RACE BOAT Rebuild in Minutes START TO FINISH

I'll show you how to restore a badass race boat from start to finish, and share all the methods, tips, and tricks I learned along the way!
ALSO: Please check out my Sleekcraft SST Project, I am restoring it right now and am putting out regular updates: • Restoring a Race Boat ...
This is a 1978 Sleekcraft Aristocrat Twin Tunnel Hull, with a modified Mercruiser 260 i/o. I purchased this project boat for $1000 back in 2010, and spent a little under a year bringing it back to life, and relaunched it on June 13th, 2011.
I've now owned this boat for over 10 years, and I've created so many epic memories with friends, made a lot of new ones, and most importantly, I learned a lot of new things and gained new skills to help me tackle even crazier projects. In my opinion, restoring a boat like this is a LOT easier than tackling a project car; the steering is simple, there is no suspension, no rust, the wiring is as simple as you a basic hotrod, and the parts are cheap and plentiful. On top of that, there's generally no speed limits on the water (except for Big Cedar Lake, screw them), less law enforcement, girls are in bikinis, and everyone is in a good mood. LIFE IS GOOD WHEN YOU HAVE AN AWESOME BOAT!
Hopefully watching this will help convince people to tackle their own boat restorations; it's dirty work sometimes but it's not too complex or challenging, so please leave a message if you have any questions and I'll try to help.
If you liked this video or learned something, please check out some of my other videos and stay tuned for updates to the SST project!
Products used in this video; clicking them supports my channel but doesn't cost you a penny, cheers!
Meguiar's Vinyl Cleaner: amzn.to/3ud9TgK
Meguiar's Vinyl Conditioner: amzn.to/3nGO32z
Fiberglass Cloth: amzn.to/2Rgr2Yf
Fiberglass Resin: amzn.to/3ePG7s0
350 SBC Stainless Bolt Kit: amzn.to/3eQirn5
Fel Pro 350 SBC Gasket Kit: amzn.to/2Rk2ca4
350 SBC Chrome Dress Up Kit: amzn.to/3vB1qV0
Mercruiser Alpha Alignment Pin: amzn.to/3nEz1dM
Mercuiser Alpha Gimble/Bellow Kit: amzn.to/3ecpQhD
Be sure to join the Sleekcraft Owners Group on FB:
groups/sleekcraft/
Stay tuned for more updates!
#sleekcraftboats #boatrestoration #muscleboat

[@StroDshiesty1]

this mans spittinn “it was good from a far but far from good” words to remember

[@MBasisOnTheBeat]

I don't even have a boat and I enjoyed this video. Great work, dude!

[@ADDvanced]

Life is way better with a boat. Trust me.

[@EV1NRUDE]

@@ADDvanced I know right

[@hydrostream76]

i'm staying for the "boats!"

[@ADDvanced]

Boating is rad

[@pufulin2010]

man i wish i had your skils :D fixing shit up :D i cant even change a tire :D u cud make alot of $ buying similar boat's and selling them for alot alot more [ i think u cud easly get 10k after u finishd it it look'd so good]

[@ADDvanced]

Any complex task is easy if you break it into small enough steps. Start with changing a tire before tackling a big project tho! :D

[@budddove6480]

Poor guy, had to work on an awesome boat with a hot girl by his side. Hope he made it through all this ok.

[@ADDvanced]

It was tough

[@Hondeer]

As a former OMC/Volvo/MerCrusier mechanic and racer, great job! Those old 260 drives are bullet proof.

[@ADDvanced]

I've had it 10 years now and other than oil changes and plugs it's needed nothing.

[@agoodballet]

I don’t know you and I don’t know how this was recommended to me but I’m glad it was and I’m excited to see more. I’m subscribed!! Also you’re inspirational in my search for my next boat.

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks Andy! Ping me with any questions you have once you snag one!

[@agoodballet]

@@ADDvanced I appreciate that. Thank you.

[@letsmakemoney8027]

Nothing wrong with you Brother, The more Cool Boats the Better

[@MichaelFloyd072384]

Dude your wife is beautiful and she helped you do a project like this? She’s a keeper.

