Archie

Vince - I had the identical problem with my 2005 Sportster. I got mine run up on shore just as the water came over the floor hatch in the cockpit. You can't believe what I had to do to fix mine. My dealer told me that I "abused" mine too. Guess what - I'm 55 Y/O too!! Guess our age group is too rough on these things. I have mine for sale for the same $9500.00 and I WILL take any offers!!

Archie

I pulled the seats out of my 2005 Sportster and recovered them with new fabric. Before I reinstalled them I drilled a drain hole in the base under the seat. I don't have the "wet butt" problem any more!!

Archie

My 2005 Sportster had so many "stress cracks" in the radius curves and front hatch door that we decided to bring it in our shop and sand, fill, and repaint it. I am NOT impressed with the quality control of the boat series I have. Quite a few of the rub rail rivets sheared so I removed the entire rub rail and insert and resealed the boat upper and lower structures with Life Caulk Sealant. I then redrilled the seam and used SS screws to remount the rubrail assemblies. With all the work my shop did to the Sportster - it is probably one of the best ones out here now!!

Now I have it for sale!!

 Camera 0412.jpg   31.16KB   7 downloads

Here are pictures of the projects that i did on the Sportster this winter. Overall, I am pleased with the results and I will feel a bit more confident traveling around like we do with this boat.

Picture listing:

1. There are (3) pictures of the seats - a couple of wrinkles but no big deal. Definitely alot more durable!!
2. There are (3) pictures of the second battery installation and 3 position Master Switch (1/2/All/Off)
3. There are (3) pictures of the VHF Radio and antenna system installation
4. A picture of the NEW HydroTurf installation
5. Finally - pictures of the external Shore Power connection for the battery charger

I haven't reinstalled the driver's hatch door yet. The paint wasn't ready

I removed and recovered the (4) seats and should have them installed this week. I'll post the pictures after they are installed. Did the modifications to the cushions and did not even realize that they would look VERY similar to the new 2010 Speedster seat cushions. I had not seen the new style seats until I went to the Chicago Boat Show last Wednesday. The colors I used match the HydroTurf coloring and overall I am VERY pleased with the results!! These seats were extremely hard to recover with the changes I did but well worth the effort. Instead of riveting the little insert pad (GREY cushion) into the base of the seat, I installed VELCRO where the insert sits down in the base cushion now I am able to remove the lower seat cushions quickly and easily. I installed (2) clips in the forward part of each of the lower seat cushion mount area like the Center seat and SCREWED the rear of the lower seat cushion (in the VELCROed section) to the fiberglass underneath. Also drilled drain holes below the seats so there isn't the problem of standing water anymore!!

Keep looking - should have the pictures on here by the end of this coming week.

The modifications I did to the boat are:

1. Recovered the (4) seats
2. Installed ICOM DSC/VHF radio and antenna system
3. Installed 2nd Interstate Series 24 D/Cycle Battery with tray
4. Replaced the existing Battery switch with NEW 3 position 1/2/ALL Battery switch
5. Installed 2 Bank Battery charger system
6. Installed Marinco 15Amp shore power plug receptacle on S/B side of hull for battery charger power
7. Installed additional support cylinder on driver's hatch door for better support
8. Filled the forward section of the driver's hatch door at the hinge area with Resin for added strength; repaired the stress cracks; and repainted (Yellow) the door assembly
9. Installed a Raymarine ST40 Depth System in boat. Installed the display in the wall area between the forward and aft facing seats on the Port side of the boat (everyone can see the display - sometimes 2 sets of eyes are better!!) and installed the transom mount depth transducer so it is inhull in the engine compartment.
10. Installed NEW HydroTurf floor material (Dark Grey) - Looks GREAT!!
11. Removed the entire rub rail, resealed the joint, installed SS SCREWS in the joint and used SS SCREWS to attach the rub rail and insert piece - NO MORE sheared rivets!!