Finally launched Sheer Madness

[comodave]

Been a long time coming, but we launched Sheer Madness today. We still have lots of work to do on it. We have most of the flybridge canvass done, still have to make the cockpit canvas. I need to install all of the electronics. Did a complete bottom job of 6 coats of 2000E and 2 coats of VC17. We put in dripless shaft logs and aligned the engines. A friend gave me a Flowscan system and we installed it. Will have to calibrate it and see how much fuel it burns.

[prowlersfish]

WOW !!!!! . You have that boat looking like a new one ! Is that a new hard top(s) and enclosure ?

[comodave]

The hardtop over the cockpit is from Atlantic Towers. I put that on last year. The hardtop on the flybridge is from Hardtotop. I put it on this year. I am in the process of making the flybridge enclosure. Have most if it done, just a few more panels around the ladder and some final fitting and snaps and the enclosure will be done. I used 30 gauge Strataglass for the enclosure. It is very clear and almost transparent. We still have a lot to do, but it is finally in the water and we have used it twice so far.

[WayWeGo]

What are your impressions on the Hardtotop? I have seen photos of them but not one in person.

I like the clear windows without fabric blocking the view! It has a very open look.

[comodave]

The Hardtotop isn't bad. It was about 1/5th the cost of the Atlantic Towers top. It is pretty stable and easy to install. It took 2 of us about one day to install it. It is made here in Michigan so I was able to pick it up and take it home on the roof of the Jeep. The AT hardtop cost about 1200 to get it shipped here. It is also light weight which is a consideration when you put it up so high. I have Keder strips to hold the enclosure up along the top. The keder strips make it pretty easy to fabricate the enclosure. Overall I like the top.

[mikeandanne]

Like Pfish said your boat looks like new....however did you get the house sides and bridge so shiny....great job....like the hardtop as well...something we might do when the top gives up the ghost, if we keep the boat....Mike

[comodave]

We painted the transom last week due to the name change. The PO had the name in clear metal flake which burned the gel coat badly and it would not even sand out, so we painted it. Above the rubrail was painted just before we bought the boat. I will probably paint the hull sides next year since the transom looks so good. I have a good fiberglass guy that charged about 250 to paint the transom including patching the holes where I removed the step pad.

[bjanakos]

Very Nice!

[captainmaniac]

Like Pfish said your boat looks like new....however did you get the house sides and bridge so shiny....great job....like the hardtop as well...something we might do when the top gives up the ghost, if we keep the boat....Mike

The gel on these late 70's Trojans is awesome. A little bit of TLC and they can outshine most newer boats in the marina. I have had people say they wished their late 80's boats looked as good, but since their boat was so much older than mine what could they do??

I like to take shots at launch of the yard workers reflected in the hull... Here's a shot of my '79 when I (finally) launched yesterday.