3Squids '79 Center Console thread

3 Squids

3 Squids

Junior Member
My first post on this wonderful site was more of a "saying hello" thread that was turning more into a build thread so I figured I'd just go ahead and make a thread just for my maintenance and modifications to my '79 V20.

Here she is as I picked her up.



It was obvious the purple had to go. My first thought was the whole vessel had to be painted but as I removed the purple decals it became much easier to bear the green.



After the decals were removed I put a borrowed cowl on the motor to get rid of the purple existing one.


My immediate plans are:
Ditching the rest of the purple
Powdercoating the T-top white
Hardtop to replace the purple canvas
Then probably using it this summer. Next winters plans are TBD depending on how fall rock season goes which will mean I gotta find me a set of curtains.

Here's the rest of the pics I have of the boat to date. I will post more as I work on her. Should be a fun project.











 
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Today I pulled the electronics box off to see what my options were to get the purple off. It's made of wood and seems it was glassed over and painted. I sanded down the surface good and put a coat of paintable bedliner with a fine texture finish. That's drying tonight and tomorrow I plan on painting it white. Depending on how much this hardtop is going to cost I may be wasting my time as the plan is to mold a box into the top. But I'm waiting on some motor parts to come in so I had to do something constructive.
 
The PO filled some holes on the top of the cap with what appears to be Bondo. My thoughts wet to sand that out, fill them with resin and roll off white non-slip to the tops of the gunnels. What are you guys thought on KiwiGrip? Looks like a good product. I've read a power washer could hurt it but I've never had to pressure wash any of my boats.
 
Got the electronics box done this afternoon. Just in the nick of time, thunderstorms started moving on in. Nothing more eerie then holding onto a stainless T-top while lightning lights up the sky. Anyways it's not perfect but it will hold me over til I can either buy one or get a hardtop made. Still haven't made that decision.



 
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my 1st v20 was a 79. I liked the two boxes in the front as they were a good place for the wife and her friends to sit. looks like a great boat and I am sure you will loce it concrats and keep the pic coming!!!
 
I thought the same thing for the front boxes. I have 3 small children so that would be a perfect spot for them to sit. I'm in the process of trying to design some sort of pad for them now.
 
Sad day. I had to put the boat on stands so I could put my Striper back on the trailer to try and get her sold. Don't really want to buy a trailer until the Striper sells. I found a few cheap ones that need work on Craig's but I'd rather spend a little more on a nice trailer. So don't look like she will be in the water soon as I'd like. But at least I got the Striper for now.
 
Squids, I am about 30 mins south of you. GREAT looking V. The green is growing on me! I usually boat in the York, but go to New Point every now and then, maybe I will see you out there!

LOVE my 79! (3 kids also)

2014-09-06_12.58.52_zpsmttuln9f.jpg
 
Yes we will be at New Point this summer I'm sure. Might even make it out there this weekend but I'll have my Striper out. . We will definitely have to make sure we end up there on the same day at some point. We make a run up to Yorktown usually a couple times a summer. Take the kiddos to B&J's for icecream.
 
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^^^^ sounds good to me! I will be there if it EVER stops raining and warms up! In the York we hang out around the mouth of Sara Creek. Close to Yacht Haven and Crab Deck
 
draglink said:
^^^^ sounds good to me! I will be there if it EVER stops raining and warms up! In the York we hang out around the mouth of Sara Creek. Close to Yacht Haven and Crab Deck
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I know abouts where that is. We will definitely have to check it out. But yea definitely got to get through this rain. I was looking through some of your pics and seen your Wagoneer. Did or do you work some where in Newport News? I swear I used to see that truck down there a lot.
 
3 Squids said:
I know abouts where that is. We will definitely have to check it out. But yea definitely got to get through this rain. I was looking through some of your pics and seen your Wagoneer. Did or do you work some where in Newport News? I swear I used to see that truck down there a lot.
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Yep, I run a flooring company in Newport News. My showroom and warehouse are in Oyster Point right across from UPS.

I used to daily drive it until a couple years ago. Now I drive it 1 - 2 days a week.
 
draglink said:
Yep, I run a flooring company in Newport News. My showroom and warehouse are in Oyster Point right across from UPS.

I used to daily drive it until a couple years ago. Now I drive it 1 - 2 days a week.
Click to expand...


Now I know where I've seen it. Tidewater Floors right? I was Canaday Ind.'s foreman for 7 years. Now I'm back on the middle penninsula subbing.
 
3 Squids said:
Now I know where I've seen it. Tidewater Floors right? I was Canaday Ind.'s foreman for 7 years. Now I'm back on the middle penninsula subbing.
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No kidding?!! Yep, Tidewater Floors. We were bought by Richmond Decorating 4 years ago when I took over. Ok, yeah, I know Dave C. His brother Kirk still does some work for me. I haven't seen Todd C in years.

Small world!! I see you live in Cobbs Creek. I have a buddy near Hallieford, my brother lives in Port Haywood
 
Yea I think Todd got out the flooring biz a while back. He was having a lot of back problems. I still see Kirk around Gloucester every once in a while. I loved working for Dave I just wanted to move on to something with more of a future. Plus I was tired of getting blamed for all the dumb **** the guys I supervised did but yet when I tried to correct them I was the *******. I'm subbing for a store now that's been around for 40 years and the plan is for me to buy it when the owner retires and I'll just let everyone else go do the hard stuff.
 
Very colorful boat I will tell you that sure don't look like a 79 the green is growing on me too think of this if you did break down there would be no trouble finding you
 
We lived in Newport News for a while when I was a toddler... My sisters were born there... We moved to Kansas for me to start school....

Small world indeed.
 
Had to deal with the weather and got the ol girl on a trailer today. Picked up a solid '93 loadmaster for $500. Had all new rollers and new tires. Don't think I did too bad other than someone painted it red over the galvy. I may have to spray it black or silver. As I get rid of the purple the last thing I need to do is throw red in the mix. I know that sounds silly but that's just how I am I guess.



I had to make a few adjustments to get the rollers off the chines. I got that all straight but I think I have a bit too much tongue weight. Looks like I may have to bump the axle ahead a bit. I'm gonna take it to my buddy's race shop and put the tongue on one of his scales and see what I got. Anybody know about how much tongue weight I need? I guess the best thing would be to put it on 3 scales (under each tire and tongue jack) to get the exact weight. I read the tongue should be 7% of the total weight but not sure if that's just the boat or boat and trailer.

Anyways right now this is where my rear rollers are sitting. Should I try to get them closer to the transom or should this be good?

 
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