Project: Maestral 9S

[LucasHartong]

Spring is here, so time for an outside job! Bought a Maestral 9S, made in 1988 from hypalon and I like it. It may not be big (3 meters), but it's a great little boat! Started today with thorough cleaning (also greasing the valves), checking, pumping and... no leaks! So no repairs needed on the tubes, which saves a lot of time (and money...) The boat came with original booklet and instruction manual, which is amazing. I had a good time out in the sun and coming week I plan to restore the beautiful wooden floor back to life. What better way to spend a day?? Hope to post some more pics of the restoration over the coming time.

[Superjetjim]

Ah such happy memories in one of these when I was just 10yrs old!

Used to have a 4hp ,Evinrude on ours, great little boat,

[LucasHartong]

Thanks for the reaction! Yes, it is such a lovely boat. Today it's raining, so working on the wooden parts in the livingroom... I guess the 4 hp was strong enough for the boat? In the booklet it says 7 hp max. Well, time for some coffee and on we go!

[LucasHartong]

Been working on the woodwork today. Cleaning, repairing, sandpapering, painting... to be continued!

[LucasHartong]

And the end-result after a week work. It's been really worth the sweat! Assembled the boat today and I think I heard her whisper 'thanks!' It's a joy restoring older boats back to life. Someone asked me: 'Why bother if you can buy a new one cheap?'. I don't like cheap. I like quality and character! Investing a bit of time and enjoying the process of doing it. Why not?

[Searider]

Where are they all now - there were loads around in the late 1980s. Are they still made?

[LucasHartong]

Hello Searider! Maestral still builds boats, but not this one. I don't know what kind of material they use these days, but mine is still made of hypalon. If you're interested: Maestral Ribs - Yacht Sales, Brokerage, Chartering, Yacht Services | Etesien Marine (no commercial shareholder!)

[Superjetjim]

Do you get that white powder on the surface of the tubes when left in the sunlight? We always did, came off on your clothes, proper annoying lol.

The 4hp planed it out with me (12 at the time) but struggled 2 up, ours was a 6s hull rather than the 9s though. Some other guys in our marina stuck a 25hp Chrysler on his so I wouldn't worry ��

[LucasHartong]

Hi there! No, my tubes don't produce white powder. Could this possibly have to do with your boat being treated with talcum during winter storage...? And plané with 4hp! Nice. These boats are quite light.

[Max...]

That's really lovely, superb looking boat and orange is always

[LucasHartong]

Thanks! And you're right: orange rocks!

[Trevoraugood]

Hi I have now bought the same boat and I need 2 new valves the boat has the inner part just not the parts that screw in I live in the UK and have tried everywhere but no one sells them. could you tell me where I can get them and what are they called at least so I can search the Web thanks