1987 Power Play XLT-185 - floors, stringers, and upholstery

[todhunter]

I installed the engine bay wood trim that hides the raw fiberglass edge.



I also PB'd my mounting pads in place. I used tape to hold them while the PB cures. Anchor light storage (on the back of the bench seat):



Bilge blower:



Fire extinguisher:



And I went ahead and glassed in the trim pump mounting pads since they are on a flat surface.

 

[todhunter]

Brand new dash panel showed up today.

 

[kcassells]

Very Spiffy...Me likes! I've heard all good about them and the fabs. $$
Kickin butt Sir!

 

[todhunter]

Yeah, it looks like high quality stuff. I just unwrapped it for the picture, then threw it back in the bubble wrap and box. I hope to start installing it in the next week or so.

This afternoon I glassed in the rest of the mounting pads in the engine bay, including the battery pads - I decided to put them both on the port side. I hope to start laying gelcoat tomorrow.

 

[todhunter]

I lined up and taped on the new dash panel so I could mark the few areas that need to be opened up.

 

[todhunter]

New distributor sensor arrived so I put the distributor back together.



I got all the dash holes massaged and started installing stuff. I was going to re-use most of the gages, but I think I'm just going to buy the rest new so they all match.

 

[todhunter]

I got the rest of the engine bay gelcoated today. The sides that you can see that aren't gelcoated will get carpet.

 

[todhunter]

Lots more progress today:

I had to open up the hole in the hull for my thru-hull fitting from 1-1/8" to 1-3/8". Hole saws don't work well to open up existing holes, so I cut out a small "plug" from a scrap piece of plywood, wrapped it in electric tape until it fit tight, then stuffed it in the hole. It made a good guide for the centering bit on the hole saw and let me open the hole up.



Next I started finishing out the engine bay. All the "accessories" got screwed down to the mahogany pads I glassed in. I got the carpet and trim pump installed on the starboard side:



And the carpet and fire extinguisher installed on the port side:



I also installed my anchor light storage clips on the back of the bench seat:



And the bilge blower:



I also carpeted the gunwale storage cubbies and installed the USB chargers.





Lastly, I did some more work on the dash - installed the "oh-s#!%" handle, steering wheel, and the new lower wood trim piece I made.

 

[kcassells]

Boxes etc. turned out nice.

 

[todhunter]

Well I just passed 1 year on this project. Longer than I'd hoped for, but it's been a mostly enjoyable process. Splash should be happening in the next 2-3 months.

 

[SavinRaven]

Well I just passed 1 year on this project. Longer than I'd hoped for, but it's been a mostly enjoyable process. Splash should be happening in the next 2-3 months.

Glad you saw it through this far! This looks like a really fun boat when its done. I didnt take mine this far but still got a solid build and some experience at least your past most of the itchy stage.

 

[todhunter]

Installed the trim tabs:



Wire wheeled the surface rust off the back of the manifolds and resprayed them.



All gages are installed except the trim gage, which should be here in the next few days.

 

[todhunter]

Did some more wiring today and also refinished the teak swim platforms. I wanted to disassemble them and run the boards through the planer, but they are glued together, so I just sanded them really good, then oiled them. They were very weather beaten but cleaned up really well.

 

[kcassells]

Looks good. I really like the way teak comes back.

 

[todhunter]

Yeah me too! Amazing how the wood can be exposed to the elements and then just a little bit under the surface still have solid wood. I plan to not let it get that bad again.

 

[todhunter]

Upholstery is done - I pick it up tomorrow. It'll still be a bit before it gets installed in the boat. Here's a teaser pic:

 

[todhunter]

Leak tested my exhaust manifolds with acetone - had to clean up the drains to get them to seal completely, but now all is good.



...and picked up my upholstery. It'll still be a little while before I start putting it in the boat.

 

[todhunter]

I carpeted the sides of the cockpit area today. All that's left is the floor, kick panel, and front of the bench seat. I need to pick up more carpet. Also reinstalled the USCG data plate since the carpet is in.








I went to install the rest of my remote oil filter kit, and the manufacturer bent the bracket wrong. The way it's bent, the oil filter will hit the water line going to the elbow. The bend in the bracket should be very close to the elbow to raise the filter higher. I've emailed them...we will see if they can get me set up with the proper bracket.



I went ahead and installed all the exhaust components.

 

[MagKarl]

So clean! Looking great man.

 

[Reserector_]

.... I also gutted the distributor and am going to replace cap/rotor/sensor.

View attachment 349144

I made a terrible mistake by replacing my distributor module with an unbranded one. It caused me allot of headache. I hope you bought a top shelf part and kept the original as a spare to keep in the boat. When they quit, they are DONE. Edit: Looks like yours is just a pick up.
Also, on the remote oil filter kit, make absolutely sure your lines are connected correctly. I connected one backwards once, and was lucky that it flowed oil anyway. Just not as well. It's an easy mistake to make so keep an eye on your pressure gauge when you fire it up and on your initial run.
Make sure you have a low pressure alarm in case a line fails. It is not likely, but if it did, it would empty the system rapidly.

I know you've gone over your time budget, and probably the money budget as well, but you have done a first rate job on every aspect of this build and will have yourself a fantastic (and valuable) boat when you are done. The time with your family will be priceless.