My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

[Deleted member 340796]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Thanks kfa. We are firm believers in "if it was meant to be it will be". We will keep looking until the right one comes along. I am sure there are some very good reasons why we have not found it yet.

Thanks JB. Good to be home and excited to get going on the boat again. I need to finish tabbing in the transom and then get the stringers made. Think I will start rechecking measurements for the stringers today. SO Excited.

 

[Deleted member 340796]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!



Well I finally got some work done on the boat today. I tabbed in the transom with a 12" piece of 10 oz cloth followed by a full sheet of 1700 biaxial cloth no mat. That went really well. As you can see in the photos I had previously put in a HUGE fillet and had to grind some of that back then add another thin layer of PB to fill in the voids in the fillet. I used 12 oz of epoxy resin to put the 12" piece of 10 oz cloth in. Then to put the full sheet of 1700 in I used 63 oz of resin. This 1700 cloth is like a heavy blanket and it does take a lot of resin to saturate it, although it does not drink it, I had to continue to work in it. I do know there are some bubbles on the top edge of the transom that I will have to grind out and redo, but the other areas went down pretty well.

I still need to add another full sheet of the 10 oz cloth over what is there now, but ran out of daylight. I also got more wood and cut my stringers close to the size they need to be allowing for sanding and pitching the deck. Hopefully tomorrow I will get the full sheet of 10 oz cloth down and repair the top edge of the transom and then I can shift thought to the stringers.

Let me know what you guys think about the work so far. Notice there is cloth that I did not glass. The plan is to grind that off as it was excess. As far as the stringers I have decided to stay with the 3 that they had, but I will double them (2 pcs of 3/4") to get 1 1/2" for each stringer. Anyone see any reason that would be a problem? I have decided to go with the pour foam so I will get extra support from that.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

For your first big layup of Biax I'd say "Ya Dun Rite Good!" It appears you extended the cloth a good distance onto the bottom of the hull. How about the sides. Usually the first full layer would extend 4-6 inches and then the next layer 8-10 inches. Not sure how you placed the cloth so here's How I recommend doing it. Use Tape or stick pins across the top of the transom and let it drape down the transom and onto the hull. Use your hands to smooth it all out and into the corners and tape the edges on the sides and bottom as well. Let it "Hang" for a few hours so it will "Relax" and kinda mold itself to the contours. Now, Use cheap chip brushes to "Dab" not brush resin into the corners and along the bottom edge. Then pour some resin onto the bottom and roll out the entire bottom section first. Next, Pour some resin in the bottom corners then use the roller to push it from the bottom up and out towards the edges working up till you get to the top. Last pour resin on the bottom edge in the center and roll it up to the top and work to the corners. Hope this helps.

 

[Deleted member 340796]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Yep wood that sounds pretty similar to what I did. I did not tape and let it hang, but I folded some over the top edges and smoothed out the surface of the transom just by hand. Then I poured some resin along the bottom at the joint areas and worked those first and moved out from there. I did you a chip brush. I quickly learned that brushing would not work. I used the chip brush and dabbed and a small roller and rolled all the rest. After doing the 12" (6" on transom and 6" on boat) I did lay a piece of 10 oz from about 6 -8" up on the center of transom and brought it out onto the bottom of the boat to provide extra protection and strength to the bilge area. The full sheet goes more than 3" past the previous tabbing but some of that will get ground off before my final layer. It did end up coming out a good ways on the bottom (bilge area) but figured it just adds extra protection. I can see why you say it will be a like a tank after this though. Dabbing is definitely the way to do it. Thanks so much.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

I didn't mean to be "Preachin" Just wanted to ensure you were aware of some of the techniques. I like the idea of adding more to the bottom for added strength. Good Thinkin!!!!!

 

[Deleted member 340796]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

No worries WOOD. I would even accept preaching from you!

I have to admit I had the boat covered with the plastic and tarp over it and felt pretty sure it would stay dry so I left some stuff out there when I left town. Well one of the things I left was my chopped strands. Hmmm, Now I will be ordering more cause they got wet. I was trying to dry them out, but that won't happen in time and I don't want to risk any issues with strength and durability so thinking of just pitching them. This project is really starting to feel like it is moving again and I can see it on the lake already.

Now thinking ahead to the stringers. I have the diagram you made on how to glass them in. I just want to make sure I understand the best way to do them. If I understand correctly I will put the PB mix down then place a few small pieces of dow down to keep stringer about 1/4 inch off boat.

What is the best way to prop the stringers so they stay straight while the PB sets up?

What amount of pitch should be on the floor to allow proper drain to toward the bilge area? Is 1/4" too much or not enough front to back?

