1987 Ski Centurion Tru Trac II - First Time Rebuild - Floor, Engine, Dash, etc.

[Timr71]

Yeah! You're back and back at it. I may or may not have gone into a mild depression due to the lack of updates on this thread. Just kidding, went to the lake two weekends ago a crushed it for 2 solid days. I took the wing off of the RADAR and it's skiing much more to my liking now...I really like it. No skiing this past weekend due to baseball tryouts and moving my daughter to college. Hoping to get back to the lake this weekend.

So, those back of the hull graphics where it says Dyna-Drive II and Tru-Trac II are you going to have those recreated at a sign shop or something? What's your plan there. Everything else is looking great!

Nice job on the engine mount and alignment. I'm impressed with the engine cover. That type of upholstery work is challenging. Gonna be a great looking tow boat. Keep the updates coming. Some of us are relying on them.

 

[ACon977]

Yeah! You're back and back at it. I may or may not have gone into a mild depression due to the lack of updates on this thread. Just kidding, went to the lake two weekends ago a crushed it for 2 solid days. I took the wing off of the RADAR and it's skiing much more to my liking now...I really like it. No skiing this past weekend due to baseball tryouts and moving my daughter to college. Hoping to get back to the lake this weekend.

Sounds like my kind of depression... being out on the boat 2 days in a row getting to know your new ski.. I am definitely envious. glad you are skiing well on it without the wing! I believe that is just to keep the tail in the water and stop the ski from skipping out around a tight turn. for open skiing I dont see why it would be necessary.

So, those back of the hull graphics where it says Dyna-Drive II and Tru-Trac II are you going to have those recreated at a sign shop or something? What's your plan there. Everything else is looking great!

My brother in-law works at a shop with a vinyl cutting machine that he said he could cut stuff for me. That would be ideal, if not, ill just pay to have the "Tru-Trac II" replicated. I was hoping he could cut the centurion Logo for me as well, or Ill get the foam filled Centurion logo from GLS or somewhere similar.

Nice job on the engine mount and alignment. I'm impressed with the engine cover. That type of upholstery work is challenging. Gonna be a great looking tow boat. Keep the updates coming. Some of us are relying on them.

Thanks! I was honestly, very nervous about the alignment of the engine and getting the mounts perfect, but I think its damn close to perfect.

And the engine cover turned out awesome! The Admiral and her mom are super talented and did the whole cover in 1 day! Would have taken me a week, and then I would have given up and paid to have someone else do it haha. Although they did catch Kelly's old sewing machine on fire when trying to do too many layers. whoops! but you live and learn.

 

[Timr71]

That's some hard work when you're catching your equipment on fire! We were teaching my daughter's boyfriend how to wake board for the first time, and for that, we ended up needing the boom. So, when the boom came out, so did the suits. Here's the result.

 

[ACon977]

NICE! Booms are a great teaching tool, cant say I've ever heard of it being helpful on a wakeboard, but if it works, it works.

We ended up picking up a boom on craigslist for $100, it should be a fun tool to get out and help teach people to get up on skis if they are really struggling.

 

[ACon977]

In addition to bringing home the W at soccer last night, I was out in the garage until about 10pm prepping, cleaning, and glassing in the new bulk heads in the front and back of the boat.

This PB was by far the best batch I have made, with practice comes improvement. Note to new DIYers do not skimp on the Cabosil (resothix in my case) I did a nearly 1:1 ratio with the resin until it was the consistency of warm peanut butter. It would be able to stand up in the bucket by itself, makes for forming your fillets MUCH easier. This round went much smoother than when I was doing the stringers, which I ended up sanding back down, and refilleting after a couple days.

The rear bulk heads still have me wondering what the hell was going on in the original boat. there was foam under the floor, but nothing separating the rear plugs from the foam. goes to show why it was so wet and rotted I suppose.

 

[Timr71]

NICE! Booms are a great teaching tool, cant say I've ever heard of it being helpful on a wakeboard, but if it works, it works.

We ended up picking up a boom on craigslist for $100, it should be a fun tool to get out and help teach people to get up on skis if they are really struggling.

I think it was our first time using the boom as a teaching tool for someone on a wakeboard. This kid was struggling to get up long line and just need to get a better feel for how the board comes up out of the water. The boom worked exactly like it would if you were teaching a kid on skis. The only difference is the board moving a bit from side to side...it can throw some water in the boat. We then progressed him to a 7 ft long handle section attached to the boom. As you know, it's great to be able to coach from the boat with them right there. After he got up about 9 times combined, we sent him back to the long line, and he popped right up on the 2nd try.

