My Challenger Project

[fastfun2]

1978 21 Challenger Bought it in november for a hell of a deal. Pics and updated progress here- btw if you cannot see the pics let me know and I will post them here.
Johnny

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145542&highlight=challenger

[fastfun2]

Should get some more pics this weekend. Its time to get some more done on it.:smash:

[TXDONZI]

Can't see them..... please post them here.

[fastfun2]

You got it.
When I first bought the boat...

[fastfun2]

Starting the restoration ,stripping the boat and finding all the rot. We already knew the transom was shot.:smash: Digging the rotted balsa out of the transom.

[fastfun2]

.... The transom progress...waiting for sanding and gel now

[fastfun2]

... more on the transom...my dad outside grinding away
Taking care of some rot in the deck....

[fastfun2]

more deck rot
I compounded the deck a few weeks ag. Not bad for 30 year old gel. The only stress cracks that can be found on the boat. The chocolate is being painted black.:cool:

[fastfun2]

Theres a ton more progress Im just too lazy to post the pics right now. Ill have more later.

[sizeplay]

Cool boat to restore! Looking forward to see the after pics. :thumbsup:

[Kirbyvv]

Johnny, looking good so far. Keep up the good work. Post some more photo's.

[jl1962]

Cool boat Johnny. Didn't realize this was you. What kind of engines/speed are you hoping for? Still want to get you guys into the extended Donzi family one day!

See you in a few weeks. I'll bring some gee-tars. Hi to Dad and Rick.

Jay

[fastfun2]

Thanks Kirby and Jay.
Jay, I have a 200 merc and if the boat gets into the low 60s ill be thrilled. Jay, did Rick tell ya I started a band?

[jl1962]

No - I didn't know. But I do know that young kids playing rock n roll is way cooler than old farts like me doing it. So you've got that going for you. Still - we've got gigs at the sailing club for the next two weeks.

I figure you guys have Strats and Les Pauls up the wazoo, so maybe I'll bring up a nice Duo-Jet or a nice Jazzmaster that I have.

Keep on Rockin' (in the free world)......

JL

[fastfun2]

Sounds great man.:cool: I almost bought a Pro-Jet a while back

[fastfun2]

Some pics from today....
Cut the gunnels down, going to wrap them with some glass. Really opens up the ****pit.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/cutgunnels0003.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/cutgunnels0002.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/cutgunnels0001.jpg

[Kirbyvv]

Project is coming along. But...when are we going to see this band playing the pubs of Bolton Landing????

[fastfun2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xm4E7nVZhM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xm4E7nVZhM)

We have a few gigs coming up too...
Now, we have a horn section and a better singer.

[jl1962]

Really good John. Great Strat tone and great wah solo. You guys do Funk 49? It's a fun riff - easy/addictive to play.

Jay

[Kirbyvv]

Awsome Johnny!!!! Play that funky music.....

[fastfun2]

Thasnks Kirby.
Jay, no we dont,but, thats a good idea!lol Thanks for the comments on the tone. It needed a neck adjustment bad that night. I ended using my SG for the other stuff.

[fastfun2]

8inch jackplate for the boat came in yesterday.

[fast fun 2]

TRansom has a coat of gel on it.....

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/bernardtransom.jpg

[DON N.]

Looks Very Good John ! That's A Great Project For You , You Will Learn Alot , And You Have A Very Good Teacher .

[fast fun 2]

Looks Very Good John ! That's A Great Project For You , You Will Learn Alot , And You Have A Very Good Teacher .
Thanks Don! Hows the boat running?

[DON N.]

The Boat Still Running Fine. Still Practicing With The 27" B/blade.
Do You Work On Your Boat After Hours ?

[fastfun2]

Almost every night.

[fastfun2]

getting closer....

[fast fun 2]

interior is here..
spending too much time on the avanti :):smash:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/seats.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/avantifast.jpg

[Craig S]

Geez, that bottom pic is a great looking boat!

[fast fun 2]

Geez, that bottom pic is a great looking boat!
Thanks. We did a complete restoration on the boat. 1985 27 Avanti. Same bottom as a 27 Magnum

[fast fun 2]

more pics soon

[fast fun 2]

getting close....

