Phily working his magic...Top Gun redo (on a budget)
 

So I brought my Top Gun to Lip-Ship for a GPS install and new style windshield and more than a month later we still aren't done :lolhit:

So I thought some of you might like to see the changes and the progress pictures. Now this isn't the typical drop it off and pickup a brand new boat months later Lip-Ship redo, I'm on a budget and Phil has been GREAT to work with in this regard. He is just simply amazing as I have read over and over again with the customer service...the guy knows his sh!t like nobody else!!!

So let's see, where to begin...Original plan...GPS and windshield

Garmin 5208
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/ebc5adfb.jpg

Garmin 5208 installed
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/d51febab.jpg

Charlie working on the windshield
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/40ceb099.jpg

Windshield installed (and new fairing pad too)
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/0560c1d9.jpg

Then this is where the snowball gained some momentum :angry-smiley-038: I decided to finally replace the raw water valves, in talking with Phil we decided to replumb the whole water intake. This was the old setup where the valves are all the way at the back and bottom of the bilge and used the morse cables to actuate the levers on the valves. Of course the brackets that held the cables rotted off and the morse cables all froze up...SOOO...we decided to replace the old USS Eisenhower sea strainers with some nice Stainless Marine ones and move the valves right up to the strainers. Of course replaced all the hoses and fittings, etc. Also replaced the scupper bilge and cleaned up the whole area...check it out.

Old valve
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/d4a8687b.jpg

Old stainers
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/bb7de4c0.jpg

New strainers and plumbing
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/1945d171.jpg

Then when I dropped it off I asked Phil to check out the trim tab cables because they looked like they were about to explode, well that lead to basically a whole transom redo...

Before (no comments please :lolhit:)
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/5b8b58bd.jpg

After (you can clearly see why I did this now)
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/a6630787.jpg

We replaced all the control cables and fitted the tab cables through the tabs and used the 45 degree angled fitting for the drive cables, removed the mufflers and replaced all the exhaust tips with Stainless Marine angled tips and painted, wet sanded and buffed most of the transom. Then a whole bunch of other "little" things like cleaning up the bow cleats/chocks, fixing the broken cabin lights, installed Latham controls (bought from OldSchool, thanks man!), replaced the power steering reservoir with a nice new Latham one...let's see what else...oh yeah tore Tank's old wrap off :drink: (sorry buddy, it was time) and then getting ready for some new paint from Harold right now :drink::drink::drink:

Here's some more pictures for your enjoyment, let me know what you guys think :drink:

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/a5dbc98f.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/9deded44.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/274ad06e.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/2aff7f16.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/40746af4.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/8f0f72ef.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/b0d81fdb.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/c69d91f0.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/394b866d.jpg

I just want to say again, for anyone needing anything Cig related...CALL LIP-SHIP!!! I just can't say enough about Phil. While all this work was being done I have been traveling on and off, all along Phil has sent progress pictures of almost every step, constant calls and emails and just on top of everything! He's a class act!

Nice project!!

What a great read Phil is the man I just wish I had some extra $$ to spend down there. I love the new paint.

good luck

I'm f*ckin' dyin' over here!!!


Coming along very nice Jason...I expect it to be in the water and ready to rock when we're back out there!:drink:

Thanks for the comments guys.

Yeah I just can't say enough about Phil. He has been amazing to work with. The best part about it is that he really gets into these projects and boats, it's like it's his boat and he does everything to make sure it's done right.

I wish I could have done everything, but I have to do it piece at a time...needless to say, I can't wait to get her back, gunna be a brand new boat, well almost :drink:

Well at the rate your going I could redo the whole boat and it would be ready to go by the time you get here :angry-smiley-038:

Can't wait for you to see it bro, and i don't have to tell you about Phil's work, thanks for hooking me up with him!!! :drink:

We'll be there, we'll be there.....


and hands down...Phil's the MAN! Keep the pics coming.

You going forward with the paint?

Yup :evilb: talked to him this afternoon and he talked to Harold...they're doin they're thing :drink:

Here's some more pix...
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/be4984b5.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/30f70b9f.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/8f8e12f0.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/151fb0c7.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/a912b96d.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/50f6c162.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/ffd36c46.jpg

Notice anything missing in that last picture?

I always liked that wrap but man that paint is gonna look sweet. Looks like rail is gone is last pic. Cool project.

