1999 Longhorn Nauique Restoration

[Treybizttu]

That's pretty cool!

[dhmcfadin]

Very special thank you to Jeff Carroll at Planet Nautique and Ron Nace from Correct Craft for helping me gather a 22 page build sheet of this boat. I am truly elated to add this documentation to the restoration book I am creating. Below are a couple excerpts. 43.1 mph isn't too bad! Can't get over that 1999 pricing though.





If you want to see the full build sheet, see link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dI-...ew?usp=sharing

[Treybizttu]

I voted.... No tanks, got to bags.

Interested to see what you come up with for the dash.

[srock]

I love the restore projects. Looking forward to the posts

[dhmcfadin]

Would appreciate y'alls feedback on what ballast configuration I should use please!

https://linkto.run/p/BGK2PJ5H

[dhmcfadin]

Another piece of the puzzle has arrived. In my first post, my plan for gauges was to have Livorsi create some custom instruments with the hope the classic Nautiques logo could be incorporated on the gauge face. Unfortunately that couldn't be done due to copyright. I realized that since I am running a Holley EFI system on this new engine, I could utilize their EFI Pro Dash 12.3". It's built for rugged environments, is water resistant, completely plug and play with one cable, and has an integrated GPS speedo. It would also show everything analog and NMEA 2000 gauges would and more. It also offers a variety of different input and outputs including digital switches and potentially incorporating depth sender data into it (I hope this is the case). While I was pretty sure I wanted to stick with the classic oem dash look, I realized that this boat is not a perfect period correct restoration. It's a resto-mod. Part of that is incorporating new technologies. The Pro Dash stays with this trend. Best of all, I can incorporate as many Nautique logos as I want.

Since my new dash will be made out of fiberglass, it will be fairly straight forward to mold and flush mount this screen into the dash while maintaining the OEM shape, bezel, and matching overlays like the OEM dash. I would also make the screen frame-less so all of the gloss black surrounding the screen would be covered up. The only step from here is figure out what Perfect Pass gauge I will be using. It will most likely be the rectangular gauge face they sell. I will disassemble it and then flush mount it into the dash like the Pro Dash. I may re-solder the Perfect Pass settings buttons to a different place on the dash if it's possible. I am thinking I will flush mount it below the gauge cluster where the oem tach and ballast gauges were. Maintaining the same frame-less approach. We will see on this.

What are y'alls thoughts?

[dhmcfadin]

Another step forward. The engine has been pulled and dropped off at the builder. I initially was going to ship this engine up to Prestige but I decided to do more research in the local Austin area. I found a well known retired engine builder who is known in the cigarette boat racing community. I dropped the engine off at his shop this evening. When I pulled up to his garage, I was speechless. Couldn't think of a more perfect place to have a Ford 351 rebuilt consider the two incredible self built Shelby kit cars parked there. After speaking in detail with Bob about how to build a potent and extremely reliable marine engine, we decided not to build 427. We are going to build a 393 or a 408. Meeting people like this really make this restoration and the story of this boat that more special.






The deck will be coming off in the next couple days and the interior body work will begin. One item I have been brainstorming is how to incorporate a belly hard ballast tank with a sender. Cody and I went back and forth about this and then he came up with the idea of reinforcing the gunnel walls and then building integrated gunnel ballast similar to what jet boats use. This way the center ballast would be closer to the center of gravity of the boat and I would be able to have individual control of each tank. The ballast tanks will be glassed to the walls of the hull along with reinforcing the hull walls. They will be independent of the deck and gunnels. Each tank should add just under 200 lbs each. Including the factory rear tanks, this boat will have about 800 lbs of factory ballast. While not much by today’s standards, 800 lbs in this boat is a lot. I’m not a wakeboarder or surfer. I grew up skiing on a pair of cutoffs. This will be plenty for me. But, this ballast idea is not set in stone. I may go with bags all together. I just really want to be able to monitor my tank levels. Bags won’t allow me to do that. Not sure why that is so important to me.

[dhmcfadin]

Windshield is disassembled and ready for powder coating!


This tool made disassembly a breeze.

[dhmcfadin]

I might be in for one. Mine's decent but the stereo opening and some of the mounting holes are pretty hammered.

I’ll post lots of pictures of the new dash. The final product will be made out of fiberglass instead of ABS so it should be much more durable, including all mounting holes.

[Treybizttu]

Dash has been disassembled and is now at the mold shop. Couldn't believe how bad mine was once I pulled the vinyl and trim panels off. Should have myself a mold and a new dash in about two weeks. If anyone needs a 90's style Nautique dash in the future, let me know.
]

I might be in for one. Mine's decent but the stereo opening and some of the mounting holes are pretty hammered.

[dhmcfadin]

When you say Dash shop what do you mean? I have a cracked 04 dash that they stopped making and have asked every shop in town and no one will touch the vinyl can you get me the number of the shop?


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I googled "fiberglass molds austin texas" and there were a few shops around that specialized in making fiberglass molds. I went to John's Custom Fiberglass and he set me up. I am sure you could call him and ship your dash over. He does all of the body work, plug, mold, and first run. Super nice guy, very knowledgeable. 512-778-6993

[JAppler]

When you say Dash shop what do you mean? I have a cracked 04 dash that they stopped making and have asked every shop in town and no one will touch the vinyl can you get me the number of the shop?


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[dhmcfadin]

Dash has been disassembled and is now at the mold shop. Couldn't believe how bad mine was once I pulled the vinyl and trim panels off. Should have myself a mold and a new dash in about two weeks. If anyone needs a 90's style Nautique dash in the future, let me know.

[GMLIII]

The boat was ordered through Sail and Ski San Antonio by Troy Triplett. My dad and him were friends. The story my dad always told me (and I’m probably butchering this) is that they were chatting about ordering a new boat after our 97 went of over **** in a flood. My dad made the joke along the lines of, “if you only you could build me a longhorn boat”. Troy apparently said “let me see what I can do”. Nautique gave the ok, my dad went to the University to request permission for colors and logos. The rest is history.

I imagine today it wouldn’t be possible with the logos and branding but who knows. Nautique does still offer custom gelcoat colors for a price.

Great story

[dhmcfadin]

dhmcfadin I'm curious how your dad was able to talk Nautique in to building this one off boat?

The boat was ordered through Sail and Ski San Antonio by Troy Triplett. My dad and him were friends. The story my dad always told me (and I am probably butchering this) is that they were chatting about ordering a new boat after our 97 went of over the spillway in a flood. My dad made the joke along the lines of, “if you only you could build me a longhorn boat. Troy apparently said let me see what I can do. Nautique gave the ok, my dad went to the University to request permission for colors and logos. The rest is history.

I imagine today it would not be possible with the logos and branding but who knows. Nautique does still offer custom gelcoat colors for a price.