BAJA 14 Restoration

I decided to dig out my 1973 Baja (14 foot) open hull speed boat. The boat was just laying around on my property for over 20 years. Originally I bought it in 1997 with a Mercury 80HP motor. The 80HP was the rated max size for the boat. That off course wasn't enough since the boat was still too controllable. I got a hold of a 150HP Mercury, the notorious "Tower of Power". Strapped it to the boat, installed a 24 pitch performance prop and the boat was doomed. It lasted about a year till the motor blew up and the transom was completely destroyed. I did have lots of fun keeping the boat more airborne than actually in the water. I made a few attempts to rebuilt boat and motor but eventually just gave up and got into different projects. For the past 15 years I focused on sailboats and had very little interest in power boats. Yet I do miss getting out on the water for some quick fun. Besides, my Alberg 37 is getting closer to be back in the water and I do need a shuttle boat in the future. So instead of buying another persons problem boat I just fix up what I already have. And I know this little Baja can do very well. I decided to go with a 40HP Honda 4 stroke. Got a good deal on the motor. This gives me a much better fuel economy and it won't destroy the boat again. Well, I can still put on a bigger motor later on if the 40HP is too boring. So for now it's lots of cleaning and Fiberglass work. But compare to what I have already done on my sailboat and still have to do, this little boat should be a walk in the park.