You know how some guys restore old cars. I am interested in doing a restore to my 1982 Champion. The boat runs great.The hull is in pretty good shape. The rest is so dull it needs to be painted and
I guess re gel coated. I want to make it look like a car that has been restored. Does anyone know of a place in the San Antonio area that does this type of work? Thanks.

you are about to spend alot of money!!!!!!

We are doing a TFF members Skeeter now. Give me a call to discuss. I can put you in touch with him if you need a referance. TRACKER MARINE AUSTIN TX. Gary Pender 512 240 9000.

Unless you are absolutely in love with that boat, paying someone else to fully restore it is going to cost WAY more than the boat is worth.

If you are semi-handy and have some time to spend, you can restore it yourself (I'm currently doing an '84 Skeeter) for a grand or two. With mine, I started from the ground up. Re-welded trailer, painted trailer, new trailer bunks/carpet, new trailer hardware, new paint on hull, new transom, new stringers, new foam, new deck, new carpet, new seats, new wiring, new hardware. I'll also be putting on a new trolling motor and new fish finders. Basically, the only thing I'm NOT replacing is the helm, control box, and the motor. Aside from the TM and the FF's, I'm well under $2,000.

I would consider myself pretty handy at all the things you mentioned. I have already done some of what you listed.I am clueless when it comes to painting or restoring the boat finish to show room quality or near that. I may try to post some pics so you can see how far gone the original gel coat has faded.

If the topside is not too far gone, try wet sanding the worst spot with 1000, 2000 grit then polish and wax. You may be surprised at how much it helps.

+1 with Shawn. If the gelcoat is in decent shape, aside from being dull/faded, then it can be buffed out with quite a bit of elbow grease. If you have metal flake already sticking out, though, then it's already been buffed out a few times too many and it won't be able to be buffed out.

On my boat and after A TON of research, I chose to use a paint instead of a gelcoat. (just to quench the fire before it starts, I know gelcoat is a far superior product/choice). The entire paint job for the boat and trailer cost me less than $200. If you take the gelcoat route, you'll be looking at $600+ (I think $600 is what I had figured for mine, but it might be higher).

Why not just get a wrap? lol

www.topsecretcoatings.com This is the key to makeing your boat look 100% bette without spending the families fortune.

that is one of the best boats ever made imo, I have an 82 186 and it rides like a 20' in rough water. built tough too.
as stated though you are about to spend a lot of money, I have over 10k in mine counting what I paid for it and am going to sell it next month to get a 90-92 20' champion, just want another one to spiff up. I won't get back near what I have in it but had a ball working on it and upgrading and renewing everything.

and yeah I like to show it off.

Don't intend to hijack the tread but HOP. You getting any power boost from that little box on the back of the engine.