Hailing port in the gel coat on stern of boat of 86 270

[Cali Delta guy]

My 86 270 has Lake Tahoe, Nevada on the transom in raised letters in the gel coat. It is hard to see it now but it is definitely there. When did Sea Ray do this?

 

[Stee6043]

That is likely a remnant of a prior owners decals. It'll become less noticeable every season. Wetsanding/compounding/polishing can help expedite the process...

 

[Lazy Daze]

My 86 270 has Lake Tahoe, Nevada on the transom in raised letters in the gel coat. It is hard to see it now but it is definitely there. When did Sea Ray do this?

That's not Sea Ray. It's from a previous owner's decals. The area under the decals is "preserved" while the exposed areas get worn away over time from the sun and buffing. In other words, the area you're talking about is not "raised"... it is simply the original height/thickness of the gelcoat.

 

[keokie]

That's not Sea Ray. It's from a previous owner's decals. The area under the decals is "preserved" while the exposed areas get worn away over time from the sun and buffing. In other words, the area you're talking about is not "raised"... it is simply the original height/thickness of the gelcoat.

Yup. That ghosting will lighten some with time, but it will never totally go away. There is a reaction that takes place between the gelcoat and vinyl that slightly alters the color. Re-naming the boat is the best way to take your eye to something other than the old name.

 

[Cali Delta guy]

Yup. That ghosting will lighten some with time, but it will never totally go away. There is a reaction that takes place between the gelcoat and vinyl that slightly alters the color. Re-naming the boat is the best way to take your eye to something other than the

That's not Sea Ray. It's from a previous owner's decals. The area under the decals is "preserved" while the exposed areas get worn away over time from the sun and buffing. In other words, the area you're talking about is not "raised"... it is simply the original height/thickness of the gelcoat.

Thanks for the info!

 

[ttmott]

Thanks for the info!

Easy to wet-sand it away. First wipe the area with a clean cloth wetted with Acetone. Start with wet/dry 600 grit paper and sanding block and work the area down with plenty of water. The water is a lubricant and will flush away the removed gelcoat. Never use your hands or fingers - always use a rubber block behind the sandpaper. If you see a streek starting to show change the sand paper, it's plugging up. It doesn't take much pressure. Work up to 800 grit then 1000 then 1200. Finally polish and wax. Take your time - it will be a couple of hours work.

 

[Cali Delta guy]

Easy to wet-sand it away. First wipe the area with a clean cloth wetted with Acetone. Start with wet/dry 600 grit paper and sanding block and work the area down with plenty of water. The water is a lubricant and will flush away the removed gelcoat. Never use your hands or fingers - always use a rubber block behind the sandpaper. If you see a streek starting to show change the sand paper, it's plugging up. It doesn't take much pressure. Work up to 800 grit then 1000 then 1200. Finally polish and wax. Take your time - it will be a couple of hours work.

Thank you for the input!

 

[b_arrington]

Easy to wet-sand it away. First wipe the area with a clean cloth wetted with Acetone. Start with wet/dry 600 grit paper and sanding block and work the area down with plenty of water. The water is a lubricant and will flush away the removed gelcoat. Never use your hands or fingers - always use a rubber block behind the sandpaper. If you see a streek starting to show change the sand paper, it's plugging up. It doesn't take much pressure. Work up to 800 grit then 1000 then 1200. Finally polish and wax. Take your time - it will be a couple of hours work.

Automotive stores often have a set of super fine grit wet sanding pads and foam blocks. I used a set when I needed to make a gelcoat repair. Worked very well to conform to curves.

A trick I learned for wet sanding gelcoat is to use one of those quart size sprayers filled with water and frequently spray the area. It provides lubrication and flushes away the gelcoat material.

 

[Lazy Daze]

A word of caution... this is a 40-year old boat. The surrounding gelcoat (especially in this UV-exposed area) could be quite thin. Even being gentle with water and a sanding block, there is a risk of rubbing through the surrounding gelcoat - or at a minimum, exposing what looks like little black dots (the start of sanding through the gel). I'm not saying don't do it - just beware and watch for the start of thin spots. Re-spraying and trying to get a good match is labor intensive. Plop a new name over top of everything and it will "mostly" disappear

 

[Cali Delta guy]

Thank you all for the input! It is very hard to see it unless you look at the correct angle. I've been doing some polishing work, so it caught my eye. I'm thinking that a new name and hailing port will take care of it!

 

[techmitch]

Thank you all for the input! It is very hard to see it unless you look at the correct angle. I've been doing some polishing work, so it caught my eye. I'm thinking that a new name and hailing port will take care of it! View attachment 162055

Boat looks great.

 

[keokie]

That's a nice looking vessel. My dad has one just like it. All the way down to the MetalCraft trailer.

Where are you going to use it?

 

[Cali Delta guy]

Lake Berryessa and throughout the Sacramento river delta. Cruising, fishing, weekend trips that sort of thing. Beeryessa is a nice lake but there is a lot to do and see in the Delta

Boat looks great

 

[Cali Delta guy]

Boat looks great.

Thank you!

 

[Cali Delta guy]

That's a nice looking vessel. My dad has one just like it. All the way down to the MetalCraft trailer.

Where are you going to use it?

Hey keokie, so you know these boats pretty well then! The trailer is a beast.

 

[keokie]

Hey keokie, so you know these boats pretty well then! The trailer is a beast.

Yes. Very familiar with the 80's 260 and 270 Sundancers. Been absolutely all through them. They are great boats, pretty well-built, and easier to work on. I like the 270's the best. They were built a little better, and that 10' beam makes them extremely roomy and stable.

 

[Cali Delta guy]

Yes. Very familiar with the 80's 260 and 270 Sundancers. Been absolutely all through them. They are great boats, pretty well-built, and easier to work on. I like the 270's the best. They were built a little better, and that 10' beam makes them extremely roomy and stable.

I definitely like the 10 foot beam. It is a powerful, comfortable boat that can be trailered without too much hassle. What's with the shower sump setup though? It seems like it will be impossible to pump out all of the water. Have you seen any upgrades by other owners?

 

[keokie]

The shower sump set up is odd, but it does work. The pump is much faster than the drain. It cycles a lot, but works.

The twin 350's really make the boat perform extremely well.

And we have done many upgrades to 80's 260 and 270's.

My dad's 270 in particular, the big stuff.... Westerbeke genset, 12Kbtu AC, Windlass, SwimPlatforms.com platform, pulled motors, counter rotating drive, and countless small things.

I really think those 80's 270's are among the best pocket cruisers ever built.

 

[Cali Delta guy]

A genset would be awesome, just a little pricey these days. Where did you put it? I'm thinking of changing out
the battery charger to free up some space. I'm definitely doing the windlass. How did the performance change with the counterrotating drive? What do you think of the swim platform change, was it worth it? Sorry, for all of the questions, but I guess this is what this forum is for!

 

[keokie]

Sorry for the slow reply. I have been out of pocket for a few days.

The swim platform was a great improvement. Really lets you use the area as opposed to the factory one which offers little more room than to stand on. Also, we raised it up some making getting into and out of the boat better.

The generator goes where the water tank is in that bilge compartment to port of the helm seat. That's where the factory put it, when the option was included Had a new water tank made and put that on the starboard side of the bilge next to the fuel tank and extending aft.

The counter rotating drive eliminated the small amount of crab walking the boat did around the docks and on plane. Also, docks a little better. All in all, just a minor improvement in handling.