14' SC Rebuild

[frazoo]

Wow, time really flys on by, almost three years, a pandemic, heart attack and open heart surgery later and here we are! Feeling good and getting back to it, the little boat has waited patiently for me and it’s time to finish her up and get her wet.
This week I’ve been making adjustments to the bunks, trying to lower them as much as possible, repainting the trailer frame and getting ready to reinstall the trailer lights.
As far as the boat goes, a storm came through just over a year ago and brought a pine tree down on her across her bow, made me sick to see that! Made as good a repair as I could and although it doesn’t look pristine, it does look better than I thought it would. Will reweld the fenders in place this week, weather permitting, and continue on. Pics coming in a day or so.

 

[frazoo]

 

[frazoo]

Finding myself relearning the site.
Jumped ahead and placed numbers in place, building a bow trolling motor deck and modifying the Bimini top from my old boat to fit this one. Will have to cut about 5 inches out of the width.

 

[frazoo]

 

[Moserkr]

Welcome back @frazoo Glad you and your boat survived the last few years. Time to get her on the water and relax!

 

[frazoo]

Another layer of support under the gunnels before starting some trim strips

 

[frazoo]

The old carpet on the gunnels covered literally more than a hundred holes in the tin. Diamond alum will cover those in the bow area where there were just too many. Need to make a pattern to get the fit right on the first try.

 

[frazoo]

Was’t as onerous as I imagined. Now have to wait until the sun gets off everything and pick back up in a couple hours.

 

[frazoo]

On the left side of the picture you can see where the tree creased the bow. There was a 3” dip at the rubrail that I was able to pull out with a 2’ long piece of angle iron through-bolted and tightened. You can still see some crease under the rubrail, but it came out much better than I thought it would.

 

[Moserkr]

Looks good! Thats too bad about the branch but came out a lot better than it could have been. A rubber mallet may get a little more out but she looks good to go!

 

[frazoo]

Looks good! Thats too bad about the branch but came out a lot better than it could have been. A rubber mallet may get a little more out but she looks good to go!

Lol, I had a serious session with mallet and wooden rod! The position of the crease made it impossible to get at with the mallet so I cut a 1-1/4” wood dowel to 2’ length, rounded the boat contact end and started swinging. But, better than it was, I guess!

 

[frazoo]

As I continue the final issues, I’m starting to think about the Bimini top and sizing it for this boat. It came off a 17’ center console and the 6’ length may seem oversized for a 14 footer.
I’d appreciate any thoughts on that?
Thanks

 

[frazoo]

Well that went better than I thought it would. Until it didn’t, lol!
Measured the Bimini width against the boat and had to cut 14.5” out of the Bimini frame. As you can see it fits, but the right side sits up a bit higher than the left side. When I started to open it, I realized that I had two of the three bows in the top cross linked together. That will be an easy fix a little later this afternoon.

 

[frazoo]

Old versus new.

 

[frazoo]

That will be as far back as I take the diamond stamp. The rest will have marine carpet along with the inside side and storage areas. The deck will have anti-fatigue mat. The diamond will be painted with some kind of anti skid coating.

 

[frazoo]

Welded on and primed

 

[frazoo]

First coat primary color on.

 

[frazoo]

Mocking up old Bimini to see how it might look. Too tall and still too wide for this boat. By the time I finish modding this one. I could have a new, fitted one in place for less money and trouble. So long old friend!

 

[Moserkr]

Great work frazoo!! Keep it coming!

 

[frazoo]

One more eyesore removed from the to-do list.

Spent the afternoon sanding, cleaning, and priming a very small trailer I am modding for kayak trips.

Weather permitting, I will work on the gunnels, carpeting, and hatches tomorrow.
On a five day countdown, would really like to get this boat wet Monday.