1978 Sea Sprite Tri-Hull Overhaul (Deck, Floor, Add ons)

[FishOrKnot]

I am a first time user of iboats and hope it to be a great experience. What started as a simple fix up project and grand hopes of adding a few needed commodities turned out to be quite the conundrum. I am posting this thread to receive input and hopefully help others that may have the same issues or want to adapt and use some ideas. Duh! That's what this stuff is for! Right? Great let me explain a few things and will get some pictures up soon enough.

The Tri hull im working on had the original back to back seats taken out and pedestals put in (Kinda, by the first owner) I dont know if he added the pour in foam or if it was factory. Anyways investigating brought me to find out the whole floor is rotten and the foam underneath is completely saturated. I have stripped most of the floor and foam out, relieving at least 200 lbs of weight thus far. The fiberglass is still in great condition at the bottom and only appears to need a patch where some screws went through (first guy) and an area where my screw driver went through towards the bow just past the console area. CONCERN: Is there more beneath this floor that may contain more foam or is that the bottom of the boat? Or is this space empty?
Here might be some answers to questions you may be thinking.
I had the boat all last summer and it never took on water or ran the bilge.
It sat what seemed ok in the water, not one way or the other. Taking off didnt seem what it should be But I attributed that to needing to get the carbs done.
So i plan on just replacing the deck and finding peices of Styrofoam to put under the deck. I will fiberglass the edges in and the areas I talked about.
DO I HAVE THE RIGHT IDEA HERE?
COMMENTS CONCERNS PLEASE HELP

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1978 Sea Sprite Tri-Hull Overhaul<Deck,Floor,Add ons)

Re: 1978 Sea Sprite Tri-Hull Overhaul<Deck,Floor,Add ons)

Welcome to iboats. We have the best restoration forum to be found on the internet so, yes you are absolutely in the right place.

We have had many tri-hull rebuilds here and the MOST unique thing is be careful with the deck removal....... tri-hull owners seen to always make a OOPS cut in the hull!

Are you going to pull the entire cap off? Since you have a rotted deck..... once it is removed it will allow you to see and examine the stringer's. How is the transom?

Replacing the decking is easy and usually exterior plywood (Not PT and Not marine) that has been sealed with fiberglass.

During your rebuild you can decide how to replace the foam and we will guide you. We want to make sure that IF water gets in (and it will )that it drains freely into the bilge to be removed.

If you want to post pictures please refer to this post http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=285637 for step by step instructions. We prefer 640 x 480 for the sizes.

Once again Welcome!!

 

[FishOrKnot]

Re: 1978 Sea Sprite Tri-Hull Overhaul (Deck, Floor, Add ons)

I have been careful not to make any oops cuts. I am using a cordless circular saw set to a depth of about a quarter inch< just enough to get through the top layer of glass. I could see the outline of the board of the existing deck. I just cut around the edge of that without getting the hull. I am just going to trim excess off with shears. My transom is good. The problem seemed to be where the original foam was, it was holding water in place ( right up to the deck, so nothing could drain to the back. All other figerglass is in great condition. This boat was taken care of and stored properly for forty years. Just under the deck waterlogged and im sure everything appeared fine. So hot about my "concern"

 

[McBoatin]

Re: 1978 Sea Sprite Tri-Hull Overhaul (Deck, Floor, Add ons)

I have a 1978 Sea Sprite with a johnson 70hp outboard. I have a few questions for you that I have been trying to find answers for. I bought my boat for $800 with basically a shell of a boat. I took it out on the water and realized someone cut out the floor and threw a plywood board on. I noticed the factory foam as well but mine was still dry and had a drain area cleared through. I did replace the floor without taking off the cap but it required lots of awkward positions. So good luck, I love this boat now. great for fishing and tubing w a few friends.

My ?s are. How many people is your boat rated for (8?). what size motor do you have and how do like the performance? also how are the original sea cushions attached to the inside of the cap? thanks good luck