180 SS New to the Forums.

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

To answer both Dozer and Stephenatx

I don't understand how one would fail and the other side would show no signs of this damage.

There is also the possibility of the story I was told that the previous owner slammed into a dock/trailer. I took a third shot of the crack where there is a decent dent near the beginning. I just didn't post it due to image count during a post. :redface:

Whether the dent caused the initial damage and then it started to spread or whether the crack was already there and the dent had nothing to do with it I do not know.

I am still considering the idea of welding the crack but I am told that JB Weld makes a surface stronger than the material around it? I am also taking serious thought to the idea of putting some internal support for the ribs after seeing what yours has Dozer.

I'll ask around about having it welded and what the cost should be for about a 2 foot fault line... The crappy part is that it's forming a little lip there as a result of this damage. Even if I do get a weld. I'll be backing it up with some JB. I don't want to revisit this in 5 years.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

Man, that's a biggen!

First, I'd head out there and drill small holes at each end of the crack so it doesn't spread any further. Then I'd find an excellent alum welder. If you can figure out how to add bracing to the inside that would certainly help.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

Dozer

I just noticed something. Your supports don't go to the bow. The crack ends (or Starts) where your first support is after the bow. If you look up from the crack there are the old reg numbers which are a little in front of those (optical allusion.)

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

Man, that's a biggen!

First, I'd head out there and drill small holes at each end of the crack so it doesn't spread any further. Then I'd find an excellent alum welder. If you can figure out how to add bracing to the inside that would certainly help.

Okay, will do.
I'd imagine some correctly placed aluminum pieces and rivet them careful for support. The good part is if I need to box that out it's behind the bow seat bench but possibly as far as the Port console. It wouldn't be easy to notice.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

DH, the last rib stiffner is juat ahead of the consuls. You say there is no sign of a crack on the port side? Look closely at the ends of the ribs on the inside for cracking next to the splash gaurd.
Glen

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

Okay I will take a closer look.

I am going to clean it up once I get a quote on the weld. I also need to drill out the ends to prevent it from spreading as Jasoutside suggested. I have time to get this done as my Noodles won't be here until Sat, and I still need to save to order the epoxy.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

I decided to wait on anymore hull work.

I need to find out if the Outboard is working well as I am removing the VRO (as it is busted.) and going straight 50:1 with the much less expensive standard fuel pump. I want to make sure this thing will run, once I do I'll pull the outboard and have the boat made ready to travel to the welder. After the weld job is done, I'll order the epoxy, pull the transome, and obtain the plywood.

I have a plan B but in order to keep Murphy out of the loop. I'll refrain from typing or saying it a loud.

 

[FishNmemories]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

Although, I'm a little late here....welcome to the forum DH83. The SS hulls have proved to be great so far, but that crack is not so good. I have had cracks welded on thicker gauge alum hulls that cracked again right beside the weld. So it is advisable to to stiffen up/brace the sides to the hull to prevent excess movement. DozerII and Jas have made some great suggestion.

Good luck on the outboard

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

I have a plan B but in order to keep Murphy out of the loop. I'll refrain from typing or saying it a loud.

That's a good idea. Good luck on firing up the motor.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

As an update.

My Dad pressure washer has decided that pressure washing isn't in it's schedule this week... So it's going through some surgery to correct this schedule issue. Muwahahahaha.

I found that a nice brass wire brush makes aluminum shine! It does a great job removing yellow glue, carpet chunks etc. So, I'll be pressure washing, then brushing, then pressure washing again. Then wipe down with some sort of mineral spirits or lacquer thinner. Some evaporator that will do nice pre work right before I do the Gluvit. I may brush the areas first too to help remove oxidation.

I am going to mount my new non VRO fuel pump and my starting solenoid as well. Need new plugs. One cracked (not that I was keeping the old ones.). Also need to get a carb cleaning kit to remove the lovely gunk built up.
I need to buy a thermostat kit as I have my stats almost taken apart now. May as well replace them!

Just an update. Will post pics as the process starts again.

 

[barato2]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

when i did the gluvit, it was so dang hot that i couldn't bear the thought of trying to wipe entire hull down with xylene etc first....alum was way too hot to kneel on....so i just did the lazy man plan of 2 cans of carb spray.....did the whole boat in <5 min and seems to have gotten it nicely clean

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

Duly noted sir!

I need to see the hull after a good pressure wash. Going to try to make that thing work today...

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

I didn't get to the pressure washer.

I did work on my outboard. Thanks to Dad and his tinkering ways I now have a fuel pump mount. So I mounted the fuel pump.
I also got a mount for the new starter solenoid. It's now mounted.

I got a hand pump for 8 bucks from Walmart to remove the OLD gas from the gas tank... I then get to acid bathe that tank to make it SHINE! No corrosion on that thing and I am so glad there isn't.

I need to connect the fuel lines to the pump (ran out of day light.) and get some correct mounting studs for the battery. Then I can see if she'll try to start. I may go pick up a small gas tank to do this test... See if I can get her to even run.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

I'd like to note:
Did some late night shopping for the outboard. Bought the water pump rebuild kit, Carb rebuild kit, plugs, T-Stat rebuild kit, and new clear in line fuel filter. Why clear? So I can see if water gets in this pig!

Time to sleep, and dream about fishing in the boat.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

Had to rebuild our pressure washer to get the boat clean. It occurred to me what I was missing during the rebuild so far. :facepalm:

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

When Trailer lights become ill-cooperative things get ugly...

I love the design... the nuts seize to the bolts... then the bolts spin behind the lights. Great! just means the saws all gets a little exercise.

Old side marker light

New side marker light. A little modifications... Some additional new galvanized steel plate added...

You're probably wondering. "But DH! Where are your fenders? You should have galvanized fenders with that trailer!"
To answer this question... yes I should and DO! I the all great seer of things and sizes of wheels and tires miss read the tire size on the trailer when we took a look at the boat for the first time. I read R15's but what was really there were R13's :facepalm:

Now with a little modification we have the fenders going back on. I just need to pick up 8 more small galvanized bolts and nuts to finish the left or right side of the trailer depending on how you want to look at it.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

After Dark here are the lights lit up...
Always test your work right?

The booty.

Side with the modified fender!

side with no fender still!

I made a mistake with the tail light that has the license plate attachment. I foolishly ran the wiring in the front of the light instead of below and out the back... It still "works" but I don't like loose ends and feel the need to cut the beautiful soldering/shrink tubing work that I spent a good amount of time doing... and then redoing the work!

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

I also need to replace the rear center light. Going to buy the LED setup. I don't want to have to mess with it after drowning the trailer a few times.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

Today my Outboard stuff that I ordered from iboats was on my steps . My carb rebuild kit, water pump rebuild kit, thermostat rebuild kit, in line fuel filter, and my spark plugs. It's amazing how fast that stuff gets delivered. I will need to pick up a second carb rebuild kit since I was foolish and only bought one...

I plan on trying to clean out the OBs current carbs with carb cleaner so I can try and run the gook out with seafoam, I'll replace all the hoses, gap the plugs properly, and see if she'll start and run... The engine has been winterized for 5 years so I am betting the stats may be frozen nicely.
After the test runs and clean out... I then will start using the rebuilding parts. I don't want to gum up my rebuilt carbs etc.

I pumped out and drained the old gas in the 20 gallon tank and the gas didn't look bad. If possible I want to see if I can get as much of the crap inside the tank out. Maybe use a magnet in there to grab any possible metal bits. Any suggestions?
I also power washed the tank, and then took a powered brass brush to it to clean up the tank. There are a few minor pits on the tank but it looks good.

I am curious has anyone sanded the inner hull with a very fine grit 220+ wet dry to get the hull nice and shiny for prep on gluvit?
I really want to get my inner hull to shine like a lot of the hulls I see on the site.

Thanks guys for all the work you do to give me ideas.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 180 SS New to the Forums.

Hey DH, Sanding the inside of the hull would be a lot of work. I used Marhyde Aircraft stripper to remove the foam residue and glue, and it came out pretty good, you could then use some Aluminum brightner to shine it up a little.
Glen