Painting my Cafe Racer...
 

As some of you know, I undertook painting my Cafe as a winter project. I have a few minutes so I thought I'd bring everyone up to date...

I'll start at the beginning. First, I pulled the boat out of commission back in early October to begin stripping the hardware out. By the end of the month, the engines were out, transom was bare, and cockpit was dis-assembled. In short, it was ready for sanding.

Around the first of December I started the fun part - intimate association with a DA sander. Here's a few shots.

Side...

Stern.

While I'm at it, I'm replacing the k-planesand all four indicator cables, painting the drives/gimble housings, and having my swim platform fixed where I messed it up last summer.

Bye bye, Cig logo. See what's left of the "1" in the logo? Remember it - it comes into play later in the process.

I'm also having custom made NACA ducts installed where the old rectangular ones were. The rails are being replaced with new ones that I purchased from Tres.

Deck..

Cockpit.

All the black is going white. I polished the grab handles that attach to the backs of the bolsters, and will buy new stainless stell ones for the one near the glovebox and the one over the cabin door. I also bought a Garmin 188i and a Livorsi GPS speedo to install.

Looking back.

While the cockpit is torn out I'm running wire for a new stereo. Clarion subs will mount down low, Babbs 6"x9" in the side panels, and Clarion components in the dash area.

I am EXTREMELY fortunate to have a friend that owns a boat paint/repair shop here in Richmond (Progressive Boat Works). I took the boat to his shop on 12/26 and he and I spent the next three days taping off the boat, applying the sealer/primer and white base coat, and painting all of the piece/parts (pod, glove box door, etc.). This is right after getting to his shop.

The cockpit taped off.

Looks good so far!..

Fred we know you like this kinda stuff... seems like the only boating you DO! :D (ya knew SOMEONE was going there...)

Engine compartment.