1994 Crownline 196br restoration

[Superjet511]

Back at it after a little hiatus due to the holidays and what not. Sorry for the delay. We got our interior back and it looks great; I love the carbon fiber look. I can't wait to get it into the boat. It gave me a little motivation to start getting the stringers done. Here are a couple of photos of the interior and the progress on the stringer removal. I found that a multi tool with a carbide blade works great and keeps dust to an absolute minimum. If I could only keep the blades from breaking. The teeth seem to last but the holes in the blade that mount to the base of the multi tool are getting worn so the blade quits oscillating once any pressure is applied. A couple of them also cracked....Does anyone have recommendations of brands that have been more durable? Now that I am back at it I will post more often.

 

[kcassells]

Go to harbor freight for the blades. Pretty cheap. Amazon has a lot also. I would consider them all as throwaways.
Get the diamond edge style.

 

[Superjet511]

Thanks K. I found a ten pack of Bosch on amazon that may be better. Yes, I figured they would be throw away as well but I went through about 1 every other stringer before the hub broke. The teeth are still good...

 

[kcassells]

Seats look nice!

 

[Mechanicalmike08]

Thanks K. I found a ten pack of Bosch on amazon that may be better. Yes, I figured they would be throw away as well but I went through about 1 every other stringer before the hub broke. The teeth are still good...

I have a HF tool as well as the blades, I bought the better blade from HF and I'm still on the original first blade. With an oscillating tool you got to let the tool do the work, it doesn't take much pressure and will cut faster than trying to force it. I cut almost everything out with because you can get so close to the hull.

 

[kcassells]

And I LOVE the no dust!

 

[Superjet511]

I agree Mechanicalmike. It seems to work best with very light pressure. I really like that I can get right against the bottom of the hull as well. I am hoping this will mean minimal grinding. The first blades I bought were shaped like a U where they mount to the tool. The latest ones are a full circle so I am hoping that will mean less cracking....We shall see.

 

[oldrem]

That Maker Works place looks amazing. From what I can tell, the only location seems to be Ann Arbor, MI. I may have to pick up and move in with my daughter and son-in-law in Dexter. lol My daughter works in IT at U. Mich

 

[Superjet511]

Lol. Sounds like a plan Eric. My wife works at U of M as well. Maker Works is pretty cool. There are a couple other similar shops in the state and one that closed recently. I found myself there ENTIRELY too much the last month or so but I am having a lot of fun with it. I have mostly been using the plasma cutter and powder coating booth but will use the CNC router soon for the stringers. I really want to use the vinyl machine for stickers and the embroidery machine as well. But that stuff will have to wait.....Here are a few photos of things I have made there.

 

[Superjet511]

We finished removing all of the stringers last night. It feels good to be able to actually walk in the boat now. Next I will remove everything from the transom and see how extensive the damage is. It looks like it may be mainly isolated to the portion at the deck level and below on the starboard side. I am hoping that I can get away with replacing the inner sheet of the transom but that may be optimistic. Has anyone just replaced the inner piece and left the main portion of the transom? I will know more once I remove everything and start investigating. Regardless, whatever is bad will be replaced.
The last two photos are of the blades I used for the multi tool. This is the only way to go to remove stringers. It may not be as fast as an abrasive but it is super clean and results in very nice cuts. I had a friend holding a shop vac as I cut and the dust was virtually zero. Cuts very flush as well. The lighter the pressure the better it seemed.

 

[Brien S]

I would just plan on replacing the whole transom. As was told to me, your this far. Removing it is easier than what you have just done. I would measure the thickness of it at the key hole.

 

[Superjet511]

I am planning for the worst and will replace it if there is rot since it is just a shell at this point...

 

[kcassells]

Like that sneaker commercial...……………...Just Do It!

 

[chevymaher]

Like that sneaker commercial...……………...Just Do It!

I thought Arnold said that.

 

[Superjet511]

We got everything off of the transom and removed the front layer of plywood. The main piece is solid. I went to Maker Works and cut the stringers out of polystyrene. They fit perfectly but I am going to make a couple adjustments to fine tune them prior to cutting them out of plywood. I just need to move a slot for the rear bulkhead back about 3/4" and shorten up one small piece. So I guess that means it's time to work on grinding and get a material order started....It is starting to feel like I am making progress finally. Seeing the stringers mocked up is providing a bit more motivation.

 

[Mechanicalmike08]

I don't envy you, that's going to be a lot of tabbing and fillets. Your probably going to need at least 30-35 gallons for sure. She will be nice and strong though. It amazes me the difference from manufacture to manufacture on the amount or lack of substructure. Looking good.

 

[Superjet511]

Thanks Mike. I am hoping it doesn't take that much resin....that would be 5+ gallons per stringer.

 

[mickyryan]

imma guess 25 for project

 

[kcassells]

We got everything off of the transom and removed the front layer of plywood. The main piece is solid. I went to Maker Works and cut the stringers out of polystyrene. They fit perfectly but I am going to make a couple adjustments to fine tune them prior to cutting them out of plywood. I just need to move a slot for the rear bulkhead back about 3/4" and shorten up one small piece. So I guess that means it's time to work on grinding and get a material order started....It is starting to feel like I am making progress finally. Seeing the stringers mocked up is providing a bit more motivation.

Heck I would glass right over them. Extra glass but nothing to eva rot. EVA! Dang that's what's I would do Says I..!!

 

[Chris51280]

What will you be doing about the tank to bilge drain? How was yours designed from the factory? Did you have a drain?