Damaged Hull -- Pictures

Peter9Do

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

I like the idea, but I was thinking more along the lines of this. 2 captain seats where you have them located. then the front built in seating, I was going to leave the way it is however I was thinking of making platform that can be removed using 3/4" ply and some carpet to cover the seats so you can stand on the front allowing the storage compartments to be accessible and the isle between the dash be a 2 step staircase that will go to the platform for when we are fishing. Then when I'm out yachting with the fam put the removable cushions in for the seating. As for the back of the boat, I would like to do a small bench that will also act as a platform, storage and ,maybe just maybe some actuators to push it out or in as needed to access the 24" from the transom to the back of the seat where the batteries and fuel tanks will be stored. I have to do something on actuators, just so I can add a little wow factor to the restoration, and so I can put a little bit of my electronic experience into it. Also, doing it this way will make it very nice for relaxing and very nice for fishing, especially that you will be elevated almost wall level, like a bass boat, it would be just a matter of throwing in the platform and removing cushions. What do you think?
 

Woodonglass

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

I've seem ot done both ways and both are effective and nice. I've found that the stren is the least used area but for fishing a deck back by the motor works well for me. Removable platforms have to be stored and moved so I like it all to be permanent. But Hey...It's your boat and family and you'll know what's best for you. Looking forward to seeing it come together.
 

Peter9Do

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

Thanks brother! I just got my cut off wheels in the mail that I ordered on eBay. I can't wait to get through some of that fiberglass. I had to run outside to see how strong they were, so I cut a small piece of fiberglass at 1:45am (my neighbors love me), and they are MUCH stronger than the last ones I bought, along with cheaper and a larger bulk. If any of you guys use a Dremel, these are some great cut off wheels! I can give you the auction number on eBay, just under $10 for 50 of them fiberglass reinforced 1-1/4" wheel with 1/8" arbor hole. VERY IMPRESSED with the quality!
 

Peter9Do

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

I was able to put a couple of hours in the garage this weekend and got a lot done, thank god... i have some pictures i have to run through Photshop to shrink them befor i post them. Also, i think i came to a drawing i like for the boat cradle so I'll be picking up the wood very soon. I have a question for you guys though... are you able to sand down a layer of gelcoat? The gelcoat on the boat is more of a pearl color rather white, but once i do the repairs to the gelcoat, they will stand out so i was wondering if i went over the boat with a sander, of that would bring it back to life? Also, do you have to clear gelcoat?
 

Woodonglass

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

You do not clear coat Gelcoat. If you are patient and persevere you can come close to matching the gelcoat color so repairs won't "Stick Out" so bad. It's not easy but can be done.
 

Peter9Do

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

Okay, is it possible just to sand it down or do you need to apply additional gelcoat where you sanded? Just so I can get an idea of how what to budget myself for. I just think it would like nice with a fresh coat on there, I want to get all the decals off of the boat and then sand down the sides. We are talking about almost 35 year old gelcoat, I have to do something to make it pop again.

By the way, I was able to do a little Photoshop work, so here are some more images:
DSC06562.jpg DSC065545.jpg DSC06556.jpg DSC06560.jpg

I know I work slow but hey, I know I stated this in the beginning of this thread that I don't have a lot of time and this is only going to be a weekend project. I'm really just stalling on this boat until I get it on a cradle and capped, I promise you guys it will go a lot faster once that part is done.
 

jbcurt00

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

There are a few threads at about the gelcoat stage, Trooper82 & Decker83 have both recently shot gelcoat on their projects.......

If the gelcoat is in really good shape, a light scuff & polish will help improve it. If it is very chalky, has spider cracks (or worse, like my FF much worse), or is in poor condition, prep & re-shoot gel after crack repair and the filling & fairing, is about the only way to go...

Look thru some of YD's (Yacht Dr) & ondrvr's threads & posts, they are resident experts (there may be others, but they came to mind quickly). They also likely posted in both Troopers & Deckers threads. Lots of good gel info @iboats.

As boat porn pix go, none of those look too bad.

Stall away... Been there, still doing it :cold:

1 day at a time, you'll get there...............
 

tallcanadian

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

I agree with jb. Maybe try a polish before you talk about gelcoating. Friscoboater comes to mind. He polished two boats and they look awesome. It will save you a ton of time and money.
 

