Delcraft Tunnel Boat Complete Restoration

**Vulture27** · 08-05-2023, 01:54 AM

go fast and turn left

**Tom Smyth** · 08-05-2023, 04:16 PM

2nd coat curing in the florida sun

**1954bmw** · 08-06-2023, 08:01 AM

After reading your post about automotive clear, are you going to leave it wood colored, exposed wood, in other words, you are not going to paint it white or something???

**Tom Smyth** · 08-06-2023, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by 1954bmw

After reading your post about automotive clear, are you going to leave it wood colored, exposed wood, in other words, you are not going to paint it white or something???

bottom will be pearl white. Most of the top will be clear with wood showing.

**Tom Smyth** · 08-07-2023, 03:49 PM

Ron Baker with this boat and OMC power

**Tom Smyth** · 08-07-2023, 03:50 PM

Bob Holloway with this boat. this is how the boat will be painted when completed..

**Tom Smyth** · 08-07-2023, 03:51 PM

And a few pics of Greg Horn when he raced it. Set the SJJ record with it...

**1954bmw** · 08-07-2023, 05:51 PM

Do you have the rear cowling or going without??

**Tom Smyth** · 08-07-2023, 07:46 PM

have the rear cowling.

**Tom Smyth** · 08-08-2023, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by scott reierson

Now that is Cool!. Look at that finish and joinery! Are you Superman? Nice work Tom.

Look at how young Ron Baker is!

Another example of what the sworn enemies of the V6 Merc syndicate are capable of.

Please tell going rig it with twins. Put some lead up front! I have a nice 1973 15" 150 with the vented cowl and LWP nose cone if you need one to match.

absolutely NO TWINS ! Single 1350 is the plan.

**Tom Smyth** · 08-16-2023, 08:27 AM

change of plans. Tunnel and running surfaces will be left clear as originally raced. Wet sanded down to 2000 grit. Did a few test spots using various polishing / rubbing compounds and have come up with a plan to finish the bottom off.

**Tom Smyth** · 08-16-2023, 08:46 AM

a couple pics.....

**Tom Smyth** · 08-17-2023, 01:54 PM

finished sponson bottoms....

**Tom Smyth** · 08-20-2023, 08:54 AM

okay today marks the end of the bottom side and sponson restoration. Been 18 months since it was started. All new 6mm and 9 mm okumi ply, new longitudinal stringers, repair to most cross members, rebuild of both tunnel points due to rot, 3 coats of epoxy and buffing and a few good coats of wax. Boat will be flipped back over this wednesday to start on the top side restoration. thanks for following so far. Its been fun and countless hours.....

Stand by for top side pics.... starting soon...