Any updates or pics on the Chris Cat restore?

Due to the Itchiban guys work load they just took my boat in last week .
We are removing all the bulkheads and structure in the boat . I'll be posting photos soon .
The engines are in nice shape so I'm just doing a basic overhaul . ( pistons , rings , brgs , lifters , rockers , springs , cam , valves )
Where can I find a manual for the Daytona crash boxes ? I'd like to dissasemble , check them out and replace seals .
I'm considering a four man enclosed cockpit ( two + two ) Any ideas on canopies or windscreens ? Who sells them ? I've got a pair of F-16 canopies I may use , but right now my options are open so I'm going to research alternatives .
Originally the boat was a two man , but I can't resist having the sucker seats . You've got to share the experience , but of course never take unusual risks with innocents on board .
I'd really like to run in a Horba event next season , Pt. Pleasant if they'll let me and maybe some other north east races , I don't think there is a class for this boat in their series so that may not be possible .
I'll post photos of the inside real soon .
Thanks for your interest .

Here are photos of latest progress . We are removing all the gridwork also . They are catching up with yacht work and should be going full force on the Chris .
This shop is directly across from Outer Limits service/rigging shop . I walked over yesterday to introduce myself and met Gary Garofalo , a great guy and racer . He offered assistance with the project . It's nice to know I have such a high caliber knowledge base right in my neighborhood .
Their shop is loaded with offshore exotica , way cool !

Is Gary the OPC racer from the 70's? If so give him my regards.

T2x

Yes , yes he is .
I'll stop by his office later this week and convey your message .

Here are preliminary renderings of the new '65 .
Later this week I should have some good glamour shots I'll be using in listings .
I'll attach a link to the OSO ad in this thread when I list it .

And some colors .

Is the cabin height reduced to 6'4"? I really liked the project up until that point. So did my buddy Jim. Jim is 6'5" and I am 6'8". Clothes, shoes, vehicles, doors, and cabins are a short list of things tall people can't find to fit into. I personally like the look of the prototype boat. The added power and better drives would be enough. We cook lobster on the boat. Options are always great to add later to custom build for you customer.

The first thing I said, when I saw the 62 on page 1, Thats F*****G Bad AZZ! I think you have an awesome product that just needs a few tweaks.

The staterooms have close to 7' , the original prototype will be at Ft Lauderdale boat show .
This 65' is for the hardcore badazzez and yes you can cook on it if you desire .

The 65 is not being built because of lack of funds at this time . Too bad we didn't do this one first , I really think it would have turned heads .
My Chris however is proceeding nicely . The front structure is done and hull is in finish primer . Engine beds and transom are next . I'll post photos later today .

Here are the Chris pics


http://cid-08c6c82d115a4a19.skydrive...ember%2018pics

Looks Great....I'm iching just looking at it....

Keep up the good work...

Please keep us posted on the Cat refresh! This is my dream build and I am enjoying living vicariously through your build! Thanks! Bob

The company doing the work is called Itchiban located on blow boat row in Bristol , RI .
AKA " The Itchies "

Just looking at all that ground down glass gives me the "itchies".:eek:

Picked it up from Itchiban today .
1 1/2 years to get this far , ended up gutting and replacing everything . We took a lot of weight off this boat . The results are amazing . I'm psyched !
Now to start rigging .

Looking sweet, cant wait to see it going together !

Stringer cross section and clear coated bow

All that comes to mind is "PREMIUM" they did a killer job !

It is very AMAZING !!!! Looks GREAT :ernaehrung004:

I remember D-12 . You had a lot of success with that boat if memory serves me correctly .
Is it still around ?

Any pictures out there of my D-19 Chris Cat or my 35 Jag also D-19 American Express ?

Her latest owner had her for sale here on OSO about a year ago. The Katech smallblocks are gone :eek: and she's a little ruff now. You are right we had a great run with her back in the 90's. It's nice to see the excellent work you have done to bring you cat back better than new !!!

A million thanks to OSO member " BUGSY " for sending me two race programs featuring my Chris on the covers .
Your kindness is greatly appreciated . Jimmy

Finally got some outside shots . All was good . They longboarded then 3 coats of Awlgrip primer .
Yesterday I pulled the boxes , drives , steering and engines out of hibernation .
Now to start rigging , I'm anxious to go forward .

Looks great what you gonna do on paint ?

Original livery just like my avatar , right down to the APBA sticker . I posted some old photos early on in this thread , check them out .

The motors are torn down ! No surprises either .
The cams were marked 306/312 R12 4412 HO443 the other was marked SR262 1374 251-10 IG
RACE EMS 13-33-01 . I'm pretty sure these are Merc markings on the second cam . I am assuming the first one was replaced due to a lifter failure as we found evidence in the pan .
I am still seeking any info , wiring diagrams , parts books or manuals on the EFI systems and motors . If anything is out there please let me know .
These EFI systems have an ambient air temp input , throttle position sensor and a map sensor that appears to be inside the ecu housing . I'm pretty sure it's a batch fire system .
The engines ran fine and I've got some used spares for the FI from an OSO member , however I know I can fit new sensors or ecu's if necessary at some point .
We also pulled the ext. boxes , drives , and steering out of storage and have started dusting them off . ( I should have started this months ago )

I just sent Herb Stotler an order for some engine parts .
http://stotlerracing.com/ , super guy , check him out .
Back in my day he throttled the 41 Apache " D15 Predator " with Ed Toth driving . We gave each other fits , they were a good team .
Anyway , today Herb is still racing , building motors , runs some really crazy exotic stuff , and manages a couple of teams . I'm pleased he has done well .
Presently I'm prepping the transom running gear/steering for installation and am starting on the cockpit .
This will keep me busy while I wait for JE to make and send Herb my pistons . It's a tough time of year to be ordering custom stuff .

lovin the resto, one day my Chris Cat will get fixed up and restored (more customized new school) but seeing people do work on these babies keeps me motivated to do mine soon! Keep up the great work.

Also how much weight do you think you have shaved out of this one?

Nice restoration. Thanks for keeping us up to date.

cat
 

I cant even imagine what the check book looks like !!!
must be 1000 hours into it at this point . Nice work.

I'm BAAACK !!
 

I've dogged this project long enough .
Been playin' with a couple of Fountains doin' the normal pleasure boat thing , only I'm not normal and neither are most performance boaters .
The full court press is on to get this thing running for next season . I may even drag it to a northeast race or two if there is a class where it fits . I'd love to do the Manhattan / Hudson race again .
First on the agenda is freshening the motors and starting on the cockpit . Thankfully the hull is ready for rigging and finish paint .
I'm going to do the twin F 16 canopies and squeeze two seats behind the pilot seats if I decide to take someone for civil ride .

y-pipes
 

if needed I have a pr of BB stelling long y-pipes off of jessie james cc .
[email protected]

Thanks .
I think the Jesse James ran small blocks . I have Stellings W/Y pipes and the are beat .
I've heard you can send them out for reconditioning .
Who is expert at this and what is the cost ?

You can call Stellings and they will give you a name and # to a guy that they send them to. I had 1 header that was leaking around the collector so he had to remove and reinstall a new collector. All together it was $450 and the header came back shining like new again. I thought it was pretty cheap considering the price of Stelling headers.

Thank you .
I thought Stellings was out of the exhaust business .

Look at the piles of junk that need rebuilding or replacing . I plan to have all this stuff done as nicely as the hull in which the Itchiban guys and Vinnie P have set a high benchmark .

No more dodging on that classic! It's going to be killer when you finish! I'm living vicariously through your build. Bob

That would be an awesome OPA class 2 or 3 boat!