Re: 1969 Mark Twain 15' Tri-Hull 115 Evinrude - Partial Rebuild
Just got done grinding on the boat. Worked from front to back, about 75% of the grinding down to bare glass is done at this point. However when up under splashwell, I noticed some unsealed holes that I hadn't drilled near in the transom. All other holes had been dry and sound, however I followed around these, and there is bad rot......sooo...looks like we are going to be splitting the girl and replacing a transom too. Which means this project is moving out to the in laws so I have the equipment to lift the motor and lift the cap, etc. I think in the end its for the best, Even though I hadn't planned on replacing the transom, the back of my mind kept worrying that it wasn't as sound as the tests had indicated, I mean absolutely every other piece of wood in the boat is toast, how did it survive?
Things I learned tonight, and advice for other rookie boaters looking to restore their first.
1. Aluminum boats are good.......
.
2. Most likely you are going to have more in the boat than its worth, don't restore it for any other reason than you want to have a boat that you know every part of it is sound, and in great shape, and you like the boat (which I really do like this one). We decided to go this route because we are hoping to be in under 3k, and all the 3k boats we found either didn't have enough engine for what we wanted, or we weren't absolutely sure the stringers and transom were still in good shape. When we are done with this boat, we will have alot of money in it, but we know what we have too.
3. Its gonna take 3x as long as you think.
4. Its gonna cost 3x as much as you think.
5. Grinding fiberglass SUCKS. Its nasty stuff, wear all the protection you can, and a respirator is an absolute must.
6. If you get fiberglass in your skin (which I have a ton) use sticky tape to yank the shards out of your skin.
7. Yanking the shards out of your skin also mean yanking the hair off your arms.
8. Yanking the hair off your arms hurts just as bad as the shards in your skin.
9. Did I mention wear all the protection you can?
10. If its ever been left uncovered....most likely everything is going to be rotten. Plan on replacing it all from the start.
11. Did I mention Aluminum is good?
No, seriously though, at this point I am starting to get discouraged, but I am going to push through. Its gonna be worth it in the end right?
Short term timeline right now is.....
Sunday hopefully move the boat to the in laws, remove the motor, split the cap, finish grinding and removal of old transom.
Fiberglass is going to be on order first thing next week hopefully.
Following weekend Turkey hunt on Friday....Saturday and Sunday get transom and stringers cut and installed. Maybe cap back on.
From there, One weekend to glass the stringers and install the floor & carpet & seats, one weekend to install the motor and wire.
Shooting for mothers day weekend splash down, so I am anticipating it will be the end of the summer! LOL
One question, is it possible to replace the transom without splitting the boat and removing the cap? Just curious.
I'll try to do pictures later, but its KU basketball time! ROCK CHALK!