[@koensadventures6159]

I am 14 years old and have just got my new boat. most kids my age have an aluminum flat bottom. But I wanted to be cool rather than fast, so I bought a spitfire. is not that great

[@ADDvanced]

Cool man, post some videos about it, I'll check it out.

[@rictech.]

No !!!! Thanks for sharing. Great video and enjoyed it. Great job

[@wilo.2216]

He should hook up with the producer of Starsky & Hutch and start a boat series... 😂

[@gmorosano]

Hot boat, hot wife!!!

[@dannymckinsey208]

Friggin" SLEEKCRAFT BOATS from the 80's never glassed the wood!! I owned a 21' DIPLOMAT OPEN BOW with a 235 Evinrude on it. After rebuilding the motor twice, we decided to make it a jet boat...until we got to the wood stringers. Total LOSS!

[@ADDvanced]

Quality control back then was non existent. Gelcoat was amazing tho

[@lynn4205]

I have a Glastron/ Carlson Intimadator I'm working on. You can still see the helmet, checkered flag and INTIMADTOR ON THE DECK in front of steering.

[@ADDvanced]

Carlsons are so cool

[@codyblackmer3479]

Such a sweet build and great story to go along with it

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks!

[@tadlockje]

really enjoyed the video and like the build. Very well done. I'm teetering on the verge of buying a Sleekcraft Executive currently with plans of doing pretty much the same. I hope mine goes just half as well as yours.

[@ADDvanced]

Baby steps! You can do it! Just put in a certain day or two/week and you'll get it. Also get a whiteboard and list everything you need to do.

[@joshrickards419]

A little history for your boat. In your video you keep referring to it as a “twin tunnel” when in fact it does have a name. Back around the early eighties (80-81) the APBA sanctioned a class of boats called Mod VP which stands for modified V hull production. A handful of boat builders made these boats (Mod - VP) for this class, Sleekcraft, Eliminater, and Stoker to name a few. They were faster and much more stable then their V hull counterparts. Very cool boats and still popular today if you can manage to get your hands on one, rare boats. Great to see someone restoring these! Great video.

[@ADDvanced]

Check out my SST video (blue boat) :)

[@wheatwear]

Great video! I like the idea of the access doors to the floor to clean out debris. I ripped up many boat floors and found all the water channels completely clogged from being stored outside with no boat cover. Cheers from the Finger Lakes!

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks! Also works well for tossing aluminum cans out of the way, just remember to clear them out at the end of the day or it gets really gross.

[@stelitejet]

You know your right! Life is short why have a boring boat! Great video excellent work great stuff 👍

[@DudesIn101]

Damn,you did good man,you did real good.....ima new sub to your chann because I find the content fascinating and thanks for the vids

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks and welcome! I promise I won't drag things out or hock mugs and T shirts. Well. They'd have be exceptionally cool.

[@billbranch1403]

Awesome video I did learn a lot thank you

[@nolangoldberger2921]

V-shaped can opener Called a “church key”

[@shellbackracing3999]

What a treasure, that’s a beautiful boat. You did a great job!

[@ADDvanced]

Thank you very much!

[@offhandacoustic]

Had a 1000 dollar boat fall in my lap last summer, 81 Glastron ssv 167. Me and my three sons have been slowly making improvements. Re made all the interior and fixed all the mechanical issues. We have had Dime-Boat Darrell on the water three times now and every time we find something else to improve as we go. Nothing like the memories already made with my family and this boat. Little over 2000k invested so far.

[@bacontaker4669]

Just wanted to say thank you for doing what you do. When people post how they do things it really gives others confidence to do their own projects. I'm basically doing everything that you are doing to the SST. I've done absolutely nothing even remotely close to this before. So to you and your wife? I say thank you sir and madam! Maybe I'll see you out there on the lake someday in my 1977 crusader!

[@letsmakemoney8027]

That's a badass looking boat nothing today could come close to it hope you're enjoying it thanks for the videos

[@alltaske1]

Best advice ever Just buy something awesome

[@ADDvanced]

This is the way

[@sebastiend.5335]

Nice, very nice! I came to your channel for the Civic, but am staying for the boat! ;)

[@ADDvanced]

Love that thing! Going to get the 86 out pretty soon here and do a back to back comparison between the 86 and the 90. They're both great cars.

