Batboat rebuild project.

[Darren Nemeth]

I just spent 4 hours dismantling the Batboat. About one hour was devoted to removing 5 screws!

Despite that, boat restoring doesn't seem as hard as it looks.

Time to eat dinner. I'll post more later.

 

[oops!]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

glad to see your on it now bud.......its been a long time in the planning.

take lots of pics.


and just a question.......are you gonna keep it stock?....(true to the origonal design as a movie prop) or are you gonna one up it?.......(i.e. make it just a bit better)

ie a 10, 000 hp fire breathing nuculear powered power plant ?
.working anchor ejectors.
rocket assist ?

 

[iwombat]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

Just make sure you keep a good assortment of aquatic sealife repellent aerosols on board. Might want to think about a built-in repellent caddy.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

I decided that I can't run it on the water with a central fin so I will put a fin on each side like in the comics. The boat will be in correct proportion and appearance of the TV boat but have two fins like the one found in the 1960s comics.

More info on my blog.
http://batboat.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-package-arrived-yesterday.html

I just got back from a couple of lumber yards and see I will have trouble getting flooring for the boat. Will post on that later.

Just make sure you keep a good assortment of aquatic sealife repellent aerosols on board. Might want to think about a built-in repellent caddy.

I'll have the full assortment of repellent cans. They are easy to make and instructions are at the 1966 Batman forum but the search function isn't working right now. http://www.66batman.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

I just came back from a search for proper plywood to replace the floor of the Batboat and am a little worried.

The floor isn't tore out yet but I plan on getting the Sawzall tonight and start this evening or tomorrow.

Here is my problem. The original floor of this 14 foot boat is 4 foot 6 inches by 11 foot 8 inches, however, the only exterior and marine 3/4 inch ply I can find is 4 x 8 foot.

This is what my options are.

A place called Barndoor Lumber has true Marine grade 4x8 feet with thickness of 3/4 inch. Thier ply is made with Douglass Fur and water proof glue. I plan to buy a sheet of this tomorrow for the transome. $96.38.

Exterior grade was found at Minards. Here is what they have.

1) 3/4 inch BC Pine Plywood (green stripe) Exposure 1 rating $25+ per sheet. Seems to be okay but some have a few knots and some runs in the wood. Some do not.
2) 1/2 inch CDX Pine Ply Exposure 1 rating. Lots of knots in this stuff. $13+ a sheet.
3) CDX Pine Exposure 1 rating. 3/4 inch $22.24 This stuff looks okay.

Oviously, I will have to take two sheets, cut them 4'6" lengthwise and join them some how. That will give me 4'6" x 8'. That makes me short another 3'8".

What do you think I should do? I'm stuck.

As you can see, all the structural wood is long gone. The hull is literally filled with compost.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

you can center it and fill it, 3/16 gap.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

I just dusted off the rotted flooring of the boat and see seams. It looks like Glastron butted three peices of ply together about every 4 feet and glassed them in.

I remeasured the floor and figure I can use two peices of the expensive marine grade stuff in the rear going up to the front and in the bow area put in the cheaper type of pine ply.

I'll have to move the dash board and seating back 1'6", therefore all the cheap wood would be under the bow where I doubt it will get wet much or be seen.

Does this sound like it can work? If not, what do you think?

BTW, over here Lowes, Handy Andy and Menards get their plywood from the same place. It branded with the same company's name.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

Update: I started work on the boat and will post photos later.

Unfortunately, I can't order glass and epoxy in the near future.

My identity was stolen last week and sadly, I've been preoccupied with getting it fixed ever since. Someone got my credit card # somehow and charged in the thousands of $$ to it.

No way I can order the supplies I need until the new card arrives which should be next week.

 

[oops!]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

as far as the deck, it is layed across the boat from side to side, rather than a big sheet or two down the middle....thats why you have 3 sheets at 4 foot centers.

look in the phone book darren, under fiberglass supplyers. you shold be able to find someone right in your area, rather than order from the net

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

as far as the deck, it is layed across the boat from side to side, rather than a big sheet or two down the middle....thats why you have 3 sheets at 4 foot centers.

Which plywood should I get? Do I stick with $100 panels of marine grade or one of these available at the local Lowes?

1) 3/4 inch BC Pine Plywood (green stripe) Exposure 1 rating $25+ per sheet. Seems to be okay but some have a few knots and some runs in the wood. Some do not.

2) CDX Pine Exposure 1 rating. 3/4 inch $22.24 This stuff looks okay.

The original Glastron ply deck is 1/2 inch but I want to change up to 3/4.

 

[oops!]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

darren...id look for some good one side exterior grade ....preferably a hemlock or fir........im from b.c and pine is what we have lots of.....but its really soft.....

just make sure its dry.....that way when you glass it...the resin will stick.

and 3/4 inch is a good idea

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

For those interested, I've updated the Batboat blog.

All the holes are patched and I put it out on the water to test for leaks.

More info and photos were just posted to my blog, linked in my signature line.

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

HOLY STRINGERS & TRANSOM BATMAN that boats gonna draw plenty of attention out on the water.

 

[oops!]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

love the races....

 

[Robj]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

Which plywood should I get? Do I stick with $100 panels of marine grade or one of these available at the local Lowes?

1) 3/4 inch BC Pine Plywood (green stripe) Exposure 1 rating $25+ per sheet. Seems to be okay but some have a few knots and some runs in the wood. Some do not.

2) CDX Pine Exposure 1 rating. 3/4 inch $22.24 This stuff looks okay.

The original Glastron ply deck is 1/2 inch but I want to change up to 3/4.

Marine grade ply is great, but expensive, The next best stuff to use is exterior grade Douglas Fir plywood. You may want to consider pressure treated stuff. Pine tends to rott faster when it gets wet than Douglas fir.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

For those interested, I've updated the Batboat blog.

All the holes are patched and I put it out on the water to test for leaks.

More info and photos were just posted to my blog, linked in my signature line.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

I just posted one of the last 1966 Batman Batboat blog rebuild project updates for the year. I'm working on the last one right now.

The newest entry details the new motor rack.

If interested, here 'tis. http://batboat.blogspot.com/

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

I just added a month worth of updates to my Batboat blog. Lots of pictures, too.

The transom is laminated into the boat now and I did a lot of work on the stringers. Hopefully, those will be fiberglassed to the hull in the next few days. After that the deck goes in then I work on the dashboard and "eyes."

The blog updates start at "Batboat Rebuild: Day 25 June 11, 2009" on up.

Got a couple more to post so stay tuned.

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

Dareen, you've been a busy man The pic I liked the most was the trasom clamped together with the PB oozing out, so much PB I thought you poured seacast Love the pic's and I know you're feeling good, I happy for you man

 

[69starcraft]

Re: Batboat rebuild project.

and just a question.......are you gonna keep it stock?....(true to the origonal design as a movie prop) or are you gonna one up it?.......(i.e. make it just a bit better)

ie a 10, 000 hp fire breathing nuculear powered power plant ?
.working anchor ejectors.
rocket assist ?

I think he should add these to it!

and this with the high cost of gas