1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

[chrishayes]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

So as I was saying, I had to drill a few holes in my transom...

These are for the motor mount, T&T, tie down hooks and drainholes for both the bilge and splashwell. I drilled them with these new shiny tools!

Redfury posted about using forstner bits so I picked up a decent set from 1/4" up to 2 1/2". I used a bit that was 1/4" larger diameter on all these holes so that I can refill the hole with epoxy PB, allow that to cure, then redrill the correct size hole. I want to make sure that if water seeps through the bolts that they wont have any wood to rot. Again, this is just the overkill that this project has taken on. Water is the enemy and I will continue to base every build decision on that fact and do whatever it takes to avoid allowing the enemy to destroy my boat again!

Here is a cool picture showing the thickness of the transom.

THis is from the rear of the transom in

And this is from the inside out. It shows the thickness of 2 layers of 1708.

And here are a few more pics of the carnage

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

So, I just spent 8 hours on the absolute most horrible job of a boat restoration. GRINDING You gotta love an 83 degree day in September, except when you are in a monkey suit that turns you into a human shaped puddle

But, this is a good thing, this will be the last major grinding I have to do. Tomorrow it is deck time! I hope to be able to get the foam that I bought cut down to a template then cut the ply to it. I doubt I will get any further but if I can get that done with any time and/or energy left, I will go ahead and epoxy in the pvc drain tubes in the stringers. and PB the holes that I drilled through the transom yesterday to be ready for the cap going back on! I am going to start looking around for drain tubes on the internet this week so that I have them on hand. ANyone have a preference for plastic over brass?

I will also go ahead and order the last few gallons of epoxy that I will need for my deck. I will likely not recieve it before next weekend which kinda sucks but its possible... this is exciting. ANyhow, on to pictures.

Just for reference. THis is what the hull looked like this morning. aside from the fact that in this photo the glass work isnt all done...

Have I mentioned that if I ever meet the idiot that used liquid nails to glue his carpet in, I am gonna pour him with the sidewalk I want to install? What a nightmare this was to grind. Cant believe my dewalt held up through this today especially since it was so hot out.Alas, this is what it looks like now.

As you can see I ground the sides even though I intend to carpet them and mostly cover them up with new storage panels. There was just no way that I could leave the gooped up liquid nails...

Then I ground up around where the deck will meet the hull about 6" all the way around.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

I left the forward portion of the bow alone as this part will be completely covered by the bow seats and dash.

I dremeled out the half round drainholes that I glassed over on the tank bulkheads.

And here are a few others, ready for a deck!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

You're really getting there now. Looks great. Can't wait to see a deck in it.

 

[robbankston]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

Looking great man. I'll be happy to jump back on mine soon. You are inspiring me!

 

[system-f]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

That hull looks amazing, but you are not making me look forward to my transom/deck/stringers

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

Really looking good there!

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

That hull looks amazing, but you are not making me look forward to my transom/deck/stringers

Hell, I didnt look forward to mine either Not the most fun a man could have with his summer but beats cruising on the water with a big boy soda anyday NOT! Its not too bad, you just have to really pep talk yourself in ways that one doesnt often do...it is a process every work hour. You have to plan and protect yourself at all times which is kinda the worst part. Its not like you can just hop out of bed in shorts and a wife beater and have at it. You have to plan for the type of work that you will be doing that day and just the metal image of how bad yesterday was makes it hard to WANT to do some of the crap work. But, its all part of it so I put my man pants on one leg at a time take a deep breath of fresh air, then put on the respirator and carpet the neighborhood in summer snow!

Oh and rob and Big(hey thats a show) thanks for the atta boy! Now go work on your junk! I need some inspiration, im tired of carrying you guys

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

Chris...isn't your boat done yet?

Some people just slack and slack

Just kidding (well sort of ), hope you have a good weekend. I should be able to work on the Mate and actually get to play with 1708 this weekend

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

Lookin great Chris, won't be long now..lol I said that when I began also.

