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Orlando Gelcoat repair
- Thread starter KMP
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KMP
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Time to put a plug in for a great shop in Orlando. Land and Sea Detailing, Orlando, Fl. Thanks Jeff, the boat is coming out amazing!
Some history on the boat; 18' Donzi Classic. 1983; has been beat to death, many changes, mods holes plugged, rails removed, hull mods, holes in engine hatch for raised engine, etc. I am terrible at gelcoat so the boat was looking pretty rugged. I've had the boat for almost 20 years, and wanted to clean it up. The blue gel buffed out nice, the the original Honey Beige was bleached enough to not match. Jeff redid all the upper deck and cockpit gelcoat along with many glass repairs. I saw the boat this morning and it looks amazing! New seats OEM seats and re-chromed components going on next week.
Some history on the boat; 18' Donzi Classic. 1983; has been beat to death, many changes, mods holes plugged, rails removed, hull mods, holes in engine hatch for raised engine, etc. I am terrible at gelcoat so the boat was looking pretty rugged. I've had the boat for almost 20 years, and wanted to clean it up. The blue gel buffed out nice, the the original Honey Beige was bleached enough to not match. Jeff redid all the upper deck and cockpit gelcoat along with many glass repairs. I saw the boat this morning and it looks amazing! New seats OEM seats and re-chromed components going on next week.
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KMP
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A little time has gone by, so a quick update. Just as we finished getting everything back together, we fueled up and brought her back home. The smell of fuel forced a closer investigation. "Fuel coming over the bulkhead just behind the tank!" 30 year old boat, and never had the problem before. No hose leaks, so it had to be the tank. After a long thought process, (1.2 seconds), I ordered a new 40 gallon tank from FMT. This one built in 1/4" alumininum instead of the standard 1/8". The original tank was 23 gallon.
Then took the boat back to Jeff to pull the deck and replace the tank... That is a BIG HOLE in the bottom of the tank!!!!
Then took the boat back to Jeff to pull the deck and replace the tank... That is a BIG HOLE in the bottom of the tank!!!!
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KMP
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I know the new recommendations do not like to foam in. However, the original non-primed and non-painted tank lasted almost 30 years. This tank is 1/4" aluminum, then ptimed, painted sides and bottom with tar paint, then foamed in. We had to have the read bulkhead relocated for the larger tank.
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While the deck was off, it seamed like a good time for fresh paint in the engine bay and new motor paint. Also a few new parts on the motor. Put a new Canton Offshore oil pan. Went to put it in, and my Offshore Mount was in the way..Always something. Modified it a bit, and all set. Looks much better now.
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KMP
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Finally; done. (almost) Here is a quick video of the 30 year old boat after new gel, new tank, new seats, new wiring, new engine.... I could almost call this a new boat. I think the only thing not new now is the hull. Sounds sweet for a small block,
Thanks Jeff at Land and Sea Detailing in Orlando for great work and patience.
Thanks Jeff at Land and Sea Detailing in Orlando for great work and patience.
KMP
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Old thread but thought I would update it. Here is a picture then mild video run. A few months later lightning was not friendly to the dock it was sleeping in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIAtsqZaDZI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIAtsqZaDZI
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KMP
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Engine/Drive/steering hardware is good (Less the BLP Carb). Deck is trash. 2 weak spots from heat on the front sides, so that would have to be cut out and replaced if used.
If my kids were still around to help I'd strongly consider cutting it mid-ships, adding some length, flat deck and race fairing just to be different. (Mini Apache)
If my kids were still around to help I'd strongly consider cutting it mid-ships, adding some length, flat deck and race fairing just to be different. (Mini Apache)
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