Dad's Dusky 233 restoration

Dad's Dusky 233 restoration I am completely rebuilding a 1993 Dusky 233 (256) as a gift for my Dad. He has owned the boat since 1998. He really let it go... I am making it like new again!

Wiring, Wiring, wiring..... yay!All batteries installed, battery switch installed, 12V and ground buses installed, a...
08/11/2026

Wiring, Wiring, wiring..... yay!
All batteries installed, battery switch installed, 12V and ground buses installed, all NMEA 2000 ables bases installed. Simrad displays are functioning, motor functions are displaying, fuel level is displaying, depth recorded and 3D structure scan are hooked up....
Making progress

07/30/2026

Well... that day finally happened!!! The new 300hp Evinrude E-Tec G2 motor starts off the fuel system in the boat and with the ignition key. !!!!! Yay!!!
The 125gal aluminum tank doesn't seem to have any leaks! Again... YAY!
the motor is pulling fuel from the tank. The batteries are wired correctly and the motor is getting power from ignition.
The Evinrude control panel is powered up.
Today, is a good day!
Next up..... install all the NMEA 200 network system! This will allow the control panel to populate the data from the engine.
Stay tuned!

So..... here is the Dusky "Before" and "Now" .... it's not finished yet but WOW, what a difference.
07/14/2026

So..... here is the Dusky "Before" and "Now" .... it's not finished yet but WOW, what a difference.

Started working on the wiring..... we installed the black acrylic fascia. The fascia was made by Drumco Marine. Install...
07/09/2024

Started working on the wiring..... we installed the black acrylic fascia. The fascia was made by Drumco Marine. Installed all the new stainless switches. Installed the 2 Simrad 12" EVO's...
It looks awesome

We wet-sanded the sides with 600 grit, then wet-sanded with 800 grit, then wet-sanded with 1000 grit... Now, we are buf...
05/02/2024

We wet-sanded the sides with 600 grit, then wet-sanded with 800 grit, then wet-sanded with 1000 grit...
Now, we are buffing with a cutting compound.... the glossy finish is starting to shine!!!
After this, we buff with a fine polish.
It's a TON of freaking work!

OMG! ..... Removing five layers of old style lead-based anti-fouling bottom paint is a miserable job! It has taken over ...
04/26/2024

OMG! ..... Removing five layers of old style lead-based anti-fouling bottom paint is a miserable job! It has taken over a week of sanding and grinding to remove all of it. Then we have to smoothly sand it and here we are applying the new Vivid antifouling paint in a gloss white it will take several coats this is after the first coat

OK... so this is kinda a crazy comparison of what the boat looked like when I started the project and what it looks like...
04/18/2024

OK... so this is kinda a crazy comparison of what the boat looked like when I started the project and what it looks like TODAY! Even though she isn't finished, she looks 1000% better!

I just bought the bottom paint. This Vivid bottom "anti-fouling" paint is awesome stuff... it's white, not the ugly blac...
04/18/2024

I just bought the bottom paint. This Vivid bottom "anti-fouling" paint is awesome stuff... it's white, not the ugly black Dad had before.
$400 a gallon but lays like car paint. Smooth!!! But prevents critters from attaching to the boats bottom when sitting in water.

I took all the hatches out and spent 8 hours cleaning the boat. Clearwater Marine Customs really let it sit and it got F...
04/18/2024

I took all the hatches out and spent 8 hours cleaning the boat. Clearwater Marine Customs really let it sit and it got FILTHY!!!!!
But now I have it cleaned.
Moving forward

Ok.... this sucks!!! I had a shop called Clearwater Marine Customs helping me with the boat. I hired them to finish the ...
04/18/2024

Ok.... this sucks!!! I had a shop called Clearwater Marine Customs helping me with the boat. I hired them to finish the inside, wiring, engine install, etc...
They worked in it for a couple months then basically stopped. Even though I paid him every time he sent me a bill...
Then, he stopped working on it. Months went by unchanged. Months turned into a year with nothing being done. Then, the owner, Gage, asked me for $3300... I refused because he hadn't worked on the boat. I then saw a "for rent" sign out front. I called the real estate agent and found out they were being evicted due to not paying their rent.
That was in December. Well, he moved Dad's boat and closed up shop. It took ne 4 months to find it and get it back....
Ugh! What a saga!
I have it back now, I am working on getting it finished...
Stay tuned.

Address

4715 N Clark Avenue
Tampa, FL
33614

Telephone

+18132949227

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dad's Dusky 233 restoration posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category