1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

[fat fanny]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

J aren't you up kinda late? I think putting that deck plate back in was the right choice keep that deck space anyone with kids knows every little bit of space is valuable! (they never sit still) Keep up the good work!

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Nice choice, deck space is always at a premium. That heat setup is sweet.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

J aren't you up kinda late? I think putting that deck plate back in was the right choice keep that deck space anyone with kids knows every little bit of space is valuable! (they never sit still) Keep up the good work!

Yah, I actually posted past 9 wow! I am kinda tired this morning:facepalm:

Nice choice, deck space is always at a premium. That heat setup is sweet.

I am with ya guys. I know that little extra square doesn't look like much in the photo there but the deck definitely felt a good bit bigger as soon as I added it. I was thinking it will be really be great when I bust out the robot dance when the fishing gets slow. But, uh, yah, um, good for kids too! Right! I mean, that's the reason!

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

So what's next on the schedule? deck coatings then the power and wiring?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Good question fanny!

It's about time for a short list so I can stay focused I spose. Let's see....

1. Finish the sand/feather work on the deck seams then lay down a few coats of epoxy over the whole deck
2. Cut to size, epoxy and install the first/bowmost seat box piece
3. Cut, epoxy and install gunwale and stern deck backer plates
4. Deal with/move the shelves (I have some changes I'm making there)
5. Tie up a few small things here and there

That should keep me busy for a little bit anyway.

Yah, pretty well still working on the bones of this rig.

I might get to finish materials, someday!

Cheers guys!

 

[Wrongsyde]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Hey Jas... question for you and those following along. Is the layer of epoxy over wood sufficient for deck coating, or should there be a layer of glass too? I've seen a bunch of cases in old boats where the deck coat epoxy is crazed, shattered, and peeling off the wood (Note that both of my old glassers have this problem. Will probably have to re-deck the Fiberform this summer.) I know that referencing boats that have been stored outside uncovered for fifty years is an extreme example, but would that layer of glass add enough reinforcement to be worth laying down over the deck?

I know you tin boys cringe at the thought of glass, so I thought I'd poke you. =) Also for my own education!

Thanks!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

WS! I can't believe you even said that! NO! This is an aluminum boat! No glass allowed! Man I can't believe you would even make a comment like that!!! Why, I wouldn't even consider for one minute..........

Uh, er, um, well.......

I actually thought about glassen it this morning.

But! I don't think glass would help the symptoms you describe there ^^^. Or, maybe it would??? I dunno

Maybe if I wasn't such a punk to the glasser guys one of them would swing by and chip in. Doubtful though.:facepalm:

I'm not entirely sure what material to lay down on there actually?

I am pretty sure my plan is aok, interesting to kick around though.

 

[Wrongsyde]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Ha! Personally I think you oughta glass out your whole hull. Cover up that nasty aluminum and make it more like a REAL boat. =)

Maybe it's time to make nice with Oops! and his boys. I hear they know a lil tiny bit about fiberglass. The idea I was kicking around concerns the brittleness of straight poxy. Glass in it would not help with adhesion to the wood, waterproofing, probably little for wear resistance, but would pretty much completely eliminate any cracking or shattering of the coat. Even in nice plywood you're going to get a fair bit of movement, from weather changes, stresses on the boat in general, pressure from walking on it, not to mention the times you'll slip and drop a rigger weight on the deck. If it cracks, you lose the waterproofing, and eventually your deck. I know this is kinda doom and gloom talk, and even the cracked deck coatings I've seen were on boats obviously abused far beyond the ordinary. You gotta figure if the boat manufacturers didn't use glass there, that it can't be THAT bad a way to go.

As far as glass goes, I'm gonna make a guess here, just to see if I picked up anything at all from the thousands of posts I've read on iBoats. Please don't do anything without talking to the boys who actually know what they're talking about! =) I'm gonna guess that all you'll really need is one layer of 1/2 oz mat... just enough to prevent that shatter. Would go on fast and easy while your deck is still open. I think oops would put 6 layers of glass on it, "just for good measure" but he seems to actually LIKE fiberglass. =) http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=234392&page=22 Yup, there he is glassing the BOTTOM of his deck and admitting it's not necessary in post #546.

Cheers! Looking forward to seeing more of this discussion.