[@sebastiend.5335]

@@ADDvanced Looking forward to it!

[@rehnershinefarms1678]

I grew up on Rice Lake, now I' m building a mini jet boat

[@ADDvanced]

Those little aluminum things with a jet ski motor?

[@davidbruh4450]

Loved the, nice cushions, pun!!

[@godsangryhands4499]

I Learned something today.... Something I already knew.... Buy It Cause ITS AWESOME!!! Thanks for the Reminder!!! Best advise Ive heard I. A LO V TIME(especially These days! Lolololo! Get something you LOVE!! And Enjoy!! Thats what I Heard! ;-) thanks! 😉

[@ADDvanced]

You heard correctly!

[@KnottsFishing]

As soon as I finish this Pilot house on my channel I think Im going to get a race boat to do, looks like a fun boat!

[@mrwilliamreece]

wow .that thing sounds sweat. i had a 1976 spectra . wish i never sold it. i got a divorce. sold it for the loan pay off for 2000$. man i wish i could back peddle

[@maxzadra7176]

So you went to UW Madison? Are you still located in Madison area? I’m surprised I haven’t seen this thing out on the lake!

[@ADDvanced]

Nope, Madison doesn't have an industrial design program. I left Madison in 2016 or so; I miss those lakes a lot but I don't miss their housing prices.

[@G.Bear89]

Fucking right.

[@davidbrasher6747]

Sharp ass boat

[@ADDvanced]

Sleek, even!

[@K4gixxer1000]

Bad A$$ boat man!

[@tedschmitt178]

Nice work!

[@DC__Woods]

Great video

[@ryancobb369]

I may have an 87 Eliminator project and your video is pretty inspiring!

[@ADDvanced]

Just do a video introduction; I'd watch it! Love fast boats!

[@hubbabubba2984]

nice bot there

[@zachdegroot9888]

I've watching this video so many times to keep me motivated on my boat. Cheers!

[@ADDvanced]

You can do it!!! Start posting to offshoreonly on a regular basis or something.

[@strokerace14bp]

Super Kool

[@philbalon6992]

Thank you sir....boats are a definitely a part of a mans heart and soul !🚤🚤🚤

[@ADDvanced]

No doubt!

[@flipdawhip2573]

drive it from the left side huh? interesting

[@ADDvanced]

California Steering was popular on boats out there for some reason.

[@jamintoday5137]

I've watched your channel for years but never saw this history. Awesome thanks. And your wing gal with Awesome help. Good team!!

[@asm2436]

I was searching for a family boat and came across a jet boat a guy was selling during my search. Which lead me to searching on what it could be and found your video. Awesome project and awesome boat. So I like what you said. Why buy a boring boat. I am an old gear head nut and was looking at building my first hot rod. You have inspired me into thinking about building this boat instead of getting something else. This would be way too much fun. It has a V8 old school motor and a Bayjet drive. Just have to finish it. Similar to your project. Can't wait to see what you do next. Cheers.

[@ADDvanced]

Hot rod boat > hot rod car - No speed limits - Bikinis - Everyone's having a good time - No suspension work - No rust repair One thing tho, squirters are not efficient, way less efficient than a prop, so given two boats of equal size weight and shape, the prop will have a higher top speed and be more fuel efficient. They're still fun, just.... they clog with weeds really often, which is not super fun. Good luck either way!

[@makegaminggreatagain3907]

I've been watching a bunch of these boat restoration videos and some of you people and your helpers (Including the people in this video) mechanical and restoration aptitudes are next level. Future Video, Race Boat Restoration Rebuild: Vortex Super Charger Upgrade. WeeeeeeeeeeeH

[@ADDvanced]

I'm doing build videos to show that anybody can do this stuff, check out my SST build, I'm putting out a video a week. It's all simple tasks, just a lot of them. Cheers!

[@kuyamcc.4272]

wish to have that boat..nice work..

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks bro! Doing a blue one right now, should be way faster, new videos every sunday, check them out

[@michaelmarino2983]

Nice

[@JBredensteiner]

Bad ass!

