1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

[digordiex]

Son and I just purchased a 1979 Sylvan Rodmaster for a project a few weeks ago. Guy said all it needed was a few new boards for the back that covers the live well, and replace the bow platform as well. We new better then that its not just one or two boards. When we got it home we decided to just make it a project for the remainder of this season and have it ready to go next year. Well needless to say when we started to remove everything there was extensive water damage to all the wood on the boat. We completely gutted it. The floor was rotten and when removed there was water under the floor and all the foam was water logged and i think a few mice lived in the foam because it was more like popcorn. After further investigation we found issues with the transom. It is bowing out about 3/4" in the middle and the wood that is in between the aluminum is completely rotten. Looks like it has been replaced once before but not a very good job in doing so. The actual stucture seems intact so thats a good start. It was also in the water, so we know it still floats .

Neither my son nor I have any boat building or boating experience, and we are learning as we go along, thats how I found this site. On a side note son is a carpenter so rebuilding should make it easier.

So, let the project begin. I added a few pics day 1 when we put it in the garage, and now on day 3...its gutted.

 

[83mulligan]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

Welcome to Iboats Digordiex! Lots of great folks here to help you along and cheer you on!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

Guy said all it needed was

HHHHAHAHAHHAHAAAAHAHAHHHAAHAAAAA!!!!!!!!

These words are famous! Usually when a seller says these kinds of things the new owner finds there way all the way through the world wide interweb and right over here to the iboats drydock, so, welcome:welcome:

You landed in a great spot and it looks like you are tearing right into it, well done!

Click on the "Starcraft Rebuilds" link in my signature and you'll be reading awesome information on all things metal boat building for days on end.

Cheers:jouous:

 

[digordiex]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

Spent a few hours yesterday removing the rest of the hardware, lights, anchor, throttle box and motor. Sending the motor out for a complete tune-up. Then it was on the tackle the transom. It was fairly easy access and pretty easy to remove, more like when we took off the steal covers/ plates the wood just crumpled that was in between. Used a chisel to scrap the wood off the back. After it was all cleaned out, it looked in pretty good condition, just need to replace the wood. We were thinking of sandwiching 2 3/4" pieces of plywood wrapped in resin to water proof it before reassembling. A friend is going to fabricate the trim and cap so hopefully it will last and make it stronger. The we had to go back and remove all the random rivits that were holding the floor and every other object on the boat. We started to drill them all out but found it was easier to use a sharp chisel to knock off the heads first and useing a punch to take out the rest. Job moved along a lot quicker.

pics attached completely gutted and somewhat cleaned up.

Going to take it out and get it powered washed and see if there are any leaks in the bow with water in the boat (fingers crossed).

Looking for suggestions about painting... yes or no? if yes where and how do we start. power sander? hand wet sand? Do we take off all the trim on the top since its all riveted or just tape it off, seems to all be in good condition just needs to be polished. Any and all suggestions appreciated.

Also, are there any floor plans or pics for ideas on the deck rebuild?

 

[digordiex]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

Nothing to report, been a busy weekend so the project sat idle. We did however start doing some brain storming for deck plans today and all the what ifs. Son is thinking way to much, need to finish all the grunt work first. We have lots and lots and lots of interior rivits to remove. Anyone have any simple ways of doing this. We were thinking just using out grinder and cutting blade then sanding them all smooth or tapping them out. They will probably all be covered anyway.

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

Welcome to the drydock dig! Your tearing right into the Sylvan and now the fun begins.

First off after washing the hull out, inspect the hull very closely / methodically for loose rivets and and cracks. The transom skin also may need some attention and if pitted up filled with marine tex. When these tin boats get used as is normal when the wood is rotten they tend to transfer a lot of energy into the aluminum which can't take the stresses very well. Then you'll need some gluvit epoxy for your rivets and seams inside at and below the water line.

Painting, well check out my threads and the many others for what to do about that old cruddy paint. Right now I'm in the process of stripping down my old Chief to bare aluminum. Then do some body work, shoot some self etching primer and top coat. You'll need to read up on painting and using an HVLP spray gun. Some iboats legends and greats will be buzzing your dry dock I'm sure!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

We were thinking of sandwiching 2 3/4" pieces of plywood wrapped in resin to water proof it before reassembling.

I hope you mean epoxy resin and not polyester resin. You don't need glass cloth with epoxy resin, but have to use cloth or matt with polyester resin.

This is what I did to my aluminum Tracker if you want to take a look:

http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...ir/97-tracker-pro-deep-v-facelift-509163.html

 

[bonz_d]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

That hull looks to be in pretty fine shape for a 30+ year old tinnie. Looks like you've found a nice foundation to bigin with. The great thing is that with these boats the interior finish design is left wide open to your imagination and budget. What are you going to power it with?