 

[Wrongsyde]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Oh, and I gotta point you to one of ez's posts if you haven't seen it already! Still makes me giggle everytime i look at it! Post #1812!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=287916&page=73

 

[Teamster]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

If'n it were me I might wait until the cuddy top thing is back on the boat before I put the seat bases in just in case you might want to change something?????

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Straight epoxy would not be the best choice. Not the worst either.Use a layer of light mat at least. Ohh and lay some glass all over it to make it a real boat. Now thats funny.:facepalm:

 

[Alpheus]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I am gonna lay glass down over my entire deck. I have a whole roll roven roving that will be epoxied down. That is what is gonna add strength cover the seems and add a texture to the deck...

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Make nice with the glasser guys! Aaaaakkkk! Oh man, that would be tough. Shoot, I'd rather buddy up with the OB guys and I loathe them!!



OK, so I spent some time on the US Composites site and am lost. Biaxel, Mat, Woven Roving, all the different weights, sheesh. Talk about confusion.

Few other issues, as I see it...

I cannot wrap all the edges with glass now that the deck is installed. Really, the only way I could have done that would have been to build the deck as one piece, glass it, install.

Another is all of that glass is listed @ 50" width which means seaming (do I build it up with epoxy and sand it smooth??).

I am also thinking $$. The glass itself doesn't look too expensive but I know I'd need to pick up more Epoxy and that starts to add up, eh!

I am receptive, but it might yet take some convincing.

Teamster - I have a plan on the seat boxes/cabin walls, stay tuned buddy!

 

[paparoof]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Hey Jas - NB glassed the deck on the LL, so there ya go.

What I have in that box in the corner over there behind me is 10 oz E-glass from this page:
http://uscomposites.com/cloth.html

Prolly way heavier than necessary but so am I, so.....

I soaked all my deck pieces last summer in epoxy, the plan from here is to get the floor attached like you've done, then just lay the glass on top for stiffness and strength. The only downside I see (besides the added expense) is that you're pretty much locking that deck down for ever and ever. So don't drop your wedding ring through the gap at the edges.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

NB glassed the deck on the LL, so there ya go.

He and I had a mildly heated chat discussion about that when I was doing mine. He was trying to talk me into glassing. I was already perturbed at the amount of epoxy I was going through and I was like "I am NOT going to spend $300+ to protect $60 worth of plywood". So that's my stance on that. Not to mention, I cannot even fathom how badly I would mess that up. A deck with wrinkles would be just lovely. Now, I will admit that one of the things that has allowed me to be more ok with my decision, is the marine vinyl. That stuff is TOUGH and I think ads a great deal of protection itself.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

This guy is very knowlegable in epoxies and will be happy to answer your questions. His web site is quite extensive it proves that PHDs like to write alot but its very nice of him to share all this info. There is a penetrating epoxy that I used on all the wood on my SS resto. Spreads like water and the ends wouldn't soak up a 3rd coat. 1 gallon is all I need for the entire project.
http://www.epoxyproducts.com/marine.html

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

What has been seen cannot be unseen.:facepalm:

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

...and you might see it again if I get T Boned by a cigarette boat at 70mph out in the middle of Lake Michigan.

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So I am officially torn about the glass issue. Not sure (convinced) it's worth the extra time, effort or extra couple hundred bux (probably more).

Even if I were convinced - mat, biax, woven roving, e glass?? Just in these last few posts I think each has been recommended. Then, after I figure that out, what weight?

Then, how do I handle seams?

Plus! I am within hours of laying down epoxy on this deck! I'd have to order, wait, yada, yada.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I did a 12' bass boat many moons ago and used a heavy mat with pigmented polyester resin. It left nice high ridges and wasn't too slippery when wet but with epoxy I'd add grip media of some kind. I think if you make clean cuts and butt them together well it should hardly be noticable to others. You and I will always know where our imperfections lie. If you can live with...Well, um you know:facepalm:, this should be OK with you too.

If the news chopper broadcasts that mess in the middle of Lake Michigan we will all know who it is.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I wish I could remember who wrote one of the funniest posts I've read on here....he was talking about using old PFD's for flotation. He said if the worst happened and his boat broke apart, at least he'd be like "hey look, more life jackets!"