88 Capri Restoration (Splashed 08/2022)

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Well I have to put her away for winter, I made supports to hold and hopefully shed the snow. So sad

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I do have some questions on the pros and cons of epoxy vs fiberglass on the repairs.
From the reading I have done is this just a personal preference, cost, durability, ease of working with it?
I will do more reading but any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[matt167]

Your boat is made of polyester. It's cheap and easy to get, and easy to work with. However it has been found that polyester 'can' delaminate from wood substrates. So this is why some people do chose epoxy resin. Personally, I'd vote polyester. The chances of delamination if the fiberglass is done correctly is pretty low

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Thank you for your response I was leaning that way myself. The boat lasted this long with polyester it will certainly last just as long being done right thank you.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I have another question in my other thread I said that the stringers were plywood but they are not. They are just 3/4" pine. My question is would I get more strength using 3/4" exterior plywood or marine plywood which a local lumber company sells for $100 a sheet. I know I would have to piece the stringers together then which I'd rather not do. What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
Jim

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Non-topic but everyone stay safe in the Sourh- East!

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Getting ready to go over the stern drive, I miss working on the boat!

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Hello Spring, I finally got to do some more work!

Removed the last of the stringers and motor mounts I am so glad I went this far considering the rot I found.

I can't thank you all enouph for the input on the forum otherwise I would not have even attempted this craziness!

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I just wanted to post a few pictures of my progress. I had to go with regular plywood instead of marine plywood due to cost but I'm hoping it will last as long as the wood did that I'm replacing. I have to trim the front sections of the stringers and add one more bulkhead.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I wanted to make a cradle like many have suggested but again $$$ dictates. I positioned the boat off the trailer which I hope will work.
what do you all think, will it work?

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

More progress.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I finished removing the foam enough so I can lay 4"-6" laps and started grinding down to good glass i fortunately have a full face respirator with spare cartridges but unfortunately can't get tyvec suits in my area. Making the best of it.
I'm planning on working on the transom and motor mounts first and then working towards the bow.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

The alignment is way off which i hope that you can see in the picture. It was off when I got the boat and I had some ideas with rachete straps possibly drawing that area closer before fiberglassing.
Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[chevymaher]

Problem is years or people using the center and pulling on it to stand up. On the stationary side there are aattachment screws loosen them. Put a paint stick in the hinge and shut it gently. It is a aluminum hinge and will bend and tweak a little. Once your satisfied you got what you can tighten it. Raising and lowering the dash is another adjustment. Mine was a fiberglass U in the bow hallway. The thickness of the spacer under it made a big adjustment difference. If the bow hall is wood then you have a easier adjustment. These windsheilds are all universal. I found online somewhere a exploded veiw which made doing it easier. I had the same issue.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I'll give that a try thank you, I hate when things don't line up!

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Should I do this before or after I install the stringers and floors?

 

[chevymaher]

After once the boat is solid and wont move anymore. That is when to do the adjustments.

Google center windshield is not aligned. Things like that. There are a bunch of naysayers threads where they are defeating you and know nothing. And one guy who knows his stuff and he shows pictures. Has tips. He actually is trying to help.

On mine if i used to thick a shim under the bow hallway it pushed the dash up and it spread it way apart. If yours has wood sides in the bow section adjustments can still be made tho.

Anyway I am sorry I did not bookmark it for just such emergencies. Mine was way worse than yours. I tweaked the hinge, the adjustment with the attachment screws, and part of it was making the dash itself go up and down.

Just keep after it and you will get it. Mine is lined perfectly now and it was no small feat getting it that way. As I mentioned they get this way I read and I agree. Putting you hand on it and pulling yourself to stand up. That is a No-No.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I appreciate your response chevymaher, its just nice piece on mind knowing it can be corrected!

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Good afternoon everyone, I was looking over Fristcoboater's rehab on his boat and he mentioned PL many times when installing his stringers and bulkheads before using PB. What is the PL material he is referring to? I messaged him but I saw that he hasn't been active in a long time so I'm reaching out to you all.
It looked like a great way to get everything initially anchored.

Thanks in advance,
Jim

 

[chevymaher]

PB is resin thickened with cabasol and Chopped strand. CSM chopped up real fine. Personally i liked it to be 1/4 1/2 inch long better. They call it PB because it is thickness like peanut butter. Think of it as bondo for a boat.

Since doing my boat I actually use it in bodywork now. It is handy stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3kmr9ZctUo Frisco's video making PB.