1973 Invader16 ft Bass Boat Restoration

[snowdog75]

I tried to post earlier and failed. I have a 73 Invader bass boat 16ft I am restoring. I have been around boats my whole life but this is my 1st restore. The sole and stringers were in bad shape. My transom is solid so i core sampled it. I don't know what to make of it as the wood has darkened. It is not brittle and tough to dig out. Looking for some advise on whether or not this sample indicates a replacement. I have pulmonary disease so it would save me additional grinding if the transom looks to be OK. If not, I'll replace it as well. Thanks in advance!

 

[Trooper82]

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

I think the general rule to use....dark brown is not good, light yellowy, you are golden....but if it was not real easy to get out maybe it is ok? Sure others will chime in..

 

[snowdog75]

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Thank you for the quick reply. I cannot believe how much resin they used on this transom. It is also 3 sheets of 1/2" ply laminated together. I am sure that I will have plenty more questions as I start building this boat back. This wood condition has me stumped. I plan on getting some good years out of this boat as I get older so I want to make sure that I get it right. This site is awesome. I have been able to research and learn so much. After I brought this thing home I 1st had regret, next thin I know I am hooked on this project. There is a lot of inspiration to be found here.

 

[Trooper82]

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

I hear ya, there are so e mighty fine flks on here doing even finer work... They will get you going in the right direction...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

I'd suggest more core samples, you mentioned dark wood, but was it at all damp? How long has it been stored indoors? Dark usually means wet, but if the boat's been in a dry barn for 15yrs +/-, it might currently be dry after having gotten wet at some point.

Is the bilge or splashwell drain tube rusted in this pix:

Did you drill a 3/8" hole @ 1-1.25" deep into the transom? Or only that large diameter spade bit hole thru just the fiberglass?

Drill down low on the transom near the bilge drain tube & below any attachments screwed to or thru the transom: Ladder, swim platform, tow eyes, etc.....

Often there's staining or streaking running down the hull from those attachments on the exterior skin of the hull. Those can be a sign of where to core sample the interior side of the transom....

Make a marking gauge w/ tape on the drill bit:

ONLY 1-1.25" deep core sample holes. Minimizes the chance of drilling thru the transom.

Post pix of the shavings that come out of the holes...

Welcome to iboats dry dock.

 

[Sea Stomper]

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Just remember one thought. It's much worse thinking about what you have to do to fix these things. It's MUCH EASIER to just do it. Thinking about it can be good and can help you avoid pitfalls. I guess it's all about HOW you think about it. I've found that just putting my hands on the project and starting the physical work of it all is much better than fear based thinking. You just get done faster.

 

[snowdog75]

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

I have a pic of the back and there is significant staining around the rusted drain. When i took the old transducer and speedometer device off the the screws actually had some water drops on them. I really believe that this wood has have been wet at some point in time. When I took my 3/8 core samples as shown the wood was mostly dark until about 8" to 10" upward. After I let them sit for a bit, made sure my hands were completely dry, I do believe that I can feel some dampness in the darker shavings. I also am thinking that the wood in 3/4" core sample has to be "chewy" for a reason. I now remember running into wood like that in the sole where it got dryer moving towards the front of the boat. The front 10" of the sole looked like new and the rear, well I stepped right thru it after removing the seats.

I will probably just feel better if I just go ahead and take the transom out this weekend. I have never done one and it should be a good learning experience adding only add a couple of hundred bucks to my overall cost. I am in this for the long run and am certainly not just looking to rush through it.

I really appreciate everyone input. I am sure that I will have plenty more questions moving forward. Also, I do plan to buy from US Composites unless someone knows of a competitively priced supplier in Georgia.

 

[Decker83]

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Welcome to i-boats snowdog75..
Looking at the shavings on the above pic, I would replace the transom..
It would be much easier to do now than to wait and have to tear it all back down later..
Just my 2 cents worth..

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Sounds like you made the right decision about replacing the transom.

If your really close to FL in southern GA, you might see how far it is to a local supplier in the panhandle. HazMat shipping is expensive & might be cheaper to drive & buy direct instead of shipping it.

