Hello all---I just joined and am enjoying looking around. Most of my history is in Italian sports cars with much of it with the Detomaso Pantera in restoration, construction of parts including new designs in composite and performance builds. If you would like to review my history, search my name Kirk Evans AmeriSport Pantera and you will find the website and other info. Your work is impressive---good luck with the restoration. If for some reason you decide to sell the project, please keep me in mind.

Thank you

Kirk

Thanks Kirk. I just checked out your website. Your work looks great.

I got an engine.
 

I purchased a 2000 MerCruiser 502 Magnum MPI for the Pantera. I am bringing it home today.

That is a hell of a long way from the oars mentioned previously. I am hoping mine too will be back in the water 2014 as well. Good luck to you.

Thanks Brandon. Definitely under the gun to get mine in the water this season. Good luck to you as well.

Hello Anu............I've been debating on the issue of whether to buy new or used Bolsters for my Mag 27' (put something up in the "wanted" ads here on OSO and Donzi.net)
I also started a thread on the Magnum Marine section called "Your thoughts on seating" ....Mario responded and said you were having some Bolsters made (old skool look)
Now after someone else recommended this place I called and spoke to Gavin...........I think I'm going to have him make me some new Bolsters.....What type and style are you
having him make you??.................thanks, Scippy

Hello Skippy, I went through the same debate of used vs, new. Since I wanted to keep the vintage look, new was going to require creative reupholstering after spending quite a bit of money. Used was also going to require quite a bit of work and money. I spoke with Gavin on Mario's suggestion after H2O Boater posted his add in response to one of Mario's posts and found out that he could customize his bolsters or make fully custom bolsters.

I was going to wait until mine were complete to post them up on here, but since you asked, I will let the cat out of the bag. I went with his extra foam bolsters without headrest and with tuck and roll pleats and vintage striping. Here are rough sketches traced over his bolsters along with a CAD diagram showing the colors. This is what I sent Gavin. Hopefully these will turn out as planned.

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Do you have a photo of your modified Hardin Marine offshore engine mount? Thank you!

Nice Design!

Skippy and Anu, please put a word in with Gavin for me, my boat needs a trailer first, but as I've been doing a good job of being a salesman for him . . . , a few more sets I should have earned a set of bolsters . . red and white candy stripes is fine . . Seriously, I am joking here, glad this worked for both of. I look forward to seeing Anu's and pics of yours Skippy!

Mario

Will do Mario!!.................Anu, I like the combined "new" & "old skool" look of the Bolsters your having made!.....I might go pleated white and purple !

Hello Anu - Mario - Pete ,

Does Gavin also do backseat cushions, to match the Bolsters?

Thank you
Jim

Thanks Mario and Skippy.

Jim, Gavin and I were just communicating about that today. Gavin will do a complete interior. I just wish I had the finances right now to have him complete my entire interior.

Anu,

Have you checked his prices compared to others doing interior work? the Bolster prices that were on Craig's List look good compared to buying used and having them redone?

Thank you
Jim

Jim,

I haven't yet priced out interior work since I was not planning on doing the rest of my interior until next year. I told Gavin that I would send him photos of my interior and asked him for an estimate. I will probably do that a week from now when I return from vacation.

His bolster pricing is good compared to redoing used ones, and his upcharge for custom work is reasonable.

Mine should be ready in a couple of weeks.

Anu

Thank you
Once you get them please let everyone know how the Quality of the work and materials used are.. sounds like a few of the people here are very interested in using him
Have a nice weekend
Jim

Jim,

I will definitely let people know.

Anu

Anyone have thoughts on what I should do for a prop?

Stock 502 MAG MPI, 415hp at the prop
Bravo 1, 1.5:1 ratio
17" x-dimension

All help is very much appreciated!

I'd start with a 23 Mirage Plus

Thank you CIG3. My friend Mario has a 23 Mirage he will let me use. I'll see where the revs go.

May 1, 2014 - Back at it full speed.

