Dont make me post pics in your thread of my progress......COME ON pics please.........

Just wanted to get you motivated. You are doing a great job and want you to share this with friends.

JJ

Mike - Don't harass me with your progress
It's bad enough being called out by my wife - but cool enough that she's into the project too.

OK, so the wife posted under my name (mistake), just trying to put some fire under my azz...
I kinda feel stupid posting pics of such small progress, but here is what I'm up to.
Called my engine builder to schedule Dyno time - should be within the next 2 weeks or so. The motor has been waiting on me, not on him. It's already run on the test stand, but not the Dyno yet.
I just started re-rigging the transom last weekend - after painting, and hours of wet sanding.
Also finishing up re-rigging the bilge to drop the motor in.
I still have a ton of work to do on the exterior, upholstery, and helm.
I work on it as I have time/money/energy. I need all three, or I'm just going to be flushing one of those resources away and it will cost me more of the other two to make it right. If that isn't a signature line I don't know what is...(I just re-read it after typing)

I had one more coat of red on the valve covers, and a few coats of clear. They look like candy.
Before after of transom.
Motor mounts
Anyway - because we all like pictures...

Finished Valve Covers.
Motor mounts & Battery boxes. Still need to tighten things up.
Before of Transom.


Just from crawling around in the bilge so much, I need to touch in a few areas.
Never ending battle.
No, it's not a 540 Hawk. But I acquired the covers, and thought I'd have some fun until I build the 540. (Thanks Joe)

Now, someone tell me where I can have some seat bases fabbed!!!!!
I'm looking for simple tube bases, and I've talked to a local guy, and a VERY WELL KNOWN GUY FROM THE BOARD, and I can't get a quote or even a reply from either.
I'd build the damn things myself, but I'm not a competent welder.

A friend of mine here in FL could build some for ya. His company specializes in Alum. fab... T-tops, swim platforms, etc. Let me know and I'll pm you a phone #.

This entire summer has been an absolute waste.
I've been working 12 hr days the entire summer, and have rarely had a weekend off. I have a painter that is literally across the street from my house, and a powder coater right up the road, and haven't been able to leave work long enough to go talk to them.
In the forging on with progress, I keep tearing things off the boat.
It's stripped at this point.
Windshield is off, all hardware is off, dash is out, controls and gauges are in a box, rubrail is gone, probably go out this afternoon and start removing the snaps for the cockpit cover.
It's ready for paint.
Last weekend, I had the wife help me remove the life-line (prepping for paint), and had to crawl into the bow section past the bulkhead to get to the bolts.
I was shocked at how much space is actually up there for a 24'.
I'm figuring I could probably smuggle two Cubans up there, if they are friendly or desperate, but it's probably already been done.
If you've never crawled into that bow area in a 24, here's what it looks like from the inside.

This is about as stripped down as it gets.
My wife is looking forward to me actually putting things back on the boat - me too.

I'm only leaving the hatches on until I take it to the paint guy.

keep it up!!
I know first hand that time lines don't always work out.

Thanks Tom.
I think the reason I even posted was to get the kick in the pants, and get my priorities straight.
My wife expected to go boating this season, and all she has seen is me tearing more crap off the boat.
Well, there is nothing more to tear off, it has to go to paint, and then things need to start going back on it.