1962 Seabreeze Contessa 1900

[COURT JESTER]

I finished putting the second layer on the hull side and it feels pretty sturdy. I am satisfied with the strength of the 2 layers of 17 oz. I also have been sanding and filling the deck sole. I have 3 or 4 small pieces to glass. And then I can say the deck sole is complete.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I also removed the rub rail and am debating what to use either a white vinyl rub rail with stainless steel insert or a aluminum rub rail with black insert. Here is a shot of the rub rail coming off and you can see the amount of dirt build up behind it. I have a good amount of time to figure out what I want to do. Those are 2 expensive options. The only other option would be to finish the edge between the deck and the hull. Fair it till smooth and just leave it glossy.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I have a template of the rod holder I will be using and will be using it to make wooden rod holders which will get epoxied and paint white.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I was able to save one of the two side emblems and plan on using it for a plug.To recreate it and hopefully put new ones back on.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I also have been grinding all the old gelcoat off the underside of the forward deck cap in preparation for a new foam stiffener. While I was grinding I found out that the laminate is pretty thin in some areas. I had to change my plan a bit and decided to ground down the top of the deck (which I was already planning on doing). Then laying 10oz cloth followed by a 6 oz which I hope wont need much filler work before priming. I will then add 1 or 2 layers of 17 oz along with the stiffener. If everything goes good I will repeat the same procedure on the hardtop.

 

[COURT JESTER]

Hello its been a while but here is an update.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I left that little emblem project on the back burner and started tearing into my boat trailer removing the roller.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I did manage to put 3 to 4 primer coats on just the floor really debating with myself if I wanted to put carpet on the hull sides just in case I didn't feel it was strong enough. I have 2 layers of 17 oz on the hull sides dont know if it needs 1 more layer. I didn't want to paint the hull inside and then have to grind the paint off. It feel way stiffer than it was. TBD.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I also somewhat faired and primered the hull sides. I have about 3 or 4 coat of Total boat epoxy primer with barrier coat on the hull sides and on the cabin sole.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I ve bought life jackets, dry box, marine vhf, fire extinguisher, flashlight, air horn, hand rails, battery box, and all sorts of other boat related items.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I have also been busy with other home improvement projects I will post more pictures sometime this week. Until then I hope this motivates and inspire others to go out and get there projects completed.

 

[Bayou Dave]

What's the purpose of the 2x4's?

 

[Bayou Dave]

Never mind. Just noticed they are holding up the tarp.

 

[COURT JESTER]

Ok so I intended on grinding the bow of the boat and reinforcing with fiberglass and epoxy but after a good day of grinding. I couldn't picture myself doing a good job fiberglassing the bow underside upside down. Here a picture of the original bow.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I first started by just supporting the windshield frame with just a 2x4. To my surprise it didn't flex much when I cut out the whole bow section.

 

[COURT JESTER]

The ridges in the original design I believe were for strength and once again I don't think I could of done a good job laminating upside down. Here is the piece of countertop laminate I used as a template. I paste waxed it about 5 times before I started to laminate it with 2-10 oz cloth followed by a 17 oz biaxial with epoxy.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I pulled it trimmed it a little and found it to be very flimsy.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I took it back down wiped the amine blush and scuffed it up and proceeded to put 2- 17oz biaxial along with a layer of 10 oz. This time it felt alot stiffer.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I plan on lifting the bow of the boat about 1" to 1 1/2 to give me a little bit of headroom underneath. And I still plan on using this bomar hatch. Also will make another hatch opening for my anchor and fenders. The benefits of doing it this way I think is I can create a bit of headroom and the bow will not need nearly as much body work if had kept the original bow section.

 

[COURT JESTER]

I also now want to mount the anchor on the bow instead of from the deck. Who knows. As for the aft end, the splashwell has been looking better or worse. I cut the rest of transom splashwell and have been making some fiberglass seats. My laminate schedule is 2 layers of 17 oz followed by a cover of 10 oz. Again I want molded seats in the rear.