I just did this a few months ago.  I used a little wheel bearing grease and hooked in the bottom and pulled them on.  I was a lot easier then I thought it would be. 

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see if thats better.

I have been reading this site on and off for a year now and have learned a lot.   It all started last summer when I picked up a 18’ 1976 Omega tri hull with an AMC 360 and a panther jet.  I was drawn to this boat because I have a family of 6 including two under the age of  2.  I wanted a project cause I enjoy playing out in the garage.  This is my second jet so I had an idea what to look for.  This boat didn’t start which help me negotiate the deal down to $1500.00.   I decided I would put a couple hundred into it and take it out and see if it was worth fixing up.  I dumped the gas, flushed the tanks, installed an HEI distributor, spark plugs, plug wires and a 100 amp internal regulator alternator.  I installed a edlebrock 600 carb I had lying around and took it out.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well it performed for a boat of its size.  Not going to set any speed records but it has a certain coolness to it not to mention the safety factor and simplicity of it being a jet.  It planes out very quickly and cuts through the chop due to its deep V.  I ran the boat all last summer making little changes between outings.  I separated the throttle from the forward and reverse and installed a foot pedal to make it both more fun and easier to drive.  I did feel some cavitation only when hitting it hard to pull a skier up.  In the winter I decided to give my ride a facelift and make it more family friendly.  I cured the cavitation problem by filling the erosion in the pump housing with devcon epoxy putty.  I fabricated a full swim step with stainless hand rails.  All stress cracks and unwanted holes were repaired before putting on the single stage polyurethane white on the bottom and top/inside of boat.  The sides were base coat clear coat polyurethane.with paint I mostly  had lying around the garage after many years of  auto/truck painting.  I tried to reuse most of the original parts and clean up and or paint, including the rub rail.  I redid the trailer while I was at it, installing disc brakes and LED lights.  The trailer was also painted a single stage polyurethane so it would hold up over time.I put Overton Pre fabbed seats in it.  I bought extra vinyl, made all new wood for a new design engine cover, front seats, interior panels etc.  All wood was fiber glassed for  added strength and waterproofing before going to the upholstery shop to match the seats.  The boat has been out a few times this summer.  It no longer cavitates under load.  Tom at JBP built me a sweet Holley 650 DP which gives it a better punch out of the hole.   Here are some before and after pics.  Let me know what you guys think.   Thanks for all the info you guys put up on here.
                   Darryl

   I am a professional painter and have done these repairs with automotive paint.  I agree using the clear but go with an acyrlicurethane or polyurathane clear.  Use 500 or 600 grit wet paper to prep for the clear.  1200 is much too fine.  Gelcoat is very hard and so it clear paint.  They don't stick well unless you ruff it up enough.  I would also put down an adhesion promoter before the clear(bonding clear for best adhesion)  Lay on 3-4 coats of the urethane clear.  Wait a couple of days and color sand with 1200 then rub out with buffer and finishing glaze.  3000 grit will never get the impurfections out. (dirt and orange peel) The finish will look better than new because urethane clear has a much higher sheen than gel coat.  You will have to treat it like the paint on your car but the gloss will last for years and years.  Let me know if you have any other questions
     Darryl

  Hey Shane,
 
      I read your first posting about your 80 tahiti with an amc 360 and panther pump.  I was hoping to get some info from you with your back ground.  I just picked up a 76 omega tri hull with a 360 amc and panther jet.  Second jet boat.  I have a couple of kids under the age of 2 and a couple of teen agers.  It was a practical choice since my last boat of 12 years was a 16 foot  71 averger with a 454 BBC and berk pump that I converted over from an outboard.  No room for the family.  The tri hull does better than I thought it would do.  I am still working out the bugs since it didn't run when I bought it.  Any idea what the HP is on this motor from the panther marine?  Is this a good set up for this type of boat? What are the pros and cons of this setup?  I have read up on the conversion they have on this website but not sure if it is really worth it since it is just a cruiser.  I am very good with fiberglass, bodywork, custom painting so changing over to a berkley style pump is also an option if it will be benificial.   Any info you or anybody else could share will be greatly appreciated.
           Thanks,
                 Darryl