1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

[craigweaver]

Well, time to jump in with both feet I guess. I bought this boat about 10 years ago because I could sell the motor for more than I paid. Now after reading on here about restoring boats you might say I've caught the bug. I've decided to use this as a winter project for me and my oldest son. In the past few weeks we have got the old beast dislodged from it's graveyard spot, staged it behind the garage to get the worst of the crap cleaned out of it. Cleaned out the garage and built a motor stand. (thanks to the plans found here on iboats.com)

Today we backed it into the garage and got the motor off and mounted on the stand. We then settled the boat into its new home. The next task is to build the beginnings of a cradle and get it off the trailer to free up some more garage room. So far the misses is ok with the project since her truck can still fit in the garage with it. We'll see how long her happiness last, lol.



The floor is pretty rotted, not sure about the stringers yet. I'm pre planning on having to replace them though. I was pretty shocked at how solid the transom is so far.

here's a few pics just before we pulled her into the garage.



More to come soon!

 

[craigweaver]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Ok, today we finally got some time to get moving on the boat. First step was to begin the cradle and get the boat off the trailer. We had a few hairy moments getting the first section of cradle under the back end of the boat but once that was done the trailer removal and next section of cradle went like clock work. I think I got to impress my son with the removal of the trailer process. Here's a couple of pic's to keep documenting the process. That's my son running the miter saw. He's loving learning to play with my tools on this so far.



Next up, a third section of cradle, then space them evenly and tie them together. I'll document that and post pics as I progress. I have a plan for how I can build this thing to provide structure when I remove the cap then just a solid base when the cap is back on. I'm putting casters under each main support section to allow me to move the boat into the middle of the garage when we're working and back out of the way when we're done. So far with only 2 of the supports under it I can move it with ease.

I built the supports to be two feet off the ground and I'll stick with the plan but I really could have made it about 6 inches lower. It is a bit up in the air but I'll live with it. (luckily I don't mind heights, lol)

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Looks like she'll be a nice stable fishing platform when you're done. Good luck with your project.

 

[craigweaver]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Thanks ezmobee. I sure hope so.

In the past couple of days we've got the main supports for the cradle finished and the all three main supports evenly distributing the weight. In case anyone wants to know how I got my angles correct for the pads. I built the main support sections with only the center 2 pads with an angle I matched up to the back of the hull. Then after the boat was resting with the keel centered on these pads I wedged something into the gap on one side of the middle support until I was level from port to starboard on the top of the cap. Then I built built 2x6 pads with 6" sides kinda like a small stool. I then was able to slide these over the main support and slide them up until they were snug against the hull and then screw them into main support structure. After these were installed on both sides of all three main support structures the boat was rock solid! See pics below to see what I just tried to describe.

We also began to remove the rub rail tonight and got some great news and some bad news. I found that the transom is rotten and will need to be replaced. Bummer, as I really was hoping to avoid that but oh well not the end of the world, lol. The great news? We found the rub rail and cap is held together with screws! No drilling out rivets, woohoo! We got about 2/3 of the rub rail removed as well tonight. Now the demo can really start getting into high gear. And, I suspect my questions for all the experts on here will begin soon.

 

[Decker83]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Welcome to i-boats.

Looks like your getting a good start.

Always good to see father and son working together. This should be a really good adventure for you both.

Kent

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Welcome to iBoats!

Some notes...

1.) Take some measurements across the beam now, while the cap is still on, at the deck level at multiple places from bow to aft. This will allow you to make sure that when you go back with the new stringers and deck that the hull has not flexed and the cap will go back on without a hitch. Very important!!!!

2.) Make sure both you and your son get excellent PPE to wear when doing the tear out. Fiberglass dust is a KILLER!!!! Not to mention it itches like crazy. Giving yourselves a good dusting with talcum before suiting up will really help keep the itching down. Full Face respirators are best but Dust Masks will not cut it!!!! Dual Cartridge respirators at the very least. Hooded Tyvek suits really work well. Goggles and make sure to tape over the vents.

3.) Circular Saw set to the thicknes of the deck will be a good way to cut the deck. 4 1/2" grinder with a backup pad and 24 Grit Sanding discs will take care of grinding all the old glass and resin. Harbor Freight will soon become your favorite store.

