1972 Keel Up Restoration

next up the deck comes off and the arch gets totally glassed together on the inside and underside the bottom motorwell panel also gets glassed.

 

Dave (the guy starting a resto on a 69 with twin 1350 towers of power) came over yesterday and we had a very productive hour talking about our restorations. He also helped me take the deck off and in the one evening I had I got all the under-dash wiring in that I could at this point and also glassed the inside of the rear arch.

 

Wow, that's beautiful. Where did you get your seats and upholstery?

Thanks,
Dave

 

I don't have seats/upholstry yet and I have'nt even finalized how the seating arrangement will look.

 

Just kind of spitballing here....

As far as seating arrangements I am leaning towards a pair of front to back seats and a small bench at the stern just in front of the motorwell. The reason I am leaning this way is because I think in the future the Dyne will become my cruise boat. I use the Venom raceboat 2 times a year and at my age I do not need to go that fast. I think Jim can identify with that. I know a bench in the rear would put more weight back there but I am thinking small grandkids.

I cannot find the front-to-back seats like the Dyne had that I remember. These seats had sides unlike what is available today. I am an accomplished woodworker and could easily build seats to my liking which I may do. Of course if I do install a pair of front-to-back seats I would need to install a foot rest for acceleration for the rear facing seats.

Since this boat will probably become my cruiser I do not want to do the classic ski boat rear facing seat on the passenger/spotter side.

like I said - just throwing some thoughts out to see what you all think.

 

Bench seating chews up a lot of real estate, especially on an 18, and then you have the ski pole.... I mean pylon and bracing to work around. I think DyneBobs (previousely DyneGregs) seat arrangement does the best in the rear of an 18 if you are considering rear seating. DyneBob can post a link to his interior cus it will take me an hour or more to find the interior pics.

I understand that that your 18 may serve a diffrent purpose (cruising) after the towing is done down the road, but would suggest using it is a water tractor (for towing) and giving the person that was behind the boat and worn out an easier entry and exit with nothing in the back. You can always fab and add later.

My $0.02,

Kevin-

 

Recognize the gentleman in the second picture ? Took him for a spin at the Ski Show nationals several years ago.

 

Thanks Bob. Mr. Tom Miller looks good in your boat. Haven't met him personally but have had a few conversations with Tom and Ab Jr.

To T.J.'s post re: the bench vs single seats, it gets pretty tight pretty quick but if you are working a shoreline or off a pier, maybe not so bad. I just don't like the waterlogged traffic across the rear bench that I had redone two summers ago, but it's a boat and they are supposed to get wet.

Also forgot to mention, the pylon on Dynebobs boat is a bit aft by design to pass through the bulkhead which gives some more space but gives up a little leverage for the driver for heavier loads, may not be an issue as a rec boat or cruiser. As presented, I realy like layout and think it "serves the purpose" for its hull length and end use.

Kevin-

 

Something like this http://www.boatdepot.com/p-118/todd-swingback-boat-seat-with-aluminum would let you have a more standard observer's bench, but then flip the back-rest for forward facing as well. Personally, as a driver, I prefer to have the spotter right next to me for communication.

 

Tom - I have given that idea serious consideration. I have also considered a bucket seat that can turn 180 degrees - or be quick-released and installed 180 out.