Chrysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

[palen12]

I purchased this Charger 151 from some friends who took it in on a bill at their hardware store. 70HP 707HA outboard starts but doesn't run at full power. That will be the last thing to fix.

Looking at the transom it is heavily cracked inside and flexes badly even going down the road with the engine up. She floats fine and I am in the progress of removing the top to rebuild the transom and clean up all the gel coat.

What sorts of things should I look for? Sorry the one photo is blurry, the floor feels very solid but the carpet is is rough shape but I would prefer not pulling the deck out.

First project, may the wise guide me

Brock

 

[tgp***]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Welcome aboard!

Nice looking project you have there. I've seen a few of those around craigslist lately, sharp looking boats. I'm a tin man myself. But you'll find lots projects and guidence on fiberglass in this forum. Have fun, and post lots of pictures.

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

welcome to iboats , when you get to the transom replacement first check your stringers out .if you can check by the transom do so chances are they might be rotten as well as your transom . better pics at differant angles inside and out will give you a better shot at getting tons of help here iboaters love pics . by the way that nice looking boat should catch thier attention , nice find. good luck and keep updating with progress dont forget the pics

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Yeah, your deck (floor) will more than likely need replacing along with the stringers. Great looking boat and welcome to the madness. Take your time and have fun.

 

[palen12]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Wow quick response,
Ok even though it feels solid the floor is probably gone? Or is it just a good idea to replace if your ripping the top of anyway?

I will pull the engine off and take the top of next when I do I will update the thread with pictures of the cracked rear hull transom.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

If your going through all the work, why not. However, you could drill some small holes and see if the wood is solid or wet.

 

[palen12]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

So the top is off, and have started removing the rotted transom.
I have been using an air chizel, as the plywood is glued to the hull. I have attached photos of what it looks like so far,

Question, what is a good way to get the very last of the bonded wood from the hull to get a smooth surface to bond the new transom to?

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

looks like you have a good start. When i did my transom i used a flat pry bar and removed ply leyer by leyer . then i used a grinder with a 36 grit flap disk to clean up the transom skin e sure to check your stringers for rot before installing new transom, by drilling 3/8 holes into them at various locations . start bottom aft first . dry light colored is good dark moist not good .keep progress pics coming

 

[jonesg]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

So the top is off, and have started removing the rotted transom.
I have been using an air chizel, as the plywood is glued to the hull. I have attached photos of what it looks like so far,

Question, what is a good way to get the very last of the bonded wood from the hull to get a smooth surface to bond the new transom to?

Be wary , if you failed to measure the hull before poppin the cap theres a good chance it will not go back when the new transom is installed.
Without the cap the hull relaxes and spreads a bit.
If the transom is glassed in place the hull will stay spread out,

a quick fix now is to slip the cap back on and measure it, then use a strap to pull the hull sides inward whilst the transom is installed.

 

[palen12]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Thanks will keep the pictures coming as things progress. Thanks for the input on the flap disk.

When we removed the engine under one of the mounts found a large crack that will need to be sealed up, that could cause the hull to flex out more, so I will put the lid back on and measure the width before going to far.

Thanks!
Brock

 

[palen12]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Well all the large parts of the transom are now out. Waiting for some abrasives to arive to smooth of the remaining bonded parts off the hull.

Down side, yes the floor is junk and will need to be replaced. I will replace the current transom before removing the floor to let the floor help hold the hull in shape until the new transom can take the load.

We found a number of interesting cracks on the hull, you will see right at the very bottom under the transom was a really nasty split.

To fix this I think I am going to put two layers of glass on the outside of the hull. This will hurt hydrodynamics and will require me to bust out the old vacuum pump for some bagging (helps coming from a dairy farm), I don't want to do the fix on the inside, because then the surface won't be flat to bond the new transom to.

There was also a small track on the back that when the transom was removed was all the way through the glass not just the gel coat. See the photos attached.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

That crack is quite a problem. How are you going to adhere the ply wood to the transom? I'm hoping your going to fiberglass it, then the crack will be somewhat repaired. Sort of kill two birds with one stone. I would definetely address it for sure. You will need to repair it on the outside too. Also you don't really have to keep the deck in while your transom is out. If your worried about it losing shape put a strap around the whole hull and snug it up...just my 2 Canadian cents worth. Good luck.

