Hello all,
I've been lurking around for a while and was lucky enough to be able to purchase our first boat just over a year ago. The family and i have enjoyed the experience of being out fishing and swimming off the boat in Port Phillip Bay here in Victoria, Australia but we have also been working out what would our experience a little better.
Our boat is a 1998 Sea Ray 185BR and its job is to take me, my wife and 3 kids on adventures and i also enjoy tinkering so i figure why not invest time in something that the whole family can get enjoyment from.
Here she is when we first got her:
She's on a different trailer now, and now has a Stainless 21 Pitch prop too which made her feel like a different boat. But the real reason for the post is the interior and what i have decided to do to improve that area a bit. She's a bit tired and the carpet was looking decidedly ratty so i have taken the plunge and started stripping her back inside.
Before any work started:
After some research i had read the this era Sea Ray has a liner fitted inside which seems to all be in good condition and seems to have protected the main structure of flooring etc, but down the centre covering the fuel tank and holding up the bulkhead ( i assume that's what you call it) was untreated plywood and a plastic type ski locker cover.
This pic is the already removed plywood that was holding up the bulkhead, there is now a steel bar holding it in position temporarily.
Some other shots of the clean up process (you'll notice where the above plywood was but the carpet is covering it in this pic):
Cleaning off the carpet adhesive:
My aim with this make over is to have a fully gel-coated deck and put some snap in carpet in place, like the modern versions have, so for this reason i would like some advice on how best to achieve this with the replacement of the above mentioned plywood.
I have put together some replacement plywood for the bulkhead, but would like to know how best to waterproof this and achieve the fully gel-coated finish. I understand ideally fibreglassing this board would be best, but i'm not sure what exactly would be required. Epoxy or Polyester, and what would be the best way to get the desired finish.
This board will be pushed under the bulkhead once finished properly with the raised section providing extra support:
I thought this would be the best place to ask, and would also appreciate any advice that can be offered. Hopefully this may be interesting for others who have similar queries.
I know it would be easier to re-carpet, but i'm not afraid to have a crack and spruce her up a bit.
I've been lurking around for a while and was lucky enough to be able to purchase our first boat just over a year ago. The family and i have enjoyed the experience of being out fishing and swimming off the boat in Port Phillip Bay here in Victoria, Australia but we have also been working out what would our experience a little better.
Our boat is a 1998 Sea Ray 185BR and its job is to take me, my wife and 3 kids on adventures and i also enjoy tinkering so i figure why not invest time in something that the whole family can get enjoyment from.
Here she is when we first got her:
She's on a different trailer now, and now has a Stainless 21 Pitch prop too which made her feel like a different boat. But the real reason for the post is the interior and what i have decided to do to improve that area a bit. She's a bit tired and the carpet was looking decidedly ratty so i have taken the plunge and started stripping her back inside.
Before any work started:
After some research i had read the this era Sea Ray has a liner fitted inside which seems to all be in good condition and seems to have protected the main structure of flooring etc, but down the centre covering the fuel tank and holding up the bulkhead ( i assume that's what you call it) was untreated plywood and a plastic type ski locker cover.
This pic is the already removed plywood that was holding up the bulkhead, there is now a steel bar holding it in position temporarily.
Some other shots of the clean up process (you'll notice where the above plywood was but the carpet is covering it in this pic):
Cleaning off the carpet adhesive:
My aim with this make over is to have a fully gel-coated deck and put some snap in carpet in place, like the modern versions have, so for this reason i would like some advice on how best to achieve this with the replacement of the above mentioned plywood.
I have put together some replacement plywood for the bulkhead, but would like to know how best to waterproof this and achieve the fully gel-coated finish. I understand ideally fibreglassing this board would be best, but i'm not sure what exactly would be required. Epoxy or Polyester, and what would be the best way to get the desired finish.
This board will be pushed under the bulkhead once finished properly with the raised section providing extra support:
I thought this would be the best place to ask, and would also appreciate any advice that can be offered. Hopefully this may be interesting for others who have similar queries.
I know it would be easier to re-carpet, but i'm not afraid to have a crack and spruce her up a bit.
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