Incidental pictures

rxt_img_4817.jpg

rxt_img_4823.jpg
More than six times the HP of Brushfire's kicker... and it runs!

rxt_img_4826.jpg
Electric start, with an "emergency" pull-start. (And it would take an emergency, like drifting toward a waterfall, to give me enough adrenaline to turn the beast over by hand!)

rxt_img_4828.jpg

rxt_img_4829.jpg

rxt_img_4831.jpg

rxt_img_4832.jpg
The scabby look on the port-stern quarter is not as dire as it might appear: There's a silver mylar sticker under the patriotic blue paint and the adhesive was coming loose. The 'glas underneath is fine.

rxt_img_4860.jpg

rxt_img_4861.jpg

rxt_img_4862.jpg

rxt_img_4955.jpg
The portable paint booth: a $165 enclosed awning from Costco

rxt_img_4964.jpg
Interlux VC Performance Epoxy bottom paint, still wet

rxt_img_4965.jpg
The result of painting the bottom: Looks pretty good, but should look better after a final buff-and-wax to be done later.

rxt_img_4968.jpg

rxt_img_4969.jpg

rxt_img_4973.jpg
Flipping her over and loading back onto the trailer to work on the topsides

rxt_img_4975.jpg

rxt_img_4976.jpg

rxt_img_4978.jpg

rxt_img_4981.jpg

rxt_img_4983.jpg

rxt_img_4985.jpg

rxt_img_4987.jpg
Back in the "booth"

rxt_img_4991.jpg

rxt_img_4992.jpg
22-month-old Theodore helps Papa work on the topsides

rxt_img_5001.jpg
I dunno Pop... looks like it needs a lot more work!

rxt_img_5004.jpg
Applying Interlux 299E paint stripper to the topsides, a big mistake, as it turns out...

rxt_img_5006.jpg
The paint came loose in spots, but for some reason the 299E attacked the fiberglass on the deck, requiring a lot of work to fill pinholes. (This didn't happen on the bottom, thankfully! Perhaps different formulations in the resin, or maybe the topsides had aged more due to higher UV exposure.)

rxt_img_5009.jpg
Installing a new floorboard in the center section: Fiberglass mat, then CDX plywood, then more fiberglass.

rxt_img_5014.jpg
Test of rolled-on Interlux Prime-Kote primer in the splashwell. This did not level out well and roller marks were very evident. I sanded it back down and sprayed the primer instead.

rxt_img_5018.jpg
Finished floorboard

rxt_img_5021.jpg
Didn't like the location of the engine controls, so I filled the holes and will install them on the dash eventually.

rxt_img_5025.jpg
"The Grey Ghost"

rxt_img_5026.jpg
This is the first coat of primer. It has to be sanded before the second coat is applied, then the second coat has to be sanded before shooting the color coats.

rxt_img_5028.jpg -- Second primer coat: 50/50 Interlux PreKote and "Fire Red" Brightsides

rxt_img_5031.jpg

rxt_img_5125.jpg
Final coat of paint!

rxt_img_5126.jpg

rxt_img_5129.jpg

rxt_img_5167.jpg
Painting the interior with Rust-oleum "Epoxy Shield" two-part garage-floor paint. This stuff is water based (so how can it be epoxy?), and took forever to dry. It did eventually though, and covered well. I decided not to use the decorative chips that came with the kit because I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to distribute them evenly: A horizontal garage floor is one thing; compound curves inside a boat hull is another.

rxt_img_5168.jpg

rxt_img_5169.jpg

11/05/07

rxt_img_5424.jpg
All the electrics, cleats, etc. in place, as well as the controls. The new windshield, bent for me by Jerry at Spectrum Plastics, looks pretty good!

rxt_img_5426.jpg

rxt_img_5428.jpg

11/21/07

rxt_img_5441.jpg
She has her name! I just hope that I guessed right about the waterline, since I've never seen the boat afloat.

rxt_img_5574.jpg
My first excursion into upholstery work. Not as good as I'd like, but better than I would've expected.

rxt_img_5579.jpg
Test-fitting

rxt_img_5589.jpg
Not looking half bad with the bottom in place!

rxt_img_5599.jpg -- Completed seats!!

rxt_img_5600.jpg

rxt_img_5601.jpg

rxt_img_5602.jpg