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1milekyle

  • Karma: +2/-0
1974 Tahiti - First boat project
« on: May 05, 2013, 08:40:07 PM »
First post on SCJB, been lurking for a while and finally have enough progress to start a thread.

Little bit of back story, grew up in Elsinore and have always been on the water there. Countless summers skiing, boating, hanging out at the cove, camping on the beach and drinking those refreshing ice cold beers. My step dad has a 75 Tahiti and for as long as I can remember, we'd be out there tearing it up having a blast. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, my parents were over at their neighbors house and my step dad noticed a boat sitting in the back yard. Checked it out and it's the EXACT same boat that he has. Kind of a rare Tahiti from the sounds of it. It was sitting outside for about 8 years since the last time it was used and was the condition was hurting on it. Knowing that I've been wanting a boat for years, asked if he wanted to sell it and he wasn't interested in selling, but would rather trade for a XR50 that I had sitting around. DEAL! Had a boat fund going, so having money ready to dump into it has made it a fun project. Really bitchin' to have the same boat that I grew up in as my first boat.

As it sat in the guys backyard




Day it made it across the street to it's new home




Has a fresh Olds in it, was rebuilt not very long before it sat. Took the valve covers off and while replacing the fuel pump could see the timing chain, looks almost BRAND NEW inside. No water or condensation. Oil was nice and clean.


Time to start the "restoration"


Had to shim up the deck to get the gas tank out.


Things always look better when cleaned and shinny


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1974 Tahiti


1milekyle

  • Karma: +2/-0
Re: 1974 Tahiti - First boat project
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2013, 08:45:23 PM »
Ripped out all the old wiring and plumbing.


Got it wired and plumbed enough to start for the first time. Fired right up. Nothing like starting fresh with wiring, rebuild carb, starter, alternator, etc. Dealing with other peoples mess is for the birds.


Wet sanded the entire thing to get rid of the exessive metal flake and bring 1970's sexy back.










Tore out the old false floor. All fresh.
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1milekyle

  • Karma: +2/-0
Re: 1974 Tahiti - First boat project
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2013, 08:51:25 PM »
Liked the red eyes and lips, so sticking with it.


Have everything to paint the trailer black with new wiring and LED's. Going to ditch all the extra lights.


Had some friends come over to help with the carpeting. Nice to have people who know the ins and outs.


Boom! Looks tits for a 74'! Spending the $$$ on the good marine carpet was so worth it. Feels awesome on the toes.


Getting there.


Girlfriend ripping out all the rotton wood. Needs all new upholstry, but going to rig it up with some new wood and throw towels over it until my bank account recovers lol.




Can almost feel the water...


Back seat in.



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1974 Tahiti


1milekyle

  • Karma: +2/-0
Re: 1974 Tahiti - First boat project
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2013, 08:55:52 PM »
Not bad for 3 weeks worth of work. Always fun reviving the dead  :screwy:




As of today. First run should be next weekend. Hopefully remember to put the plug in  :beer:


Step dads ride. Original owner, built BBC, fresh jet, been a awesome boat. Wish mine had the motor cover like his.


« Last Edit: May 05, 2013, 09:06:02 PM by 1milekyle »
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SoCalPSD

  • Karma: +4/-0
Re: 1974 Tahiti - First boat project
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2013, 09:30:59 PM »
Looks great
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In my best "grandad" voice with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth....  "if a day goes by and you learn nothing, I hope like hell you got a lot of sleep".... :thumbup:

mobboss

  • Karma: +15/-0
Re: 1974 Tahiti - First boat project
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2013, 10:01:38 PM »
nice job !  hell good find!
  • Boat #1: boat less
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crewchief22

  • Karma: +66/-0
Re: 1974 Tahiti - First boat project
« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2013, 10:05:44 PM »
Welcome to SCJB  ;D
  • Boat #1: '77 Hondo Pantera GT Jet
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"Racing is life!  Anything that happens before or after, is just waiting"    Steve McQueen

The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

Bigblockchevy

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: 1974 Tahiti - First boat project
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2013, 10:23:17 PM »
Nice to see another Tahiti being redone.  I'm putting together a 76 Tahiti.  I'm almost done and can't wait to get back in the water.
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1milekyle

  • Karma: +2/-0
Re: 1974 Tahiti - First boat project
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2013, 02:09:27 PM »
Time for an update.

She got a new jet and finally dialed in the upholstery. Just spent 5 days out at Laughlin/Mohave and had zero issues. Went from Big Bend to Havasu on Friday, which was over 100 miles round trip. Then spent Thursday and Saturday on Mohave. Can't wait to go back, but Elsinore will have to do in the mean time.







Martinez did a killer job on matching the front seats I had.











« Last Edit: July 22, 2013, 02:11:30 PM by 1milekyle »
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