[@Bubbles99718]

In HS,86, picked up a 14 foot 67 Elgin. Same design as his 1st boat there. Tossed a 45 on it. Loved that thing. So light, the 45 picked it up on plane in a heartbeat, did maybe 40. Spent 2 summers with it. Great times. And great boat here. Things a beauty

[@mikethong9928]

nice job. learned a lot from you

[@ADDvanced]

Awesome. Might want to check out my blue boat, I redo the transom and stringer with all advanced composites, and discuss the different types of glass. Cheers!

[@hhazelhoff1363]

That’s was well put together video wise and story wise, and a cool boat. Stay afloat 😂

[@frankarias4985]

Cool

[@timothyphaff4088]

I'm with you on rebuilding & saving cash buy people are lazy these days which is goULLY Loaded Mercury Cougarod for peeps like you & me. I just picked up a 1968 XR7 GT390 Fully loaded from what everyone is telling me it's a rare model. Mercury Cougar from AZ with a solid body and as of two weeks ago it rollen down the road with the patina look. It is 1 of 486 GT390 4-Speed Cougars made

[@ADDvanced]

Nice, those are badass, I've wanted one ever since I saw Clooney drive one in "from Dusk til Dawn"

[@mildtowildrc7343]

Looking. Is for one and hard to find here🤔

[@ADDvanced]

Where are you located?

[@waitemc]

Totally understand. Did the same . Almost spent 30k on a boat until I running to a just pay my taxes and you can have the boat deal. Cleaned it up stuck a new engine in the ol'girl and its never let me down in 12 years.. it meant more to me after I rebuilt it.

[@darrenmcsorley3726]

Cool boat, love the lines. I myself have seen a couple of unique boats like yours sitting on peoples properties over the years and wondered if I should buy the thing, to restore, but Im too old now to get into a full resto. However I just bought a 88 formula 272sr1. Its more of a boat to appreciate the classic look and feel, and I have always wanted a big offshore style boat, so I will have lots of fun with this one... Who cares if there expensive to run, your living your life, and that's what we are here for... Enjoy it that's a cool boat.

[@ADDvanced]

Dude a formula sr1 is like my dream offshore boat. Love the gunship styling of the helm, the graphics, the interior. If I ever get a boat for big water I’m getting one. Jealous!!!!

[@justaguy4real]

8:14 "V them out"?? What's n how's that?

[@ADDvanced]

Used an angle grinder to V out the cracks so they were wide enough to repair

[@dwreed63]

Awesome, very well done! That's a lot of work, but when you have a goal, it's a labor of love!! Excellent 🤙✌🍻🍻

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks! About to go out in a few minutes on this thing!

[@clayster89]

Great video! Amazing work! That maybe a rare bird the aristocrats usually were jets i thought. Crazy how boats just attach to you. I have a 1980 mantra jet, that used to race against my Dad in the 80s...its means so much to me for some reason lol.

[@ADDvanced]

Aristocrats were available in jet, stern drive, outboard, and V drive configurations. They'd build whatever you wanted, lol.

[@rocketsnhotrods9022]

You should have used fumed silica instead of microbeads for your fillets along the stringer when it's mixed with resin it's not gonna go anywhere after it sets

[@robertossupervision2693]

Good job, man. Really cool boat !👍

[@ADDvanced]

Thank you!

[@fullsendmarinedarwin7244]

You're lucky it only had 1 stringer and a floor, my deep vee had 3 stringers each side of the main keel stringer, multiple bulkheads! took me 3 years to finish rebuilding her

[@ADDvanced]

Yup!!! There a reason I only restore tunnel hull sleeks 😆

[@ADDvanced]

Please check out the SST build I think you’ll dig it

[@fullsendmarinedarwin7244]

@@ADDvanced Will do, I watched the 10ft hydro one already! I have plans for the same boat but haven't got around to building it.

[@mikeb3153]

Awesome video. Gives me hope.

[@ADDvanced]

You got this!

[@karlmorrison7933]

my 1st boat back in 1987 was about the same as your 1st boat but it was very dependable with a 50 hp mercury then in 1990 i did the same dam thing you did!

