Sam, here is a performance test from Powerboat Mag 1978

Pics.

You say you got a quote for paint at $1500, thats dirt cheap, what kind of paint?  The materials should be in the $1000 range.

How closely have you looked at the hull condition? I have gotten balls deep in a project, then realized there are major structural issues in the hull.

It looks like your going to be in this thing a bunch for saying it's not your dream boat...

If interested, we have a 1976 (+/-) Southwind full stringer 19' jet that is done, I mean done. New; paint (two tone rootbeer float), interior, powdercoated rail kit (set up for SBC but easy to change) dual fuel tanks, Berkeley pump w/new "B" impeller (have a new "A" if you want), droop snoot, ride plate, guages, controls, trailer paint (single axle) trailer wheels tires, gunwale moulding w/insert, pink slip for boat and trailer (cuurrently registered) and more I'm sure.

We have about $6000 in this little boat, the small block Chevy thats in it may go in my Carrera, have not decided (it's too nasty), I will try to post up some pics now that I am finally working normal hours at work, this boat is super clean and has not been in the water yet (for about the last 10 years also), if your interested in it, we could sell it to you for $3500 less engine and I can help get the motor mounts sorted out for you.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see you do this project more than anyone, have you seen my weaknesses?, but you already said you wouldn't mind getting a better boat...To me that says "I won't be very happy with it when I'm done".

I normally look for projects (actually they find me  ) that are something that I want (Carrera) when completed, right now there are so many boats out there for sale cheap it's sort of a shame.

Please don't think I'm trying to discourage you from getting this thing done, just be sure it's what you want to do.

GT

BTW, 76, that boat had me thinking, then my wife walked in and I had a moment of clarity      

GT, post up some pics.
Sam, sounds like a good deal. You could part out your boat and recover some of your cost.

I will, been meaning to, but have felt like the absent minded professor lately (been there three times and keep forgetting to take the camera), I guarantee this is a good deal even in this economy, we have too damn many boats (between my dad and me, we have 7 boats and looking for another, I think we're both severely retarded).

GT

Sam-
I emabrarked on the dream you have last year-bought an 18' Hondo v bottom- southwind bottom-  " yeah yeah yeah i want to build a badass jet boat" the boat is upside down in my front yard not even close to being back in the water and I have already spent more on the pump than I had in the intital cost of the boat- yeah I will be able to look at it when it is done and say I built that, but if I ever sell it, it will still be a $15k boat I might be able to get $7k for- pending the economy crawls out of the sh%ter-  browse craigslist- there is so many bitchen boats that you can pick up for pennies, pedal the motor out of it so you can put your mill in it and offset the cost of the boat- not trying to piss in your cherios, just speaking out of experiance-
But if you are like any other red blooded gear head- throw caution to the wind and party like it is 1999

and I might have a line on an early 70's 18' full stringer kona on a single axle trailer for a screamin deal- let me know if intrested

I'm looking for one of those paint and interior are in good shape and it has no motor (maybe no pump) and it's in the way so they're lookin to get rid of it for 500-1000. I'd love to get that southwind but the best I could do on something like that is like what Tom is doing for me 1k down and payments.

Yuma, Arizona. When you're ready, shoot me a pm and I will swing by his shop and get you his info.

Nice find saw one posted up on PB site never heard of the boat untill today good luck.

Thanks GT, I really like the design better and think it's a faster hull than what I had. What I had was a pretty heavy hull, the Record 7 is a much lighter hull. Plus its in better condition for me. A lot less sanding  and the interior is there so that should be a lot cheaper to recover. My wife isn't too happy. She really wants an open bow  . But I'll get her a pontoon when its done and she'll be happy.

Boy that looks familiar....Nice find.

Check it out 



GT

A quick update. buffed out gelcoat, came out ok. Painted stripes shot out. Pulled all the guages and switchs. Upon closer inspection, I've decided to replace the whole harness as well as switchs. Figure it's cheap insurance. Still need to pull seats out to have drivers fixed and to protect them from the sun. Then I need to drain tanks. I'm thinking of pulling them out so I can put new level senders in them. That's a lot of work, but it would be nice to have working fuel guages lol.