1976 Tom Boy Boat, 1976 40 HP Johnson Outboard and who knows what Trailer

[gm280]

Thanks Decker for the nice words. I try...

Sam, yes the top plate (bow platform) will overlap the angled section a little to offer both a little water shield but also a nice lip to mount a couple LEDs for some indirect lighting as well. But it will only overlap by an inch or so. And in the center section there will be a hatch to allow for some storage underneath. It does drain directly to the center section of the boat and back to the bilge area. And I also have PBed that front panel in place now. So the bow section is coming together quite nicely.

The last two days I have used to rebuild a section of my Jet metal lathe. I removed the carriage section that feeds across the ways and has the cross side components on it a long time ago to clean and prime and refinish it. Well a long story short. Never have multiple type projects going on at the same time. There was so many parts that I had to look up how they went back together again to finish that effort up. I finally got it all back together, and although it is really nice and smooth now, it was quite interesting to say the least. Too many projects going on and so easy to forget how things came apart when you wait that long to finish it. :facepalm:

I think I need to order a few more yards of 1708 to cover the bow platform and rod box hatches top and bottom. I don't have any left. I have a lot of CSM, but I was under the impression that CSM would not work to offer a solid layer. So a few yards of 1708 will need to get order now.

Happy New Year everybody.:boom::whoo::horn::usa2:

 

[gm280]

Well a little update for the Tom Boy boat project.

I just finished 3 hours of sanding the first of many sandings on the aluminum rub rail on the boat. And that was only the starboard side too. I used my DeWalt orbital sander with 60 grit paper (a few disks used). It takes some muscle to work every little nick and scratch out before moving on. But you can't stay at one spot or the flow will look silly. There would be a shallow spot. So you have to blend the area to make it look correct. And some of the nicks were pretty deep. I actually have one that I will punch out from the inside when I remove the rail. Otherwise, I think I would sand a bad flat area. :nono: I figured it would be a ton easier to do the sanding while still attacked to the hull. Once I get it all finished, after getting to 2000 grit paper and then polishing, I will drill out the rivets and set the rub rails aside until I get hull painted. I have to say, my hands are still vibrating.

I also need to order at least 4 yards of 1708 (50") and about 15 or 20 yards of 6" 1708 tape to finish up inside the hull. So I have to wait at least until Monday begin how they are closed until then. I really want to push this now in hopes to finish up before the spring Crappie Spawn. We will see. :noidea:

 

[sphelps]

Ahhh sanding aluminum rub rails ..Thats a whole lota fun right there !! ... NOT !!! :faint2:

 

[Woodonglass]

IF you have a lot of deep scratches and gouges then sanding will be necessary, but...if you don't then I'd highly recommend that you try some of this

and a buffing wheel. It worked great for me with a LOT less effort.

 

[gm280]

IF you have a lot of deep scratches and gouges then sanding will be necessary, but...if you don't then I'd highly recommend that you try some of this

and a buffing wheel. It worked great for me with a LOT less effort.

Yea WOG, I have similar polishes made by 3M and when I get to that stage, a slow speed buffer/polisher (Makita variable speed) will be used. Same polisher I use for auto finishes. But with the deep scratches and nicks I did need the 60 grit first sanding to remove them. Next is going to be the same sander with a finer grit and then finer grits until I get there. Long process, but it IS an old boat as well. :thumb:

 

[gm280]

Well I finished up with the 60 grit on both sides now and also finished up with the 120 grit sanding. Next is the 180 grit and then 220, 320 etc.. I am also ordering some more 1708 today and other incidentals as well for the boat. I am taking progressive pictures of the different grit sandings and will post when I get these rub rails polished to show the actual steps. Okay back to the grind mill....I mean boat work! :thumb:

 

[gm280]

Okay, I made it through 320 grit yesterday, but two important items came in the mail and so I had to stop the sanding. Really didn't mind the interruption though, the hands, arms and shoulder were getting tired. First a new keyboard for my laptop. And second was a little spline coupler for our garage door opener.

I immediately replaced the laptop keyboard knowing it was a mere two screws removed and install the keyboard. Not a big deal that really only took about two minutes. But wow, now that all the keys are working, typing is so much easier. I was working around the failed keys before. Now if the new keyboard could only help my spelling and proper word usage. :facepalm: Probably not!

Second item was a little spline coupler that broke off the garage door opener last week. So I was opening and closing the garage door via arm power. Again the arms and shoulders got their work out. I just finished replacing that part AND resetting the up/down stop limits and force adjustments. And that was harder then installing the spline coupler. Seems when that coupler finally broke loose, it also popped out the threaded limit stop nylon screw parts. So after much wasted time and no real progress trying to set them again, I took the unit apart and saw the problem and snapped in back into place. Once I set those limit switches in the proper positions, I was able to find turn them for the door limits.

So all that being finished now, it is back to the boat rub rail sanding again. yea! I used my DeWalt orbital sander with 60 grit, 120 grit, 180 grit, 220 grit and even started with 320 grit. But it honestly didn't seem to actually be doing too much. I just couldn't see much different from 180 grit and beyond. So I used manual sanding with the 320 grit and sanded in the direction of the rub rail. It really made a huge difference. And I will post the pictures when I get this finished. So today I go to 400 grit and/or 600 grit and beyond before reverting to polishing chemicals. So hope the hands, arms and shoulders can take it. :thumb:

 

[gm280]

I received my 1708 fiberglass material today and that should finish up the boat perfectly now. However, yesterday while "trying" to put the Christmas tree away up in the breezeway attic, I managed to sprain my back and am babying this pain now. So boat work has come to a stop...again! :facepalm:

I bought a 1500 pound pull 115VAC which from HF to help pull such things up in the attic. While the winch works perfectly, the Christmas tree didn't. It was hanging on everything and as I tried to help it along, I somehow sprained my back. So another day or so of healing this back pain and I should be good to go. I haven't have any serious back pains for about 5 years. But I do know how it feels all to well.

