The Boating Forum - Not bad for 33 year old gelcoat...

Had her buffed out over the weekend - that's original 1975 gelcoat!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/winnpeeples/100_2315.jpg

1975 Blackfin 24



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/winnpeeples/100_2318.jpg

You missed a spot :grin: :grin:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/winnpeeples/100_2310.jpg

Nice looking boat!

Very nice. That's a classic. You won't find any new mass produced assembly line hulls looking like that in 33 years.

A guy that worked (maybe still does) for Fibertech in Miami told me that those older quality boats Blackfin Tiara Bert. ect... used a much better gelcoat than they use today. Very expensive more dense and less pourous than almost anything used today.

ohhh I miss my old Blackfin :(

She's a BEAUTY, and will never go out of style. Nice job. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

looks fantastic! what products? method?

I had it done by my marina - not sure of the products. The guy had a bottle of pink looking stuff, and a big-ass buffer. I'll try and find out though...

They don't make em like they used to ! Beautiful boat. Ohhh and I like the name !

liwreckfisherman - 9/30/2008 9:22 AM

...Ohhh and I like the name !

:grin:

:thumbsup:

A couple of years ago I bought a 1968 Chris Craft Commander. It polished up just like yours. Remarkable. But, it was a "tank" with all that nice hand laid up fiberglass.

The boat looks great; I think with regular waxing/winter cover most older boats can still look good.

nice deadrise on that inboard!! Don't see that everyday :thumbsup:

v70cat - 9/30/2008 9:45 PM

The boat looks great; I think with regular waxing/winter cover most older boats can still look good.

people who take the time to put a few coats of wax on the boat after polishing them clean see these types of results. You cant leave a boat with no wax and after 33 years expect it to look new.
That boat has had a good life!

That boat looks great! I think a lot of boats absolutely could look a whole lot better with some serious polish work. I was amazed at how good a friend of mine made a late 70's Grady look this spring.. One of the old lapstrake style yellow hulls, it looks new. Many of these old boats have some serious gel coat on them, just gotta get through the oxidation on the surface.

I've had her 8 years - never have done a thing but wash her. However, the original owner kept her in a covered slip, and so do I. She's been in the water since day one, but always covered.

To be honest, I doubt she's has ever had anything more than a "hand-job" of some sort of wax (if anything). I really believe this is the first professional "machine buffing" she's ever gotten.

Thanks for the comments. I'm very proud of her...

Looks like it came off the showroom floor! What products did you use to bring her back to life?

Nice boat! finish looks excellent. I wish my 4 year old boat looked as good.
That boat looks like it must ride awesome. Now thats a deep V.

winn peeples - 9/30/2008 5:30 PM

liwreckfisherman - 9/30/2008 9:22 AM

...Ohhh and I like the name !

:grin:

I saw a similar name on a boat except it was "mocean granted..." I guess a take on the ocean...

Great boat!

Winn, that's a disgusting picture! (says he enviously)

Actually, my 1977 24' Blackfin still has an unpainted hull. Not nearly as shiny as yours, but the gelcoat is still serviceable. Proof that quality boats are worth keeping.

I'm also slowly restoring a 1971 Chris Craft Commander. Also a really well built hull. Actually, my Blackfin hull is not faired as well as the Commander. Not that the Blackfin is bad. I mean, when did you ever see an army tank with a flawless finish?

To all you admirers..the 24' Blackfin like Winn's and mine are great hulls. They were NOT designed by Jannace, but are really identical to the famous Formula 233 hulls that prevailed in the Miami-Nassua? races. (Mine's 4 sale, btw).

You are so correct Bill - and thanks!

BTW, mine looked terrible before the buffing. I need to find out what they used, I guess. I NEVER would have thought in a million years she would have turned out that good...

This is what they used - 3M super Duty Rubbing Compound. Item #05954

http://www.ritzcamera.com/graphics/products/1-52/177870052.jpg

^^^

We use a buffing compound from 3m for gelcoats, it does a great job and keeps the labor cost down.

A guy that worked (maybe still does) for Fibertech in Miami told me that those older quality boats Blackfin Tiara Bert. ect... used a much better gelcoat than they use today. Very expensive more dense and less pourous than almost anything used today.

I was told the same thing..my 69 bert shines better then my pos 89 sea ray..

I was told the same thing..my 69 bert shines better then my pos 89 sea ray..

The trade off I hear is tendency to crack, but I havent seen any on my boat...

looks good

A guy that worked (maybe still does) for Fibertech in Miami told me that those older quality boats Blackfin Tiara Bert. ect... used a much better gelcoat than they use today. Very expensive more dense and less pourous than almost anything used today.
200÷ boats at over a 1/4 million a piece to repair bad gel coat ?$?$?$

Thats a beuty.I almost bought one 20yrs ago with a 3208

Are you sure of the year and the size? I ask because the pictures don't show the "bump" on the transom that was part of the 24' design. When Blackfin went to the 25' hull in '78 the bump disappeared and the transom presented as in your picture. Mine is a '79 25' Fisherman (center console) with the hull as strong as the day it was built. They are great boats!

Are you sure of the year and the size? I ask because the pictures don't show the "bump" on the transom that was part of the 24' design. When Blackfin went to the 25' hull in '78 the bump disappeared and the transom presented as in your picture. Mine is a '79 25' Fisherman (center console) with the hull as strong as the day it was built. They are great boats!

picture may not show it but the "Formula bump" is there - trust me. and she's a 1975 Karanda/Blackfin 24