Started to think about the bow section and want to soften the edges and combine the different sections to just a couple pieces. I really like what Challenger did to the 302FPS after they acquired the Z302 molds. I have posted pictures here of the Challenger FPS 302 and really am going to design the bow with that model in mind.
Let me know what you all think and if you have any ideas.
I have been pretty busy with work and trying to go boating on the weekends on friends boats so I have not had much extra time to work on my Z302 since the last time I posted. I have however wet sanded the entire boat with 1500 and am in the process of buffing that out with 3M's Perfect-It II polish. It is coming out better than I expected with a shine that looks as good as it did when it left the factory.
I hope to have the newly rebuilt 509 engine back before the end of this month and by then I should be ready to drop it back into place. I am dropping off the entire disassembled outdrive to be media blasted this week as well as the windshield and both are going to be painted glossy black.
I went with Livorsi Mega rim gauges (red rim/silver carbon face) and should be getting them sometime next week. I have painted the dash panel as well as the ignition panel black and should look really sharp when the new gauges are installed.
I have a Standard Horizon CP180i GPS Color Chatrtplotter and have decided to mount it upright where the factory VHF radio was. I am in the process of forming a black starboard mount that will allow me to easily remove the GPS unit and not have a hole left behind where the old VHF was. I moved the radio down in the cabin just to have it aboard in case I ever venture offshore but also carry a handheld as a backup.
Complete 509 Engine kit at the machine shop and just waiting on the Isky cam kit with Scorpion roller rockers.
20 Yards of Baja Tan Mellohide marine vinyl being dropped off at the upholsterer Saturday along with the entire rear seat section. Wow that was allot of work to get it to all fit properly. I built the new engine hatch/sunpad out of 1" PVC board and 3" foam.
I bought a used Isotta Aria (new $500) for 65 bucks off of ebay and will go perfect with the powder coated red rim gauges and cup holders.
Mounted the new Standard Horizon CP180i on a piece of black starboard where the old VHF was. Looks great.
Flush mounted the Blue Sea Add-a-Battery switch in the rear seat bench which will allow easy access to turning them on/off.
I have ordered Red powder coated bezels for the Zero Effort throttle, steering hub, ignition switch, kill switch, trim tab bezel, and 12 cup holders.
Outdrive has been sandblasted and should get painted this weekend.
Lightning headers have been blasted then ceramic coated silver and then buffed to resemble stainless steel.
I found Dupli-Color Metalicast paint that when sprayed properly looks exactly like the powder coated red pieces and plan on painting the 28 JL Audio speaker grills (Mid's and Hi's).
Lot's of hours spent so far and kind of getting things in line to hopefully see the finish line way off in the distance.
Isky performance cam kit and Scorpion roller rockers came in today. Hip Hip hooray! Now the engine builder can wrap up the engine and hopefully get it back to me next week.
Livorsi gauges came in today, well most of them as I am missing the oil psi, hour meter and the GPS recall switch panel that they are going to powder coat red to match the rest of the rims. I am using a Nordskog GPS that will get it's rim painted to match the other gauges. I also am using the factory depth gauge but am going to insert a piece of silver carbon fiber vinyl I got from a buddy of mine that owns a vinyl decal business and it's outer rim is going to be painted red as well.
All the cockpit interior pieces and 12 yards of Mellohide Baja Tan marine vinyl are at the upholsterer right now and was told that I should get them back towards the end of next week.
Windshield frame has been sand blasted and powder coated glossy black and will pick up tomorrow as well as the entire Gimbal assembly that was powder coated black.
I have been waiting for quite a while for the powder coated red Isotta steering wheel hub/adapter and a few other red bezels I ordered from Dana Marine and will get pics as soon as I install.
It has been awhile since I posted any updates and even though the rebuild of my Z302 did not get completed for this season I am very happy how things are turning out.
Here are pictures on where I am now. It has been alot more difficult than I expected trying to find time to work on her between my job, family and just plain life.
I have lot's of pictures so let me know what you think. Everything is not 100% in place yet as I am waiting for everything to be finished before I start to bolt, tighten and align it all together.
Re: At it again!
Re: At it again!
