86 18' Starcraft SFM

[jbcurt00]

It seems a common problem for pix shot w a cell.

has to do w the orientation of cell when the pix is taken.

rotated AND resaved before uploading?

happens.... dont be too concerned.... think Jetsons hover boat....

 

[66Holiday924]

Nice work!

Only a couple of the pictures are sideways

 

[MD28]

I’m using contact cement to glue vinyl to the aluminum sides of the consoles and I’m getting a lot of bubbles. What adhesive have you guys used to bond vinyl to aluminum? I believe Waterman used some sort of spray like 3m 80 right? I used the contact cement to bond nautolex to the top of the gunnels and it worked well without any bubbles, but that stuff is more stiff.

 

[Watermann]

I've not glued upholstery vinyl to AL but I did to wood. If you're trying to wrap the vinyl around sides at the same time you're doing the flat area then it will bubble. You have to do the main flat area and then wait for the adhesive to cure before you mess with the wrapping or it will bubble on you when you start pulling on it.

 

[MD28]

I think I figured the bubble problem out. I had to wait for the contact cement to dry a little more before laying it together. The next batch turned out swell. So as usual my lack of patience got the better of me. Id include pictures but you cant see the bubbles on the pictures any way and I fixed the bad stuff. One issue i do have is bristles from the cheap brush I used. I didnt think they would be an issue but I can definitely see them under the vinyl. I think i might use something different to apply the glue, maybe one of those small staining sponges on a stick.

 

[MD28]

Some work I have been doing. I put a lot of vinyl in on the gunnel tops and sides. Also the consoles. I then installed the side trim so I could install the consoles. It doesnt look like much but this was kind of time consuming work. I used 3m 77 sprayon the side vinyl and contact cement. everything had to be plastic protected for this. I also used construction sill seal as batting but i dont recommend it. It looks dimpley, but itll do. The vinyl that bends under the gunnel I stuck on with contact cement because i think it is stronger. I really feel like it is coming together with the vinyl going in! After the vinyl was installed up front I had to button together the loose ends of the gunnels where they meet the bow. I saved the little pieces of AL angle and through bolted each side to the gunnel and the bow cross member. Also time consuming work as those are some cramped quarters up in there! I also jumped to the back deck and installed some AL angle that was already bent to the right angle of 75 degrees. these will be cleats to hold up the coming deck. The two pieces are offset because one will have 1/8 in thick angle sitting on it and running along side the SW.

 

[jml82]

Nice - I admire your ambition and your work!

 

[knezzer]

Looking very good !

 

[MD28]

I think I'll re-use these, shouldnt be an issue

 

[MD28]

Or not...

 

[BWR1953]

Haha! Good call! :lol:

 

[MD28]

A little more on the splashwell deck...

 

[Watermann]

I'm thinking that ply has seen better days :lol:

 

[nrf414]

Wow at your side panels. Looks like my port side side panels. Rear deck metal work looks awesome. What kind of tool are you using to cut the aluminum? Looks like a nice clean cut.

 

[MD28]

Just a miter box saw with carbide tipped blade. A harbor freight special. If it has burrs I file them off. Just go real slow and watch out for flying debris eep:

 

[MD28]

Splashwell rebuild is coming along. I used the angles from the original SW.

​
I think I’m done with the stern deck AL framing too.

​​​​​​​

 

[nrf414]

Thumbs up on framing and splashwell. Looking really good! Really like the vinyl and gray contrast too

 

[66Holiday924]

Looks like it was meant to be. You're laying the bones of an awesome boat!

 

[BWR1953]

Very nice work! Good job! :eagerness:

 

[MD28]

Thanks fellas! I also bought a tempress slam hatch for a livewell cover. It is smaller than the actual opening so I shrunk it down with some scrap AL and sealed it with 5200.