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.

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.

She is a true old school machine that I just love.

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.

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!

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 Mine is also an '81, even though it says 82 in my profile, musta been drinking that day

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?