1986 Blue Fin restore

[bscappell]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

Below deck tanks aren't all they're cracked up to be, and it really doesn't look like you have enough room for one considering the latteral ribs and proper bilge drainage you'll need.

A lot of people don't understand that below deck tanks have to be contained in their own sealed compartment (casket) in case of a tank leak so the whole bilge won't fill with fuel. They should also be completely foamed in place with 2 part expanding foam to help keep them sealed in case of a leak.

i didn't know that was a standard. i know a lot of tin boats that have below deck tanks and not a lot of clearance in there but i haven't ever seen what it looks like in there. so if my current above deck tank leaks it will go into the bilge......how is that ok? i just asking and maybe its just a rule that doesn't have to make sense.

 

[bscappell]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

so would you just stick with the current setup? the main reason i want to move the tank was for storage. any other ideas?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

I'm not a "Tinner". I have a closed bow Glass boat and store my stuff under the closed bow. Any way you could fabricate a part of the bow to be closed in for storage??

 

[bscappell]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

I'm not a "Tinner". I have a closed bow Glass boat and store my stuff under the closed bow. Any way you could fabricate a part of the bow to be closed in for storage??

i have some storage for life vests and the 2 bow mount batteries. i may look at doing port/starboard tank as well. i guess the good news is if i cant figure it out i have the current design as a solution.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

I'm not a "Tinner". I have a closed bow Glass boat and store my stuff under the closed bow. Any way you could fabricate a part of the bow to be closed in for storage??

That's what I was about to suggest B's bow area could use a serious makeover and create lots of storage space.

Depending on your skill level you could enlarge the bow deck to come all the way back to your consoles and raise it to the bottom of the gunwale kick plates for a lot more storage.

My boat has this setup and I really love it.

With hatch covers closed:


Hatch covers open:


I don't know how much framing or metal working experience you have, but it's not that hard. Mine is framed out of aluminum square tube but you could easily frame it out of aluminum angle.

This is the overall layout of my boat and I find it very roomy for a 17 footer:



... and my 17 gallon fuel tank sets below the rear deck:

 

[bscappell]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

that is nice. do you do that yourself? professional. i will be extending my bow deck forward. that's the plan. i was looking for more storage towards the stern because that where the fishing happens and i want to be able a access it quick without disturbing my guests. think i will find a compromise in that the bow will have a bigger seat platform that extends towards the the console for the dry items and safety items. Then maybe a split tank in the stern to have storage between them and remake those gunwales somehow.


Jig if you did that work can you link me to it?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

I did the cosmetic vinyl and aluminum trim, the decks and storage are factory.

This is a link to the vinyl work if you're interested:
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...ir/97-tracker-pro-deep-v-facelift-509163.html

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

Jig's got ya covered ^^^

 

[bscappell]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

So i should be able to put a couple of coats of primer and maybe one or 2 top coats this weekend (weather pending).

The next piece after painting (i am thinking ahead) is the transom rebuild. the current transom is 2 3/4" pieces adheared together. reading the forums i see the standard choice is epoxy resin for both adhearing and sealing.

I know this may be the best but not at all the only solution. what have others used?

whats the best deal on epoxy? only place locally has west systems which i know is great stuff BUT they have it marked up sky high.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

West System if you are rich n famous.

US Composites if you are just famous.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

Since you live in Washington State, You might want to check these guys out. Save some bucks on shipping.

Fiberglass Supply - Epoxy Resins, West System Epoxy, System Three Epoxies

 

[bscappell]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

shot a coat of primer on today. used rusty metal primer becuase that is what came in a gallon.

Before with high build and self etching:



After first coat:





She is earning her first mate seat:



next door neighbor let me borrow his 60 gallon compressor, must have had 100ft. of hose and a regulator and the HB HPLV gun worked pretty good. i thought this would be much more complicated but for throwing paint down it worked i THINK.

4-6 hours between coats and then wet sand some bugs and one little run down with 3m pad then wash and wipe with Acetone. sound right?

 

[bscappell]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

Since you live in Washington State, You might want to check these guys out. Save some bucks on shipping.

Fiberglass Supply - Epoxy Resins, West System Epoxy, System Three Epoxies

WOOD: any of the brands kosher?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

Yeah, pretty much anything they carry is good stuff.

 

[bscappell]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

Got the second primer coat on Saturday and the first top coat Sunday then the weather went south. rained all day today. looks like my next window wont be until tomorrow maybe. then not until the weekend.

I went with the rusto method. using 2 cups smoke grey pro. 12 cup of 50:50 acetone and MS and 2 tablespoon of hardener. sprayed on OK but it was a bite breezy


Is there such thing as too long between top coats?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

4-6 hours or 48 hours

 

[bscappell]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

So the 48 hours has no upper limit? Like if I can't paint another coat until a week later I'm ok? Any special considerations besides washing down with clean water and wiping with 50:50 acetone MS?

What is the idea behind that? I am always wanting to learn!

 

[bscappell]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

Shot the 2nd coat today. I will have to take better pictures later. Overall i am happy. got wood ordered from a friend at a plywood mill.

How long before i flip it over? a week?

 

[Bronlonius]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

Neat project, I used to have a 1980 blue fin. These boats do really well in big water. I didn't strip mine completely down like you are doing, but did modify the layout inside significantly. I added a casting deck in the front and moved the livewell up front so it was under the casting deck(it was originally under the driver seat), and also moved the console back. The drivers seat was right on the edge of the splashwell, so I could spin it around and control a trolling motor by hand, and still reach the steering wheel to use the main motor as a rudder to help control the boat better. The casting deck with bow storage really helps make the boat feel bigger, I highly recommend doing something like that.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1986 Blue Fin restore

It's all about molecular bonding and curing. If you don't recoat within the short time frame you need to wait for a full cure before the next coat. If you used hardener in the paint, I'd wait a week before putting her back on the trailer. If you did not use hardener I'd wait 2-3 weeks.