how do you go about removing the hook built in trim tabs on the bottom of the boat with out flipping it over?
I have a 86 25 baja and I want to remove the hook for more speed....and sharpen the edge? possibly change the watter pickup also. any ideas would help...
How thick is the fiberglass on the bottom can I just grind and repaint blend imron to gel?
I have a friend who owns a reputable body shop and I was going to have him do it so any thing I should know?

Grinding the bottom to remove the hook would probably not be advisable. Also you can't blend Imron into the gel. You can paint over the gelcoat with Imron and lose the paint line someplace that is appealing to you but it will never get Iron to "blend" with gelcoat.

I agree completely with Cat 5!! An inexperienced person working on the bottom of a boat can very easily ruin the handling characteristics of a boat!! You might consider having a professional blueprint the bottom, but in this case the gains would probably not justify the money spent. Also, for what it is worth, all of the people I know with Baja's that had the hook removed developed serious porpousing problems! You will probably see more gains in speed by working on the motor!!

Boating on a Budget,
Blueprinting should be left to an experienced professional. Ask for references of other boats he has blueprinted. As Customtouch stated, if an experienced guy does the job, he can ruin the handling characteristics of the hull.
Doing the job on your back is also a pain in the ass. I have alot of blueprinting jobs under my belt. And I won't do one unless the hull is flipped. I'm spoiled.
I definitely wouldn't remove any glass from the bottom of the hull. Instead fill the area. I recommend 3M Marine Premium Vinylester Filler. Part # MMM46006 for a gal. The stuff is virtually indestructible, and will never come off a properly prepped surface.
I would only go with a gelcap on the bottom. Then wet sand to a mirror. I'll attach a few pics of the bottom of Superbabi, a 30' Y2K Superboat. This blueprinting job was 5K.

Rick

Very nice work!!!!

Awesome job done by a true PRO !!!!

Sh shucks Gary. LOL

FX10 if you would can you let me know what all the price you stated included? Bottom blue print work only or who did the stripping of interior and fliuds the prep for rollingthe boat over?

You are way to far for me but I have been considering having some botom work done. I am more than able to do all the prep to get the boat ready. I am just not sure I want to tackle the actual bottom work myself for the reasons stated earlier. I am tempted to though. I would really be disappointed to do all the work and not be right.

Thanks

Paradigm Shift,
The 5K is for the Blueprinting only. You have to understand, there are different types of blueprinting jobs. A plain flatboard blurprint job should start around $ 1,500.00. If a hook needs to be removed, the cost is much higher. If your modifying the running surface of the bottom, such as I did with Superbabi, the cost is much more. His 5K price was for it being done "in house" at Superboat.
I also have my own fiberglass business. And if I was to do that Blueprinting job on Superbabi, the price would be aroound $ 7.500.00. And that is just for the Blueprinting, not the draining of fluids, flipping the hull etc.. Also, If you do manage to get someone to do it on their back.............expect to pay.

Rick

FX10 are we better off wet sanding the bottom with 600 paper or rougher or buff and wax? thanks art