 

[digordiex]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

I hope you mean epoxy resin and not polyester resin. You don't need glass cloth with epoxy resin, but have to use cloth or matt with polyester resin.

This is what I did to my aluminum Tracker if you want to take a look:

http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...ir/97-tracker-pro-deep-v-facelift-509163.html

I guess i should have clearified that, yes we are using poly resin. I liked you layout a lot, but son wants more seating area since he wants to do more with the boat then just fish...kids these days

 

[digordiex]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

That hull looks to be in pretty fine shape for a 30+ year old tinnie. Looks like you've found a nice foundation to bigin with. The great thing is that with these boats the interior finish design is left wide open to your imagination and budget. What are you going to power it with?

After futher investigation inside and out the hull seems to be in great shape, not leaks found and all the rivits seem to be intact. The only leaks we found were from the live well pump area and where someone put screws in the transom for the depth finder. Since both of those will be replaced it needed to be fixed anyway. As for the motor, it came with a 50HP Merc, its not the original the owner said it was only 9 yrs old and he had it running a few times to show other possible buyers. When i took it in the get tuned, the guy said, doesnt need much work at all and looks to be in great shape. so i guess he at least took care of that part. Needless to say the plugs and wires looked new. So hopefully all it needs its to be cleaned up and basic maintinence.

 

[digordiex]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

Son and I did a little shopping last night to pick up paint stripper and decided to buy my own power washer. We decided we are going with a bare bottom look. Also pick up styrofoam from HD and a very very cheap price. 10.49 4x8x2", we ordered a fw sheets of marin grade plywood as well, those should be here in a few days.

Anyone have any suggestions on midgrade carpet, and adhesive? Ive read a few threads and people are dissatified with the stuff from Lowwweeesss, marine stores seem way over priced from my search.

 

[digordiex]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

Well over the past few days we decided to strip this tin bare, lots and lots or elbow grease and paint stripper. Splash pan completely stipped bare, and most of the paint removed from boat, all thats left is the old primer thats giving me a hard time. I could use drill with steal wool but dont want to scratch everything only to fine sand and wet sand over and over then have to buff it all since we are leaving the bottom bare. So taking my time to preserve it.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

Huge job on the stripping and polishing! it will be purty when its done though!

IMO for fishing, even cheap boat carpet is better than the stuff from lowes just because its pretty much impervious to fish hooks.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

digordiex check you PM's, sent some info.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

I don't know where you guys are at but a guy at fleet farm near me swears that Lund uses the same marine carpet that they sell. If your son wants more seating consider removing the rear splashwell. I did it on my 18 ft Rodmaster and it's really opened it up a lot. The first pic is what I did but I'm considering redoing it this winter to make it look more like the second pic with flip up seats across the back. If it's not to late be careful with the top cap over the transom as finding a replacement isn't easy. I had to have one fabricated. Do you have any pics of it before you ripped out the interior?

 

[digordiex]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

Well, its been awhile since ive been here, life has taken over and had to take a week or so off. Vacation, back to school, back to work. Did however manage to get to finally finish all the paint removal from the bottom and sides. and repaired any rivit leaks. considering this thing is over 30 years old, we only had 7 rivits that has a small leak an no seem leaks. Measured and cut new transom its in claps now. gorilla glued 2 peices of 5/8th plywood and going to cover it with polyresin. Finally cut and dry fitted the subfloor for decking. Son and I are still stuck on how and where and how big we want to build decks both front and back, if we want to put in side walls or rod lockers, build a nice dash or just go simple. I guess it just depends on how much we really want to sink into this project of just keep it simple. I do have one question though....Do we paint before or after the deck is in? Its not that heavy to flip and we have plenty of room, but my biggest concern is scratching the paint on top while installing everything else, or do we just paint the hull and not the top. Also the decking will be carpeted, what should i use to protect the wood before the carpet goes down? Someone suggested a few coats of thompson water seal would be fine, but im kinda sceptical about that and will the carpet adhesive stick to it for the long term?

Will post pics soon.

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

For some deck ideas, I submit to you my SN resto thread for an in deck cooler. http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...a-nymph-ss160-resto-590579-6.html#post4158855

and the finished deck job... http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...a-nymph-ss160-resto-590579-7.html#post4183638

There is also some painting and banter about it.

Lord no Thompsons water seal. Spend on some epoxy resin or the less expensive and easier to work with spar urethane (I did the spar).

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1979 Sylvan 16' Rodmaster Project (first post)

Poly resin without CSM (Chopped Strand Mat) is pretty much useless. Once fully cured it will become brittle and eventually crack and allow water to penetrate to the wood. Epoxy should be the resin of choice. If not then as Waterman suggests Sparvarnish or Even 2-3 coats of Rustoleum OilBased Paint would be a good choice for coating and protecting the wood. For the the deck as well. Both sides should be coated. For painting your boat on the cheap, you might check the last link in my signature below.