My 84 4winns horizon 195 project.

[Pmt133]

Yeah, it worked well. Marking the deck surface for where to install screws to make sure they all hit a cleat took some head scratching, but I got it done.

Yes, I'd recommend pre-drilling your foam holes. Save the plugs and PB them back in place after the foam cures.

Thanks! I'm going to mark out the grid for the cleats on the hull then just snap chalk lines once the boards go down. Figure that should work. My boards are all going to be seamed on a cleat anyway as I want to retain the center hatch for fuel tank removal/access.

 

[Pmt133]

Few updates:
First, carpet was delivered.

Second, got the call from the machine shop... found no issues with the engine. I'm both relieved and not at the same time. Guess we'll find out as time goes on.

 

[Pmt133]

Did a bunch of test fitting today. Also got evicted so to speak. Hopefully she's structurally sound enough to go on the trailer....

 

[Pmt133]

Haven't been able to do much so just been chipping away test fitting wood.


When I glass the front false floor transition, I plan to ramp it then do a pass through in the bulk head so any water up there can pass under the fuel tank and through the rear bulk head to the bilge.

 

[Pmt133]

Last two weeks have been crazy. Obviously my memorial day deadline is out the window. But July 4th shouldn't be an issue. I plan on getting back in it on Friday then taking the weekend off and hopefully getting a full day of glassing in on Wednesday/Thursday. At that point it should be good enough to get out of the garage then do all the finish work and foam.

I didn't lose motivation to work on the boat. I lost motivation to do anything as my ass has been getting kicked at work. I haven't even planted the garden yet. Hoping to get that done Saturday morning. Life, the things that get in the way still need to get done.

I plan on throwing the waverunner in the slip this weekend too. That typically motivates me to get things done.

 

[chevymaher]

Doing a boat will wear you out. Your making good progress

 

[Pmt133]

Doing a boat will wear you out. Your making good progress

Yeah. It gets to be a lot. If I were still able to glass in the garage it'd probably have a deck right now. But it's all good. The really hard stuff is for the most part, done. One day at a time.

 

[Pmt133]

Didn't update but Friday I did some more templating and cut out the side boxes.


This is my bulkhead for the fuel tank.

Small lip left for the deck and boxes to align everything for final fit.

 

[Pmt133]

So I have a question. It seems this boat had no true bulk heads side to side. So I had a thought... I want to build a T that extends out from the rear fuel tank bulk head out to the edge of the hull. It would be a 3/4 or half inch sheet of ply notched to fit flush with the top of the outside stringer and then have a 2x4 glued to it to make the vertical portion and have it glassed to the outside. This gives me extra support on the floor in a high traffic area and allows another spot to nail to. I would do the same at the front bulk head. I don't see an issue tying into the hull and stringers besides just the deck and I think it would take some pressure off the deck itself, no?

By utilizing the T method I would also retain the ability to easily foam back to front.

 

[chevymaher]

Honestly the floatation foam alone is enough support. I walked on mine after removing the deck. It dont give.

 

[Lou C]

My 1988 Horizon has 2 one in front and one behind the gas tank.

 

[Pmt133]

Honestly the floatation foam alone is enough support. I walked on mine after removing the deck. It dont give.

This is true, but a little extra support never hurts

My 1988 Horizon has 2 one in front and one behind the gas tank.

Did they tie into the hull or was it just bridging the stringers? the original ones on mine were nothing more than to nail the floor to and didn't offer any structural bearing at all.

 

[Lou C]

They are glassed into the hull both front & rear.

 

[Lou C]

very old pix from 2007 when we did this....not the greatest job but still solid...
I used mahogany for the gas tank mounts, it is really rot resistant.

 

[Pmt133]

very old pix from 2007 when we did this....not the greatest job but still solid...
I used mahogany for the gas tank mounts, it is really rot resistant.

That's very different from my stock ones. They seemed to be a 4 inch strip of ply laying across the tops notched into the stringer width wise... interesting.

 

[Pmt133]

You can see what I am referring to below. Left side is support removed, right is the horizontal ply with open air underneath. I don't believe this was meant to be structural.

 

[Lou C]

Yep I see the difference. You'll wind up with a much better built boat than you can buy!

 

[Pmt133]

I agree. I also don't think I need to go all the way to the hull, a simple T version of what was there, as I described earlier, will probably be more than enough.

 

[Pmt133]

Forgot to add, spoke with the company who built the fuel tank, they agree it would be best to move the vent. They don't think it would be much of a problem but it is better safe than sorry.

 

[Pmt133]

Over the last 2 days... I picked up the engine, dropped the fuel tank off for alterations, cleaned up the garage some and ground out the rest of the wood from the hull. I am going to pick up some foam insulation to template the deck out but for now... I've done all I can do.

So I spent some money. I ordered the rack, control cables, gimbal parts... basically the remaining miscellaneous crap that I'd need to get it back together. The grand total is summed up for now but I'm not done yet.... So far, under my expected budget.

More to come....