Woodonglass

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

Gelcoat is usually approx. 20 mils thick. That's about the thickness of a Penny. Wet sanding and Polishing are options in the right conditions. As JB stated it all depends on the condition and circumstances. You can always, Sand, Fair and Paint.;)
 

Peter9Do

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

Now, I have watched about every video FriscoBoater posted on YouTube. He has been on my computer screen, phone and tablet more than I would like to admit. His videos are EXCELLENT and even that's an understatement! His one video he is rolling the gelcoat on the deck, if I were to just throw a coat or two on, can I roll it on? Now, I know that shooting it would be better but honestly I don't have the gear for it, nor am I willing to invest in that kind of money on the equipment to use it one time. This is mainly why I'm wondering if I can just sand it down a little. Structurally the gelcoat is good, it's just very dull and has more of a pearl look than white. There are a couple of spots that it's obvious that the anchor hit on the cap along with a couple of other dings also in the cap as well. Now after watching some videos on repairing gelcoat I don't think it will be an issue to fix the spots that need a little patch but I just want everything to be white. However if this is something that will rape my pockets I can honestly do without. I was hoping that if I just went over it very carefully with a fine grit sandpaper that I can get that white back. The areas that have the damage are white as snow and seem to be pretty thick as well. I know, I'll take some pictures in the next couple of days to post here. Let me know what you guys are thinking. Also, I will take a look at the recommended reading! Thank you Wood, TC and JB, as always you guys ROCK!
 

tallcanadian

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

Hey Pete. You sound more like a pro everyday. Your really getting into this. lol. The fever strikes again. I know you mentioned the colour of the boat a couple of times. If it's painted the same as mine, and I believe it is, it's not white. It's more like an ivory, off white, or as you say, pearl. I'm sure it looks more dull because of age, but it will never be white white, unless you paint the whole thing.
 

Peter9Do

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

That's funny you mention my addiction... All I do is think about this damn boat! hahaha! I have a notebook that I have all my drawings, plans, research and notes in that I carry with me like a bible, in the event that I have a random idea that I don't want to forget. I bring it to work with me, it's sits next to me on the couch, I leave it in my car... That book and I have been inseparable now for months! hahaha! I honestly don't know if I'm going to enjoy being out on the water as much as I'm enjoying putting in the work to get this boat to be sea worthy plus planing my little touches here and there.

As for the gelcoat, if this means painting the whole boat, I might have to pass. I think this would be a topic of discussion with my buddy that owns a body shop... I'll see just how much the ol' guy likes me! hahaha! On a same topic question though I was looking at U.S. Composite's website at the gelcoat if you're saying this boat was never white, I wouldn't be able to get away with just getting the "pure white" gelcoat then? Also, after watching FriscoBoater's video of him gelcoating his deck (link below).
Gel Coating and Installing the Engine in the Sea Ray Part 1 - YouTube
I really, really, really, really like that look. Also,I think I would be able to do a good 4 or 5 coats on my deck with a gallon along with all the repairs as well. The idea of that water not being able to penetrate the hull from the deck sounds just awesome!

Well, I have made the proper arrangements for Saturday to go pick up 20- 2"x4"x8's and have someone watching my son for a good 6 hours that means regardless of the below freezing temperatures we are supposed to have this weekend I will be moving along on the construction of the much anticipated cradle! Also, I would like to add that I don't have to be back to work until Thursday, so I'm sure I will get a lot done in a 5 day weekend! Really looking forward to this! Make sure you check back this weekend and next week, as long as everything goes to plan I will have a lot of updates and pictures posted!
 

jbcurt00

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

I'm not sure this will help, but I 're-found' it the other night:
The next step was talking some friends into helping me carry the hull outside onto the grass and flipping it right side up. Thanks Matt and B-nard! Once we had that done I picked up the boat and set it back on the trailer with my tractor. Given that the floor and transom were missing, the center of gravity for the boat was actually about where the front keel roller was. I was worried that if most of the weight was concentrated on the roller (not the bunk boards further back) that I might damage the hull. So once I backed the trailer into the shop, I lifted up the front end with the tractor. In the back I slowly blocked up the back part on the bunk boards.

backontrailerwsand.jpg


Eventually I was able to slide a frame made from two 2x6's under the center of the boat. After that I added horizontal blocking between the 2x6's that matched the curvature of the hull. After that was in place, I taped plastic to the hull and "foamed" in the space between the blocking and the hull. Once this was done I pulled out the frame, added a rear cross member and casters.

cart.jpg


Now I had a "cradle that would support the boat and keep it "square" during the floor / transom refit.

onthecart.jpg

Yours might need more support then that, but the foam may make fitting the keel easier, and could be used to bridge gaps elsewhere to minimize time & effort to fit cradle to the sides & lower chine.......
 

