1981 Pantera Build
 

Ok thought I would start a thread on the build for my 1981 Pantera 24'. Little background on the boat, originally from the Great Lakes and back in 80's it ran under B-87 as a back up boat for the "Damn Manta" whenever it was down.
http://i54.tinypic.com/15poajm.jpg
Then owned by "Bearpaw" for a couple of years and then came down to the west coast of Florida where I picked her up last year.
http://i56.tinypic.com/2j289k3.jpg
She is a true old school machine that I just love.
http://i51.tinypic.com/2zinalj.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/35n61kh.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/33f95yf.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/jpc3tf.jpg

So when I got her she had a Merc 330hp with a TRS. Motor unfortunately was dead. But thanks to Albert "MiamiBoyz" it will now have a fresh GenV BBC mated to the TRS.
I just received some parts to finish off the motor..and should hopefully be able to crank her up this upcoming weekend.
Today I spent the day removing everything off the transom and plugging the old exhaust cutouts so that I can move them up a bit.
Started by making some cardboard templates of the cutout and then transfering it to some 3/4 ply. Then cut out two pieces with a bandsaw and glassed together with some 1.5oz mat.. then sanded out the cutout and further wet all with resin and placed them in. Will dry a few days and then continue by sanding out edge and start feathering in little by little. Sorry but pic sucks as it was taken with my phone camera.
http://i53.tinypic.com/mwcvb9.jpg

Looking good Angel,

What you want to do is taper out the existing glass away from the cutout, "Glue" your plugs in, then fill on top of the plugs with several layers of glass starting at the original hole size out to where you tapered it out to bring it close to the original height. At that point you can use some filler, gelcoat, paint etc. If you need a hand this coming weekend, I can run down.

Rick

Awesome .... looking forward to following the progress, I have my chair pulled up!:food-smiley-007:

tapering the existing glass sounds like the step that was forgot when mine were filled. Now I have two perfect round cracks, maybe ill redo them next winter. Thanks for the tip Rick.

Yeah,

May not totally eliminate it, but definitely helps. I have fixed a few holes in transoms before, when I redid my transom wood last year I found 60 something dowels from previous tabs, twin engines, different engine heights etc, none of which were glassed over properly.

Lookin good Angel! Funny how we both have had the same kinds of boats (me off and on for 10 years) and now we are both redoing 81 Panteras. You've got good taste! Keep'em coming.

Which one is yours? I have a short memory:drink::lolhit: Mine is also an '81, even though it says 82 in my profile, musta been drinking that day:evilb:

Rick
Sorry about changing the subject but I also have two round cracks around where two water pick ups used to be how would I repair them? If you want start another thread so I dont hyjack this one. sorry

I will post pics of my repair to small cracks I have on my water pickup soon also. I'm basically going to use a dremel and put a v shaped tip to follow the crack to widen and deepen it. Then I plan on filling it with Marine Tex or you could use resin and and thicken it with microballons.
Rick what would you recommend?

I would vee it like Angel said, it could just be filled, but will probably crack again. I like to use at least some glass in the repair, even if they are thin strips to fill in the vee most of the way, then the rest can be filled. marine tex is some pretty serious stuff for small repairs like this. The best way to fix it permanent if it is just on glass(non transom) is to get to the backside of it, and glass the back to reinforce it also.

Angel,

Let me know if ya want me to throw some of that 1708 in the car and ride down this weekend, I'll look around the garage tonight and see what other glass supplies I have leftover.

Rick

Rick, I have the 81 3-man bolster from Miami, now at Lake of the Ozarks. Nick.

ahhh cmon, its more than that, its the bad azzz red one!! 3man, red interior?, hatches that open to the side? , center steering?, big pipesout the back, and I think it had pretty big power when you bought it. This is what i somewhat remember. What drive does it have, and how is the project going? JAIME p.s. pics

Yep. TRS drive. Not going to steal this thread. I'll start a new one in the near future.

Angel what are you thinkin for hp? "See Ya" I think was yours and had how much, also will this boat be a little heavier?Jaime

Jaime I'm hoping to run her in the November 5, 2011 HOBRA Bill Wishnick Memorial Fort Lauderdale to Key West Marathon in Class D 18-24ft Small Boat Class. The motor Albert (MiamiBoyz) built for me is pretty stock overall it's a GenV 468. My plan is to build the boat as close as possible to what a period correct Pantera in the early 80's would have been like. Not really building her for all out speed but rather endurance. As the run is approx. 271 miles and I think that as long as I can finish I'll be ok. Not how fast you go but how fast you can get there that counts in my book.
My old 85 Pantera was last powered by a big cube bbc that richie had put in her and she was running mid to upper 80's I believe before he sold her and it went oversea's to Sweden I think. As far as weight both hulls are about equal.

