Cafe time to update
 

I finally had a chance to wet sand my Cafe, 20 hours of sanding later its now in 2000 grit. Now time to repaint new stripes and Cig emblems. Then complete buff and detail. I have been kicking around doing the emblem in a light charcoal carbon fiber back ground with airbrushed highlights to make it look like it is coming out from the side, red #1 and black lettering with a drop shade. Ruby Red stripes with silver outline on the sides. Hopefully if it have some time I can get it shot by the middle of the week. I figured I would use the Covid 19 down time to my advantage.
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Nice rig, nice shop. Happy to be seeing another Cafe being brought back to life

AWESOME! Sounds like the paint is gonna be really nice. Can’t wait to see it turn out.

Guys, any idea where to get an original style switch for the cabin control panel. I am looking for the the upper switches that have the amber light on them. I though they could be a Sierra but I could not find the exact one.

Tank, how does the full cover you bought fit your Cafe? Mine is worn and I am looking for one as well, mine also has a swim platform.

It was from one of the F2 Top Gun I was told. It bunches at the bow slightly because I don’t pull
iy under the bow stop / roller. but fits fine for my needs. I use it as a storage cover not a towing cover or anything so it works well to keep the sun off when it’s outside.


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Well I got the silver and red stripes on and am working on the emblem. Hopefully they will be done tonight. Getting closer.
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Background for emblem complete.

Stripes and emblems are completed. Still need to buff the entire boat and stripe the deck. Then pull the drives and recondition them. Hopefully I will be ready in about three weeks.
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Looks great! Clean, simple, timeless.

That is what I was going for. Simple is classy and timeless, I still have to paint the upper pin stripes and Cafe script on both sides. I am going to increase the size close to double the original.
Tank how is your Cafe coming?

Looks Great, Classy keep the pictures coming.....

it’s coming together! Hopefully be on the water soon. Just got these.


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Apologies for the hijack but why the whale tails?

assist with planing and easier on the drives. Goal is to not have to mess with the tabs or drives so much when hoping on plane. Also, on a side not I tow the kids in a tube with it and hoping it will stay on plane at lower speeds. We’re gonna try em out and see how it goes. If i see no improvement they’ll go bye byes.


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What was wrong with your other drives? Interesting drive showers, good call on whale tails it should help getting on plane quicker. What speed did it take to get up with your old set up?

yeah, we’ll see how it does. It was my mechanics doing not my idea. I really never had any problems getting on plane etc etc but for some reason he wanted to try this so, whatever we’ll see. The old drives were mis matched and old (see pic). Needed some love. Now all nice and new. Regarding the old set ip I never really paid attention to planing speed. Just tuck em in, ease unit you to 3500 RPM and let it roll over then pull the drives out. Always pretty much left tabs in neutral.

mis matched drives :D


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now nice and fresh and new. Mmmmmm
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Ah yes, when someone else is paying the bill why not try something else. I am sure you will be happy with having the piece of mind knowing they are fresh. Are you going to leave them black or back to blue?

lol. Well he’s my son in law so I’m not too worried. ;)
taking the blue off. It was “good from far but far from good” all hardware really needed to be re powder coated. So going back to black on tabs and drives. Swim step has been all fixed up and re powder coated charcoal as well as the life line rails around the engine hatch. Custom brushed aluminum vents on engine hatch. Bolster bases and grab handles in cockpit staying blue. Blue faced gauges with chrome and charcoal Bezels / rings black carbon fiber dash. So tying in black, blue, chrome / polished and charcoal. I think it’s gonna come out nice.

Sounds nice, I am thinking of re-doing the vents on mine as well. I am thinking of making panels with louvers something with a vintage race look, but that can wait for now. Next big project will be rebuilding the trailer, I feel mine is under rated with the amount these old Cigs weigh. Between the weather and the virus it has been buying me some time.

Yeah, I went through the brakes and replaced all hubs when I got the boat. Putting Electric over Hydraulic brakes next. Most likely will update the boat stop on the trailer too. Mine is vertical and basically sucks. I like the angled one's with the Vee wedge bump stop lower and pulley higher (like yours...which actually looks new. Where'd you get it?).

These are the vents he had made. One piece instead of 3 separate ones. He's gonna do some finish work and personal touches to them. Cigarette ovals at the breaks between actual vents on the hatch. They should come out pretty slick when done.

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They look fantastic, did he do the machine work in house?

I made the winch post, I am replacing the axles with 7000#, hubs with replaceable disk hats, springs, tires, wheels, electric over hyd. master and will bridge the upper rail on the trailer with a 3 inch rail. I am basically building a new trailer. I was just going to buy a new one, but with what I wanted the cost was crazy. I could build what I wanted for about a third of the cost. Having the equipment and resources helps.
I kicked around building a complete new one in aluminum, but with summer coming quick I need to get it done. Like others have found most motorsport hobbies have the domino effect, one project leads to another. My problem is I get them done and sell them, this one I will keep.

The vents were done by a buddy of his.

Dig the slanted winch posts. I need to get mine done. I had one made for our Top Gun trailer as well. It seems most of the bolted I beam aluminum trailers come with the vertical posts instead of slanted and it makes it a PITA to load.
Sounds like your trailer is going to be really nice. Will you sand blast it and re-paint? or? When I did my steel trailer for our Baja I had it sand blasted and then primered with the paint they use on oil rigs. Then painted custom color over the top of that. Super good sealer and anti corrosive paint. Might be worth looking into.

Anyway, sorry to hijack your thread. Keep the pics coming of the project. Looking good so far!!

Yes, I will have it sandblasted and then I will repaint it. What was the name of the coatings you used? I have been looking into industrial coats by PPG and Axalta. Years ago Imron was the way to go, today they have taken all the lead and other good rust preventative products out of the coatings.

It was a long time ago but I'll try to get a name for you. Have a buddy that works on the rigs who can probably find out.

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Finally got the EOH brakes done, new axles, tires, wheels, springs, made new bunk mounts and painted. I put on about 1100 miles and love the brakes, worth every penny.

Well after taking out the trans on my truck and boat during the Cig Rendezvous I figured this year is done. I have been waiting for my new truck since Nov 2022 so I might as well dive into the boat. I started on the new hatch lift and bracket while I wait for the transmissions. Since the engines are out why not go down the rabbit hole and do new 8 plate coolers, repaint bilge and who knows what's next. :cartman:

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Build 2 while your at it I need one 😊

I would but it took a lot of machine time. The design is a copy of the original with mods made to fit the old style base and arm. If you don't mind waiting, and I have some time, maybe I can get one done in a couple of months. By the way your gun looks terrific, nice work..

Nice Job Mike , looks great .

Good seeing you in loto mike. Boats looking great!!!

Thanks Dan, yours looks fantastic.

Great seeing you and Taylor as well. Congrats on selling the Cafe, i can't wait to see what is next. Good luck