 

[palen12]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

I am looking for advice on how to rebuilt the rear end, we found more separation between the floor of the hull and the rear, It is very solid at the sides but the bottom almost appears to have been only held with with resin, there is a think layer of glass (like solid shatter if dropped) like resin at the base that has been removed but the separation follows all around.

We thinner plywood was used to allow for more glass will this be enough to build up the bottom of the transom and secure it to the bottom of the hull? a few layers of this mostly on the inside and a few on the outsize but keeping the same total thickness of the old transom.

Is there any issues with this?

Also does anyone have a writeup or any information of how the hull and transom on these old Chryslers were built? That would help me visualize what is going on.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

I have a 1974 chrysler, 20 footer, same style hull.
What I would do is gut everything out , gring it down and do a layup on the inside of the transom , carry the glass down onto the hull to build it up.
THat will take care of the crack in the transom too. The outside I would grind the crack a bit wider and apply a glass patch then fair it smooth with resin and chopped glass fiber.
The old chrysler hulls are heavy glasswork, at least 3/8th inch thick. Don't be afraid to add as much glass as needed inside.

Don't worry about the transom glass surface being perfectly flat, you'll be bedding it with a putty-like material of your choice, either resin based or PL premium 5200 construction adhesive, then glass over it onto the hull sides and bottom by about 8-10 inches, it'll be rock solid.

 

[palen12]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Well it is currently 30F out here so found can't work with resin at this temp so moved on to removing the floor and foam underneath.

Not pictured is the back half of the flotation foam has been removed. The forward foam is dry and most the rear was dry but we removed it anyway and will replace it. Notice though that the floor other than being glassed to the edge of the hull, floats right on the foam so I think the foam takes the weight. Is regular 2lb foam strong enough to hold this or should I get 3lb? Lastly any good recommendations for places to buy 2 part foam from? Is it ok to poor foam in cold temperatures? Or should I move onto polishing the old gel coat?

Pictures attached of progress.

 

[palen12]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Well I have new foam to go in,I picked up 3lb/cu Ft. because it is slightly structural. I then have 3/8" ply to put over top of it for the new floor matching the original rotted wood we removed.

I have some questions and I will be digging in the forum as it should have been answered in the past, but they are:

1. Should the floor ply be sealed with anything? if so is just the edge or should the entire surface of the plywood be coated?

2. Transom rebuild fiberglass mat. I found a few tutorials but when I looked to order I find 3 types of resin and several glass weights and for a weave there was several weave types. Any recommendations for glass weight and resin? I live in Michigan so it needs to handle freezing temperatures off season on the trailer.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Welcome to the iBoats Dry Dock!

www.uscomposites.com is a great source for your materials.

435 Poly resin and catalyst. 5 Gals to start.
10 yards of 1.5 oz mat
10 yards of 1708 biaxial cloth

Precoat all wood with resin first. Then a layer of mat. Then another coat of resin. Make sure to wrap the edges. Watch out for air bubble You can Pre Crease the Mat to help it lay over the edges.
Finish everything, Stringers, Transom and Deck with 1708 Cloth. Two layers on Stringers and Transom. One on top of deck. Bottom of deck ONLY needs mat.

This will give you an idea of how.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=365820&page=15&highlight=micks110

 

[palen12]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Welcome to the iBoats Dry Dock!

www.uscomposites.com is a great source for your materials.

435 Poly resin and catalyst. 5 Gals to start.
10 yards of 1.5 oz mat
10 yards of 1708 biaxial cloth

Precoat all wood with resin first. Then a layer of mat. Then another coat of resin. Make sure to wrap the edges. Watch out for air bubble You can Pre Crease the Mat to help it lay over the edges.
Finish everything, Stringers, Transom and Deck with 1708 Cloth. Two layers on Stringers and Transom. One on top of deck. Bottom of deck ONLY needs mat.

This will give you an idea of how.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=365820&page=15&highlight=micks110

Ok thanks! One note the book I have been using as a reference says to coat the plywood in a wood preservative. Is this overkill and the resin will handle it? Note I have AC plywood not sure if it is treated with anything.

Thanks!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

I wouldn't. I'd be concerned with whatever "preservative" you chose might interfere with the glass bond. Heck Thompsons is basically colored wax so I know that can't be good!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

Re: Crysler Charger 151 Winter Project (first boat)

EZ is correct, do not pre coat, just use the resin. Take extra care on the edges and really make sure the resin gets in there.