Hornet II Project

[twofiftyeight]

Hey guys..came across this forum while trying to find some information on a 1980 Hornet II i purchased along with a friend of mine...I found that a few guys from this board went out and took a look at the boat which in fact is actually in extremely good original condition with all parts still intact...

Here are a few pictures of what it looks like now...structurally the boat is in almost perfect condition...no stress cracks...floor, stringers and deck are solid. The transom has some very light rot around the exposed cutout for the sterndrive but the entire transom will be re-done so its really not an issue...All hardware will be sent out to be re-plated...New windshield...Interior will be completely re-done and our plan is to shoot the top deck and bottom with white awlgrip and have the hull sides and stripe over the deck redone with PPG black automotive.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/xiduse42/Donzi_001.jpghttp://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/xiduse42/Donzi_006.jpghttp://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/xiduse42/Donzi_020.jpghttp://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/xiduse42/Donzi_010.jpghttp://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/xiduse42/Donzi_008.jpg

We'd like to keep the boat as original as possible and would really like input from you guys on what you think or what you would suggest.

Not quite sure what we're gonna do in terms of power...Alpha with a small block...big block with a bravo...TRS...Volvo...??? We're still a few months away from getting into all that stuff but i'm curious to know what u guys think. (keeping in mind we're on a budget)
Thanks

[chappy]

Welcome to the board. Cast one vote for big block with bravo.

[BUIZILLA]

6.2 - B3 :wink:

[rustnrot]

6.0L Pleasure Craft Marine, surface drive.

[Morgan's Cloud]

If you're on a budget , here's something to save you a few dollars
Don't paint the hull bottom .. Awlgrip or not .. It's hard to tell exactly from the photos exactly what shape the gelcoat is in but try wetsanding it first.
The only paint that stands up on the bottom of a boat is antifouling paint and we all know what the general consensus on that stuff is around here . :doh:

[David Hartmann]

THat is a nice boat

if you want to make $500 on it real quick. I would buy it from you for more than you just paid for it. I looked at it also.

I would go with a 6.3 and a Bravo.

I just did a St Tropex (pretty much the same boat) with a 5.7 and a bravo it runs about 65mph

We are looking for a boat to be used a a plug fo a mold. If you are thinking of spliting the hull. I would split it for you and refinish the hull for nothing and send it back to you. I am just looking to pull a mold off of it and that would require refinishing the hull.

[schifo_8625@msn.com]

I just bought a 40' Baja with triple Mercury 502/415 HP motors that have never been started with gimbals for Bravo outdrive. Might split the package up. I'm in Stuart, FL just north of West Palm.
Nice boat, I looked at it too.
Thanks, Cadilac (772) 285-2266

[twofiftyeight]

Ok guys...So the boat has been completely stripped...transom filled and blanked out, various holes and spidercracks filled and faired out, contemplating pulling the cap and gel-coating the entire inside of the hull and installing the engine and pulling the tank while we're at it...We decided to go with a 454 and bravo one drive and took delivery of both last week...

My question now is about the x-dimension...How do i determine proper drive height? Is there anyone else on the board with a similar setup?

We we're thinking about replacing the windshield, but i've seen what the general consensus is on replacing original parts like that is. We have the all the pieces. Both pieces of plexi-glass are cracked but are in good enough shape to be used as templates. My main worry is the aluminum frame itself. The starboard side is bent out of shape pretty bad and both have numerous holes from canvas snaps drilled into them. Should i just try to straighten out the frame and find a way to deal with the holes or look around for a company that still manufactures similar aluminum extrusions and replace the frame? Are there any companies that could help me with putting together something as original looking as possible?

Will post some pictures later

Any input would be greatly appreciated

[Boatnuts]

On our 1981 Hornett II, we used and X plus 1" when repowering to 330/454/Bravo 1 many years back. It has worked fine but based on weight would have gone with a 6.2 in todays market.

[twofiftyeight]

Just a little update on the Hornet project. Transom and dash are done. Inside gelcoated. Now we're in the process of sanding and prepping everything for primer. Still havn't quite figured out the drive height but we'd like to get that done so we can get the cutout out of the way...

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/xiduse42/IMG_2224.jpghttp://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/xiduse42/IMG_2225.jpghttp://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/xiduse42/IMG_2221.jpghttp://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/xiduse42/IMG_2265.jpghttp://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/xiduse42/IMG_2316.jpghttp://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/xiduse42/IMG_2318.jpg

[BUIZILLA]

where are you doing this resto?

[handfulz28]

Updates on this project? Would like to see in person how it's coming along.