So I also know that trying to push through such things only prolongs it. I will wait this time and then get back at the boat. :thumb: The winch seem to be working nicely but it doesn't care if things hang up. So I have to use the remote control and assist the tree from catching on the different things to get it up there. That tree is a lot heavier then one would expect. Probably around 50 to 75 lbs. :noidea:

 

[sphelps]

Sorry to hear about your back gm.... I know that feeling all too well .
You did shove the tree up there top first right ? It don't work well the other way ya know ...
Rest up my friend the boat will be there when your well ! :joyous:

 

[gm280]

Sorry to hear about your back gm.... I know that feeling all too well .
You did shove the tree up there top first right ? It don't work well the other way ya know ...
Rest up my friend the boat will be there when your well ! :joyous:

Actually Sam, we have a Christmas tree bag for it. BUT, that bag is pretty much shredded now and I need to get something else to put the tree in. It is actually two huge sections with a lot of fiber-optics running through it and lots of steel angle branch holders. So it is unbelievably heavy. That was the reason for the 1500 lbs winch. But even with the winch, the tree tries to get hung up going through the opening. So once healed, I still have that to contend with. :facepalm:

I do know all about back issues. And this really is unusual for me being how it is on my left side. 99.99999999% of the time I usual have my right side go out. :noidea:

But all with be okay. I am just trying to get the boat ready for the spring Crappie Spawn. We'll see...

 

[kcassells]

Ouch!!! Take a break.

 

[gm280]

Ouch!!! Take a break.

kcassells, well I am actually taking that break. It has been three days since I have done anything. The back is still twinging a little yet. Folks with back issues knows what I am talking about. Today was the very first day I actually left the house. We ate lunch with my younger son and family, and I talked him into coming back to the house to put that tree up in the breezeway attic for good. That is done now so no more fighting that issue. I will have other means for that issue before next Christmas for sure.

He also saw the partially polished rub rails I was working on the boat and thought they looked amazing. He couldn't believe I was able to remove all the dents, scratches and gouges from them and make them look like new. I told him that they were merely only polished to 320 grit and not even close to finished yet. :wave:

As the back gets feeling better daily, I will again start back up with the boat. I did receive the 1708 fiberglass material and the 1708 6" tape as well, and everything is just waiting for me to get to it again. But I will not push the back issue until I feel it is ready. I know all too well what can happen if I try to do things too soon. Not going to do that again. :high5:

 

[kcassells]

Good! Yup, been there done that. Can just show up on a freak twist or shoelace tie. Go figa. Anyway still plowing away on the sewing machine WOG helped me select. Got her running smooth as glass now. So I'm playing with fabrics, curtains, pillows, cushions till I get comfortable enough to start making my boat cushions. I enjoy it! Patience truly is a virtue!
Glad you're hanging in there.
View attachment 12-23-6.pdf

 

[sphelps]

I felt my back stiffen up yesterday while pouring a glass of iced tea from the fridge ... It don't take much these days ...

 

[gm280]

I got a question for those of you in the know. I still need to buy and install a boat horn. How has everybody else done that. And where do you all install yours? Not looking for anything elaborate or fancy, but just something legal. I have been looking at some but honestly have no idea about installation and such. :noidea:

 

[sphelps]

Here is how I mounted mine ...

!!!

 

[gm280]

Well Sam, I wasn't wanting to install a compressor as well, I was looking for more a electric version. Otherwise that would work. :facepalm:

 

[bonz_d]

Any 12v auto horn will work. Just 2 wires with a momentary switch is all that's needed. I've mounted them under the steering console out of sight.

 

[gm280]

Any 12v auto horn will work. Just 2 wires with a momentary switch is all that's needed. I've mounted them under the steering console out of sight.

Thanks Bonz_d. Yes I have thought about using a car horn as well, and presently learning that direction. And it is really interesting to see the huge price difference between a regular car horn verses a boat horn of the exact same design and physical looks. Neither one offers anything different but the price. I guess listing such horns for a boat drives the price up. :noidea: But car horns are really cheap and if I go that route, I could even get one from some salvage yard for a few bucks.

Always interests me to see things change price when listed for different activities. For instance, buy a part for most anything and then read the price for that same item that goes on an RV or Motorhome. WOW! Even carb kits or just a simple gasket. Same part but huge difference in price. Makes one wonder. :noidea:

 

[gm280]

I have been sanding the rub rails off and on over the last few days. I have gone from 320 to 600 and 800 and even some 1200 grits now. But I will say, I can't see too much difference after 400 grit in the actual finish on the rails. So I used some Flitz polish with an angle grinder fitted with a polishing pad and WOW the results were amazing. It actually looks like chrome where I did a little trial polish. So hopefully today I can finish that effort up and post those pictures. But I think I will use the Makita polisher for the rest being how that is what it is made for. :noidea:

I also have all the 1708 material I ordered and can finish the front platform up as well. And IF the weather cooperates, I can finish that as well. However, yard work does cut into the hours. I still have to prune the crepe myrtles and some other tree branches and try to get things ready for the upcoming growing season. It really isn't that far off already.

But not to worry, I have enough jobs to keep me busy for a loonnngggg time. Just hope I can get everything fitted into the hours. :smile:

Just a little update about my BIL. Yes he did have a triple bypass and is now recovering in a rehab hospital and seems to be doing well. And with all the tragic circumstances surrounding the pass holidays season with our family, things are starting to look better already. :thumb: