89 bass tracker pro17 build

[89trackerpro17]

Hello all. I'm in the middle if restoring my pro17. Last summer I removed the front casting deck and main floor. When I removed the front deck the foam was in good shape and not water logged. Should I have replaced it or will it be ok?? This winter I'm going to do the rear casting deck. Is there a way to check if the foam is water logged with out removing the deck or is it not that big of a deal to remove?? I am also going to add a stirage compartment for my rods to the leftside of the main deck. I will be posting pics of the build as I go. Here are some before pics and some of what I got done so far.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Did you core sample the foam under your front and lower deck?

Take a piece of PVC pipe and cut notches in one end to make "teeth" and then push and twist it through the foam to remove a plug, then push the plug out of the pipe and check for moisture/water near the bottom of the plug.

Foam can feel dry on the top, but be completely saturated on the bottom. Waterlogged foam can add a lot of unnecessary weight to a boat and slow it down. It also decreases the buoyancy of the foam and your boat could sink instead of floating if it gets swamped or a hull breach.

 

[89trackerpro17]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Yes I did and it was dry through out under the front deck.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Yes I did and it was dry through out under the front deck.

Ok, good.

You'll have to disassemble the rear deck to check the foam, but it isn't that hard. Tracker boats are easy to take apart, and I've taken my Pro Deep V apart twice:

 

[89trackerpro17]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Just took a core sample of the rear foam. No evidence of water in the core samples I took. So I guess I should be ok? Stripped the carpet of the deck. What is a good method to clean carpet glue residue off the aluminum deck??

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Are you working on your boat indoors?

 

[89trackerpro17]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Yes. But can ventilate with large garage door.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

I'd suggest a product called CitrusStrip then, no noxious fumes and isn't flammable. It's available at Wal-mart and Home Depot in the paint depts.

Be real careful with it and don't let it get on anything other than what you want stripped.

It's not a real fast acting stripper so you can paint it on in an afternoon and then scrape the goo off the next morning. Use a wire cup brush in a grinder or drill to remove any residue and give the surface a nice brushed finish for the carpet adhesive to grip.

 

[89trackerpro17]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Thanks ill try it out. Far as the foam should I just leave it be??

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

If the foam is dry, it's good to go!

 

[craigweaver]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

89tracker, if the foams dry to the bottom you are good to go and I'd go play the lottery, lol... no seriously, there are a lot of us here who would love to have dry foam :facepalm: love what you did with the front deck, cant wait to see your progress on the back. Thanks for sharing with us...

 

[89trackerpro17]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Removed the carpet and been stripping the old glue off today.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Looking real good!

Did you use the CitrusStrip?

So tell me, did you carpet over your deck fasteners on the bow and main deck?

 

[89trackerpro17]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Yes used the citrus strip. On the main deck and bow I replaced with 3/4 marine board and sealed with epoxy. I did not fasten it down with fasteners before carpeting, as a matter of fact I never fastened it down at all. Main deck went in snug and bow deck also.

 

[89trackerpro17]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Got my rod storage compartment built tonight. It's going to be nice to have a rod compartment.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Looks nice!

What kind of wood did you use?

 

[89trackerpro17]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Some 7 layer plywood I had laying around. I'm going to seal all sides with 635 epoxy before carpeting.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

I'm going to seal all sides with 635 epoxy before carpeting.

Yeah, I'd take it back apart and coat both sides and all 4 edges of every piece with 3 or 4 coats of epoxy... then wrap each piece idividually with carpet then put it back together. That way you caan take it apart without messing up your carpet job.

 

[89trackerpro17]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

Got the carpeting done just have some clean up.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 89 bass tracker pro17 build

That's gonna look really good, show us some pics after she's all cleaned up!