Brianinpdx Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Hi guys - It's me Brian. I'm sorry I havent been on the forums much these last months. I've had a lot going on work wise and also in my personal life. No excuses.. Just a lot going on. Many of you know that I try and build what I consider to be the ultimate MB. I'll admit, its beeen fun doing that these last few years. So when I sold the black boat to Midnight, I gave some thought to what I wanted to try and do on the 2018 build. I love the B52 23 and seeing as they did a re-design on its lower hull, I thought I'd stick with that model. In 2017 I went over the top pulling out all the stops, murdering out over 100 pieces of metal, dropped in a mega audio system complete with 6 zones of RGB ligthting. To be honest, it was way to much work. Everyone said I was crazy to do peanut butter interior- to hot etc. But now I see every boat mfg on the planet doing it. I'm glad to do it before it got popular. In 2018 , I wanted to streamline things and zig a little. My fiancee and I talked and we wanted to come up with a boat that SCREAMS water sports. My kids all are at an age that they want to wakeboard and surf. So that became the underlying theme to it. We wanted Crisp and Brilliant. So we opted to do FLAKE everywhere. And I mean everywhere! My last 2 boats have had the 440 engine. So I wanted to see how the 400 would do. My last boat had a triple trailer. I loved it not only for the wow looks of it, but it also towed amazing. So we added that. This year we did the complete stock surf system. And I love it! Wave is amazing. (I'll post more on that later). System wise- I didnt want the boat to be in the shop for 4 months getting audio work. So this build, I worked directly with MB and had them reconfigure the stereo build. 3 XM9's on the tower powered by 2 XM30.2 amps 6 SX8M cabin speakers powered by XM15.4 1 Big12 subwoofer powered by the XM1500.1 2 main batteries. 1 for starting. We wanted this boat to scream sports - so we started with a Candy Apple Flake Gel on the exterior with Silver Flake accent on the water line. White bottom. On the top deck, we begged MB to do a special one off Silver flake interior because we wanted to color match to a specific themed interior vinyl. To be honest, we agonized over how well this might work or NOT work. Special thanks to Russ for coming over to the house and go thru 5 different interior color options. Once we agreed on the idea, we rolled the dice and confirmed the order to MB. The rest was in their hands. It's so hard to build a boat on the online builder. It just aint easy to see the dream. Since I know a few guys on the MB production floor, I started getting spy shots. It was so awesome, because each step of the way these guys would say things to me. Suggestions. It was so fun to see the pride these guys have in the work they do. The result was what I call #SHOWTIME. The whole boat just jumps off the damn water when you see it in sun. Pictures dont really do it justice. Ok--- so here we go. Keep in mind that early photos are just that early photos. It's sometimes hard to tell whats up. I just thought you'd all like to see the entire process. I STARTED WITH THE BOAT BUILDER - It just doesnt do my concept much justice. But I really felt like I was on something with trying to create a super sporty MB boat. EARLY SPY SHOT - This shot was taken as the lower part of the boat was pulled from the mold. You can see all the rough spots. Not much to look at but I totally love this photo. It shows how much gel work is in these boats. That mold must be massive! I KEPT ASKING MY GUYS - FIND ME A SHOT OF THE INTERIOR. Well not so easy. You see there is a process to building these boats. Finally the first shot arrived. It was like BOOM! It gave me confirmation that my concept was going to look hot. I've got the vision. And now I see it starting to come together. THE TOP AND BOTTOM COME TOGETHER - at last the top deck and bottom deck come together. But it doesnt reveal much as the boat is sitting in a staging area. However if you do look at the bow here closely, you'll see a little silver flake starting to peek thru the protective tape. Yasssss, I like it love it. MORE MORE MORE-- I'm so hungry for interior at this point its not even funny. I got a bit better snap and start really getting blown away on how cool this silver flake is. TOP AND BOTTOM COME TOGETHER --- now remember, I'm looking for a lot of details to come together on this build. I stripped the B52 logo completely, and got MB to white out the big ass MB logo. From an exterior perspective, I want white accents-- trailer, logos, tower, tower speakers. I need contrast! bloodiestcadaver, Ship Faced, breakz77 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianinpdx Posted June 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Ok I wasnt sure if all that would post... I'll keep going At this point, I know im onto the right theme and hoping things will come together. (praying). BANG THE TRAILER IS ALIVE. I totally love it. I went with the boat mate triple axle trailer all dressed in white. WHO does SIX white wheels right? Did I mention I love the white wheels? So rad! THINGS ARE MOVING ALONG. I'm really starting to get hungry for how the interior is coming along. At last, the first shots come to me. Love the contrast. And I notice something special... They put in RED LED's for me to match the theme. Love it.... But man that carpet is going to have to go. Doesnt work for me. Time to design a gator deck. #whiteWELT is awesome! MORE INTERIOR - love the speaker enclosure area's in flake! cant wait to see it finished. THE TOWER COMES TO LIFE-- with RED lights. Yassss! you can also see the speaker posts for the white tower speakers. Dude--- show the whole tower already! NOW WE GETTING SOMEWHERE -- ---- First shot of how this whole boat is going to look. Stoked! AT THIS POINT I CANT WAIT TO SEE IT ALL DONE. lets go back to interior. First issue comes up. I dont like the grey gator. It's putting a damper on my SHOWTIME theme. FIRST SHOT IN THE SUNLIGHT - damn! love how the silver jumps to life. This is exactly what i was wanting. Ship Faced, MWCasper and Hyperryd 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianinpdx Posted June 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Ok Part III - -- -- I CALL MY FRIENDS AT GATORSTEP And explain my situation. The popular choice is to do Teak over Black. I understand why and it makes sense. I ask them for a sample book and instantly like the ALMOND color over black. In