[@SirrBassius]

Do you possibly still have the blueprints for the seats? Looking to pick up an Aristocrat tomorrow but it has no factory interior

[@ADDvanced]

Yes, I will be putting out updates in the future with blueprints/cad models.

[@SirrBassius]

@@ADDvanced sweet man

[@jml7916]

One mans boring boat is another’s treasure. Bought a trailer for my boat and it came bundled with a free POS boat. A boring 1975, 19’ runabout with a 165 Merc I/O. Ripped out the interior, cleaned it up, tuned it up, replaced all the rubber parts on the motor. Installed 2 cheap seats and a $300 kicker and gave it to my father in law for his retirement. He loves his fishing boat. He could afford new if he wanted but that little boring boat is his treasure.

[@ADDvanced]

Awesome job! Sometimes they just need some love... .other times they need everything (check out my Blue SST build.... you'll probably like it)

[@madmanmechanic8847]

I do marine repair for a living and you did a bad ass resto on her well done young man! I dont understand the holes you put in the floor ? I look at the floor and the carpet I see no access hatches or imprints of a removable hatch ? Can you tell me how you did this

[@MrKKUT1984]

And I been staring at my daughters $3500 buggy that won't start for over a year now. And I know it something stupid simple like me. Lol

[@ADDvanced]

Baby steps

[@glennoropeza3545]

Nice job 👍‼️ Have fun and enjoy ‼️ Definitely a rich man's toy successfully done on a poor man's budget!

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks man! Went out on it today! :). You should see the one I'm building now; should be way faster, and I had to take it all the way down. New episodes every sunday :)

[@majedmaliki6783]

@ADDvanced awesome, regular guy build. THANK YOU! I have a question. Did you use any “flotation foam”?? and why or why not?? Looking forward to hearing back from you. Thanks again, and beautiful boat btw!

[@ADDvanced]

No I did not, this is a 78 and was produced before flotation foam was a requirement. I do have pool noodles, an inflatable tube, PFDs, and other things that float up under the bow so if it does every sink hopefully the tip will stick up long enough to tie something to it and drag it to shore.

[@samwinkle6760]

Love them cushions!

[@ecoslast2258]

I hope u sent the guy u bought it from a link 2 this video!

[@ADDvanced]

Just did, good idea!

[@ADDvanced]

btw I'm building another one right now, new videos every Sunday! Check em out!

[@MrSatelit28]

I love those cushions

[@NewportStudio]

Awesome job man! Thanks for the vid

[@ADDvanced]

You bet! Check out the SST build if you want to learn more, new vid every sunday

[@chrisbushnell2227]

Hey thanks for this well spoken and informative video. I am very impressed. Nice work. Thing sounds awesome...

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks for the compliments, glad you enjoyed. I'm doing another build of an even faster one, new episode every Sunday.

[@wilo.2216]

He should hook up with the producer of Starsky & Hutch and start a boat series... 😂

[@wyomingadventures]

Awesome rebuild! I love the old boats. I had a 1967 20ft. Traveler. So many good times in that boat. Sorry I sold it.

[@ADDvanced]

Sorry for your loss

[@TRangers24]

Bro. Well done man

[@ADDvanced]

Thank you so much 😀

[@unoefxz]

Just popped into my brain, I used to have the side windows and main screen for this hull. I scrapped them years ago when I abandon the project. I tried to remove the old metal flake gelcoat as it was bubbled up in places. Not an easy job if even possible at all. Only thing that worked was a belt sander which covered everything with glass dust and left divots and waves all over the hull. It was a disaster.

[@ADDvanced]

lmao, did you learn anything? The idea of using a belt sander on any sort of automotive surface is hilarious; there is a reason bodyshops don't use them. You should have used an air board with some aggressive grit, and kept it moving to avoid surface issues. Your project was doomed as soon as you plugged in that belt sander, lol. Oh well.