 

[Timr71]

The rear bulk heads still have me wondering what the hell was going on in the original boat. there was foam under the floor, but nothing separating the rear plugs from the foam. goes to show why it was so wet and rotted I suppose.

that's crazy! And this looks like really good work! This boat is going to be [click] really nice Clark!

 

[AlabamaNewbie]

Ya know, if either of you really get bored - I can probably arrange to have mine dropped off for ya to work on.....

just sayin'....

 

[Woodonglass]

And the admiral and her mom tackled the engine cover. Looks very clean and sharp. I'm impressed.

What kind of Sewing Machine did they use for the engine cover? Looks really good. Did they use Polyester Thread?

 

[ACon977]

I think it was our first time using the boom as a teaching tool for someone on a wakeboard. This kid was struggling to get up long line and just need to get a better feel for how the board comes up out of the water. The boom worked exactly like it would if you were teaching a kid on skis. The only difference is the board moving a bit from side to side...it can throw some water in the boat. We then progressed him to a 7 ft long handle section attached to the boom. As you know, it's great to be able to coach from the boat with them right there. After he got up about 9 times combined, we sent him back to the long line, and he popped right up on the 2nd try.

Nice! I just figured since the board pulls off to the side they would run into the boat or flop. But again, I never tried! Good work if he got up second try on long line.

The biggest benefit of the boom is keeping the handle steady, barely second to being right there to coach them. Its a fantastic tool.

 

[ACon977]

Ya know, if either of you really get bored - I can probably arrange to have mine dropped off for ya to work on.....

just sayin'....

Haha well half the fun is that I expect to sit on the boat and see all the work that we have done on it. As much as I wouldnt mind to pick up a new project... The admiral has a whole list of things she wants to get done once this boat is finished.

 

[ACon977]

What kind of Sewing Machine did they use for the engine cover? Looks really good. Did they use Polyester Thread?

She started with her Elna machine (I believe?) and then when that started smoking, and really got smoking, she took it outside and bought a Brother machine, one of the higher end ones, but that seemed to work ok for her. I dont believe she used Polyester thread, but I will check with her and get back to ya.

her mom has her own sewing business and so has done boat seats before. I dont know crap about it so I decided to just go 100% hands off and focus on the engine and stringers.

 

[Woodonglass]

Gotcha!!! Polyester thread is important for UV and WaterResistance. Also The V-69 thread is the minimum thickness you want to use as well as the longest stitch length. It all looks good. Are they going to do more?

 

[ACon977]

Gotcha!!! Polyester thread is important for UV and WaterResistance. Also The V-69 thread is the minimum thickness you want to use as well as the longest stitch length. It all looks good. Are they going to do more?

Ooh.. well I will have to confirm with her and double check. Thanks for the heads up! As always, a fountain of information WOG.

We decided to purchase stock cushions/seats for the driver, passenger, and rear. We will have to build bases and do the arm rests and custom siding for the passenger seat. There is also vinyl wrapped plywood on both sides of the boat that needs to be redone as well.

You can see them in the photo, they have the speakers built into them.

 

[Woodonglass]

I see!!! Well I'd recommend using the Old Timers Recipe for the plywood backing on the side panels and any other wood that's going to be upholstered. Not trying to be a pest just passing on the knowledge I gained from ALL THE MISTAKES I made when doing my boat. There WERE a LOT of them!!!!

 

[ACon977]

I see!!! Well I'd recommend using the Old Timers Recipe for the plywood backing on the side panels and any other wood that's going to be upholstered. Not trying to be a pest just passing on the knowledge I gained from ALL THE MISTAKES I made when doing my boat. There WERE a LOT of them!!!!

What recipe is that? Ive gone through most your threads but dont recall what you are referencing.

Regarding being a pest??? HAHA yea right, I appreciate the input! I want everyone to challenge my thinking, if we arent doing something right I would rather know before we put a bunch of time into it. I think the only advice I havent taken on this thread was using Plywood vs Dimensional for the stringers (which everyone agreed was almost as good). and including the angle iron even though it was unnecessary.

i take every comment on here very seriously, you guys are the experts, Im just some dumb guy that bought a rotted out old boat. :rofl:

 

[ACon977]

Update from the admiral.

They did use the Polyester thread, she wasn't sure on the thread thickness but they did double stitch everything which was important to them for longevity.

 

[Woodonglass]

OK you can get the V-69 Polyester Thread here... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sewing-Bon...ter+thread&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

I'd also recommend a #19 needle.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schmetz-He...m=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313&LH_TitleDesc=0

 

[Woodonglass]

Here's the Old Timers Recipe for sealing wood.

 

[ACon977]

Perfect Woodonglass! Great recommendations and references.