Jeff's 1998 Ski Nautique Restoration

[Kmayotte]

Yup I came to that conclusion pretty quickly.
So far so good on this project! All the fiberglass is bare. Going to start fairing any uneven spots and should be gel coating pretty soon.

[NautiqueJeff]

Yeah, that's vibration & sound dampening material. I removed it.

[Kmayotte]

NautiqueJeff on the side walls/gunnels. There is like a plastic sheeting material adhered to the fiberlass. Did you do anything to this material before gel coating it? Other than removing the carpet adhesive etc? Just want to be sure the gel coat will adhere properly.

[Scooter G]

Key word here, "OK"

That SeaDek on Jeff's '98 Resto looks so freakin' amazing!

[Kmayotte]

Thank you for the file NautiqueJeff
Mine has a python so at a minimum the engine box pieces won't work. Pretty sure the floor hole for the engine is the same but not 100% on that.

The other (cheaper) route I would go is buy rolls and do an aftermarket DIY look. My buddy did this in his '74 and it looks ok.

[NautiqueJeff]

It is your boat, but I would never go the DIY route with a boat as special as a Python Ski Nautique. Notice on my file how the teak boards swoop in? You won't get that effect with a DIY kit. The panels also won't be broken as nicely. I have very strong thoughts on SeaDek in these older boats. My opinion is that if it can't be done right, carpet would look better. But again, it is your boat.

[Kmayotte]

Thank you for the file NautiqueJeff
Mine has a python so at a minimum the engine box pieces won't work. Pretty sure the floor hole for the engine is the same but not 100% on that.

The other (cheaper) route I would go is buy rolls and do an aftermarket DIY look. My buddy did this in his '74 and it looks ok.

[NautiqueJeff]

They do, but remember, these boats are all hand-built, so it may not match up perfectly. Should be close though.

[Kmayotte]

Resurrecting this thread as I'm going to pull all the carpet out of my '99 SN this fall/winter/spring and sea deck the entire interior.
Understand the joy of sanding, leveling, gel-coating lol but the finished product will be amazing compared to wet carpet all the time.

NautiqueJeff - Does seadeck have a template from your boat? What's the best way to inquire about ordering your layout (minus graphics)?

[NautiqueJeff]

I tried all of those things too when mine was stuck. Had to use our chest freezer in the garage to fit the two stuck pieces in there! That still didn't work. Glad you got it apart!

[JBird97Nautique]

Ended up getting it apart thank God! I had to build a contraption with 2x4s to hold one end in place and was able to knock it loose with a small sledge. I sanded the channels for an hour afterward.. I don't recommend powdercoating that part at all lol. I used a heat gun, oil, wd40, and even put it in the freezer over night before coming on here. I ended up having to sand, work it back and forth and then threw some wd40 silicon and they are gliding nicely. Just need to get the windshield put back together now.

[MN Ryan]

Or even soapy water.

[Rednucleus]

I have no experience - but - what about trying some lube - silicon, thin oil? or heat??

[JBird97Nautique]

OK yea I think that's my problem. It didn't go back into the groove correctly and then it got wedged together and now I'm trying to get them backed out. It's really wedged in there that my mallet has bent the corner of the channel. Not sure if I should chemically strip it and try or just keep knocking at it and hoping it comes apart so I can have it redone.

[NautiqueJeff]

Yes. If they powdercoat that area, it makes it very difficult to get them back together. I recently had to have one of my windshield frames reblasted and recoated (light in that area) so that it would go back together.