70's chrysler sport crown rebuild

[Jeff Keeley]

Hello, Im new to the forum here and fairly new to working on boats but not afraid to try a new project. I have a 74 sport crown that is in need of a new floor and transom work. I have the floor mostly out exept for the foam which I see is not real popular. There is no stringers that I can tell but looks as if the foam was boxed in ply and then glassed over. The foam is wet and will have to be replaced so I am looking for any advice on this project or anyone who knows more about this perticular type boat. The motor and exterior of boat are in good shape. I will try and post some pictures and maybe that will help someone give me some advice.
Thanks
Jeff

 

[jonesg]

Re: 70's chrysler sport crown rebuild

the ply thats boxing the foam probably serves as the stringers, or floor supports, it sounds like a gut job.
Get busy and enjoy the late summer.
Be sure to really check the transom,
don't just bang on it, drill a 1/4" hole ,
if water or black pulp come out join the club.

I just got through redoing a 1974 20 foot chrysler center console, they are built heavy, no flimsy glass work here.

 

[Jeff Keeley]

Re: 70's chrysler sport crown rebuild

Thanks for the info. This will be an interesting project. I have figured out how I will refoam yet but Im sure I will figure something out. This site is great for pictures and lots of experienced people.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 70's chrysler sport crown rebuild

Jeff welcome to iboats!!

Congratulations!!! I have appointed you the resident expert for the 74 Sport Crown. Do not fear the job..... it will not be too long and you will be the expert

Take lots of pictures!

 

[Mark42]

Re: 70's chrysler sport crown rebuild

A lot of old Chrysler boats used solid foam hulls in place of stringers. So it is important that the boat either be re-foamed (the new foams don't absorb water like the old foams) or a good stringer system be designed to support the deck AND hull the same way the foam did.

 

[jonesg]

Re: 70's chrysler sport crown rebuild

On mine they installed the ply framework, then installed the deck liner then injected the foam, there are limber holes where the excess foam came out.

Over the tops of the ply frame they layed down matting, then poured resin into it and plonked the deck on it.

What I did was remove the bottom of the foam, I undercut it, it was 18 inches deep. The top of the foam supports the glass molded deck, I re-cored the deck before gluing it back down with PL urethane.
Some of the cavity was filled with injection foam cans, but mostly its open to drain to the bilge. I also installed a 2x6 cross brace, bolted to the 2 main stringers using 1/4 inch angle bracket, its just aft of the fuel tank.