FINALLY found an 84' 255 AJ to buy!

Ok, I can't resist, here's a sneak peak of the results of the buffing/wax.
boat.jpg


Bottom will be painted tomorrow, interior shop Monday. In the interest of time...since the season is slipping by, we're just going to do a portion of the interior, the back bench and maybe the side trim.
 
Dang Man, she looks like a Million $$$$... Really can't wait to see the end results...
 
:grin:
270win said:
Bottom will be painted tomorrow, interior shop Monday. In the interest of time...since the season is slipping by, we're just going to do a portion of the interior, the back bench and maybe the side trim.
Click to expand...

Good thinking - do a little each off-season.

The finish looks great! :thumbsup:
 
Sneaky peak of the bottom paint...ooooh, she's lookin' much better guys. I ordered new Sea Ray chrome and black side emblems to replace the old originals.
boatbottom.jpg


Gotta put on coat number two tomorrow and then move her back a foot or so to get the spots covered by the rollers.
 
Looks good, ditto on the idea of a little at a time. Get that thing in the water and enjoy it!

I'm thinking of picking up an industrial sewing machine and doing the upholstery myself. That way I can go at my own pace. I did a car convertible top once and actually enjoyed doing it. Big square covers over foam can't be that difficult.

-BL
 
BLmicro said:
Looks good, ditto on the idea of a little at a time. Get that thing in the water and enjoy it!

I'm thinking of picking up an industrial sewing machine and doing the upholstery myself. That way I can go at my own pace. I did a car convertible top once and actually enjoyed doing it. Big square covers over foam can't be that difficult.

-BL
Click to expand...
don't necessarily need an industrial machine...just an older one without plastic gears
the old singers work great
keep in mind..some special foot peices and attachments are needed to do pipng and multiple thicknesses of vinyl
and a good sharp needle
 
Id like to do mine myself too, I just don't have the time to mess with it.

Second coat is on now, gotta wait to move her back. Probably going to get the engine out this afternoon. Then she's ready for the interior shop Monday. That way I can concentrate on the engine with the boat out of the shop...this is when I love the room in this boat. Pulling the engine will be a joke.
 
The wife has a Singer collection stacked to the ceiling, from the old black ones to models from the 60s and 70s. Funny I can't get a button sewed on when I need it :smt043 I may have to put one back into service :grin: I doubt she'll notice.

From what I have read a "walking foot" is best? When would I need the longer arm I see on some of the industrial units?

-BL
 
we never needed a longer arm on any of ours
just a bit tedious around corners with the short one
 
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Making great progress and looking good :thumbsup:


That trailer roller issue is a pain when repainting. I did some touch-up the way you are the year before last.
This past winter while the boat was with me working in Florida I opted to jack the boat up a bit and drop the trailer.
Supported it like we did at the marina's with a cradle at the transom, 3 supports along the keel and 2 stabilizers knocked in near the front just in case.
Made sanding the entire bottom much easier and I could roll the paint on easy with a long handle.
Obviously you need to take your time and be sure the ground and all supports are stable.
Also for liability reasons I am saying nobody should attempt to this. :wink:

A bit late to share but below are pictures - maybe you can apply some of it to getting the missed areas a bit easier. :huh:

109sm.jpg


106sm.jpg
 
KC_Sundancer said:
Making great progress and looking good :thumbsup:


That trailer roller issue is a pain when repainting. I did some touch-up the way you are the year before last.
This past winter while the boat was with me working in Florida I opted to jack the boat up a bit and drop the trailer.
Supported it like we did at the marina's with a cradle at the transom, 3 supports along the keel and 2 stabilizers knocked in near the front just in case.
Made sanding the entire bottom much easier and I could roll the paint on easy with a long handle.
Obviously you need to take your time and be sure the ground and all supports are stable.
Also for liability reasons I am saying nobody should attempt to this. :wink:

A bit late to share but below are pictures - maybe you can apply some of it to getting the missed areas a bit easier. :huh:
Click to expand...
That's a good idea, next time I do the paint I'll use our big jack stands and pull the trailer out from under the boat completely. A long handled roller brush would make the two coats a one day job.

I'm amazed at how much better the boat looks now, we're going to roll it back a foot or two tomorrow and get the rest of the bottom done, then finish the above the rub rail buffing.

I didn't get the engine out today, work got in the way so the engine pull will either be this weekend or Monday which would mean either late Monday or Tuesday to the interior shop. Probably Tuesday cause I want to clean the bilge really thoroughly...it's pretty nasty down there.
 
It's nice to be able to get in and really clean the bilge with everything out of the way.
 
KC_Sundancer said:
It's nice to be able to get in and really clean the bilge with everything out of the way.
Click to expand...
I'm hoping and praying I don't find anything bad under there...that's where the classic boat owner's "boogie man", aka rot, likes to hide. But, even if it has a soft spot under there, we're going to use her this year as is and do some more extensive work next winter.
 
I don't think you find any soft spots under there. No core wood in that hull for sure and I don't think there is any in the deck (?? maybe but I haven't seen it, like other models). I often wonder if there is wood under the rail stanchions.

Now the transom or maybe those stringer/shelves but those stringers would have to be way rotted to effect structural integrity and easily fixed.

Fairly solid boat largely due to the somewhat short length IMO. :huh:

-BL
 
Usually any topside coring was end grain balsa in the main part of the deck. The entire perimeter where the rail stanchions are was only fiberglass.
 
That's right, just fiberglass under those railings. I was thinking more of where the transom meets the hull down by the plug. That's where I've seen it on other boats, but this is my first AJ. It does look like the stringers and those shelves would be easy to repair.

We got the rest of the hull painted. I pulled it out of the shop to roll it back on the trailer. The guys from the shops around me were very impressed with how she looks. Unfortunately I didn't take a pic. She's coming together.
 
Had to work today, I have lots of time on Monday to pull the engine and get started on cleaning out the bilge. I can't wait to get my hands on that engine...

Anyone ever do an HEI swap from the thunderbolt ignition? I never have figured out why they didn't use HEI to begin with. Is there a spark/fire hazard issue that is particular to boats?
 
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