38 1969 Aluminum Riviera Launched yesterday

Six years later, two years in the shed.. commin-out for final refit

More 1969 Riviera Launch

More More More...

Splashed!

Four more months of hard labor and back to the 1960's we go!

Confusing software

Thanks... any idea how to add a photo to a current thread... this software is a nightmare to "initially" figure out.

No.... restoration was started 6 years ago.. all that is original is the hull and cabintop and hardware.. all else is replaced, all glass, all everything including new vacuflsuh system and stepdown sliding tube shower. It is remarkable, a walk back in time. I am the son of the original owner.

I do not subscribe to old boats with another thick coat of chippy paint... strip them down, do it right or don't do it. These boats are forever if restored properly. She also runs just shy of 37 mph and has not been in the water for two years and is going for final refit soon.. will be fully operational in late Spring 2010.

More Shine More shine More shine

15 coats of epoxy/then clearcoat on African Mikore... dumped the stainless strips.

Shine Shine Shine...

Vestal White w/ extra clear mixed in last coat.
Royal Blue stripe.
SeaHawk epoxy bottom... (Same as what Burger uses.)
Prefer Pettit Vivid to Trilux 2.
Complete sandblast built back with proper Awlgrip stages/products.
Check out Alexseal.. it may be even better than Awlgrip.. same chemist who formulated Awlgrip made Alexseal which is more repairable and still hard and they say even more shine!

Chrome pile getting smaller!!

Lots of triple plate chrome... nice to see the chrome pile getting smaller!!
Those of you who struggle with corroded screw holes that support the stantions, there is a solution... overdrill the hole in the wood, mix collidal silica from West system in the epoxy to thin mayonaise consistency, rub vasaline on screw threads, put in screw and poor solution in hole.. next day take out screw and you will have a perfect threaded tough bite... I not only helicoiled the bad ones, did the epoxy treatment too.. much stronger than original. Toe rail is new Sappelle Ribbon Mahogony, three coats of Maas Epoxy, sanded baby's butt smooth (sealed all the way around so no moisture can get in)... then seven coats on two different sprays of Dupont Chromaclear 7900s, high UV automotive two part paint... then sanded with 3000, then buffed with perfect it.. the toe rail is pure glass... not a piece of dust.. forget varnishing... no more of that!

Like the Chicken business... "Parts is Parts"

Flybridge compliments of an old junkyard Silverton/modified to fit. Complete aluminum superstructure under the bridgetop... factory was not strong enough.. note thicker posts... welded into hull botton... absolutely no racking or creaking. All wood replaced no veneer.. solid 3/4 inch Mahogony sprayed with sound deadening solution than 2 inches of Sound Down too... aluminum can be made to be quiet.

Steering all Sea Star hydraullic, props 23 by 31, shafts 2 inch aqumet 22. Want to reduce vibration... install a PSS shaft saver disc and it will smooth your Roamer out but you need to cut one inch off the shaft to do it.. PLUS, it will break the current flow from engine to shaft and visa versa. I am not a believer in Capoc battery draining Voodoo.. threw it out, and went with good epoxy bottom and zincafied... install Electrogurd meter to read water electrical current. Install PSS dripless on both shafts and rudder posts. Also, Roamer has steel rudders.. dump those and go stainless... that is why many Roamer rudders bang around... the posts rust away over time.

Still have a ways to go though.... see her at the antique boat show in St Michaels next year.

Thank you

I know your boat.. see it sometimes on line... you just have the only one in Sweeden. What bums me sometimes as people pick these Romars up and never do it right thinking it is some bargain.. no such thing.. lots of work for sure.

370 Hp Td.

More photos

Cool.. it's hard but rewarding... part agonly, part challenge, part dream, but.. done well, like pulling up in a 1966 Ford Cobra 427, AND, the engines were just those, "Top oilers" not "Side oilers."

I look forward to your photos.. no cheating.. do a great job.. she is worth it. Keep a good epoxy bottom, use Pettit Vivid and watch the current flow... 40 years later, the 38 aluminum is still almost like new.

Power

Yanmar 370ly