Thanks... This one is an overlay. I don't really like the overlays too much, but I got it for $20 and it was brand new in the box so I can't complain.

 

Overlay?! Can't tell from the pics.

 

My repairs are a little more involved.......

I forgot to take pics after I exposed the busted glass.

There were 2 L shaped cracks on each side and each leg was about 6" long. so was about 2' of cracks. To be honest I really dont think the yhappened in teh wreck, I think it was already that way, but while I had the gimbal off might as wel lfix it right!

Here the glass is layed.....



sanded/ground, back filled with glass filler to fill in the low spots and sanded some more to perfect shape.



Dry fitt teh gimbal assembly to assure fit and seal then painted ready for final assembly



Not to brag but it's better, flatter and stronger than it was from the factory!

 

looks like a suscessfull project..

Have you ever used an air bar? It is like a long hand rasp, but is on air and it works fast in flattening out larger areas, then finish with a random high speed sander. ( DA)

 

I used one several times when I worked in the body shop, but I did not have one. They have a manual long board too, but I'm to lazy.

So it was just me, a sanding block, the random orbit sander, a 4" hand grinder, a 7" sander/polisher, 12 hours, a level for a straight edge, only to find out just before I raised it to far that it was suppose to be contoured slightly, and of course the most sensitve instruments, my hands and eyes.

I haven't polished it yet, will have to cure for a week or two. The entire boat needs compounded and polished and waxed, but have several nicks in the gel coat that I want to repair first. Maybe this winter.

 

I know how that feels... spent all day on a 53 belair door only to find out at the end of the afternoon it was susposed to have a compound curve to the door... not one.:o

 

I may end up painting the entire boat this winter and adding some graphics. You cant tell it in the pics if you didnt know you wouldn;t see it but there was no hope of matching aged and water spotted white gel coat...... It'll irratate me for the rest of the summer, but it's below the water line so no one will see it.

 

Things like that drive me just nuts. Like the first scratch in a vehicle.

 

Yea that was almost me, I can ussually get it darn near perfect by feel and eyes. When I was checking myself with the level there was enough room at the bottom of the gimbal hole for me to stick my index finger through. I was in disbelife, I was thinking to myself, "it hasn't been that long, I couldn't be THAT far off." I was getting quite upset at myself, and trying to figure out how I was going to raise it that far. Then I checked the other side, and it was the same, I was really furious at myself at this point. How could I be THAT far off twice? I haven't done it in a while but still, kind of like riding a bike!
So as I sat there stewiing trying to figure out what would first cause such a phenomenon and aslo how to fix it. Then I was like, there is NO WAY that both sides are identically wrong, mirror images of each other...... The odds are astronomical. I'm not that good. So then I got the gimbal assembly and noticed the mounting plate was also pitched at the bottom, slid it on and I was perfect!!!!

PHEW!!!!!

 

Lookin' good Matt!!

 

Hey Rose.



Matt, that would have sucked get it flat and true. And then you go and start to install the gimbal assembly.......oh...snap

 

Hey thanks Rose!
The Boat is looking pretty good too.

Hey wait, I'm not in any of those pics.......


Yea that would have, because if thats not true or there is any gaps.... might as well punch a hole in it becasue water will pour in and she wont float. I would have a 20' 2500 lb anchor at the bottom of the lake.

God I hope it floats!!!!

 

Hey Silver how are you this evening?


Yes, the boat Matt...sheesh although I have seen your picture...

 

Well come down here, lifesize and in 3D is so much better.

If you show me yours, I'll show you mine.

 

I am fine. This wonderfully wet evening Hope you are doing as well yourself.

Any how it is late for us early risers. good night