77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

[poppop51]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

thanks Gus, I just spent the last two nights reading your thread. Your doing an amazing job and a lot of good info. I'll be following it right to the finish line.

 

[poppop51]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

A few more pics of the boat

 

[poppop51]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

The first pic is of my fathers day gift. New multi-tool, works great. OK, I've had a little time to work on the boat and I'm ready to order some material. I made a list of material earlier in the thread and I,m not sure if that is everything , or if it's enough to do transome, stringers, and deck in a 16' bb. Also, what is the correct name of the wax needed to add to the last layup and approx. how much do I need? One more question. I noticed most transomes are 1.5" thick, mine measures out to be 2" and I didn't think it would swell that much. Does that sound right? It holds a 150hp Merc. Thanks poppop.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

It called surfacing wax.

Use this table...

AMOUNT OF RESIN	AMOUNT OF SURFACING WAX REQUIRED
1 OUNCE	20 DROPS
1 PINT (16OZ)	1/4 OUNCE
1 QUART (32OZ)	1/2 OUNCE
1 GALLON	2 OUNCES

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

2" thick transom is what the finished measurement is usually very close to...
The equivalent in materials is 2 each, 3/4" plywood plates, laminated together to form the core, plus approximately 1/4" outer hull skin thickness, plus the same 1/4" inner, splashwell skin thickness...
Mine is going to end up a little thicker than 2" when all is said and done...probably close to 2-1/4" thick...
The worst case scenario is that I will need new, longer mounting bolts for my outboard...especially since I plan to add 1/4" thick Stainless Steel backing plates to each of them, to help spread the load...

 

[poppop51]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Hi Gus, I measured just the wood without the skin, about 2 3/8" with skin. Could it have swelled up that much?

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Hi Gus, I measured just the wood without the skin, about 2 3/8" with skin. Could it have swelled up that much?

Hmmmmmm, could be, or it could just be the way they built it originally...I have actually read somewhere of transoms being as thick as 2-1/2'' to 3'' thick...as far as I know, when it comes to outboards, the thickness is not that critical of an issue...what usually limits the thickness is the way it was originally built, as in the "empty space" between the outer hull skin and the inner splash well skin...if its too thin or too thick, it could affect the way the cap sits back on the hull...unless, like in my particular case, I am re-doing the splash well area to accommodate some changes...
Where it becomes a concern is with I/O set ups, where there is a limited amount of "play" allowed between the engine/ intermediate housing and out drive...
When you actually dig in to yours, you will should be able to tell if its caused from swelling...I think...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Uhmmm you gotta be careful with the thickness on OB's too!! There's only so much room between the OB clamp system on some designs. I'd bet your transom was swollen to some degree. To my way of thinking there's no reason for it to be more than 2" thick. When it's tabbed to the hull sides and stringers a 2" thick transom will be more than adequate for up to 200 hp motors.

 

[poppop51]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Thanks guys, I checked the thickness in various locations on the transome and its consistant at 2" of wood. Not sure now if I should just go with two 3/4" laminated together or build it up to 2". I don't think 2" will affect the splashwell.

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Hi poppop51,

Welcome to Iboats! I actually am also restoring a 77 Wrangler currently - will definitely be following your build and feel free to let me know if you want to compare notes!

Thanks guys, I checked the thickness in various locations on the transome and its consistant at 2" of wood. Not sure now if I should just go with two 3/4" laminated together or build it up to 2". I don't think 2" will affect the splashwell.

My transom was made of 2 layers of 3/4" plywood, which I replicated. That plus the outer layer of glass and the splashwell layer was approximately 2" total.

I would look at your Merc and depending on how it mounts to the transom, see if it's even a measurement that needs to be exact - if it bolts to the transom, then probably not a big deal if you're a little off.

 

[poppop51]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Hi Fishbone, I have been following your build. You do nice work. I was glad to see a build on the same boat as mine. I found a small but good spot on the transome and it does measure out to 1 1/2''. Wood actually swelled up a full 1/2''. I also noticed my transome and console are shaped a little different than yours. My transome has about a 2" step down, you can see it in the #8 post, first picture. They must have changed design mid-year. I'll be glad to be as far along as you are. Have fun! poppop

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Uhmmm you gotta be careful with the thickness on OB's too!! There's only so much room between the OB clamp system on some designs.

Very good point, Sir...didn't even think of the "hook" on the bracket...
On my bracket it is not an issue, since my engine is mounted using the multiple mounting holes on the bracket, making it possible to use this long shaft engine on my short shaft transom, which in turn actually raises the hook off of the top of the transom...

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Hi Fishbone, I have been following your build. You do nice work. I was glad to see a build on the same boat as mine. I found a small but good spot on the transome and it does measure out to 1 1/2''. Wood actually swelled up a full 1/2''. I also noticed my transome and console are shaped a little different than yours. My transome has about a 2" step down, you can see it in the #8 post, first picture. They must have changed design mid-year. I'll be glad to be as far along as you are. Have fun! poppop

Yeah, I noticed those differences too - will definitely be following your progress!

 

[poppop51]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Hi everyone, Not getting a lot of time on the boat with work and the honey-do list. Few hours here and there. I cut out my stringers down low with a sawsall. The bottom 1/2" or so is not rotted and is resin hard. Is there an easier way to remove this or do I just continue with a small chisel and chip it out?

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Hi everyone, Not getting a lot of time on the boat with work and the honey-do list. Few hours here and there. I cut out my stringers down low with a sawsall. The bottom 1/2" or so is not rotted and is resin hard. Is there an easier way to remove this or do I just continue with a small chisel and chip it out?

Haha - I chipped, but it's highly possible that someone else will have a better, more efficient idea:joyous: The chisel works great (its what I used) but you just got to be careful not to punch a hole in your hull.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Multi-tool

Or a grinder...........

 

[poppop51]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Thanks guys, just got a multi-tool for fathers day, going to give it a try.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Be careful. It too will go thru the hull & much quicker then you'd think.

Most of us cut the hull, so when it happens, mumble quietly to yourself & move on :watermelon:

 

[poppop51]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Just a few pics after removing transome,deck and foam.





Now when I removed the foam I found this. It seems they didnt get good coverage under the cross supports for the deck. I dont know what you call these little strips of wood in the hull, but what would be the proper way to repair this. These were obvious. How can I tell if other ones are rotted without cutting them all open?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 77 Skeeter Wrangler restoration

Here's my take on it. You're there now, You don't want to be back there anytime soon, so....cut it all out, replace it, and never have to worry about it for the rest of your owner life!!!