[Stan24]

There is a brown/cream Challenger outboard in Fredericksburg Virginia that the owner wants to sell. The boat use to belong to a friend of mine. The transom has weeds growing out of the top and the trailer is rough. It has an ancient 235 Johnson or Evinrude which the owner claims does run. I thought about it for my son, but too much of a project for me. The owner does have all new upholstery in the ever tasteful brown marble. He thinks $3500.00 is a fair price. I was going to offer $1800, but never got around to making an offer. If anyone is interested I think I still have some pictures and the guys card.

[fast fun 2]

i paid 800 for mine

[mattyboy]

Jason,
couple of questions
yours in an older one does the hull have a pad?? or is it a straight 22 degree hull??
you did the interior looks great??

[Kirbyvv]

Matty, this is John's project, Jason's son. He has been taking lessons from the master when he's not playing rock and roll.
Did not look like it had a pad to me, but I didn't climb under it.
So Johnny, more pictures, we want pictures.

[fast fun 2]

Matty, this is John's project, Jason's son. He has been taking lessons from the master when he's not playing rock and roll.
Did not look like it had a pad to me, but I didn't climb under it.
So Johnny, more pictures, we want pictures.
:biggrin: Thanks Krby, your boat looks great!! Matty, all the 21 Challengers and their copiers, have pads. The main difference between Challengers,Superboats,Activators and LOTS of others is the Challengers far superior build quality. Mines 30 years old and most of it is rock solid. The interior was done by American Auto and Glass. Heres a pic of the bottom (great in rough water, its what ther known for:cool:)

[fast fun 2]

Motor is almost done... ill have pics of the new glass tomorrow...

[fast fun 2]

Should be running by the end of the week!!!!!
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/challengerputtogether0001.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/challengerputtogether0002.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/challengerputtogether0003.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/challengerputtogether0004.jpg

[fast fun 2]

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/challengerputtogether0005.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/challengerputtogether0006.jpg

[fast fun 2]

Ran great at the CT> River Run:cool:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/0002.jpg (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/0002.jpg)
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/0006.jpg (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/0006.jpg)
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/0007.jpg (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/0007.jpg)

[jl1962]

Looks great John. How fast did you go?

Nice tree stump in that bottom picture!

Jay

[mattyboy]

Did come out really nice, they have very classic lines( probably not classic enough for the run on saturday but surely the run on sunday at the dustoff ;) ) George Linder had a great mind and a great boat there , I bet that boat would give fits to all but the "Stock bravo boys"

John I might have some question in the future I know of a few of the old gems around

[fast fun 2]

Thanks Guys. Jay- Best we could get was 63.5 at 6000rpms spinning a 23 mirage plus 3 inches below the pad. trying a 24 4 blade tomorrow 2 inches below. Ill let you know.
Mattyboy- Thanks Man

[fast fun 2]

Best speed so far is 65.6 with a 23 rev 4
Heres a vid-
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/IMG_0012.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/th_MVI_0013.jpg (http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/?action=view&current=MVI_0013.flv)

[jl1962]

Nice John. The Lake looks great - way to make us all jealous...... Better get in as much boating as you can before it's ice season!

Jay

[fast fun 2]

Thanks Jay :cool:

[1996Z15]

What is it about that hull that lets it take the chop so nice? I remember racing one in my friends 18' Donzi and we were getting pounded while this guy in his Challenger just floated on by like the water was smooth as glass.

Always liked those boats and think their lines are classic.

[fast fun 2]

The boat has a variable deadrise bottom. I belive the deadrise is 22* at the transom. This gives it a nice ride and the pad lets you really loosen it up when running hard. They dont have a rounded keel like the Donzis

[fast fun 2]

:cool:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/th_0001.jpg (http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/?action=view&current=0001.flv)

[fast fun 2]

My favorite pic..... Trimmed just right and flyin!!:cool::kingme:



http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/0004.jpg

[fast fun 2]

Got her in the shop today. Motors off and I did some small glasswork, nthing major. Bildgeupmp mount and som,e other small things. Pics tomorrow

[fast fun 2]

New gel ont he transomand finnaly got a carpet. Time to finish dialing her in :cool!:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/carpet.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/springrun1.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/gel2.jpg

[fast fun 2]

Lil choppy out the other day :shocking:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/fastfun2/roguhness.jpg

[jl1962]

Brrr......looks cold....
Boat looks great!
-Jay

[fast fun 2]

65 n sunny :wink: See you soon Jay

[fast fun 2]

Thinking about tiwns...someoen talk me outta this lol