a work... It just looks GUCCI to me. soft and elegant. Exactly the contrast I want on a silver top deck theme. I kept the tech design with a few changes on last years build (black boat). THIS PICTURE CONFIRMED WHAT I KNEW--- I didnt want grey or teak. Nope. Almond is the winner OH YEAH - I PUT SOME AMPS INTO THE BUILD TOO 4 of them. all in factory locations. They did a great job on this install. MWCasper, Birddog7.62 and Jake (((O))) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianinpdx Posted June 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Part IV: THE BIG REVEAL - I asked a long time friend to help me out and pick up the boat at MB. I drove down to meet him over Memorial weekend and see first hand how nice this build turned out! Buzz kill... I cant tell shit from my baby on that amazing trailer with a cover on. Crap guys-- shoot me another please! AND THEN BAM!!! WOW shes bright! I love the crisp white windshield frame we did at the last minute! SIDE NOTE: I bought a new tow rig too for the trip. This F150 is as amazing as the new MB. EVEN BOUGHT A NEW HITCH. Love this thing! AND ATLAST--- HERES THE SIZZLE. SheDago, MWCasper, bloodiestcadaver and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyperryd Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Great call. You would go broke trying to top the Midnight Edition. Sharp style. I dig the white wheels too. I always have on white vehicles. Love the interior. Definitely a contrast to last year’s boat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianinpdx Posted June 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Last Post - then I gotta crash. I cant say enough how amazing this boat turned out. My fav part has got to be the interior. here's a few more shots. To me this color matching is stunning.... THAT FLAKE THO... WAHOOOO I LOVE IT robeport, Hyperryd, Birddog7.62 and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyperryd Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 One suggestion if you decide to tint the windshield. Blackout the vertical supports in the center. Than you would have a white frame all the way around the black windshield. I always wanted to do that with a white frame. The frame would pop! Brianinpdx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hondatech117 Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Well done, looks awesome! Really like the white on white trailer. The subtle details really come together, not a huge fan of flake, but on this boat, I love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birddog7.62 Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Bryan, where did you put the big12? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Donfather Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Bryan, where did you put the big12? Under the dash Brianinpdx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianinpdx Posted June 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 That night time glow.... VIDEO Jake (((O))) and oldsmobiledriver 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam4x4 Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Great build! Love every thing about the boat! BUT.............. Why no 440, 460 or 575? For me that would be a deal breaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake (((O))) Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Not like he married it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robeport Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Great build! Love every thing about the boat! BUT.............. Why no 440, 460 or 575? For me that would be a deal breaker. Really? 400 does just fine if you play around sea level even with extra weight..... Birddog7.62 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mucker626 Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Any pics of the transom remote? MidnightMax, theedgeinc, Jake (((O))) and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birddog7.62 Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Really? 400 does just fine if you play around sea level even with extra weight..... yep, knock wood, no issues with this at sea level- 800ft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ_MB Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Looks great! Thanks for sharing the build pics and process with us. Always neat to see them come together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve142 Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Like the silver beer Brian !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robeport Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Any pics of the transom remote? C'mon now! You know that's 6 weeks away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mucker626 Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Like the silver beer Brian !!#nobluebeers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianinpdx Posted June 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Adam -As you know, i've gone with the 440 on the last two boats. And I've loved the power. After talking at length with a friend of mine that works at FORD as a transmission / engine specialist, he basically made me try the 400. His point was 40HP for 5 grand is crazy and will have little to no impact at sea level. And whatever impact you did have you could do way better by prop'ing the boat up to compensate. So I ordered this boat with the 400 and the MB high altitude prop. I'll look up the pro # if i can find it. THE RESULT: I Can tell zero difference between the 440 and 400 (w./ new prop). Even loaded down. Even with large crews. I'm glad I went with the 400 and saved the money. bloodiestcadaver, adam4x4, Birddog7.62 and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbag Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Sick boat - Lots of sparkle. Stick a 15.5" prop on it and your 400 might even outperform the 440. sand2snow 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hot4teach Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Looks awesome! Was good to see it in person last Saturday. I want shocks on my seats. Icelakerebel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucepalombo Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Beautiful boat Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turps73 Posted June 7, 2018 Report Share Posted June 7, 2018 Great boat! i love the red and silver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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