So, we are back at this project full speed ahead. We are aiming to have this boat back in the water in some form of completion by July!

Unfortunately we ran into some reverse progress!

We got the boat back into Pete's shop and got ready to work.

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I looked at the cockpit sides and they were bowed in a couple of places. It seemed like the floor had bent up and pushed the rear seat up.

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Anyone else with a Pantera 24 have cockpit sides this warped, or did they move during the hot summer when they were detached from floor and seat?



I seemed to remember the sides being pretty straight, so we decided to take the floor out and take the rear seat back out to try and get the sides straight. Ouch!

Since we are taking the floor and seat back out, I decided that it was best to remove the gas tank and paint it to preserve its good condition.

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May 12, 2014

As we cut the floor out, we found that it was completely dry and straight. The rear seat also fit right back into place when it was last assembled, so who knows what is going on with the cockpit sides.

Floor and seat are cut out. The plan is to try and hold the sides straight and glass them to the hull, then glass the seat back in, then glass the floor in.

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May 14, 2014 - Bolsters

There is some progress on my bolsters.

Gavin is working on the covers.

The back of the bolsters covers.

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The pieces that will make up the front.

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I like the color combo in the striping.

Wonder why the sides warped. Is the hull well supported?

Thank you!

I am totally confused about the sides. The hull is well supported. Full bunk on the hard chine, pretty full bunk under the stringers, and same at the V.

Everything else looks straight and fair. No signs of movement on the stringers, bulkheads, hull or deck. I'm wondering if they warped in the heat the summer after I removed the floor and back seat? Even with everything cut out, they seem to want to stay curved.

Are your cockpit sides completely straight, or do they have some curve to them?

Took a look at mine today and I was actually surprised to see the sides were not flat, never noticed it. They have a crown in the middle top to bottom. My sides that meet the rear seat however were flat front to back. Hope this helps.
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/f...psnwbphikc.jpg
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps5pyaxtth.jpg

Thank you for taking the time to do that. That is very helpful. I can relax and get this boat put back together.

I mocked up the interior the other day. With all the panels in, there is so little fiberglass left exposed that it makes sense that I never noticed the curve.

Anu..............Did you receive my PM? .........need to talk with you!

Scippy, I did receive your PM. I will reply tonight.

Mine looks exactly the same! :)

How are you making out with Gavin?

Mario

Mario,

Thanks for checking in. I got in touch with Gavin this evening. He said my seat covers are done. He will send me photos later tonight.

I have a question for those with drop down bolsters.

How far behind the helm do people typically mount these. What is the distance between the steering wheel and the face of the seat back. I know that people come In all different sizes, but since I do not yet have my bolsters and I need to get my floor in, I am just trying to get an approximate dimension so that I can glass in aluminum bars below the floor as a means to mount the bolster stands.

Thank for the help!

Could you mount them running parallel with the stringers the proper width apart then you can drill through the floor into the aluminum anywhere you like after the floor is in?

That is a great idea! That's what I am going to do.

Anu..........I know this is a relative question, but are your bolsters "almost" ready??

Pete, I am not sure. He says the covers look great, but I haven't seen where things are at.

He came out when I slammed him, but since then it's the same old game of no contact..........We need to both bombard him with e-mails
and txt mes.. http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/boa/4505568633.html his phone is a joke!......in short time I'll be looking for a place that can
make bolsters............this situation has wasted my time!

Pete, you should ask for your deposit back. Gavin is not going to operate like a business.

I'm in the construction industry and hound people on a daily basis. When it comes to my hobbies, I want to be relaxed. I believe that one day, hopefully sooner than later, I will get a nice set of bolsters at a really good price. My boat has a long way to go, so I am not too stressed about it yet.

Believe it or not, we are actually making progress.

Other than a couple of areas in the bilge, the glasswork is done!

Deck and transom are primed.

I apologize for the dark and stormy night time pictures.

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Awesome man!

Some big steps being taken there. It's nice to see it a solid color even if it's only primer.
Looking really good!