1994 Crownline 196br restoration

[steve_h7]

I installed the fuel tank yesterday as well as started glassing the bow section back in. I will need to do glass on the outside of the bow section this week. I also have everything hooked up in the back aside for the trim pump and trim sensors.

The glassing of your bow section resembles what I need to when I reinstall my splashwell. It looks like you just ground off the gelcoat and did you just use a layer of 1708? The same on the backside?

Great progress :thumb:

 

[Superjet511]

There aren't to many places making custom fit covers stock on the shelves for these older boats. The best you will find is full over the sides cover that semi custom fit. If you want a real good fit you will have to make or have one made. I bought a semi decent one and made it fit with trimming and sewing.

Are those screw into the top of the tank for the brackets?

Looking good.

Thanks Mike! That's what I was thinking. We are putting a wakeboard tower on as well so the cover becomes more difficult. I am thinking we will buy a semi custom cover and slit it at the 4 mounting points and maybe add velcro at the slits. We will also have to cut the draw rope and add some sort of binding hooks....
Yes, they are screws in the tank. There are nut inserts molded into the tank.

 

[Superjet511]

The glassing of your bow section resembles what I need to when I reinstall my splashwell. It looks like you just ground off the gelcoat and did you just use a layer of 1708? The same on the backside?

Great progress :thumb:

Yes Steve. Two layers of 1708 laminated. I did about a 2" wide strip and went over it with another layer about 6" wide. I will do the same on the backside tonight. It stayed in place pretty well with just the two c clamps but I wanted to let the inside setup prior to climbing around it to do the backside. The interior panels will cover all of it and it is pretty flat so it should work well.

 

[Superjet511]

I finished up glassing the bow in and making the fuel tank hatch. I am happy how it turned out. I thonk the floor ended up slightly lower than it should be at the front. I may have to support the front section of the bow but I will wait until I screw the rear section down to the floor.

 

[Superjet511]

I removed the windshield to get it ready for powder coating and tint. Since everything else in the boat is white and black we really didn't want shiny aluminum. 4 of the pieces of glass were siliconed into the frames on one side. I had a hell of a time getting 3 of them out. I soaked them with WD40 and kept working on them for at least an hour reapplying WD40. I was very nervous about breaking them and really thought I wouldn'tget them out. I finally came up with a method that worked very well. I took a piece of tig welding rod and cut off a section about 10" long. I cut one end on a sharp angle and mounted it in a drill. I slowly ran the rod into the frame near one of the corners. I worked slowing and with very little persuasion the glass came out of each frame. I thought that this would be a good place to share this to help people avoid glass breakage and a whole lot of frustration.

 

[Timr71]

Nice work. It's really coming together.

 

[oldrem]

Great idea on the glass removal. Going to look sharp with the powder coat.

 

[Superjet511]

We got the windshield frame back from powder coating. That is all mocked up and the ready for the glass as soon as the tinting is done. We also installed the wakeboard tower and just need to make some plywood supports under the front legs.

 

[Superjet511]

The previous owner removed the surge brakes from the trailer so we added a new electric brake kit along with all new wiring. Bought new tires and wheels as well. The trailer will need to be blasted and painted this fall/winter.

 

[oldrem]

Those powder coated parts look amazing!

 

[Mechanicalmike08]

Damn I wish I would have powder coated mine!

 

[mickyryan]

looks awesome, id kill to have that kind of room around my engine , lol

 

[Superjet511]

I started putting the carpet in this weekend. It is done except for the bow section. I didn't get any photos with the ski locker in though. I am glad that I have been reading this forum. Several people have said to make sure the carpet goes down the same way it comes off the roll and man were they right. Fortunately I have it correctly installed. I took a couple photos of 2 pieces side by side from each direction with the pieces laying in opposite directions. I would never have thought it would be this different. I also starting putting the interior. Lots of miscellaneous things to do once I wrap up the interior.

 

[kcassells]

Looking nice!

 

[oldrem]

Sweet!

 

[Superjet511]

Hi guys. Thank you for the compliments. It is really coming together now and it feels great to finally see the fruits of all of the labor. I have most of the interior in; just need to install the seat cushions. I plan to tint the winshield tonight and hopefully get it all installed tomorrow followed by a trip to the lake to test everything out. We have a trip planned to the Upper Peninsula next week on Manistique Lake so the timing couldn't be better. Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well during our test run. I will post more photos once it is completely done and have wheeled it out for the first time. Thank you all for the advice along the way! It has been priceless!

 

[Mechanicalmike08]

That thing is looking great, I really like the theme. I cant remember are you doing the upholstery, it looks real nice.

 

[Superjet511]

Thanks Mike! We really like it as well. We are glad that we went with a pretty simple design that looks sleek. We contemplated some colors but are really happy with the white, black and gray. We had a local guy do the upholstery. I would not have wanted to even attempt it!

 

[sopwithcamel74]

Great stuff - can't wait to see it splashed!

Can't recall if I shared this before, but I almost bought this same year/model boat about a hear and a half ago. We ended up pulling out of the deal at the last moment due to some of the concerns that were uncovered upon final inspection.

Had I seen what you've been able to accomplish with your restore before all that occurred, it's much more likely that I would have taken the chance on it... Yours is turning out that nice

 

[Superjet511]

Great stuff - can't wait to see it splashed!

Can't recall if I shared this before, but I almost bought this same year/model boat about a hear and a half ago. We ended up pulling out of the deal at the last moment due to some of the concerns that were uncovered upon final inspection.

Had I seen what you've been able to accomplish with your restore before all that occurred, it's much more likely that I would have taken the chance on it... Yours is turning out that nice

Thanks! We would have pulled out had we known the extent of the repairs needed as well. At least we know we have a solid boat and I know it inside and out as well. Maybe a blessing in disguise?