1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

[kcabbie]

So today if everything goes accordingly I will be going to pick up my boat. I have posted about it and told what i would "like" to do. We will see how far my abilities will take me!
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=457714&p=3091577&posted=1#post3091577
That is the original thread, it was suggested that it was now time to move it here
Anyways, I know I am going to have to replace the transom (giant crack) and the floor. So any suggestions on which to start on? I would think the floor. Sadly, in this 20 degree weather, this young texan isnt to excited about being out side!
I will take LOTS of pics tonight for anyone willing to give there opinion on whats needed!
Going to need help on what kind of fiberglass and resin to use. I do know that if I'm going to be grinding the reapplying layers, no wax resin. Correct?
Thanks again guys.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Glad you got a resto thread started.

The most annoying part of your project is going to be grinding out the old rotted wood and glass. I'd rather do that in 20 degrees than 85! If, after inspection, it is determined that you need a new transom, stringers, and deck.....then the transom is usually done first.

Remove motor
Remove the rub rail and separate the two halves of the boat (top part is called the cap)
Cut out the old deck (floor)
Cut out/grind down the old stringers
Chisel out the old transom
Make and install new transom
Make and install new stringers
Install new deck
Reinstall the cap
Paint
Mount the motor
Install interior, steering, gauges and controls
Go boating in your new boat!

That should be the BASIC steps. Good luck!

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Always good to see some more Texas blood around here. Those Cheetah's seem to be pretty popular. I have seen several threads on them here and on some of the other boat boards. You'll get plenty of help around here. Pics will certainly spur on the advise you receive. I totally agree with you on the weather. It just plain sucks around DFW right now. LOL.

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Always good to see some more Texas blood around here. Those Cheetah's seem to be pretty popular. I have seen several threads on them here and on some of the other boat boards. You'll get plenty of help around here. Pics will certainly spur on the advise you receive. I totally agree with you on the weather. It just plain sucks around DFW right now. LOL.

x2 for seeing another Texan here! Good luck withh the boat. You'll get tons of info from this site.

 

[kcabbie]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Thanks for the goodluck guys, and thanks for laying out the basic steps for me! When you guys say grinding what do you use? What kind of disk? Is it a speical type? I think either tomorrow, or more likely saturday i'll make a trip to home depot to pick up a few things for glassing and some basic tools.
And on the other thread of the two college students restoring there boat, it looked like the just repaired there old transom, is this right? Or was i misreading?
Thanks again guys.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Glad you got a resto thread started.

The most annoying part of your project is going to be grinding out the old rotted wood and glass. I'd rather do that in 20 degrees than 85! If, after inspection, it is determined that you need a new transom, stringers, and deck.....then the transom is usually done first.

Remove motor
Remove the rub rail and separate the two halves of the boat (top part is called the cap)
Cut out the old deck (floor)
Cut out/grind down the old stringers
Chisel out the old transom
Make and install new transom
Make and install new stringers
Install new deck
Reinstall the cap
Paint
Mount the motor
Install interior, steering, gauges and controls
Go boating in your new boat!

That should be the BASIC steps. Good luck!

Don't forget to support the hull.....they get really flimsy with everything out of them.

 

[kcabbie]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Will i be able to work with it on the trailer? It seems that would give it the most support. Or do i have to build a thingy ma bobber to hold it? I really need to save as much as possible.
Thanks

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Looks like your trailer needs a little help as well. Since I'm no expert, I am not going to comment on doing the work on the trailer. I will say, If you do decide to do it on the trailer, you will want to replace those bunks first.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

You Might want to check out this guys thread. His boat is very similar to yours and he did a SUPER job in ALL aspects of his rebuild.

 

[kcabbie]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Yes your right, the boat does need some help. I am native to metal work alot more so than any kind of work with a boat so it doesn't worry me. What do you mean by bunks? I'm gussing the boards that boat rest's on?
If so i plan on getting treated 2x4's and 2x6's for that. I am also going to grind down the angle iron and paint them so they don't rust.

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

You Might want to check out this guys thread. His boat is very similar to yours and he did a SUPER job in ALL aspects of his rebuild.

Thread link????

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Yes your right, the boat does need some help. I am native to metal work alot more so than any kind of work with a boat so it doesn't worry me. What do you mean by bunks? I'm gussing the boards that boat rest's on?
If so i plan on getting treated 2x4's and 2x6's for that. I am also going to grind down the angle iron and paint them so they don't rust.

Yes the bunks are the boards the boat sits on. From what I have heard the treated wood tends to warp and is not a good candidate for bunks. There are several schools of thought on trailer bunks. I personally use untreated lumber and the coat it with something like Thompson's water seal. Cover them with carpet and use stainless or Monel staples. Be sure to use stainless bolts. I through bolt mine and double nut them.

It's kinda hard to tell in the pics but it looks like you bunks may be turned up where the boat rests on the 2" dimension of the wood rater than the wider dimension. The same procedure should still work well though.

 

[kcabbie]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

I ment to say trailer lol. And yes, a link would be awesome. I would love to read about his build!
And is it better to just use normal untreated boards everywhere? Even for the floor? And then just coat it in the water sealant?
Thanks!

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

I figured you meant trailer.

Totally different procedure for the deck (Floor) than the bunks. You do not want to use pressure treated for the deck. There are many many threads here with great info on replacing the deck, transom and stringers. You should start doing some searching and reading for those procedures.

 

[kcabbie]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Will do, thanks again!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

The main structure of that bunk trailer looks to be in pretty good shape. Since you can weld, you should be fab up some nice bunk brackets if the existing ones are questionable. I have personally had no issues with using pressure treated for bunks. I wouldn't recommend it for use in your boat construction as it would need to be dried out for quite a while before glass would be able to stick to it. On a budget, I'd go with regular exterior plywood for your stringers, transom and deck. Properly sealed with glass it will last a really long time.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Wood was probably wanting to link to this thread http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=413369

Arch started with a VERY similar hull and trailer. His is obviously a high-dollar amazing restore but there is lots of good reading there that you could benefit from.

 

[kcabbie]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Thanks for the tips on the wood. I hear alot of compressed and uncompressed. What is the difference? And how long should i have to let the wood sit before it's considered dry enough?
Thanks again!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

DUH sorry Here's the link

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=413369

 

[kcabbie]

Re: 1977 Cheetah 17' Ski boat restore

Wow, awesome thread! I just spent the last two hours atleast reading that thing. He did an amazing job. I wish i had the extra cash to use the stuff in the transon and such. Maybe I will be able to do a complete full on resto in a few years like he did. I've already learned so much from this sit and you guys, and i don't even have my boat yet! Anyways, thanks for everything and i'm extremely excited to get it goin! Thanks guys.