Starting the upholstery work

Wow, lots of questions this morning. OK let me try to go in order.

Ok how far did she sink?
Umm I guess about 2 to 3' over the waterline.

RiptideIII,
Yes It is the same thing used under carpet but it's 3 pound density very light weight stuff. Most of what you find under carpet is 6 to 12# foam. I would not use it on the floor becasue it will soak up direct water. But it makes for great insulation and tremendous sound deadening for the hull.

Why did i go with Fleece? I guess becasue I'm a girl and like soft fluffy things and becasue the vinyl looked so sterilized. This looks like a fresh snow has fallen inside the boat, just gorgeous. It's all preference.
And it could also have to do with the powerful thermo insulation property of fleece.


And Resurrection sounds pretty cool, but I have a boat here under true restoration very very much more deserving of that name then the SeaRay.
 
Heather...since you are a sponsor anyway...show some of the other projects that you are doing.

Thanks

John F
 
Well this is the boat I am saying is much more deserving of the name Resurrection.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZu-7bhgIpY[/youtube]

This is a 1969 SeaCamper.
This boat was scuttled on Lake martin by some one who had no idea how rare and special this particular boat is
This is boat #23 of 543 ever made. It's thought that there are less that 200 of these boats left in the world. this has been a long term project becasue everything has to be pretty much made. As one of the first boats it's like a prototype in many ways. There are no suppliers left.

There are other videos of this project as it is much farther along than seen here but this is the most dramatic of the story.
 
Heather...you have an appreciation for these older boats and the history behind them. It's fascinating in a way because it is part of our history here in the US...it sort of defines us.

I grew up in Birmingham and as a kid Mom & Dad would take my brother and me on the weekends either to "Big" Martin, Logan Martin, Smith or up to Guntersville. I moved to South Florida in '76 and knew I had landed in the middle of boating paradise. I went to the Dinner Key Boat Show in '76 and saw the first Thunderbird/Formulas that I had ever seen. I was 23 years old and found my self smitten by a big yellow F-26 Freedom Cruiser with twin I/Os. I started studying the history of the boat business in South Florida and discovered guys like Dick Bertram and Don Arronow. I went on tours of the old Thunderbird plant in Miami and got to be a regular. They finally just waved me in when I would show up. I learned a lot about fiberglass boat construction by talking to the old Cuban gentlemen that were genuine craftsmen working in the pattern and mold areas. There is an interesting history to those boats and Don Arronow the designer. Any how...after about a year of hanging around the factory, I bought a new Factory "Demo" boat at a huge savings.My first one was a F-18 with a 188 Mercruiser I/O. My boat was classified as a "Demo" because it was used in the catalog shoot for the '77 models...other than that it had very little use except getting hauled around to a few local boat shows. I had it 9 years and sold it for what i paid for it!! Having that one taught me a lot about the solid construction and sea worthiness of those boats. I even used to occasionally take it over to Bimini when the weather was good. I bought a '86 model 242 SS new and watched it being built. It was the last 242 built in the original Miami plant before the Porter family moved the entire Formula operation to Decatur, Indiana. Those were and are great boats and have a strong historic following. My brother has almost completely restored a '82 22' F-3 Formula and in going through it he would often call me and tell me how much that Formula was built like a tank.

Coming full circle... I think when the economy turns a bit ...I would like to put an old mid to late '70s F-26 back together to have as "remember when" boat. If you run across one let me know. I know I will get another big Sea Ray as well but I'll always have a place in my heart for those old Formulas. If you want to read up on their history there is tons of stuff online.

Thanks for sharing your stuff with us. It's interesting as well as educational.

John F.
 
I have a Woody Woodson, Orginal Thunderbird Boat here on site that I am going to restore or try to sell to a collector to restore.
 

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Heather: You have done a beautiful job on this boat, as well as provided a great description of the work. Thanks B :smt038
 
Heather,

How long have you been in the restoration business? That's mighty fine work you do!
 
ghuskin said:
Heather,

How long have you been in the restoration business? That's mighty fine work you do!
Click to expand...
Thanks everyone... Kinda making me blush here. I have been doing this for about 7 years now. That's not to say it's always easy however. I am always learning and discovering new ways of doing things and just when I though I saw it all, something new comes in.
 
wish2fish said:
would you guys leave Heather alone. She needs to get back to work so we can see more updates!
Click to expand...

..you are right...but.... I was actually thinking of asking her to join me here in Italy and help me restoring my 390 :grin::grin::grin:
 
Pietro said:
..you are right...but.... I was actually thinking of asking her to join me here in Italy and help me restoring my 390 :grin::grin::grin:
Click to expand...
Ciao Pietro. Che zona dell'Italia è voi? Ho amici a Carrara.
 
Spookeay said:
Ciao Pietro. Che zona dell'Italia è voi? Ho amici a Carrara.
Click to expand...


Ciao Heater!! che bello, parli anche italiano!! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Io vivo a Roma, la città più bella del mondo!! :grin::grin::grin:

Quando vieni a trovarci???

For our american friends: off topic mode: OFF :smt001
 
Ahh ok Beautiful city. It's been a few years since I was last in Rome. Maybe I will get over there again in a few years too see frineds again.

I was involved in the Marble Business for about 10 years and visited the Cavas of north Italy on many occasions. You have the most beautiful waters in the world to play in. Congratulations.
 
Spookeay said:
Ahh ok Beautiful city. It's been a few years since I was last in Rome. Maybe I will get over there again in a few years too see frineds again.

I was involved in the Marble Business for about 10 years and visited the Cavas of north Italy on many occasions. You have the most beautiful waters in the world to play in. Congratulations.
Click to expand...

I know the cavas in Carrara...marble looks like snow from far away!!! Beautiful waters, lots of history and....too few slips... Anyway, Heather, we are waiting for you!! :smt001:smt001:smt001
 
OK fresh updates for 19-12-2009
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I-FH21SWhg[/YOUTUBE]
 
Heather,
you never did answer me, did you put padding on the ceiling also before you put in the fleece?
 
Oh, sorry... Yes. I put it there also.
 
Looks nice Heather - have the windows arrived yet?
That is what I want to see.....
Otherwise you are doing a great job - as always - the videos are always helpful.
Jim
PS
Have a great Xmas and don't work too much...
 
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