1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

[captainQ]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

My tank ended up above deck also.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2638.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2639.jpg

That looks very nice EZ. Is that in your 18' SS ? How many gallons ? I could maybe squeeze a 12 gallon tank in like that which is all I'd need running a 20 HP. I've looked at 12's that are about 10 x 18 x 24. I'll need to calculate a bit more.

Thanks for the pics, great idea !

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

W eare going to start stipping paint Sunday. We got 2 gallons of stripper and was going to brush it on and then hit it with the pressure washer but my partner is nervous about the chemicals running off and into the ground. It's really toxic stuff and we are a little apprehensive hitting it with a lot of water.

We thought of scrapping it off but I guess you really need to wash it off after as well.

Any concerns ?

 

[Shife]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

Additionally we won't replace the composite side panels that go 18 pounds each as well as anything else that's not critical to structural integrity. Everything is coming out and very little is going back in.
The floors are undecided yet, I'm looking into aluminum first, then lighter plywood than 3/4 pt for sure if that doesn't pan out.

I hear ya on wanting to shed weight. I used 1/2in BCX saturated in epoxy top and bottom with the top side getting an 7oz layer of cloth after being installed in the boat. The only thing I would change is to use 3/4in for the casting platform up front. The 1/2in is fine, but all the hatch openings up there allow for more flex than I would like. It is a minor annoyance and not worth cutting a new piece at this time. The main floor deck is rock solid though. I highly recommend adding a ski locker. This will allow you to easily clean under the main deck and check for leaks and other issues.

The costs associated with using a material other than plywood for this particular application are too high to justify the minimal weight loss you could achieve. I have access to foam, carbon, and all sorts of other fun stuff and just used plywood in mine. I couldn't bring myself to spend hundreds on foam core and bagging materials for the floor of a boat that is only worth $2k just to save 60lbs.

 

[LonLB]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

W eare going to start stipping paint Sunday. We got 2 gallons of stripper and was going to brush it on and then hit it with the pressure washer but my partner is nervous about the chemicals running off and into the ground. It's really toxic stuff and we are a little apprehensive hitting it with a lot of water.

We thought of scrapping it off but I guess you really need to wash it off after as well.

Any concerns ?

You want to use a hand wire brush. Works much better than scraping. I wouldn't want to spray it off either.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

That looks very nice EZ. Is that in your 18' SS ? How many gallons ? I could maybe squeeze a 12 gallon tank in like that which is all I'd need running a 20 HP. I've looked at 12's that are about 10 x 18 x 24. I'll need to calculate a bit more.

It's a 12. I briefly had an 18 that I was going to place right in the middle and build a box around it but I would have had to reroute my fill and vent which was going to be a pain so I went with the 12. The original tank was a steel 12 http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2145.jpg

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

We've moved the boat to the next stage.

Stripping was done by smearing paint stripper then moving outside and pressure washing it, due to the cold weather it took 5 times to get it near clean.

The next door folks were watching

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

Once we got 90% of the paint of it was time for wet sanding.

I tried a whizzer with a scotch brite pad but was not happy with the swirl marks, made me feel like it would show through the paint.

Time to flip it over and sand the top side.

I have to say taking ever spec of paint off was a big job. 2 guys had 10 hours into stripping and 16 hours wet sanding but it was pristine when we finished.

More to come

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

I think it came out fine so we are ready for etching primer.

A few shots after primer.

At least the swirls didn't show in the primer.

I put the little buddy heater under it to help dry it. She's ready for paint now.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

Looks amazing. That's going to come out great!

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

Thanks EZ, here's a few more from the afternoon.

We need to let it dry then we'll flip it over and hit the top side. It really came out pretty good for first timers. I used a cheaper paint than I had expected to but I don't want to blow the whole boat budget just on painting her.

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

She dried overnight and now it's time to flip it over and mask the top side and prime her.

ready for priming top side

All primed

1 hour later and she's ready for the finish coat.

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

Last shot then drying time overnight before loading her back on the trailer.

This afternoon she's back on the wheels !

ERRRRR, that's all folks, been a busy 5 days but step 2 is done. Now we need to start the rebuild.

Next is transom construction and I'm having a hard time finding the resin to use, I've seen it on here before but can't seem to locate it. Anyone care to fill me in on the best 2 part product and where to find it quickly ?

We are attempting to get the transom installed this weekend, I know I'm behind the 8 ball but making impossible goals is fun. Along with new trailer lights.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

Wow that's a lot of paint stripping and painting. Nice work, she looks like a new boat.

What kind of paint are you using?

BTW I have been happy with clarkcraft.com epoxy resin. About 60 bucks for a gallon. They specialize in wood boat building and those guys know their stuff.

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

Wow that's a lot of paint stripping and painting. Nice work, she looks like a new boat.

What kind of paint are you using?

BTW I have been happy with clarkcraft.com epoxy resin. About 60 bucks for a gallon. They specialize in wood boat building and those guys know their stuff.

Thanks alot HA ! Appreciate the positive comments

It was a ton of work but it's over and done with now and she came out fine, there's a few minor imperfections but we'll live with it. Painting in a unventelated garage with temps between 10 and 20 degrees wasn't easy. Next rig will come out nicer with all we learned on this one.

We used a NAPA commercial coatings paint, it's a 2 part urethane paint and we sprayed it with a HPLV gun of very high quality and had only one water spot in 3 continuos coatings.

The most impressive thing about this paint is the high gloss finish, it really shines and we haven't buffed it out and waxed it yet !

We are trying to do this complete project in 3 months total time, this was a good start, hopefully the rest goes as quickly.
Thanks for the resin tip, I'll check it out asap.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

Excellent! Looks like it turned out very nice!

I got my epoxy from US Composites, great price and fast shipping.

Have fun with the next stages!

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

Excellent! Looks like it turned out very nice!

I got my epoxy from US Composites, great price and fast shipping.

Have fun with the next stages!

Thanks Jas ! For you all that have been there before if I'm coating the transom and flooring on a 16' boat how much epoxy will I use ?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

I went thru a gallon of epoxy on my deck and interior wood pieces. I just ordered another gallon to do the transom, but I will end up with some leftover for another project.

Clarkcraft sends a 1/2 gal of resin and a 1/2 gal of hardener so it's a 1:1 mix.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

I'd order 2 gallons to start. Do your deck, and then decide if you need more to do the transom.

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

I went thru a gallon of epoxy on my deck and interior wood pieces. I just ordered another gallon to do the transom, but I will end up with some leftover for another project.

Clarkcraft sends a 1/2 gal of resin and a 1/2 gal of hardener so it's a 1:1 mix.

I ordered 2 gallons from clarkcraft, very reasonable price and shipping, but they don't indicate the ETA, I'll call them tommorow to see when it'll get here. I excited to move on now. Headed out to get plywood and some hardware, everything I took off this rig is being replaced with new stainless, some of it wasn't stainless to begin with and it was rusted bad.

The splashwell screws into the transom were rotted to tooth picks.

We measured for additional angle aluminum pieces to be cut and bent for floor braces as we are going with 1/2" plywood decking vs 3/4" to save wieght.

Next will be ordering all new wiring and electrical components. I see i-boats has what I need. I'm goiong to give them a shot.

Thanks guys for the help

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: 1980 Blue Fin Sportsman Restomod

Very nice work CapQ! You should be proud!