1997 Champion 191 Resto

[wes2000]

I wanted to make a thread to keep me motivated/on track and maybe help some others avoid my mistakes along the way.

I started at the beginning of January and have been working on it as time allows, but it was mostly electrical and motor stuff that didn't really lend to taking pictures. Now I am finally on more cosmetic stuff that I can post.



Completed:
Electrical overhaul (Battery kill switch, fuse panel addition, TM breaker, cleaned up random wiring birds nests)
Motor (plugs, water pump, fuel pump, decarb, removed vro, carbs. Its running really smooth right now finally)
Ultrex added
Recessed foot pedal added
Garmin + Livescope at bow added
Humminbird at dash added
New guages on dash
Skeg guard added
Compartment lighting added
Deck lighting added
Passenger cup holders added (sounds stupid but it was my dads biggest complaint first time out )
Transom compartment oil storage basket added
MK440 Battery charger added
Tournament saver pro added
Sams Duracell Group 31 x4 added
Custom Rod Locker Bar made/installed
Back deck carpet

In progress:
Front deck carpet + pad

To Do:
Cockpit carpet/rhino line/seadeck (still deciding)
Fiberglass repair (cosmetic)
Trailer rhino line
Trailer LED lights
Random trim work
Wet sand/buff
Motor cowling re-paint
Rod Straps

[wes2000]

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Comfort Troll D-Lux

[wes2000]

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Megaware KeelGuard

[wes2000]

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Went with waterproof LED lights on amazon. They have been great so far, and even if they don't last forever its $16 for 20 of them so not bad.

[wes2000]

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Carpet very thin and torn in a lot of areas to start
Ive never done carpet before, so its an adventure.




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Went with a paint remover disk and it works pretty well.
Ive used glue remover in a few corners but the grinder is much easier and cleaner to use.




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Everything removed and hardware in bags.
Getting close to cleaned up and ready for new carpet.

[FishMoore]

Nice work!

[wes2000]

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Got the back deck done. Made a few mistakes, one peice came up a little short and had to add a small section on. Also a small wrinkle in one area, doing a full length section really should have two people I think. Learned a lot going forward to the front deck. I put the weldwood contact cement into large squeeze bottles, that made things so much easier to not drip glue all over the place in the tight areas.

-Added led deck lights to back deck, it was pretty dark before.
-Adjusted Jack plate again, hopefully this is the one.
-Ran the thru hull transducer all the way to the front only to find out I bought the wrong one lol

[9nine9]

Looks good. the paint remover disc and grinder. did you get that from harbor freight?

[wes2000]

Looks good. the paint remover disc and grinder. did you get that from harbor freight?

I got a 4 pack of 4 1/2" disks off amazon for $20, I did not check harbor freight but they probably have them.

The grinder is harbor freight from a tile job I did a while back, I think it was about $20 also, its been through some heavy duty stuff and still chugging along, cant beat it for that price.

I would also get a 3M reusable respirator with the cartridges and a set of well fitting safety goggles, its about $15 on amazon, you are going to be putting off some nasty dust.

[wes2000]

Does anyone know how to cut the pedestal hole on the back deck? I feel like if I cut it out round it is going to eventually frey over time. Is there some kind of round trim piece people use?

[BigStickFishing]

Just use a razor blade and cut the inside out then use a lighter on the edge to keep it from coming unraveled.

[CastingCall]

I put the weldwood contact cement into large squeeze bottles, that made things so much easier to not drip glue all over the place in the tight areas.

That sounds like a very good tip/trick! Scooping out of the can is always a messy, inefficient affair.

[Table Rock 1]

Cool old boat..

[wes2000]

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Starting carpet, very thin, holes in several spots.

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Carpet, hardware, and lids removed

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Glue removed

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-Carpet with front pad completed
-New trim added
-Comfort troll added above recess tray
-Trolling jacket added to clean up appearance


What a chore this was. I really thought I was getting into a rhythm and getting the hang of it, then I went and stuck a piece of pad down with contact cement on both sides not even close to lined up on accident. I spent the next 2 hours scraping and cleaning up my mistake, then barely was able to finish with the amount of pad I had left. Overall it came out cleaner than the back, but it took substantially more effort due to easily preventable errors. I went with hydroturf for the cockpit area, the lady at hydroturf was nice enough to send me a few samples and I really liked the look of the product. I am not a fan of the carpet in the cockpit area and definitely not a fan of the carpet on the walls. I have a few ideas in my head for when the material comes in, hopefully it pans out.

[STRETCH1]

Looks great. Any pictures of the hydro turf cockpit?

[wes2000]

I should receive the material in a few days and hopefully be able to install it this week. I will be sure to post them when I get a chance

[90bumblebee]

Just glad you were able to make it happen! Look at the carpet mistakes/errors as learning curves. If you can wear out that new carpet quickly you’ll have it replaced in no time. Good work On the resto thus far

[Surr]

How hard was the recessed tray to cut in. Any problems, or worries about structural on the deck. I have a 1997 181 and would like the same thing done, and change out the seat posts while the carpet is out.

[wes2000]

It was really easy to cut in, the foam under the deck is about a foot thick you have to cut out, but other than that it's simple with a little skill saw