 

[snowdog75]

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

40 years of truth. There is rot at the bottom and on one side where PO had cut a hole in the cap to access teleflex cable. I am going to have to repair that hole in the cap. The foam in the flotation compartment was wet in that corner too.

 

[Decker83]

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Looks like your off to a good start..

 

[snowdog75]

Re: 1973 16 ft Invader Bass Boat :Restoration

Re: 1973 16 ft Invader Bass Boat :Restoration

I was able to get the transom out today. The wood 3/4" in was totally wet half way up. I still have to chisel off the last little layer of PW laminate in some areas. Some of the glass lamination came off with the PW. I will need some advise with what material to build it back up with. The transom and stringers had layer of CSM and a layer of Roven. The stringers had no glass where the floor cross pieces were and the floor cross pieces only had been layered in resin. Is this acceptable or should everything be glassed? I still have to take a couple of small stringers out at the back still, clean it with acetone and I should be ready for grinding. (Son-in law is supposed to help with grinding due to my pulmonary disease) I have a good P100 respirator (half mask), splash proof goggles that seal to the face, and a tyvek suit. Any other precautions to take? Any advise for lung safe grinding is greatly appreciated. I have attached a couple of pics from where I had already taken the side console and seats out and the way the stringers were originally glassed. Everyone has been spot on here. thanks again.

I am going to post this restoration as I go. Should I start a new thread for that?
Thanks

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Re: 73 Invader Bass Transom core sample help please

Just getting caught up with your restore, snowdog...
Looks like you are well on your way to getting this 'ol Bass boat to better than new condition...
Don't know if its been mentioned, but Baby Powder is a must...rub it into your skin really well, especially any exposed skin...it will help prevent most of the itching that comes from fiberglass dust...
You can also tape off the wrists and ankles of your Tyvek suit and make sure you wear some good heavy gloves to protect your hands while grinding...
Best of luck and have Fun!

 

[snowdog75]

Re: 1973 Invader16 ft Bass Boat Restoration: under deck questions

Re: 1973 Invader16 ft Bass Boat Restoration: under deck questions

Need some advise. I am curious if the live well in the front of this boat is actually supposed to drain underneath the deck? It appears to be originally built like this however I want the under deck to stay dry. It also appears that the deeper end of the hull is in the front. Can I just seal the drain holes off in the bow going under the deck or would that be a bad idea? I could rig the live well with a pump to evacuate the water. The original fill spout is going to need to be changed as it is seized up.

Also, Is the keel stringer suppose to lay all of the way down into the keel bottom or is it supposed to be up 1/2" or so for water to run underneath of it? My keel stringer was almost completely gone so I could not tell. I am having trouble understanding how or why this boat would drain under the deck. As stated I would rather build it back to stay dry unless that would create other problems. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1973 Invader16 ft Bass Boat Restoration

Some of the newer bass boats I have seen actually incorporate what you are talking about...they use a pump to remove the water instead of drains...what I have seen is the pump is built into a small depression in the bottom of the live well/bait tank, so most of the water is evacuated...
I am contemplating a set up like that for my live well...

 

[snowdog75]

Re: 1973 Invader16 ft Bass Boat Restoration: Keel Stringer question

Re: 1973 Invader16 ft Bass Boat Restoration: Keel Stringer question

Can anyone please tell me if the Keel Stringer is supposed to be bedded to the bottom of the Keel or is it supposed to be up off of the Keel for drainage. I am confused.
I have decided to either change the front live well design or run 3/4" PVC tubing back to the bilge to pump. No way I am letting water under my new deck as the current design. At my age I want this boat to out last me.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1973 Invader16 ft Bass Boat Restoration

Your keel stringer should be bedded to the hull just like all of the other stringers.

Your boat wasn't designed with an active bilge and there shouldn't be any water getting below deck when you're finished. Your boat was designed with a deckwell:


Any water that gets in your boat is supposed to drain accross the top of your deck and into the box circled in red to be pumped out by the bilge pump or drained when the plug is pulled. Your decking is supposed to be sealed with no penetrations to let water get below deck.

 

[snowdog75]

Re: 1973 Invader16 ft Bass Boat Restoration

Thanks so much for clearing that up for me jigngrub!