4.) www.uscomposites.com is a very good resource for Fiberglass supplies. Not sure where you're located. They are in Florida so shipping can be an issue. You might find a good supplier closer. Most guys on here use Poly Resin, 1.5oz CSM and 1708 Biax Cloth

5.) A boat without a running motor is not much fun so I'd really make sure the motor was good to go first.

6.) Arauco Plywood is good stuff for building stringers, decks and transoms. Lowe's carries it.

7.) Peanut Butter is Resin mixed with cabosil and fiberglass fibers to the consistency of Creamy Peanut butter and used to glue the transom to the boat and for filleting gaps, filling gouges and cracks.

There's lots more but you've got plenty of time to learn it. I agree with you, in that your cradle should be a lot lower.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

I could not tell from the pictures whether you had locking casters or not, but be sure to keep that boat from rolling while you are working in it...my casters were home made so did not have locks, I just made some to put under 3 of them to keep it from being able to shimmy around when I moved

cut hole to size of caster where it would barely touch the floor, but was not able to roll

then placed under wheels, boat is light enough to raise with my shoulder to put under it so with 2 of you it should be easy to place

Gonna enjoy seeing you 2 work together...I only wish my son was old enough to help, but I know when he is out fishing in my boat after I am gone, he will still remember the work I put into it...so I know your son will definitely treasure the time!

 

[craigweaver]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Thanks Kent, my son asks me every day now what we're doing next and do we have time to work on it today.

WOG, I have read almost your entire rebuild thread. Still working through it and I highly respect any and all advice you give me along the way. We are near Lansing Michigan and I'll be looking for a local supplier if possible but will keep the uscomposites link handy. Due to the fact that I have to buy 2 of everything I was thinking hooded tyvek suits, half mask PPE's and googles with the vents taped. What do you think of this PPE with N100 cartridges?

http://www.amazon.com/3M-7500-Reusable-Half-Facepiece-Model/dp/B000Z53WKU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323918383&sr=8-2

Judge, I've read you're entire rebuild thread and have learned a lot from your experiences as well. I highly encourage you to get your son as involved as you can. They're never to young to turn a screw here and there or have you help guide them with a paint brush.... You'll have those memories of working together forever.

Ok, on to tonight's progress. Tonight we got the rest of the rub rail off and finally got to cleaning up the inside of the boat. tearing up old carpet, removing the trolling motor and other easily removable interior parts. One more thing I want to do before I pop the cap is to scrub down the entire outer surface areas. Then as WOG suggested I plan on a thorough session with the string and tape measure. I also keep a notebook in my workshop where I draw up all my plans for miscelaneous things and have been documenting any notes on the boat project. I'll be documenting as much detail as possible there as well. My wife teases me that someday they'll all be able to relive my projects and their timelines through that book, lol. I've also been taking a ton of before and after pictures in case I can't remember how things went.

WOG, the motor ran like a champ when I stored her 10 years ago. I am confident that all it will need is a tune up and we'll be back in business. I'm also seriously considering taking the time this weekend to rebuild the main supports so the cradle is quite a bit closer to the ground. Now is the time and I think I can do it pretty easily in a day.

Now onto today's progress. You can see from the pictures the floor is pretty rough. I'm still drying everything out and we'll see where we are once we get it all cleaned out. At this point I figure in for a penny, in for a pound. So as long as it's worth fixing, I'll keep going.

This is a look at the front fishing deck condition before cleaning up some. I'm thinking I want to raise this up a bit and build in a live well and more storage under it.

Same front fishing deck after we cleaned and removed a bunch of crap.

Cockpit all cleaned out.

A better picture of the cockpit cleaned out. WOG, there's my string and tape measure all ready to document

A pic of the missing section of floor.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Good work!!!! Respirator is fine. Change the cartridges just as soon as you can "Smell" anything. Don't forget the Talcum Powder, it REALLY works and the wife will like how you smell. Your pics and measurements will come in handy. Anal is good sometimes. Good to hear about the motor. If you need help finding parts later on let me know. About your son, I'm 61 and did several projects with my son. He is now 34 and tells me all the time that what he remembers most about them is how I asked him "How would you do it?" And he said that sometimes I would even do it his way!!!!!! I treasure those memories. I know have his son to look forward to doing things with. You're gunna LOVE this project.