It looks great, nice job. Boat really needed alot of work. But your doing a nice job.:grinser010:

Yeah the wrap was sweet, but it had 5 years on it and I was getting sick of all the yellow :lolhit:

Tank and I were talking earlier about why stop now, take all the rails off and powder coat them charcoal, so that's what happening, you were right, no rails in the last pic...Phil already had them all off, swim platform is next

Yeah 16 years old, needed some TLC, mechanically solid, but showing her age. Hopefully going to be able to freshen the motors and drives over the winter, then interior next year and she'll be good as new! Wish I could just have Phil do it all right now, but no such luck...anyways, it is a fun project. Thanks for the comments.

I like seeing these type of projects...keep the pics coming!! :)

That is gonna be one sweet Gun!

Redo and budget are not to be used in the same sentence when it comes to a cigarette. For example, you decide to replace the cup holders then the grab rails look worn...that all leads to a new interior. Then the bilge looks dated and as long as the motors are out might as well freshen them.....

I will say the windscreen is the single best upgrade available.

Going to be a very nice boat.

Lookin good !!! Phil IS the man, unlike so many other rip-off dealers.

on a budget? looks like a good budget!

nice job!

Jason doesn't know his budget yet because he hasn't gotten the bill yet! :eek:
:drink:

Looks great! It is wild what that guy can do with a cigarette, new or old. I'm gonna find me a TG to buy and send to Phil someday....Congrats on your updates. Again, looks good.

Von Bongo you are SO right!!! Lol, like I said, originally I was ONLY planing on installing the GPS and windshield :lolhit:

I did get the bill, yesterday :eek: Let's just say it was more than I originally planned :angry-smiley-038:

But I will also say that Phil really worked with me and my budget...again, can't say enough about him!

I highly recommend that when you do get a gun you do bring it to him. A perfect example of what he can do is the cabin lights...I asked him about replacing a couple of mine that were broken (the old black ones), he said they don't make them anymore, he could probably find some if I really wanted but he custom makes replacements for them and they're only a little bit more...all custom made, white acrylic bezel with LED's, simply amazing and all made right there at Lip-Ship. Made a huge difference in the cabin...
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/2aff7f16.jpg

Good stuff Jason!!!!:drink::drink::drink:

Thanks Craig! Can't wait to use the Latham's :drink:

Thanks again! :drink::drink:

Awesome! Looking good.

Very sweet updates man!!! Boat is looking great!

Always enjoyed working with Phil. He is a 110% guy.

Ding, dong, the wrap is gone! Thank goodness! The new graphics will be real nice.

Man looking good it's going to be awesome!

Thanks for all the nice comments guys!

Need some input now, what color do you suggest I do the rails, swim platform and grab handles? I was thinking charcoal and then maybe a purple Cigarette script on the grab handles, or maybe silver Cigarette script...what do you guys suggest? The fairing pad is already charcoal carbon fabric and the gauge bezels are purple, planning to do a charcoal carbon Iotta steering wheel and the dash panels will be black carbon fiber...disregard the crayola explosion on the engine hatch, interior redo isn't in the budget right now :angry-smiley-038:
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/394b866d.jpg
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/c69d91f0.jpg

charcoal

bad ass boat....looks good....purple or charcoal either way still gonna be sick...

Charcoal with dark purple cig emblems on the grab handles and accents.

Lookin sweet.
My chits IS going there in the next yr or 2.
In the fall so couple trips down to do some winter boating!

Jason, the boat looks awesome! That color combination is really going to update your gun. The paint looks very classy, not overdone! I can't wait to see in person this fall.

Nice work so far Jason! The boat looks great as everyone has said. It sure is fun working with Phil on stuff. Glad to hear you're having such a great time getting her all polished up & upgraded!

Thanks guys!

Decided to go charcoal with the rails, swim platform and grab handles...most likely purple Cigarette script on the handles, but maybe silver...still time to decide :drink:

IMO from living in Florida, I've learned that dark colors don't work on things that you have to step on or hold onto....HOT!

Purple script may be hard to view on charcoal?

Nothing like sending your Ciggie to Phil for a re-fresh! :drink: It's progressing very well. Nice work LipShip!:drink::drink:

Kurt

Decided on silver Cigarette script on the grab handles, dropped them off to Phil/Harold yesterday. I think the silver will standout, but in a classy, subtle way...keeping in line with the paint scheme. Speaking of that, Harold says boat will be back to Phil Tues/Weds so pickup Friday looks like its a go...CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!! :evilb: