1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Made a test piece with the Carbon Fiber. I like it! I think I'm gonna make some custom dash panels with it.

Looks a lot nicer in person than in the photos.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Got my foam in. In the front section, I poured the foam, then trimmed it off and laid my floor over it. In the rear section, I laid my floor, or "sole", for those of you who prefer the proper term, then drilled some 2" holes with the hole saw and poured the foam in. I'm not real sure one way was easier than the other.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

I got the sole laid in today. Tabbed and glassed with 7.5 oz. E Glass w/ Epoxy. This pic is the floor only, before I fiberglassed it. I'll post some pics later that shows it glassed in.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

How much foam did you end up using?

At least with the pour and trim method you don't have holes to patch in your decking and you can come back and fill in any craters/holes for a flush finish, and the pour through the deck method tends to leave craters/holes in the foam if the pour holes aren't close enough together.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

I used about 2 1/2 of the 16 lb. kits, or 20 cu. ft. I agree. I believe I prefer the pour and trim method. There's no holes in the floor to patch plus, as you said, no voids. May just be user preference.

 

[1FASTLASER]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

I do hope that you had enough thought to make sure when pouring the foam in that you made room for water to get out. Alot of people have not had enough forethought and forgot to leave like a channel so that any water that may make it in will be able to get out.

 

[Leisure67]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Nice project. You are doing a great job on it!

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

I do hope that you had enough thought to make sure when pouring the foam in that you made room for water to get out. Alot of people have not had enough forethought and forgot to leave like a channel so that any water that may make it in will be able to get out.

I did leave the center open between the two stringers. I still have to run the front livewell drain hose through to the drain in that channel.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Nice project. You are doing a great job on it!

Thanks. It's been fun, but I'm anxious to get through with this phase, and get started on the top cap.

 

[1FASTLASER]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

I did leave the center open between the two stringers. I still have to run the front livewell drain hose through to the drain in that channel.

Fantastic.........

 

[budski]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Got to say you've come a long way in such a short time and you're doing an awesome job

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Got the underside of the front livewell glassed today. Bottom was busted and the PO did a half-A** patch job with ??. Looked like some sort of putty and some polyester with one layer of thin cloth. I used thickened epoxy and 3 layers of 7.5 oz. cloth. I thickened the epoxy to mayo consistency because I was working upside down. I'll lay one layer of 1208 with thin epoxy on the inside next, mainly for my peace of mind, and keep a smooth surface. I didn't get any pics, but I'll try to get some the next time I work on it.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Got to say you've come a long way in such a short time and you're doing an awesome job

Thanks!

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Pics of the floor glassed in:

One coat of epoxy, then one layer of 7.5 oz. glass.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

One final coat of epoxy (about 12 oz.), with black liquid pigment from US Composites:

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Front casting deck. Ground out old glass that had delaminated from the plywood. I have a piece cut for the opening, and have the bottom coated in epoxy. I plan on laying 1708 to build up to the layer of old fiberglass that's still good. Then cover the entire casting deck in 1208. Then a layer of 7.5 oz. glass. I think I'll add a extra 3/4" base, 2'x2' where the seat base mounts.

 

[Bomber Goober]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

One final coat of epoxy (about 12 oz.), with black liquid pigment from US Composites:

What made you decide to go with black ? I know it doesnt really make a difference with an OB because you dont have to look for oil or anything, just curious if there was a reason behind it.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

No particular reason. It was previuosly black, so I went back with that color.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Hadn't had a chance till now to get all caught up...

WOW! You are doing an amazing job and everything is looking top notch! Way to Go!:high5::rockon::clap2:

At this rate you'll be getting this old boat full of fish in no time...:thumb:

 

[1FASTLASER]

Re: 1980 Tidecraft Bass Boat Restoration

Using your head for sure. The extra 3/4" under the pedestals is a GREAT ideas still am jealous. That boat is one of the pocket rockets and when you are finished if you take the te and do some serious setup on the boat you will be very pleased at how well the boat performs. I always liked the wildfire series. I would love to get my hands on another one. I have a 16' Tidecraft right now but it has the standard pad on it. Still I turn some nice numbers with it.