Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

[jsturvey]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Nice! Those circular seat bases look awesome! Looking forward to seeing it all finished.

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Thanks JS and as I'm sure you can expect, I'm also looking forward to getting this boat back together! Really hoping to get the motor and outdrive back in this weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed that my gel comes in before Friday.

All, I'm thinking of going with SeaDek on the deck after I finish up. Any comments/experiences are welcome, please!!!

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Making progress. Got the engine back in, aligned, and outdrive back on. Now its time for all the small stuff. This is a really rough picture of some rubber matting that I found at HD for the bilge area. I think it will work out pretty good.



Still need to finish wiring up the batteries then secure them, install blowers, purge air from trim lines, then its time to fire off the engine!!!

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Looking great! You'll be on the water in no time!

Jim

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Wondering if someone can help me with a gelcoat question. I put on my last coat with 1.5% wax and after 4 days its still pretty tacky. Is this normal? Is there something I could do to remedy this? Perhaps spray on PVA?

Thanks Jim!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Well you were supposed to add 10% surfacing wax to the final coat. If it's been in direct sunlight with temps over 75? then I'd say it's not gunna cure and you'll have to sand it down and reshoot it with the appropriate amount of surfacing wax.

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Well crap!!! The surface wax container said 2oz per one gallon ie 1.5%. So I don't screw this up, will sanding with 220 grit be enough?

PS it has not been in direct sunlight, as the cover has been on, but defiantly over 75 degrees.

 

[benjh1028]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Wondering if someone can help me with a gelcoat question. I put on my last coat with 1.5% wax and after 4 days its still pretty tacky. Is this normal? Is there something I could do to remedy this? Perhaps spray on PVA?

Thanks Jim!

I had same issue. Tried the PVA route and it worked! O'Reilly auto parts is a good local source for PVA (List: Search for 'pva' | O'Reilly Auto Parts). My local store didn't have it in stock, but had it delivered to the store (no shipping charge) within 24-hrs. Definitely worth a shot. Needed two bottles for me to cover the deck and ski locker. Put it in a garden sprayer (will clog a spray bottle). Also, removing the PVA takes very warm water and a bit of elbow grease.

Ben

Ben

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Thanks Ben! If this works I would certainly like to at least try this out sense it would save me at least $75, unless someone chimes in with some reason I should not do this. Also, how long did you leave the PVA on the surface and by what amount did you dilute?

Also, I plan on finishing with SeaDek.

 

[benjh1028]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

I didn't diluted it (but you might be able to). I sprayed it on and let it cure overnight. I think it cures much faster though. Can always clean "test areas" after a few hours and res-spray them if its still tacky.

One thing to note is removing the PVA is not as simple as "just hosing off". You will need to scrub it with a bucket of warm soapy water, rinsing your cloth and changing water frequently. It produces a purple glue surfactant which if not removed can make the gel surface quite slippery.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

If this is on your deck then Yeah, I'd try the PVA too! I'm no Gelcoat guru. Not even close. We have some here on the forum that might drop by and help. I know PVA is used but usually when the gelcoat first tacks up. Not sure what it will do 5-6 days after the fact. Give it a try and let us know what happens. It's definitely worth a shot!

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Okay found some PVA, will report back tomorrow. I'm keeping the fingers crossed and praying to the boat gods on this one cause I really don't want to start over.

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Put the mold release on late last night and scrubbed it off early this morning. FYI, it is much easiler to scrub off after letting it soak with soapy water for about 5-10 min. Can't wait till this afternoon to see if did help or not. I would defiantly say it was much less tacky will I was washing off the PVA. Oh, and that stuff is more slippery than elephant snot. I accidently stepped on a portion of it last night and almost did the splits!

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Update on the PVA and the 5 day old tacky gelcoat with not enough wax...

Well it defiantly worked! It is not as near as tacky. However, I would not say it is 100% tack free, but since I plan on finishing the deck with SeaDek I think it will work out just fine as NOW dirt is able to be wiped away.

I applied a total of four 8oz bottles of the mold release to my deck, kickpanels, bilge, and ski locker with the garden sprayer and then used a brush to work it in. Also, I estimate that it was on for about 8 hours (2 hours more than recommended).

Thanks Ben! Beers on me!!!

 

[jsturvey]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Nice to see the engine back in. Post a pic of the drive when you get a chance. Lookin' good!

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Nice to see the engine back in. Post a pic of the drive when you get a chance. Lookin' good!

How about a video??? Still need to do some work on the gelcoat to get a better color match and then sand some more and buff, but I just can't wait to get her on the water.

Currently, I'm still working on the floor and making a SeaDek template, working on a fuel delivery problem (believe I narrowed it down to the fuel pump) and then finishing up the exterior gel and this restore is done!!!

Click pic

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

I bet that was music to your ears! Looks like you're moving along.

Jim

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

I bet that was music to your ears! Looks like you're moving along.

Jim

Yes sir! Sweet, Sweet music...

 

[jsturvey]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

I like that tune!

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Currently, I'm still working on the floor and making a SeaDek template, working on a fuel delivery problem (believe I narrowed it down to the fuel pump) and then finishing up the exterior gel and this restore is done!!!

I just finished a transom rebuild and had fuel issues when I got everything put back together. My problem ended up being some small fiberglass chunks got into my fuel tank fill line. When I added gas to the tank, it ended up flushing into the tank and getting picked up into my fuel lines. I found it trapped in my anti-siphon valve and restricting the fuel flow.

By the way, that is a GREAT looking boat. Glad you decided to restore her.