Angel,

I got your message, just let me know when your ready. Looking forward to you making that run, Probably not gonna run mine(mine sucks fuel, would have to stop for gas 2-3 times), but if ya need crew, I am there.

That's awesome angel. Good luck with the process.... Hope to see it in the water soon

Rick I'm really hoping to make the HORBA run. Let's see...

Mike whats up with your 24' how's it running? or did you sell her?

running well its for sale but i'm not aggresive on it.

Well,

If ya need a hand thrashing to get it together, we can get it done.

Gonna be out and about Memorial day weekend? Maybe I'll run down your way and pick Angel up:drink:

I'll be in Los Cayos :)

Angel, what a small world it is enjoy I did for a long time!!!!!

What's up bud long time no talk...Small world huh.?
Hey how's the Carrera..still have it?

Yes I still have her its in storage . Kid in College, high gas prices, and working on a big multi bridge project in Chicago area. But have been boating with friend from old nieghborhood with a 90ft Lazara in lake Mich.

Awesome...my daughter is in College..I know the feeling...and everything is $$ way up. Glad to hear you still have the Carrera...nice ride to say the least.
Hey if you can PM your number I have few questions I wanted to ask you about the Pantera.

Thanks
Angel

At about 2 MPG at WFO you will be a little short on the mileage with the 60 gal tank right? Or is the plan to run at 50 - 60 most of the way?

I am going to be waiting for him in my boat Marathon with fuel cans for him, dump about 20 gallons in his ride, and continue on:evilb:

Hmmmm like the thinking there my friend..:coolcowboy:
I use to have a 30 gal bladder tank that would
mount on the bow for "extended" range ..
but unfortunately threw it away years ago...
damn wish I still had that.

Question is..............

Who is gonna get up on your deck at 60 to dump the fuel in once I hand it off, I am sure you can find some crazy guy around Hialeah that would do it for ya, matbe one of those smack talkin' outboard guys that were with us in Key Largo that timedrink:

Where is your fuel fill located, deck, or side? Can you tell I am serious:evilb:

Ok some progress ....slow but progress nonetheless..pics
http://i53.tinypic.com/24vs1mv.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/kdojmb.jpg

Looking good Angel.

Awesome Angel...... What's the deal with the weather ? I have the boat behind the house in the water ready to go but this weather SUCKS

Ok guys well been real busy with work lately but have made some headway. After removing old exhaust and plugging, I started by filling in with a coat of 3M's Marine High Strength Filler and started sanding down. WOW that stuff is no joke! :eek:sanding that was no fun but solid as a rock.
The after adding another coat..and sanding that down. Yes, I'm a glutten for punishment. I then applied a coat of 3M Marine Premium Filler and sanded that down...then one more coat and sanded again.:traurig001:
http://i56.tinypic.com/2zokgwj.jpg
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Well then decided to remove the white vinyl lettering and striping. Used my Milwaukee Heat Gun and a LOT of patience, it took me two full days to remove it all.
http://i51.tinypic.com/2qi9sag.jpg

Ok so now vinyl is off but all the glue was still there.:mad:
So after sanding.....and sanding....and sanding.....and then just a little more f'in sanding! BTW did I tell you that I sanded.? Well I'm almost done all the way around, about 10 linear ft to go.
http://i56.tinypic.com/n1y0zs.jpg
I was going to go with Interlux Perfection but after weighing everything...$$, time etc. I have decided that I will just take it to my buddy who owns a paint & body shop and he will shoot it for me in Imron. Not sure yet on color....but one of 3...black, platinum or red...boss says she wants black..so probably black hullsides, white deck and platinum interior.
http://i56.tinypic.com/qx0vg6.jpg

A 24 must be Black Or Red for that classic look, Keep the white deck though.

Once you go black......

Very nice Angel, Who is doing the paint? Didnt you have a blak one once:evilb: Guess that ride thru the keys gave ya a kick in the pants to get back to work:drink:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-_4V9zkVgQ

HEY,

Whats wrong with Purple:lolhit: If I ever get around to it mine is going to be repainted silver base with black accents, white deck:drink: