LOWE RESTORATION

[OLEDAVE]

Well, it's been a while since our last post, but we have not accomplished much this winter because of the weather. We have a small barn ro work on smaller projects in but can't easily get the whole boat in without putting a horse out and the little woman don't want to do that!
Anyway, the plan was to clean up the rails and really polish just the top of the top rail. After several attempts to get the top rail to shine like i wanted (like chrome as many of the pontoons on here do) I gave that up and painted them, using etching primer first after cleaning off the old oxidation. I added hardener to the royal blue paint so hopefully it won't scratch or chip easily. We are going to put a couple of clearcoats with hardener on top of that for extra shine and protection.
Then 2 weeks ago today, just when warm weather was gettng here.
I suffered a mild stroke. So now I'm taking therapy 5 days a week.
Have about 50% usage of left side. But I've been working on the boat
when I can. All that work has to build strength and co-ordination!
So I am going to try to include a few of the latest pictures of the project. I am covering the outside with 3mm thick diebond (white).
We have new lettering and custom graphics to go on after we get all the siding in place. all new furniture except helm. Just not up to all that rewiring right now. The furniture is not mounted yet, wife still playing with it to see what suits best. hope y'all enjoy the pictures as much as i have doing the restoration. Will add more as we get closer to launch date. CAN'T WAIT! Will be our very first.

Happy times to you who are already gettin' out there!!!

[OLEDAVE]

more pictures

[rpm121370]

I hope you are doing better

get well soon
Ron

[OLEDAVE]

Thanks Ron
I'm doing all I can to be ready by May 1st.
Both me and the boat

David

[GXPWeasel]

Sorry about the stroke, but it sounds like you are doing okay, and making progress and that's what counts.

Looks like the toon is coming along just fine. Looking forward to seeing the finished pictures.

[OLEDAVE]

Now I really need some advise. As you can see in our post under Lowe Restoration our 28' boat had a hardtop, which we took off and
laid across a 16 foot trailer and strapped down with 6 tarp straps.
To make a long story short, Tuesday night storms deposited the
top in the pond under 6' of water. We found it, bent up too much for
use. Anyway, now to my question. We found what seems to be a nice
Bimini top on Overtons sight for about $370.
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... rchID=4006
also found one on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWAX%3AIT


I don't knowthe first thing about bimini tops,except now I have an excuse
to buy one, and I want it to last awhile.
Comments or suggestions please. Thanks in advance!

[OLEDAVE]

By the way, I'm getting over the stroke slooooooowly!
Not supposed to do much, but I just can't resist slipping out
there and doing a little something on the toon every day or 2.
I mean that has to be good physical therapy. right?!

[ROLAND]

Dave... first off I just wanted to wish you well as you continue to recover from your stroke.. I hope you're feeling better, and yes, I think working on the toon when you feel like it is excellent therapy. Here's another option for your bimini top. take a look at www.pontoonstuff.com Make sure you compare apples to apples ( tubing diameter, type of fabric, boot, etc ). Good luck with your boat restoration....

[OLEDAVE]

Roland,
thanks fo the good wishes and I'll continue to look and learn about
biminis.

[bassn386]

Dave, it seems if it weren't for bad luck, you wouldn't have any at all! First a stroke, now the hardtop is a crappie bed; what's next?!
Hope you are getting better every day. We have a friend who had a stroke last year and for a while he lost a lot of peripheral vision. He said he could see straight ahead for a mile, but very little just below or to the left or right without tilting, moving his entire head. Well, now he is regaining some of it to the point where he can drive again. His therapy was cattle, but I think I'd prefer the boat deal better. It only makes noise when you apply power and if you don't want to feed it, you just leave it where it is.
Best of luck in your recovery.

[lightpants]

Don't get too down that you have a project. I rebuilt my boat the same way, and I could make it how I wanted, not the factory. I like it so much better that way! If you have any questions, just ask. There are many people here that will be happy to answer anything you are not sure about.
Good luck,
Jim

[OLEDAVE]

Thanks guys for the comments. Just takin' life one day at a time
and trying to enjoy it more than I used to.

[OLEDAVE]

It has been a long time since my last post but we finally got the boat finished and in the water! I have a few pictures of restoration progress. It took longer than expected-the stroke has been an inconvenience-but thanks to my wife and son-in-law the whole summer is not a bust.

[OLEDAVE]

back side decals

[OLEDAVE]

almost done