I'd like to have a little fun with this project thread. Constructive criticism is welcome, and don't sugar coat it This is my first project, so I'll try not to pretend like I know exactly what I'm talking about. I will greatly appreciate any help and criticism I can get along the way. For that reason I dub this an OSO project. When all said and done I'd like to be able and look back and think that you all had something to do or say with this boat.
The boat is a 1990 28 Apache Brave, built for and featured in the 1990 Miami Boat Show. Still sports the original one off custom Gail Pak graffics, which is in great condition, minus the top deck. I'm told this boat has seen a couple of owners. Two OSO members I know of for sure - CFD5 - sold it to PowerPlayDave, which is who I bought it from sight unseen (that will be the last time I do that). I believe it had an owner in New Jersey who sold it to someone in Pennslyvana, who sold it to CFD5 in Ohio then to Maryland. I had it transported from Maryland to TX last December. The boat has seen alot of water, if anybody knows any slice of history on this boat I would greatly appreciate it. I got the boat with 221 hours on it and I believe thats pretty accurate.
Pics of some of the previous owners I found floating around OSO.
I got four weekends out of her, one gave......you know the rest. I've decided to repower it which will hopefully be the right way to get 10+ reliable years out of her. The heads and intake are both corroded and need to be replaced. Its got two 850 holleys, stainless marine exhaust, not sure on the heads or intake. Bottom is whats left of a Merc 454 365hp. They dynoed 460hp. I want new engines full dress, but would like to hear opinions on why I should build up what I've got or not. For me its a long-term cost thing. I want to drive this boat for 10-20 years. The estimates I got were a little less than some new full dress engines and I can't really justify spending half the cost of a new one to fix up an old one. I'm not really looking for speed. 70mph would be good, I know it went 67 with the stock 365hp. Just want something reliable so I can stay out on the water.
The 4 weekends I got out of her.
Last edited by TexomaPowerboater; 10-07-2008 at 11:58 PM.
I'm getting there Bill This project is probobly going to take 3-4X what yours did, not because it the work will be any better, I just don't have the same budget.
Right now the outdrives are getting repainted. I'm hoping to have the the bilge repainted in the winter.
Upon close inspection of the transom.........I found red paint underneath. Pretty sure this boat had a red transom originally. You can see the red where the white paint is chipping off just below the transom assemply. They didn't take off the trim tabs either and you can see red in between the tab and the transom mount.
So my tentative plan is to first fix up the transom - new paint on drives, tabs. Either try and revive the old red imron transom or gel coat it white. Then I figured I'd go ahead and seal up the transom after I replace all the thru hull fittings and hoses. Basically restore the whole azz end of the boat.
Ouch, I'd flip if that happened to me on a 03 boat.
Budget - $10,000 on cosmetics and some light hardware. $35,000 on engines full dress, turnkey and go. As much as I'd like to, I don't have anytime to work on this myself. Maybe if I'm lucky I can get Excaliburhawk41 to come take a look Probobly 95% of the work will be done by the local yacht club. There reasonable, I trust them, and the mechanic is one of the best on the lake. He even worked with Derebery. They specialize in fiberglass restoration and I think there more than capable, but I would listen to other local suggestions.
Last edited by TexomaPowerboater; 10-08-2008 at 12:56 AM.
Andy, don't just paint the drives. Take them off and have them gone through.
What cosmetically are you thinking about?
A pair of new 496mags HO's should get you moving 70+ and be very reliable. You may find some some dealer on this site looking to make a deal, or some low hr take outs.
Aren't they like 14k new drop in?
Also, if you want to upgrade, you can do a raylar job.
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As far as the transom, can you un rig it and get it back to the red gelcoat?
If the hull sides are nice, leave them... i like that paint.
It is something that helps ID this as an apache.
The deck can just get white paint.
Maybe you'd want to respray the dash white and do red bezel gauges.
How's the cockpit interior? maybe just a re-skin?
The cabin looks fine... if so, then no touchie!
__________________
With great power, comes great responsibility.
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Gold Member
Constructive criticism is welcome, and don't sugar coat it
I will greatly appreciate any help and criticism I can get along the way. For that reason I dub this an OSO project. When all said and done I'd like to be able and look back and think that you all had something to do or say with this boat. 
Platinum Member
At least you got to enjoy a few months, I broke first trip out this spring.