Thanks, AJ

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

You got it.! 1/4" of pitch is great. I build a stringer brace like this to keep em vertical. Just a 1x4 with piece of 1x4 nailed at the correct spacing. dry run to make marks on the hull where the bottoms go then a square to ensure they are vertical then nail the short piece onto the 1x4. Works good for me.

 

[Deleted member 340796]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Fantastic Wood, thanks. Got my final coat of 10oz cloth over the entire transom tonight. Feels great reaching another milestone. I'll get photos tomorrow. Worked until dark tonight, then had to feed and walk the dogs. It is kind of funny, the ladies that live around us in the apartment complex come out to watch. It's like I have my own fan club. LOL. They keep telling me how great it looks, how much work I have done, and how patient I am. They have seen me out there for 2 days until dark so tonight I got a plate of food from each of them. A fan club that cooks for me! How can it get any better?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Nope you've done nothing!!!! I can't see anything so it didn't happen! Pics ARE mandatory before bragging!!!!

 

[Decker83]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

I think we just found out why no pics. You have been to busy talking to the ladies and eating there food and had no time for the pics.

 

[Deleted member 340796]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Yep, you guys don't miss a thing. Thought I was gonna slip one past ya. Funny thing is the one lady has a 4 year old grandson who came out today and say this is taking a long time. I said, really? How long has it been? He said, four hours and a month. How can I argue with that? The granddaughter and two other neighbor girls come out a lot too. They ask a lot of questions and love to watch. Someday maybe they will redo an old boat with the help of some wonderful guys online.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Transom looks great! A fan club that serves dinner, hmm, I'm in, sign me up!

If you can, you can suspend the stringers from the cleats WOG posted, rest the stringers on the 1/4" spacers, then pipe the PB into place w/ a gallon freezer zip-lock baggie w/ 1 corner trimmed off. Use it like a pastry bag.... Do the areas between the spacers, once it kicks pull the spacers & PB the rest & do your fillets.... A metal spoon from the $1 store may help make even, smooth, cove'd fillets

Keep up the great work! And inspiring the neighbor kids!

 

[Deleted member 340796]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Well Guys, I came up with a great thought. Why not put out some photos of air bubbles. So many people on here have shown all the good, still newbies like me need to see the bad too. So here you go, feel free to use these photos to show what NOT TO DO! :facepalm:



So maybe I got just a little more focused on the fan club and dinner than the fiber glassing. Lesson learned - stay focused! So I will post the corrected photos after the work is repaired.

Jb, I love the idea of setting the stringers at the height they should be while using Woods stabilizers to hold the stringers in place. Then squeezing the Pb in place with baggie to fill the void and create fillets using spoon. Awesome. You guys have eased my mind on how to make sure the stringers are exactly as I need them to be. I will also try to get some video of it to. Although I have not edited any of the video I have yet. All in time.

Thanks guys, you're the best!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Don't get carried away with your fillets. A 1" cove is plenty good enuf.!!! Make em as smooth as you can so you don't have to sand. Teflon spoon from the Dollar store dipped in Mineral Spirits will really make some nice smooth fillets.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Hi AJJMH,

Been following along since the beginning, but finally had to pop in and compliment you on the fine work you are doing...

Your transom install looks excellent and the fact that you are not only entertaining the neighborhood, but also inspiring the young ones, is just great...

I am also very impressed with the speed with which you are tackling this project...you have an amazing work ethic and you are a fast learner...

I just know your Grandpa is looking down on your accomplishments and his chest is puffed up with pride!

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your Grandma.

Hope your house hunt goes well...

I'll be tagging along, anxiously awaiting the big day!

Best regards and keep having fun,
GT1M

 

[Deleted member 340796]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Wood, I get it now, small fillets. No problem.

GT, Thanks for keeping up with this thread. I know what you mean, I read a number of threads too but I do not have anything to add so I don't post on them. There are a number of really good ones that I keep going back to, but it is easy to get them confused. I usually have to review them to remember which is which. I have always liked helping others and teaching them. My life experiences have given me what I think is a great insight and appreciation of children. With friends who have 2 autistic children I have learned a great deal about children, the many ways they can learn and what they hear when we speak. Children like foreigners do not understand our slang for a number of years. I really enjoy working with kids so it is great that they have taken an interest.

Thank you for all the kind words and compliments on the project. I have felt like this is going slow but then I never was great at estimating the time it would take to do a project. Perhaps it seems fast to you but I do not work outside the home so the time is there for me to work on it. I live with a perfectionist and I love the attention to detail that comes from my partner so I have tried to incorporate that into my life. I also keep in the front of my mind that I will likely have people on this boat that have some fear of water so I need to do this correctly. Ultimately I love a good challenge. If someone says it is impossible, I love jumping in to show them otherwise.

