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You are doing an amazing job!! Keep up the good work, and keep us posted on your progress.

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Progress today.

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Everything is looking great. Thanks for taking the time to post up the pictures. I like how you carried the red accent theme into the motor. Nice attention to detail.

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Thanks for the compliments. Has taken a bunch of time and work but can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I am trying to stick with just four colors throughout the boat.

Red, Black, Tan and Stainless Steel.................everything else has been covered, painted or removed.

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I have hundreds of pictures of the entire rebuild and was thinking of posting them all but not sure if you all would want to see it here or not.

Let me know.

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yes, I like seeing the process. Also shares some ideas. I am planning on refurbing my Shabah.

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Nice looking engine. Did you put it on the dyno? I'd love to see some numbers for it.
You're sure going to have a busy winter.

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Have any updates for us to look at, Boatcrazy?

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Not much progress to report as I have been quite busy with a few projects around the house and then the holidays were here. I did however find a neat tow vehicle for when she is all ready to splash again this upcoming spring.

1992 Chevy Suburban 2500/454 Dually customized Bell Tech lowered tow rig.

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That's pretty cool. You are going to have a really unique setup next season. Thanks for sharing.

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New pics after many, many hours of wet sanding, buffing and polishing. Black rub rail will be going on this upcoming weekend and should make everything really pop.

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I can only say WOW!!!! That's going to be the best looking boat on any lake. You've done an amazing job on that poor sunken boat. Post some pic's when you launch her Oh, and don't forget the plug, Ha ha

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looking great, keep up the work and pics. fun seeing it all come together

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Looks incredible. Nice touch with the black windshield frame. This thing looks like a different boat than the one you bought 2 and 1/2 years ago.
Have you got the interior work wrapped up?
Keep the pics coming!

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Thanks all for the compliments.

All of the cockpit and bow section interior is completed but not fully installed yet as to make it easy to work on the boat without the chance of screwing up the nice vinyl. The cabin cushions still needs to be reupholstered but that is last on my long list of things to do. The gauges are wired in and the dash is almost complete minus a few small items that should not take that long to wrap up.

The engine compartment is totally cleaned up and as soon as I rewire in the new location of the battery switch and securing the seat bases I will be dropping in the engine. I plan for a complete day to get that accomplished but it has been so much easier working in the boat without it being there and sitting on the trailer I know it will remain safe until I need it.

I am in the process of researching LED lighting and so far have purchased a few different ones to see what is the most eye appealing. I wanted to go with a tri-color LED system by Lumitech but at over $100 a light I decided against it. Looks like I may just go with two different systems one being for the white and one for the red which will be used for mostly for accent.

I will have to say that one of the hardest tasks so far would have to be bonding the hull and cap together with 3M's 5200. It is the most sticky, hard to get off, find later in the most odd places stuff I have ever worked with. But when all is said and done I know the boat is going to be as solid as a coke bottle. The factory did not do a good job in that part of the boat's construction and needed to be addresses. The other area that they fell short of is on the underside of the hull cap in the engine compartment and the reinforcing with wood in the bow floor and swim step area's. Very rough and the bonding and sealing of the wood left many holes where water can find a way in and weaken the strength of the floor.

Weather is nice and has put the motivation back in me to finish up the project so I will update as soon as I get further down the road.

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Wow, thanks very much for taking the time to keep us all in on this project. We are all in awe and have a well deserved respect for all the nice work you have done to make this boat one of a kind.

Are you giving her a new name?

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I have never named one of my previous boats but am definitely going to name this one.

Any suggestions?

Bottom's Up

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Considering the first photos, how about "ON TOP AGAIN"

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How about "On The Rocks" with a Silver Martitni Shaker?

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Wow! That's beautiful! I love the black windshield frame as well! Keep it up, and keep up with the posts here.

If that's what wet sanding does... I'm sure there's more than just me on here looking to know how you do that!! A little write up in the "how to" section would be much appreciated!

Great job! It's looking fantastic!

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Boy, It looks great!!! hope you get on the water before June. Nice job!!

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Been a busy couple weeks getting the interior sections in place and secure. Everything is looking really good and have progressed to a point where I was able to drop (not literally) the engine back in yesterday.

I have rewired all the battery leads and got them out of the way and laced up from the new Blue Sea add a battery switch, the ACR relay and the two Optima batteries. I found some new battery trays that are made to fit the larger group 31 models and really clean up the engine compartment. I really want to get some billet ones but that is not in the budget (which is already blown up) right now.

I installed a Acculift electric hatch lift on the starboard side and am working on adding a assist lift support on the port side to help steady the hatch a bit.

I have finally decided to paint the JL speakers itself satin black and the grille insert red that matches the hull color. Looks really good but is going to take some time prepping it all due to the amount of speakers that are going to be installed.

Pictures to follow.

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Just finshed looking over all the pics of the work you have done on your boat that is a great job you have done on her can't wait to see the finale pics of her and see you and your honey on the water again.

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She has made quite the transformation Boatcrazy! Thank you for sharing the pictures and continuing to update us. I love the attention to detail with the wiring and the red accents. Livorsi gauges look sick! Nice touch. Overall, awesome job man and keep up the hard work :wink_thumbup:

I think i speak for everyone when i say we can't wait to see you launch her!

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June 1..................she will be getting wet.

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Some new additions................JL HD baby

900/5
600/4
750/1

Can you hear me now??

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Wow... I should think so, yes.

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Ok, NO post sense may! Whats up! Just joined today and this is the best thread I have read anywhere. I want to here and see more. Very well documented so far, lets hear the REST OF THE STORY.
I've been in GO FAST boats all my life, now @ 55 looking for a mid-cabin,open bow like the Z302 or maybe the 275.
How do they handle rough water?

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:wink_thumbup:I am in awe as Zack said this is a totally kicken resto. Head is spinning with ideas and to stay close to that budget at all is a miracle. I thought I may have gotten in to deep but after seeing this I am inspired once more.

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Many updated pictures will be posted this week. Finally can see the light at the end of the tunnel and boy has it been a long one. It has been well worth all the time spent (and $$$) as I truely feel like she is exactly like I would of ordered it right from the Mariah factory.

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Amazing !!!! You will be our Chip Foose of boating

Cheers,

Johan

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Launch date set for Friday................................will keep you all posted.

She is a beauty with the new tower I installed.

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Tower ??? Where's the pics ???

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Did you end up naming her?

I can't wait to see the finished results.

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How did the launch day go glad to hear you got it all back together would like to see some new pics.

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where are the pics ????

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Picture 3 of 12 from Jacksonville River Run

Picture 4 of 12 from Jacksonville River Run

http://www.powerboatnation.com/album...achmentid=2035

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Have a few other pictures that I took on my week old Blackberry that I dropped in a pot of water yesterday so as soon as I get my new one I will upload those.

Few minor issues with the launch but all in all an incredibly good time was had at the Jacksonville River Rally Poker Run...............silly thermostat stuck closed and decided not to overheat the engine on its maiden voyage. Still was able to idle out to the river and watch 40-50 sweet#$! boats go by and then tie up at the Outback Crab Shack and have many people come up to me and compliment me on my Mariah and even had a few husband go find their wife's so they could show them the boat they wanted next.

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Beautiful RED Mariah! *wink, wink*