1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Paint finished on the trailer. Carpet on the bunks. New keel rollers and bow stop roller. Still have to install lights and wire, make/carpet fender wells, and replace tires.

Had to make new brackets for this roller. Someone decided it wasn't needed.

Gonna replace the wheels. I may paint them to match the trailer? Any thoughts?

Back to work tomorrow night. Gotta fund this project!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

That is one sharp looking trailer, very nice work...some lights and maybe a couple of reflectors and you'll be ready to tow...BTW, check your local laws to see if you need to add a trailer light in the Back, Center of the crossbeam...down here in Fla., they are required if the trailer is over 80" wide...

If you are going to replace the wheels, what are you looking to get...aluminum, galvanized or chromed?

If you get chrome, unfortunately the quality of chrome nowadays is not that great...some elbow grease to keep them looking new...unless of course you splurge for some of the high end stuff, but they will still need to be kept clean and coated with a good wax to prevent long term pitting and overall detriment of the chrome

Galvanized are pretty much "plain jane", but seem to be lower maintenance and able to take the most wear and tear, with an occasional soap scrub down, then spraying down with a good preservative oil, like PB Blast'r Corrosion Inhibitor, or the like, they tend to stay looking "plain jane" for a long time...you can look on the net for info on how to paint them, but basically a real good cleaning, followed by a good metal primer and finally your choice of color, preferably oil based...

Aluminum rims are nice, but pricey, and depending on the finish, can be quite labor intensive to keep looking good, main advantage is they won't rust, but they will oxidize and tend to get chalky...these can be painted as well using a zinc chromate primer followed by your color choice...

Just putting out some food for thought and discussion...

Happy Friday!

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

I'm thinking very seriously about painting these wheels to match the trailer. They're rusted, but no pitting. I've done some research and it can be done with self etching primer.
There were two red lights on the rear bar. I'm replacing all the lights with LED lights.
Thanks for the input. Have a great weekend!

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

I owe, I owe, so off to work I go!! Bottom paint is on its way, so maybe get it painted next week.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Got two coats of paint on the hull today. I'll do the third and fourth coats tomorrow. I decided to go with Interlux VC Epoxy paint. Here's some pics after the first coat:

Also got the LED lights mounted on my trailer. Gotta make the fender wells and run the main wiring and I can put it back on the trailer. I'm shooting for Tuesday, next week. Then I get to start on the fun stuff!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Looking good!

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Thanks GT. I couldn't get all of the minor scratches out, though. I think I've got a scratch troll in my shop. I fixed all the scratches I could find, while I had my fairing mixed up, then while I was sanding it, I would find more! Did that about three times. I think that ol' scratch troll was putting new scratches in it after I fixed them. Anyway, I finally said enough! The ones I didn't get fixed are minor, and the epoxy seems like it's gonna cover them anyway. Heck, the first time I take it out I'll probably get it too close to a stump, and that'll take care of the new paint job anyway!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

I know what you mean, I recently went through the same thing...

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

4th and final coat of paint on today. Back to work tomorrow night. I'll post pics soon. Not much different from last set, though, with only the first coat.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Back to work tonight. 3 in a row, then I get back to my boat!

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Got her back on the trailer yesterday!

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Getting the bow eye back in...soon.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

And the fun begins again.:facepalm:

This looks like drywall screws were used in laminating the old transom.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Got the old transom out.

This tool was a lifesaver....Saved a heckuva lot of grinding. It's a scraper blade for the sawzall. Got it at Lowes.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Got some of the grinding done today.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Nice progress! Getting closer to put back...

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Got the transom cut out and laminated together.

I should be able to get it glassed in and finish up my sanding next week. :whoo: Glad to be doin' a little building...as opposed to unbuilding.

 

[budski]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Looking really great, nice job on the trailer also