TOPIC: Starting restoration of 1966 G3

Recently acquired 1966 G3 with 650 Merc. Boat was in a "billionaires" collection shrink-wrapped since 1974. See pictures attached. Almost unbelievable perfect condition, but one gouge along keel where is was dragged over a trailer roller bracket. That gives me the excuse to re-gelcoat and change color to forest green accent on original white. I live in Colorado most of the year but have an old "cracker" house we fixed up in Crystal Rvr Fla. So I've been looking for a good shop to do the rework, and currently zeroed in on "Nautical Marine", in Tampa. Any thoughts on them? Good or bad ? They're estimating $2500-$4000 for the Gel-coat. And from info on their website saw some previous good work done. But also saw some negative reviews. Does anyone have a solid recommendation at a fair price I should consider ? I plan to tow the rig down to Fla in April/May when my wife finishes her tax season in Colorado. I don't trust the local talent in Colorado in fiberglass boat work, believe Fla is the mecca for such skills. Also looking to detail and fine tune the engine. Any input would be greatly appreciated before I make the 2000 mile trip.

Hello alban,

Welcome to fiberglassics, I too have an "open deck" g3. Florida has Florida great Glasspar club. You are probably correct in finding a good glass man in Fla. At least a greater availability of marine glass workers. I posted my restoration on the g3owners.com site. Feel free to check it out.

That is a great looking boat you have there.

Congrats

Al

I agree, a great looking boat!
It looks like it might have a lot of original details, so please post a few more pictures.
I have a couple open cockpit G3 boats. One is R.I.P. pending major 'surgery', but the other one is a real sweet heart.
I built the one in the picture I'm adding for my wifey-pooh, but her health has gotten so bad that she can't enjoy it any more - even just riding along. Lots of nerve and joint pains with no cure in sight.
Lots of specialists are getting rich, but still no resolve.
I offered it to a guy the other day for $3K.
I think the 850xs clone with PT is probably worth that, but Oh well.

doc

Sorry to hear about your wife's trauma. If you haven't looked into "Stem-cell-infusion" I strongly recommend you do. The worldwide guru is a guy named Dr. Kenneth Pettine. He has helped me with lumbar and neck, but many of my friends with joint, muscle, tendon, ligament pain. His main office is Orthopedic stem Cell Institute, Premier Stem-cell, Johnstown, Co. Worth the google time .... at least. BTW: procedure takes less than an hour.