Peter9Do

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

Thanks for the pics JB!!!!

I started working on the cradle. I was looking over a bunch of different designs and I had to customize my design a little due to the amount of work space I have along with how I was going to remove the boat from the trailer without taking it out of the garage. So, I decided on a 2 part cradle, a single piece for the back and a single piece for the front. Now you have to remember that I need to be able to access the bottom of the boat, right down the middle for repairs so, leaving the middle open on this cradle was a necessity as well. I bought the wood and hardware yesterday and started on the back cradle. I'm not done with it yet but this thing is strong and as sturdy as a ROCK already. I would like to put a support across the top just for an extra measure of keeping the pots from moving. As of now I have no play in them what-so-ever but I would feel better putting a piece of wood across it, I also need to mount the carpeted 2x4s and put some casters on it. This is what I have so far for the back cradle.

2013-01-19_21-42-39_950.jpg 2013-01-19_21-44-23_592.jpg
 

tallcanadian

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

Wow. Very impressive cradle. You got some skills, you been holding back.
 

Woodonglass

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

Again, I highly recommend that you flip the boat to do the bottom repairs, if at all possible
 

Peter9Do

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Nov 11, 2012
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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

Thanks TC! I just can't wait to have it done and the boat on it... I think i might need more wood, that took 10 pieces and i still need anoth 2 or 3 peices. The front is going to be a little smaller but i thin I'm going to have to get more due to my excessive reinforcment, lol! I'm going to go pick up the casters on Tuesday and hopefully finish the rear cradle up. My casters are going to be low profile with a 1/4" clearance from the base to the ground. Again, i can,t wait to finish this up and get the boat on there so i can get the s.o.b. capped!
 

Peter9Do

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

Again, I highly recommend that you flip the boat to do the bottom repairs, if at all possible

Yea, I'll try to put something together when i get to that point. My buddy who owns that body shop told me the same thing. I'm sure it would be so much easier to glass with gravity on my side, none the less me holding a sander up while i lay on my back. While fiberglass dust just pours over me like a shower, just with an itchy aftermath rather a sense of being clean! So, all in all i have not dismissed the ideas of an additional cradle for flipping the hull over.
 

Peter9Do

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

So, I have a question for you guys. What do you think about the tube that runs down the middle of the boat? This thing is causing me stress, everytime i think about it. I don't really understand what the point of it is. Does it have any structural purpous? I personally have no choice but to cut some of it out or all of it, so i can do the repairs to the hull. However, should i purlt it back on? I almost want to just take it out and put a nice thick stringer right down the middle. I just don't understand the reasoning behind the design of it. If the hull is water tight why would you need a tube running down the middle of the hull? It doesn't make sense to me. Then does it help the structure any and if so, how? This tube is driving me mad! Does anyone have anything they can offerin regards to this?
 

jbcurt00

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Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures

It likely has or serves a purpose..... Is it hollow inside? Foam filled?

Hulls are never really 100% water or air tight.....

Keep the boat covered & in full sun in the summer, and leave it covered & sitting at the ramp all day, drop it in cool lake water as the sun goes down & the hot air inside the hull contracts. Any minute (smaller then a pin hole) passage allows air movement below decks..... Now the cooler air is trapped below decks in a cavity that is cool on 1 side (in contact w/ water), if it's moist air, it may condense......

That's why my FireFlite had a vent tube run below decks:
Starboardbowrubrailbolts.jpg


Water from kids, swimmers, towels, tow tubes, skis & etc may bring water aboard, that could find a small passage to below decks, plus any waves splashing over the bow or splashwell while boating....

It may have been an attempt to prevent foam from filling that area so water could drain to the back, vibration dampening or stiffener to beef up the keel...........

Hard to be positively ID as to why................

But I'd likely put something back similar... You could get a large carpet roll tube & run it thru a table saw to cut it in half. PB/PL to the hull & cover like a stringer......
 
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