYI, I went thru the same process a few years back so I understand your challenges and accomplishments. When all was done though, it was more solid than ever and I was proud that I did it myself. Looking back, it was kinda fun. I would echo an earlier recomendation on the removable platform bracket. When I did mine, I had the existing brackets powdercoated. But now they are corroding under the finish. I did install access panels on each side so the upgrade should not be difficult. May have to remove my tank (again)? Great job!