2006 Tracker Targa V165 WT restoration

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grunt32

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Just started to tear my new to me boat apart
Looks like a 2 year part time project
Everything is coming out and getting repaired or replaced
It leaks and has some cracks in the hull...needs some rewelding first
A retired master carpenter, I can't believe the poor workmanship and bad design assemblies in these boats
I'll attach a few pictures of the restoration as time goes on
 

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Unfortunately Trackers of that era had build quality issues that resulted in a bad reputation for many years. The good thing is your breaking it down to it's bones for the rebuild. When you have the cracks welded do the repair on both sides. Throw all your wiring away and rewire with Tinned Marine wiring. Get a Blue Sea fuse block. Use named brand water/re circulation pumps. I've done many re builds over the years, do it right the 1st time and you'll never regret it. Post pictures of your re build in progress. When you look at the prices of the 2022's in similar brands/models, a properly done rebuild will save you thousands of dollars and give many years of service.
 
Thanx for your advice...I just needed a new project for something to do in my spare time nowadays
This will be my 4th boat restoration and 6th boat project

My previous completed projects
1950 Peterborough Aquaflyer
1970 Tempest
1985 Trophy 2359
2003 Tracker V16 superguide
2007 Grady White 208 adventure

Did a few British sportscars also
1954 MGTF
1962 Austin Healey 3000 mk 2
1972 MGB
 

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Got sidetracked working on the trailer the past few weeks
Finally got the inside of the boat stripped out
Next step remove some foam and get all of the cracks repaired and rewelded
And remove the gas tank to get it cleaned
 

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Went to see the welder today...too many cracks in the hull and some more may appear afterwards
It looks like I'll have to epoxy and fiberglass the hull from the splash rail down to the keel to resolve these issues now
 
Thanks for the pictures of the inside of the boat stripped down. Sorry to hear that the cracks can't be welded. Glassing the bottom of the hull should not add too much weight. Got any pictures of the hull cracks?
 
I sent the fellas at Gougeon Bros Inc. an email to get their advice on West System epoxy for use on aluminum boats. He said I'd need 2 gallons of the Gflex 650 kit. Use 10 oz. glass cloth over the cracks and use 3 coats of epoxy. First coat over the entire aluminum bottom right after sanding before the surface oxidizes. Then place the glass over the cracks and wet it out with the second coat. Then a final coat. Then sand it out just like I did on my cedar strip boat and get it ready for paint
 

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Got a little more work done on my project boat
Fixed all of the lights on the trailer
Removed the decals from the sides
Picked up a motor for it yesterday, a 2006 75 hp Mercury 4 stroke EFI
 

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Finally got some time to get back working on the Tracker
The 75hp motor was a bad purchase...a dishonest seller...so I resold it and bought a 2016 60hp with only 90 hours on it...got the proper prop for it now also
Stripped most of the paint off the boat and got her sanded with some 80 grit paper
Cold here now so working on repairing all the cracks in the fiberglass on the consoles
Ground them out with my rotozip with a tapered bit
Picked up a tube of West system six10 to fill the cracks tomorrow
 

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Great work. Appreciate the write-up. I enjoy learning from those who do it. Is your plan to flip this boat or keep it for personal use? I just finished up an extensive [for my skills] restoration myself. I enjoyed it but I would have rather been fishing.
Keep us up to date on your progress! 🎣
 
Finished the consoles...sanded out the six 10 epoxy cracks...filled in the fishfinder holes and steering wheel holes with plywood plugs with west system 105 and 207 hardener....ready for paint now
At my age now its all about the journey...not the destination...might be ready for this fall
Going to keep this one for fishing on Lake St. Clair with some of my old friends...and my kids whenever they have the time...and my grandson
 

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Finally got some time to get back to the restoration of my Tracker Targa boat
Finished stripping all of the paint inside and outside down to the spray rail
Sanded it all with 80 grit paper
Removed the foam and the gas tank to expose all of the cracks in the hull
Cleaned the gas tank inside and out
Predrilled and mounted a new transom step ladder on the starboard side
Got the inside reinforced with some aluminum L and welded all of the cracks and everything back together
Made a bracket for the transom and flipped the boat with a chain fall, backhoe and come-a-long
Going to work on the bottom now
 

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Where did you get the transom mount ladder? That is exactly what I for my Pro Guide V16. My boat has the same Transom and I need it mounted on that side.
 
Wow grunt32! You really have the knowledge for restoration. Great work on all of your projects. I’m sure we’ll all be following along here on your latest! Thank you for posting and looking forward to project updates!
 

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