1987 Larson DC-215 restoration

[sms986]

Lot of sealing today. I got the cap back on and sealed some thru hulls.

I was so mad. 3M 5200-4200 literally says it won't web or droop...Wrong! I got it everywhere! But, I learned a secret after trying just about everything, including the 3m remover they recommended, to clean it up. I'll probably have someone chime in and say it's bad because of this or that, but I blasted it all off with brake cleaner. Didn't even have to scrub. Just wiped it up when I was done.

 

[sms986]

Got a lot more sealing done today and we got the rub rail on.

As you can see, there's still a good bit of excess 4200 to clean up around the cap rail. It's coming off. Slowly but surely. I just don't want to spray these areas with brake cleaner so that I don't break down the good stuff under the rail.

 

[sms986]

Been a while. Busy summer. I did finally get back in and back to work. The cap and rub rail are set and ready to go. I also got the fuel cell done up, installed, and hooked up along with the livewell. I even got my hatches put in.

 

[kcassells]

Been a while. Busy summer. I did finally get back in and back to work. The cap and rub rail are set and ready to go. I also got the fuel cell done up, installed, and hooked up along with the livewell. I even got my hatches put in.

Yup same here! Looking good!

 

[sms986]

Latest update: I learned to powdercoat.
Now, I know that many people have mixed opinions on powdercoating an outdrive, but I did it anyway. I've been itching to learn and I figured now is a good time. I really don't care if it slowly comes off. This boat will never, ever, sit at a dock. Freshwater tailer boat so I'm not concerned with massive and fast corrosion. Much more worth it for me to learn to PC on challenging parts. Honestly would have probably rattle canned it anyway. I did the gimbal housing, transom plate, gimbal ring, and my trim tabs. Dipped them in sulfuric acid, checked all threads once the paint and grease came off, washed, and coated. I know it probably won't stay on the trim tabs over the years but hey, they're stainless anyway. Did it all in Eastwood hotcoat jet black and it looks sharp! I think I'm going to do the upper unit in hotcoat too then use silver POR-15 wet paint for the lower unit just because I know it'll take more abuse.

I cut the steering relief slots on my keyhole, re-drilled the bolt holes, and test fitted the gimbal housing. So cool to see that in place.

Oh, also installed some battery boxes.

I also got all of my hardware in line and cleaned off for the outdrive and GH and ordered whatever I didn't have or didn't trust. Next week I'll rebuild then install the gimbal housing. After that, the engine is ready to go in!

 

[sms986]

Small update. Been busy over the past few months. First season I got back into deer hunting since moving to NC, sold my old jon boat, lots of crappie fishing, and just started coursework for my phd yesterday. So progress is creeping along slowly and may be halted until march when it warms up. But, I got the gimbal housing all done up and installed along with the trim tabs and stuff. Also put my outdrive together!

Next step is to shop vac the bilge pretty well then drop the motor!

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'm sure a minor thing like working toward a PhD won't get in the way of boat restoration!

What are you studying?

 

[sms986]

Lol no won't be an inconvenience at all.

I'm studying mechanical engineering/aerodynamics. Got my master's last year and took a semester off to catch up on the rest of my life lol.

 

[sms986]

Progress is currently slow.. working on my fishing boat and school stuff. But I got a little bit done over the past few months!

 

[sms986]

Been a while since I've had time to work on the boat, but I did get the engine in over the weekend. I'll spend this week getting it all hooked up.

 

[kcassells]

Looking Great!

 

[Reserector_]

Following...

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Good to see you’re still plugging along.

 

[Scott Danforth]

With a good push, you can splash this year