[@sheadelargy2445]

I have a 350 small block marine engine I am trying to delete the risers and install over transom headers. How did you do it? And how is there water flowing out of your exhaust headers with no obvious lines connecting to them? Appreciate it if you could explain how you did it can’t find any videos on the conversion

[@sheadelargy2445]

I see the water lines underneath the headers but don’t understand how they work. Also could you post a link to the headers ? And are they pronounced steleens or steleins headers? Thanks @ADDvanced

[@ADDvanced]

@@sheadelargy2445 I don't think you want to buy these headers, as these cost around $10,000 for a pair. I lucked out on them from someone who did not know what they are. Start googlign drag boats, water goes in through a pick up (in my case the stern drive), goes through a hose and cools the power steering, then goes into the waterpump on the front of the engine. This then goes through the engine and comes out near the thermostat, which splits and goes down both sides of the engine, and into the headers, and then out the back.

[@sheadelargy2445]

@@ADDvanced oh wow I didn’t realize the cost. Hopefully I could find a pair like you did if they are in the 500$ range. Did you need to buy any supporting parts? How difficult were they to install? I don’t mean the headers themselves but all the re-routing of hoses and everything involved. Could you possibly make a video explaining how you did everything? I have never seen a video or anything on google of an inboard outboard with headers installed in replace of the risers. Could be a cool video as you would be the first one as far as ive seen. Thanks

[@ADDvanced]

@@sheadelargy2445 Honestly just join a jet group man. There's literally no difference in the hoses/cooling system. I put my boat away so I can't get to it until spring, but it's just like a drag/jet boat. I had to buy a custom thermostat housing with the outlets I needed to run the headers, polished on eBay, around $200ish. Good luck!

[@corrional]

super cool build!! Beautiful work!

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks! I'm building another faster one, new vids every sunday. :)

[@dennisbain1652]

Great job man, if you see any project catamaran skaters/skiffs out there let me know please, I want to start a project

[@MindofMatter]

Boat restoration newbie here: when replacing the main wood stringer, would it ever make sense to replace it with the aluminum rectangular channel stock or similar? seems like that would last a lot longer than wood

[@ADDvanced]

Not really, might be too stiff, and it’d be really hard to get a good bond to the resin. Would likely pop off. Theoretically the core is not what makes the hull strong; it is the layup of composites around the core

[@djkingsolomon]

Very nice bro

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks bruv

[@danielfoley8354]

Great video

[@ADDvanced]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ct3pfd817]

👍🏻

[@maryfithen5006]

How did the windshield brackets come off

[@rbrood267]

3:32

[@petfeeding101]

Great Video. I can name almost every spot in the video. I lived/boated in Madison almost daily for 7 years. I was the Standup Jet Ski guy out in December. How's Christy's Landing?

[@ADDvanced]

I left Madison 6 years ago, housing is unaffordable there now unless you're an epic employee. Sucks, miss the lakes.

[@BCB-Boats-Media]

Well made video! 👍 Awesome boat also. Nice work.

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks! I'm building another one, check out my other videos; episode one of the SST is out and an update is coming shortly. I'll go into way more detail on the repairs of the hull in this one, if you're interested.

[@mmalak16]

Good job bro!

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks!

[@hydrostream76]

You can't replace the enjoyment you get out of a boat money is no object

[@ADDvanced]

They say money doesn't buy happiness, but money buys boats and people on boats tend to be happy so....

[@hydrostream76]

@@ADDvanced absolutely , everytime i've sold one of my boats the money in my hand was nothing compared to the fun i had cheers

[@thetilemaniac]

Excellent works and great vid. One slick looking boat, I am a red everything type of guy!

[@ADDvanced]

Thanks for the words, man! Appreciate it.

[@DavidCureton9188]

Outstanding videos man! You got me motivated to work on mine now.

[@ADDvanced]

Sweet! Do some videos, I'll check them out for sure!

[@NLindellDC]

Absolutely loved the video, but you forgot the most important part! What is your top speed in that thing?!!?

[@ADDvanced]

Check out some of my other videos for top speed tuning: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joi1h4iVgZqgh7M

[@ericlakota6512]

You did perfect job just guy the thing go from their

[@fastbladeproductions7961]

Beautiful Boat! .... I love fast boats... Great Job on the restoration... ! .... Can't wait to see the other boat run .. it's an outboard correct?... I love outboard motors cause you can set them up as a surface drive just by adjusting the motor up...

[@ADDvanced]

Yeah, the SST is OB, and it has a hydraulic jack plate so we should be able to get that thing out of the water :)