Oh yeah, couldn't help myself after seeing yours...

Maybe we need to start a Jeep club here too{starcraft what, who, where }...LOL...is that a 4" lift you have? thats my next major project, to get mine higher and V8 powered.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

Lookin great Chris, won't be long now..lol I said that when I began also.

Oh yeah, couldn't help myself after seeing yours...

Maybe we need to start a Jeep club here too{starcraft what, who, where }...LOL...is that a 4" lift you have? thats my next major project, to get mine higher and V8 powered.

No mine is a spring over with custom leafs and a shackle reversal in the front. I also thought about going v8 but once I saw the numbers on the stroker I built I was not unhappy with my results! Not to mention it remains stock in all other aspects for reliability and parts. Your picture didnt show up bud!

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

Bigred, I have been working on my brothers POS toyota for the past week and weekend so I havent had time for the boat...I did finish my deck template yesterday though. I will post how I did it because it just plain worked! I like to break things down to a very simple way for my mind and im sure it will work for others as well. Did you get to work with the 1708 this weekend or were you out enjoying yourself again?

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

I never got to it. My wife and I made an unexpected trip to Lima to visit her family. It won't happen until the end of this week or into the weekend.

I'm curious to hear how you did you template.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

I never got to it. My wife and I made an unexpected trip to Lima to visit her family. It won't happen until the end of this week or into the weekend.

I'm curious to hear how you did you template.

I will try to upload the pictures tonight but dont count on it. I am exhausted and need some rest, hope I dont fall asleep on the way home from work!

 

[83vert]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

Chris that boat is looking great. Cant wait till I am at the point of decking. Keep up the good work

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

..... Your picture didnt show up bud!

Hmmm, I can see it, oh well no biggie, doesn't look near a sweet as yours..luv the stance btw! If the work you did on her is anything of the quality your doing here, it has to be one kick'n @zs ride.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

Hmmm, I can see it, oh well no biggie, doesn't look near a sweet as yours..luv the stance btw! If the work you did on her is anything of the quality your doing here, it has to be one kick'n @zs ride.

Thanks man! When I lived in Colorado I ate slept and breathed wheeling! And wrenching on my Jeep. Took me about 3 years to get to what you see and about 20,000$ Only because I made SOOO many mistakes even though I researched every move just like I have for the boat. I went through 4 different suspension systems looking for the "ONE". 4 sets of tires, different brands and sizes. Did the stroker for absolutely no reason...no lack of power or damage to the motor...put Dana 44's front and rear yet never even bent a axle even when I was on 37's locked front and rear!

BUT I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! Now the poor thing just sits on the side of the house

THanks again, I appreciate your comments! Actually knowing folks are watching my build is just about the only thing that has gotten me to move along this fast. I would probably be about half as far as I am now if it werent for me feeling like I HAVE to get something done every weekend

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

Chris that boat is looking great. Cant wait till I am at the point of decking. Keep up the good work

Thanks! Also, it is a LONG road to decking, one that I, after 3 weeks of being done with the stringers, am still not at...If you have to work a job and do not do any high powered stimulants just expect it to take 8 years Thats a good goal, right?

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics

I promised an explanation of how I made my deck template and here it is. After watching lowkee's "how not to make a template" video I was left wondering if there was a better way. So the simplest way in my mind was to plot measurements along an axis. I used my center stinger as the center line. Keep in mind I only used this method for where the hull starts to curve into the bow, the rest is pretty straightforward. THen I marked out where each 4' section would meet up to the next. From there I laid a tape measurer on that line up to where it meets the next line, making a mark every 2".

Then take a scrap of wood that is the thickness of your deck and start with your first line. Lay the scrap on the edge of your mark and make sure that it is perpendicular to the center stringer. If you have another stringer to the side it makes it even easier to keep it perpendicular.

Now get some paper and a pencil and you tape measurer and measure from the tip of the scrap wood where it meets the hull back to the center of the stringer and write it down. Continue this for the rest of your marks that you made up the center axis.