Your comments about my grandfathers makes me feel happy and proud. I believe every person wants to accepted and appreciated by their elders (parents and grandparents). Unfortunately I have not had the relationship with my parents that every kids wants. Not all that was their fault, and I have been working to remedy that. However my grandparents have been my world. I am as independent as I am because my grandfathers allowed me to help them and encouraged me to think. One grandfather and I build a bathroom add on to their house. My other grandfather started taking me under the car when I was 8 yrs old. He was a local mechanic / race car driver.
My grandmother is doing great and I figure she is on life #7 right now. She is a very strong woman and I draw my strength from her.

Well, thanks again for the comments and prayers. I sure wish all you guys could be here on splash day to celebrate with me. Still got a lot to do, but the light is visible now. Stay tuned for more....

 

[Deleted member 340796]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

GT, I just realized you are from Lake O in Florida. We lived in Sebring for a while as kids. We were on a dairy farm outside of town and that was one of my favorite places to live. I will never forget Hidden Beach. Good times. So what is the status with your project? Have you gotten everything cleaned out yet? I know it is scary at first, but with every step you gain confidence and feel great about the progress. Can't wait to see more on your project too.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Actually I'm a southernized yankee transplant......going on 40+ years since my family moved from the Big Apple, down here, give or take a few while traveling about serving this great nation...

Live in Miami, but go to the Big O when I can, for some great fishing...I am familiar with Sebring, but really don't get out that often...:facepalm:...

My tub has been recently painted and flipped back on it's newly refurbished trailer awaiting my eager attempts at continuing the progress, however, lately I have been forced {} to work to help fertilize the money tree and have had to temporarily set the boat aside, although bits and pieces of forward momentum continue...

Plan is to get back to it within the next week or two...

Check out the link in my sig, I also included, a yet to be updated, Index of the actual relevant stuff...

Have a Great weekend!

 

[Deleted member 340796]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

WOW, I have to tell you that is really weird. I was looking at your link last night and maybe I was just tired but I sure did not see all the progress you have bade. Last I saw was the cleared out version of the hull. Of course I was up til 2am last night which means I was worthless today. Anyhow I will follow your link and hope to see more progress soon. Good luck with the cast flow problem. I totally understand that. There seem to be some uncertain changes coming in our future so I just got put on a budget too. I have been very lucky in that my partner is awesome with money so up to this point I have just been able to order or go get what I wanted. Now I gotta start checking with the boss. Not sure how I would like Miami. Seems all you hear from there is the bad news but then that is pretty much the case for everywhere. Stay safe there. My parents just bought a home in Sebring as their winter home. Now if my mom will finally retire they could use it! Good thing my sister said we should wait to throw her party until AFTER she retires because she started talking about retiring 3 years ago. I think she is a bit afraid of not having enough going on. My mom has been the main supporter of our family and a very, very hard worker. I can only hope I get my work ethic from her. Unfortunately I get some of my genetic and medical issues from the fathers side. :facepalm:

I do love your humor. Keep it up. You are definitely one of the guys I see in my garage laughing and talking about boats as I read the various threads on here! Wood is there too. His role is grounded in fact, experience and knowledge! Others in my garage are JB, Trooper, Sphelps, Decker, Truckdrivingfool, Bear_69Cuda, Craigweaver, OOPS, and others including the other senior guys who drop in from time to time. If I ever really get a garage again I might have to create my imaginary garage in one corner. Of course the rest of the garage will be dedicated to FOOTBALL. Love the Green Bay Packers, Joyce loves the NY Giants, so thinking of decorating the garage like a football field with large tv and all. It will be the party zone! LMAO

Well I am gonna get caught up on your thread and some of the others. (duh) Now I recall you where the one who used the thought I had of pvc for drain channels. I been thinking about that a lot too, think I figured out how to create the channels front to back so stay tuned.
Thanks for serving our country. I have high regard for all people who serve our country in any form! We should require previous service to this country as a prereq for running for president.

 

[sphelps]

Re: My first boat restoration, I need some guidance - PLEASE HELP!

Hey AJJMH , I just like GT have been watching your progress and I got to hand it to ya ! You have been doing a wonderful job ! Don,t sweat the few air bubbles we would all be lying if we said we never get air bubbles . The more glassing ya do the more little tricks ya learn ..Just grind them and patch em .. BTW is that a real gator your sitting on !
Later SP.