 

[craigweaver]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Good point WOG, I'll have to remember to ask him that. He's been pretty shocked so far that I have just handed him tools and had him do a lot of the cutting and wrenching. I am truly excited to work on this together. I'll let you know if I have any problems finding parts for the motor later. Anal is my middle name, I'm a computer geek by profession so that's right up my alley

 

[herefishy]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

This is a look at the front fishing deck condition before cleaning up some. I'm thinking I want to raise this up a bit and build in a live well and more storage under it.

Hmmmm.... a casting deck up front, with live well and storage up front, i visualized it and it looked good in my mind.

something like this:

 

[craigweaver]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Very nice herefishy. Almost exactly what I had in mind. No work tonight, middle boy had basketball. Gotta spread the love

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Hey, I'm one of those "Geeks" myself. Been a Computer Analyst for 20 yrs. Welcome to the MADNESS

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Welcome Craig,

Glad to see another Bass boat getting the full resto...

I'll be coming along for the ride, the inspiration, the learning, the usual heckling, the cheering on, and whatever else may be required to get this boat Splashed...

Best Regards,
GT1M

 

[craigweaver]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Welcome Craig,

Glad to see another Bass boat getting the full resto...

I'll be coming along for the ride, the inspiration, the learning, the usual heckling, the cheering on, and whatever else may be required to get this boat Splashed...

Best Regards,
GT1M

Thanks GT1M,

I honestly hope we can keep up with each other and splash em at the same time bro! I been following your progress. I'm glad I got a garage up here in cold MI!

WOG, I blame you for my lost Saturday! Actually, I blame our anal retentiveness. Like you said, my cradle was way tooooooo high. So, I decided today was better suited to rebuilding the cradle. Ok, so I just can't live with things not quite right. I'm sure that will pay dividends later on in this project, lol. So, in the spirit of over doing this in the right way, I proceded to brace across some rafters in the garage at each end of the boat and using a come along and a tow strap I lifted the boat and rebuilt all three cradle support sections. WOG, these next 2 pics are for you! (what do I call you by the way, I see Wood, I call you WOG, what do you like?)

WOG, I cut them down a foot! Now it's much better and I feel good about my cradle. time to add the side supports, I think? or should I wait until after I flip her and take care of her bottom?

Oh, btw, I took so many measurements that I think I now know her better than myself, lol.... WOG, I think it's time to pop the cap.

\\Craig

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Hey call me whatever you like, just as long as you call me for supper!!!!
I think your cradles are good for now and I agree, Pop that Cap!!!! I was lucky, and did not have to pop my cap

This is the cradle I built to flip my boat onto.

And then I altered it to this, after I got the Hull all fixed and painted.

 

[craigweaver]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

alright, WOG, you are my hero! I love your Flamingo project! Tomorrow, if I can get my son to hang around long enough, we'll pop the cap.

\\Craig

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Hmmmm.... a casting deck up front, with live well and storage up front, i visualized it and it looked good in my mind.

something like this:

View attachment 125204

Hi Craig,

Looks like a good plan! Nice we're both in the same boat =-) It will be nice sharing ideas with ya... Your project is going to be awesome! I'll be checking progress often! I'm building my OB stand today..

 

[craigweaver]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Bear, I love your yellow project! I'll be following yours as well.

So, today I'm dieing to pop the cap and my son is to busy to hang with dad. As this is our project, and I feel like popping the cap is a big deal, I decided to wait for him. So what to do???? I know I'll give her a bath and see just how bad her complextion is, lol

She cleaned up pretty nice I must say. Lots of little weather cracks all over the top but all in all not to bad. Here's a couple of pics to show how much a difference it made.

\\Craig

 

[JDA1975]

Re: 1982 Sylvan Bassboat project

Looking good Craig, sorry I hadn't posted since my initial, I got a little side-tracked and sometimes forget which ones I was following. Looking good, with as young as my son is I did not think helping with the demo was a good idea...I had a ton of cuts and bruises...but he will definitely get some time helping with the rebuild, going to keep him away from fiberglassing or painting as the chemicals are too much for a kid his age..IMO...of course I have been called over protective too. But think he will enjoy helping me wire and such, I just get worried with him being around me using power tools...I mean could you imagine if that grinder blade I tried to shave with hit him instead of me...I couldn't live with that guilt lol. everything is looking good, your on your way to making a mess soon!