Many winter projects - any opinions?

[Mich Pulse]

New to board lurked around all summer. Have a 94' pulse 175 merc. Currently spinning 23 laser, 24 chopper and a 22 chopper. Boat has faded from previous owner and I tried everything I could this past summer to get it back. No luck. Should I emron the top black? Any alternatives or advice on this? It is worn through the gel coat, doesn't look horrible but would love it to look great. Do any of you have contacts or insight on if I should try and keep the interior original (is this an option?) And my jackplate venture - Plan to go 8 - 10" hydraulic (possible spacers) low water pick up or plug the holes? Sorry I'm so long winded!

[Chris]

What's wrong with the finish? Just the usual fading and oxidation?

[175checkmate]

8-10" woul dbe about right on that hull. As far as a cone, well there are different views on that. Some say that it will hurt bow lift and performance, others say cone it and jack it up.
I am going to be doing some testing in the spring. Base line with current set up. Then plug the top few holes on the LU, then I am going to cone it and jack it to the moon and run it. I should be able to get away with the cone as the hull is fairly light.

[jkeiper]

How does that 24 chopper work for ya? I was thinking of trying one on my Pulse185. Are you sure the gel is worn through? Have you tried to wet sand it yet? I have wet sanded some pretty badly faded gell and it turned out great after a lot of sanding, polishing, and just plain elbow grease. :shakehead:

Jim

[Mich Pulse]

I did try and wet sand, didn't work too well. Although, I'm not a pro. But, after talking to all of my boating buddies that are somewhat of experts on waxing said it has in fact worn through the gel. I forgot to mention the boat is black. I loved the 24 chopper, besides getting it on plane, with my buddy and I it wasn't bad and it felt like it rocked. (will provide hard #'s in early spring) But, had it on with 4 people going to bay and it was the worst getting up, but it still rocked once we were up. Spins higher R's though around 6,000-6,100

[jkeiper]

:brickwall: Geez, that's to bad about the gel. If it were mine I'd check with Kip to see how much it would cost to have the factory repair it. If you got the boat for the right price it might be worth it.

Is that 24 chopper stock, or has it been labbed?

Jim

[JW]

Would the colors of the boat allow the deck section to be painted white? That would certainly help with the future maitenance. I didn't worry about my white Pulsare nearly as much as my red Persuader or my black Pulse

[merc245]

where in michigan and what bay, do you boat on.

[Mich Pulse]

I thought about white, for the less maintence, but I would just screw up color scheme, or I will have to create a whole new scheme. I will post pics next week! Prop is not labbed for my boat. I think its stock but will check, I take props from my buddies performance shop and test them for a week or weekend. Awesome perk knowing him! How would I contact Kip? Is that possible to have them refinish? The color scheme is obviously in the gel, but if I eliminate that I could go all black. Can you order seat upholstery (skins) from Checkmate? Or should I have my guy do a custom one?

[Mich Pulse]

I boat on Lake St. Clair. Muscamoot Bay, Fishers Bay, Anchor Bay any and everywhere I can wave permitting. Go up to Higgins Lake a few times a summer also

[merc245]

mich pulse, I'm located downriver. mostly on the river and mouth of erie and crystal bay and head to st.clair a few times a summer too.

[Mich Pulse]

My folks have a place in Canada, Goulchester? So I have the boat over there once and awhile, but man getting caught in any weather over there Erie freaks me out!!! Left the boat in overnight after skiing and a few beers, woke up to howling winds and had to make a decision to run to the harbor and pull, or possibly let my boat get wrecked. Obviously I chose pulling it but the 5 mile ride in massive waves scared the living s#*@ out of me! Always out on St. Clair though....during week and weekends!

[merc245]

I made my first jobbienooner this past summer also the parade of lights on the clinton river is a good party. The boat traffic on ST. Clair is the scarest thing of all. Alot of big boats with owners with BIGGER EGOS and fewer brains. but I love it up on that side.

[Chris]

One thing you can do to make the boat look a bit better if it's beyond wet sanding and waxing. Is to get it sprayed with some clear. It's not as good as gel, but it makes it look a lot better. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif