1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

[Friscoboater]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Man you do upholstery like a pro!! I have not yet done a patch on a hull yet, but it looks like you are on the right track. Be careful with the fumes and an open flame heater if you are using poly. That is a fire waiting to happen. If you can heat the shop, and then turn off the heater and do you work.

 

[cofooter]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

How did the stringers come out? Cakewalk? I hope you maybe snapped some pics. I am trying to decide if I wanna copy what was in mine or see if there is a more factory stringer setup than mine. Somebody has done some work on mine and its hard to tell what was the original plan.


Vinnie

Cakewalk for sure. As I mentioned, the wood was fully rotted. At one point it was clear that the stringers were bonded to the hull as I saw two beads of some type of adhesive on the outer edges of where the wood was. I just used a grinder with a thin metal cutting disc to cut the joint right at the hull. I used one of those oscillating tool at the ends where I could not get the grinder in. Took all of 3 minutes to get the stringer out. Then I ground down the old adhesive/glass tabbing remnants that were left with the grinder and 36 grit paper. My stringers looked to be 2x doug fir, at least that is what I am going to replace them with. They (2 of them, 9.5 feet long) run from the transom to the bulkhead which is right in front of the pylon. Then it is one 2x10 or 12 stringer straight up the middle to the bow. That one was in decent shape so I 'm leaving it. I measured the depth on both sides of the stringer every 6" before I took it out so I can get the depth/angles right when I go to shape the new ones.

The other one seems to be more solid so it may take more to get out. May need the sawzall with a long thin blade to cut the stringer from the hull. I'm going to fully install the one I took out before I take the other one out.

I have questions to on the lay-up (# layers, type and weight of cloth) to attach the new stringers.

I'll post a pic later today.

 

[vincentkm]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Ahh crap. That means whoever did the stringer job on my boat completely half assed it. I have no center stringer at all. My starboard stringer starts at the transom and stops at the driver's footwell. The port stringer appears to go all the way up the bow area. There is one bulkhead, basically right across underneath where the dashboard/gauges are. Im not sure what is forward of that. I am trying to do this without removing the cap or building a cradle, and I really was hoping not to have to pull the deck forward of the dashboard. Im going to try and get some new pictures today. I would like to see some pictures of your boat too, if you get a chance. I know our boats are pretty different but I need some ideas. Im sure that my boat was redone wrong, so I dont have much to go off of..

Vinnie

 

[vincentkm]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Man you do upholstery like a pro!! I have not yet done a patch on a hull yet, but it looks like you are on the right track. Be careful with the fumes and an open flame heater if you are using poly. That is a fire waiting to happen. If you can heat the shop, and then turn off the heater and do you work.

Thanks Jay! Been following your work for a long, long time! I am being really careful with the LP heat. I might need to get a pair of heaters like the yellow one you have. I could run 2 of them on my generator probably. Do you recommend them? I tried the super cheap $20 metal electric heaters from lowes and they didnt do adamn thing besides pop circuit breakers lol. Got my money back luckily

 

[cofooter]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Ahh crap. That means whoever did the stringer job on my boat completely half assed it. I have no center stringer at all. My starboard stringer starts at the transom and stops at the driver's footwell. The port stringer appears to go all the way up the bow area. There is one bulkhead, basically right across underneath where the dashboard/gauges are. Im not sure what is forward of that. I am trying to do this without removing the cap or building a cradle, and I really was hoping not to have to pull the deck forward of the dashboard. Im going to try and get some new pictures today. I would like to see some pictures of your boat too, if you get a chance. I know our boats are pretty different but I need some ideas. Im sure that my boat was redone wrong, so I dont have much to go off of..

Vinnie

Sorry Vinnie, I think I confused you. The center stringer starts on the bow side of the bulkhead and goes forward. No center stringer between the transom and bulkhead, just the two, yours is likely a bit different due to the inboard engine. Pics later tonite.

 

[cofooter]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Here is the stringers looking forward. The bulkhead used to go all the way across but rot got it.

 

[cofooter]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Heres the stringers in the stern. There was some kind of back deck/transom support in the back attachced to each stringer that was completely rotted as well. Need to be replaced.

 

[cofooter]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Here is what was left of the stringer, whole thing was like this. Suprised it was not more discolored.

 

[cofooter]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Here is the stringer removed and the hull ground down. Note the two beads of adhesive that held the stringer on the hull.

 

[cofooter]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto



Here is the boat, Flightcraft by Malibu. I, like you, did not know what I was getting into when I bought this boat. but it was a good price and a Yamaha 200HP ProV in great condition so I pulled the trigger. I knew at some point I would be rebuilding. These boats are rare and great for barefooting so I'm happy to put some work into it ot make it a great boat again. Sorry about hi-jacking your thread, I'll start another one for this build. Good luck, I'm with you in spirit!!!

 

[vincentkm]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Hmm. That is almost exactly the same boat. I must have been thinking of the '94 flightcraft that had a significantly refined design. And my stringers are pretty close to exactly the same. Cool deal. You definitely should start a thread, or post in this one all you want, maybe I could rename it "A tale of two Flightcrafts". They sure are fun little boats, I would love a ride in the outboard version to compare. Are you going to uncap your boat? I really am trying to avoid it, but digging the deck out from under the front seems like a pain.

I snapped a couple pix today, but I really need to get my actual camera back from a buddy that borrowed it. Tommorow the procrastination ends.

I am planning on copying friscoboater's layup schedules for the stringers. I might do epoxy on the topside of the deck. Then fill, fair, gelcoat +snap on carpet. Maybe not depending on budget.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

If you are going with gelcoat, you cannot use epoxy, as the gelcoat will not stick to it. I was talking to US Composites the other day and they do not recommend epoxy if you are in a hot climate in the summer as the epoxy will get soft. There is alot of confusion about epoxy and US Composites helped me understand when you should use it. Alot of it is a big sales pitch from most suppliers.

Buy the way, love the thread so far.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Thanks Jay! Been following your work for a long, long time! I am being really careful with the LP heat. I might need to get a pair of heaters like the yellow one you have. I could run 2 of them on my generator probably. Do you recommend them? I tried the super cheap $20 metal electric heaters from lowes and they didnt do adamn thing besides pop circuit breakers lol. Got my money back luckily

Yes my Stanley works great, and I need to get another one. They are 1500 watts, so make sure you do not over load the geny.

 

[cofooter]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Hmm. That is almost exactly the same boat. I must have been thinking of the '94 flightcraft that had a significantly refined design. And my stringers are pretty close to exactly the same. Cool deal. You definitely should start a thread, or post in this one all you want, maybe I could rename it "A tale of two Flightcrafts". They sure are fun little boats, I would love a ride in the outboard version to compare. Are you going to uncap your boat? I really am trying to avoid it, but digging the deck out from under the front seems like a pain.

I snapped a couple pix today, but I really need to get my actual camera back from a buddy that borrowed it. Tommorow the procrastination ends.

I am planning on copying friscoboater's layup schedules for the stringers. I might do epoxy on the topside of the deck. Then fill, fair, gelcoat +snap on carpet. Maybe not depending on budget.

Definitely not going to uncap it. I wanted to get it dry as far as I could up in the bow so I removed the floor and foam only as far as you can see in the picture. As I was digging foam it got drier and drier. In that area the hull starts to rise so water doesn't really collect there.. There is some minor damage to that center stringer, but to replace it would mean de-capping and a lot more work so I'm going to repair it the best I can and leave it in place. I was thinking also I'd put a snap in carpet vs a glued in starting behind the pylon. Should be pretty straightforwardy as there is no motorbox.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Cofooter,

You really should start your own thread for your boat. It's very confusing when all of your posts about your boat are in someone else's thread.

 

[vincentkm]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Jay -I mispoke. I meant to say I am actually torn between epoxy and some type of paint, or poly and gelcoat. (On topside of decking) I would like to do snap in carpet either way.

Seems like it will be rough on the wallet either way. Between the first Glastron you did with the paints, and the Searay with gelcoat, do you have an opinion? What are you planning on doing on your current project?

I have about a gallon of the US composites epoxy and man it sure is nice not having the fumes. Up here in Seattle I really dont see heat being an issue. Mold and dampness, yes. $125/5gal vs $290/5gal will be the deciding factor I believe. If you look at the blue board in the picture of that passenger seat I did--that is epoxy glassed ply with blue pigment and I am impressed with the strength, gloss and how non-brittle it is. Really nice to work with as far as fumes.

I wear a respirator and keep the cartridges fresh. But man I tell ya, I just about died watching you lay down 3 gallons on your deck. Seems like I mix a pint of poly and I am afraid of the styrene getting through my mask.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Yes, expoxy is expensive, but I do not think you use as much. Some people have a sever allergy too it though and cannot work or be around it.

 

[vincentkm]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Well, I know I have not come through with the pictures, but you know I am honestly in a little rut right now guys. Been having some doubts about my capabilities for finishing this project.

I have not gotten much accomplished lately. Saturday I went to a couple of lumber places and ended up buying what I hope will be my new stringers. I havent cut the old ones out yet, so I don't know what they are made of. I am no Norm Abram when it comes to purchasing lumber or woodworking, and I really didnt know what species I wanted for sure. I looked at some mahogany and some white oak, but they seemed a little heavy. I also looked for southern yellow pine but couldn't find any. I ended up getting a 12foot and a 14foot long 2x4 in vertical-grain douglas fir for about 70 bucks. They are pretty nice looking pieces of wood- they are straight and the grain is tight and straight. Can anyone chime in and tell me if that was a good choice?

I re-did the patch on the bottom of the hull and it came out a little better, but I am wondering if I am going to be able to do a decent job hiding it with gelcoat, and whether it will be strong enough. I put down 2 layers of 3/4oz CSM with a layer of 7oz cloth sandwiched between.

I am trying to get an order in to US composites and here is where I need help. Between the existing gelcoat and the fiberglass is a thin black layer of something. I think it must be like a barrier coat. I have a feeling that it will be crucial to try and replace it where I have ground out, but I dont know what it is for sure. There is absolutely no info on the web about my particular boat. This is making me wonder what I should use on this hull patch, but also what I should be using to tab in the stringers and deck as well. "Vinylester" popped into my head. This boat is a 1989, so that sets a flag in my mind that it could be vinylester construction. How can I know what resin for sure to use? Is this possibly a vinylester barrior coat under my gelcoat?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

You REALLY need to post pics if you want us to be able to give you good advice. Your boat is made from Polyester Resin and Glass. You can use Vinylester but not needed. the Dog Fir is and Excellent choice for your stringers if you want to use Solid Wood. You can always use a double lamination of 3/4" exterior grade plywood to fabricate your stringers. Sooo...What is the final layup on the patch? From the beginning what materials have you used. As stated before it really needs to be done on the inside of the Hull too!!!!

 

[vincentkm]

Re: 1989 Australian Flightcraft 18XLT Deck/Stringers/Upholstery Resto

Okay,

I ground out the area. Simple green to degrease. Acetone throughly. Mixed peanut butter with poly and colloidal sillica filled the cut. Scuffed it up and acetone. Laid up 3/4oz CSM over entire area. Laid up up 8oz e-glass cloth (1in smaller area). Laid up 3/4oz CSM (2 in smaller area). Cure. Thats where I am at:

Now my plan was to sand, fairing compound, vinyelster barrier coat?, gelcoat.

If you look closely at the picture, at the edge of the ground out area, you can see the thin black layer I am talking about.