1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

scott hamilton · Oct 9, 2011

Thanks to everyone who put in their $0.02 on the flooring material and resin coating issue (http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=517174).

So, I thought I would try to contribute my project to the website and get some feedback along the way.

1. Boat is torn down and sanded ready for paint. (slate grey)
2. Flooring is 5/8 CDX with 2 coats of USComposites Epoxy resin (great product). My intention is to use flange rivets to fasten flooring (Grainger P/N 4Y078)

After paint and flooring its time to redo electrical, instrument panel, side panels, main motor controls and install the kicker (1992 9.9 Evinrude Tracker remote control) and Panther Model 40 trim/tilt bracket (http://www.marinetechproducts.com/pages/TrimTiltModel40).

QUESTIONS:
1. Foam looks good and is not water logged. SHOULD I REPLACE ANYWAYS? IF SO WITH WHAT PRODUCT?
2. 18 Gal tank will be in bow. I'm wanting the best way to route. Under floor using PVC pipe for conduit?
3. Battery will be in bow and I would like to run battery cables under floor. Is this okay? What size wire (4 gauge too big?)

Thanks for your help. I'll keep posting on progress.

scott hamilton · Oct 9, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Note the pile of unused treated 5/8 cut for the floor. I'll have to find a non-aluminum home for that stuff (thanks for the help).

The epoxy really covers up those voids in the plywood.

View attachment 117406

scott hamilton · Oct 9, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

check out the florring covered twice both sides with 635.

ezmobee · Oct 11, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Glad you got a restore thread going. That's a really nice hull and a HECK of a motor. Going to be an awesome setup with your 9.9 and that sweet Panther bracket.

The foam is up to you. White foam can absorb water. The pink or blue sheet foam from Lowes/Home Depot will not. However yours has managed to stay dry all these years so it's up to you whether or not to replace it.

PVC sounds like a plan to me for conduit for your fuel line.

Check out MichaelP's Starcraft thread as there's just recently been a discussion on the topic of long battery cable runs.

scott hamilton · Oct 11, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Got it. Use big cable, big battery, power post (no soldering) and for cryin' out loud test it before I put everything under the floor and such!

I'll check on the pricing for new foam. The old white stuff has some spots where it looks like rot or mold and maybe this would speed up any future rot of the new floor.

Thanks for the input. Very much appreciated. I'll keep posting progress and pics.

scott hamilton · Oct 11, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

P.S. I hope the 140 and the 9.9 w/ Panther bracket are not too much weight on that transom!

ezmobee · Oct 12, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Mine rides pretty level with a 90 V4 and a bunch of gas and batteries in the very back. You'll probably be fine if you move what you can forward.

jasoutside · Oct 12, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

I'd agree with ez up there^^^^

If that foam is totally dry and you have no intention of storing the boat outside, uncovered, it sure is nice not having to buy and install extra stuff. Good plan on the electrical/fuel lines too.

scott hamilton · Oct 14, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Painted tonight. Used 220 paper to scuff up the existing paint and used Interlux Primocon for the bare metal. Rubbed everything down with acetone before painting.

Looks pretty nice. I think the ducks will really like it.

I'm going to order the bow tank tonight. New foam, run battery cables/gas line and install the floor next.

scott hamilton · Oct 14, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

More pics. Nice color.

scott hamilton · Oct 15, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Rolled on a coat and finished the windshield/other parts. Set her out in the sun to cure.

scott hamilton · Oct 15, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Pile-O-Parts

dozerII · Oct 16, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Great looking boat and project you have going there.
Glen

scott hamilton · Oct 16, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

I am seeking your input on motor cable organizing and protection. I am looking at products that will act as a conduit between the motor and the splash well boot. I want protection and want to keep the 2 cycle mess out of the motor cables. What are these: http://www.iboats.com/T-H-Flex-Cabl...00009945--**********.750818944--view_id.40101. Are they the deals that slip over and then you pull to tighten???

Also, if anyone knows of any good pics and a good looking organized motor cables/steering in the splashwell please let me know.

I'm trying to get this thing done by Thanksgiving so we can be on the lake when the weather gets cold. I need to get these type parts ordered.

Thanks

scott hamilton · Oct 22, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Decided to redo the old foam with newer stuff. Got the bow tank placed and gas line routed inside 1 1/4 inch PVC. Looks pretty good but I used 2 galvanized straps to hold the PVC to the ribbing (see the pic). I'm changing that out with some homemade aluminum straps. Still learning about materials.

I think I'll use a little exterior great stuff just to hold the bow floatation pieces in place.

Hopefully finish the floor today.

sublauxation · Oct 22, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Keep us up on how it floats with the weight forward. I've got almost the exact same hull and am planning to move some weight up as well. What did you end up using for battery cable?

scott hamilton · Oct 22, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Will do.

Finished the floor. Put the hoses on the tank. Mounted the bilge base. I think its time to cut holes in dash and start electrical. Killer rivets in the floor only problem is that they have steel mandrel. I didnt realize that would be an a issue. They seem to want to pull through the rivet instead of the head popping off. I have to stop pulling them in and grind the steel mandrel off with a 4 inch wheel. No biggee just a pain int he butt.

scott hamilton · Oct 22, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

New hoses.

ezmobee · Oct 25, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Looking really nice!!

scott hamilton · Oct 25, 2011

Re: 1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

Thanks!

Cut out the dash, put in the splashwell boots, started electrical.

Panel is 3/4 white oak. I used a hole saw for the smaller gauges (trim indicator, temps (one for each head), volts, amps, and fuel) and a jigsaw for the tach. 30 dollars for a 3 3/8 inch hole saw seemed stupid. Jigsaw worked fine for that large hole.

Rivets are holding the boots in place.

1979 18 ft Sylvan Skipper Rebuild

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