HOW DO I ???

[geekomatic]

Howdy, It's been awhile since I've posted anything concerning my boat.I've made a ton of progress.The stringers have been replaced. I had a brace that was mounted on the inside of the transom that I sawed out due to rot. Rotten brace.I plan on replacing this,since it was original to the boat,and have already bought the wood,sawed it to the proper size,and am ready to mount it.I may even mount two of them,just to make myself feel comfortable.The transom itself was nice and solid.How do I lay the fiberglass fabric vertically and make it stay until it cures? Do I need to use a VERY thick epoxy mixture, like a nice gooey fillet filler? Will the surface tension of plain epoxy/hardener do the trick? I plan on coating the entire inside of the transom just to increase the strength and watertight properties while I'm at it.For the hull bottom and stringers, I used the West system's Roving Woven cloth.The stuff is thick as a brick!! I think it's great.Will it stay up on the transom if applied vertically or do I need to use something else?<br />Also, I've read that I can actually tint the color of epoxy resin when applying.What would one use for this,and does it compromise the integrity of the epoxy? If this is possible,it'll save me a bucket of money on painting the inside of the hull.<br />Everythings's coming along fine considering I can only spend 3-4 hours a week on this thing.You guys are always a great source of help and advise.<br />Because of that, I need more advise .<br />A friend of mine is buying a foreclosed house that just happens to have an old boat sitting in the back yard.The boat has to go, according to the realtor,as well as my friend.I went and looked at the thing.It is a mid 70's Correct Craft with a Ford 302 inboard.From what I can tell,It's rotten as hell. The inboard appears to be sinking right thru the hull due to the rotten engine stringers.The paint is toast.It really looks like crap.Here's the kicker: It's completely FREE if I haul it off the property.The trailer looks fine.Should I get it or not? I must rely upon the decision of my fine,educated friends here,because I just happened to mention it to my wife.I think I'm in hot water just by doing that.I've learned a great lesson tonight.It's a much better decision to go ahead and do the deed and ask for forgiveness than to ask permission beforehand.Geez.She's got a hundred pairs of shoes. All I want is a couple of orphaned boats.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: HOW DO I ???

Get pictures of the correct craft. May help all give a better opinion.<br /><br />As to the cross brace in your transom, you didn't say what it's dimensions were. It appears to go under the splash well and looks like it could be a 2x?. I would coat the wood with epoxy, paying special attention to the endgrains, then epoxy it in place with an epoxy putty. Figure out how to brace it in place before you apply the generous putty. Then fair out any putty that squeezes out. I don't think there would be any reason to glass cloth it that high up on the transom.

 

[geekomatic]

Re: HOW DO I ???

Thanks Boomy!<br />That brace was mounted exactly one half inch under the splash well.It was a 2x2-1/2.Had to measure the old one twice just to make sure I wasn't nuts.Don't know what kind of wood it was,but it was very heavy.I cut the new one down to match the old one, using some eastern hardrock maple that I had left over from a guitar building project years ago. Not a lot of room to work with on top of the brace due to the proximity of the splash well.I've drilled holes in the brace and plan to mount it on to the transom with nice brass screws.I'll take them out long enough to apply the thickened epoxy.I'll screw it down into the transom itself just enough to make the stuff squeeze out the sides and then I can fair it out.Sound OK?<br />I've got bare wood on the inside of the transom now.No need to apply the cloth? Good. A few coats of epoxy will do for me.<br />I should have some photos of my progress as well as the "other" boat by the weekend.As always, THANK YOU, SIR!!

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: HOW DO I ???

At he very least you'll have a trailer and a 302W to sell, at best a fixable boat. IMO go for it.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Boomyal]

Re: HOW DO I ???

Originally posted by geekomatic:<br /> I'll screw it down into the transom itself just enough to make the stuff squeeze out the sides and then I can fair it out.Sound OK?<br /><br />I've got bare wood on the inside of the transom now.No need to apply the cloth? Good. A few coats of epoxy will do for me.<br />

On part one, that sounds good.<br /><br />On part two, I don't understand about the 'bare wood on the transom now'. Is there something missing from the picture you posted? I assumed that the reinforcement was going to sit against the fiberglass, in the lateral channel, just below the splashwell?<br /><br />Also, what kind of outdrive does the Correct Craft have?

 

[geekomatic]

Re: HOW DO I ???

Sorry I couldn't get back earlier.The broadband connection tanked in my area.<br />Hey Boomy!<br />You're right about where the brace is going to sit.The fiberglass is pretty much gone now below the splashwell.It was grinded/pulled/torn when I was removing the rotten brace.I've sanded down to the bare wood where all the muck was.Had to do that to comfort myself and make sure the transom was, in fact, nice and solid.That's mainly the reason I was asking if I can replace the stuff with the epoxy/fabric combo, or should I just paint on thickened epoxy after mounting the brace.<br />As far as the Correct craft goes, I've decided to pass this one on to some other unfortunate novice.<br />The outdrive is a Dana!!!! Unfortunately, it was also sitting on the ground (actually, it was buried under an inch or so of dirt) under the boat where the entire motor had fallen thru the rotted hull.Not worth it in my book.I also found out that the thing has been sitting in the back yard of the house since 1994.REALLY not worth it.I gotta finish this one first before moving on to bigger stuff.<br />Just posted another question for all the experts.<br />As always, I appreciate the input like nobody's business.

 

[flashback]

Re: HOW DO I ???

Hey Geek, where you at?

 

[geekomatic]

Re: HOW DO I ???

Ever heard of Duluth? Live right on the Hooch. Trout city.<br />I think you want a boat....<br />It's been chainsawed and hauled off by the owner, in case you're wondering.He was a bit ill that I couldn't remove it for him.<br />Also got a bit of property on the coast.<br />Where you is?

 

[flashback]

Re: HOW DO I ???

Im in dekalb, my boats are on Lanier, and I'm always looking for FREE boats......

 

[ronrhodes]

Re: HOW DO I ???

Geek,<br /> I have posted a few pics of the traveler. I have had to slow down on it due to finances. I was wondering how is yours looking?

 

[geekomatic]

Re: HOW DO I ???

Flashback-I am also ALWAYS in the market for the freebies.This one was way beyond help.Even free would have been too much for that little jewel.I keep seeing a lotta junkers around Friendship road.Probably run into each other at a yard sale in the area.<br />Ronr-Thanks for the inquiry! Time is my enemy with my little traveler.I've purchased just about everything I need for mine.Now I just have to install it all.I get to work on it about two hours a weeks maximum.Managed to rip a nice gash right thru the hull with my grinder while removing a seat riser.I have replaced the stringers and the transom brace,as well as repaired the hole I sliced.Used up a gallon of epoxy doing all that.Tomorrow I'm going to re-install the seat risers.I've reinforced them with epoxy and cloth as well.I've also done the first sand on the top.After I get everything in the hull re-installed, I'm having a boat flipping party.Looks like I'll need about five people.Then comes the big sanding job, prime and paint.I'll be shooting some progress photos as soon as I can remember to bring my camera home.Keep leaving it at work.<br />I seem to be right on the schedule I made for myself.I want this thing in the water by late summer.The outboard's giving me few problems,so everything's cool.I'll keep you posted.

 

[ronrhodes]

Re: HOW DO I ???

Geek, <br /> I have also finished first scrubbing and tested outboard. Need a clutch dog for it, other than that runs great. Trying to get steering system next. Been working on seating lately. Love to see it soon.