Re: My tri-hull transom replacement w/ pics
I'm really glad I stumbled across this thread. I was searching for "Tri-hull restoration" and boy, did I ever find the encyclopedia! I just recently parted with a big 26' walk around and I've been itching to get back out on the water. We're buying another big boat next Spring, but in the meantime I was wanting a little skif for knocking around the bay. I posted a Craigslist ad asking for a cheap or freebie unwanted boat that I could gut like a fish and build up. Your restoration saga has been inspiring and educational, even though I am not planning such a detail oriented restore. Rather, I am going to build upon the shell of a '76 Sport Craft and make a center console. All the boat is costing is the title fee. It has a trailer, which will be another project in and of itself. I've not even seen pictures of the boat yet, but I am confident that there is nothing salvagable other than the hull and cap. I'm going to carve up the cap and remove the side consoles and probably half of the bow rider seats. There will be a small casting deck up front supported by whats left of the seats and a recirculating bait tank in between. Pretty much all of these boats were built the same way, so after seeing yours up close, I have a better idea of how to plan this project. My goal isn't to make this as pretty as yours, but rather tough, light and as fishable as anything on the market today.
I appreciate all of the tips and sources you cited in your thread. Last time I built something I bought my bulk supplies locally from a shipyard. I think I paid too much, even taking shipping into consideration. I just have one question for you; you replaced wood with new wood. I'm planning on using Nida-core for just about everything except the transom. If I can get away with a synthetic transom core, I will. But as far as the floor, stringers, bulkheads and hull stiffeners, do you see any reason why I couldn't use 1/2" laminated nida-core? I'll be backing the core material with wood where I need a screw-sink but only small portions. One other thing I was wondering was, is there a reason why you didn't coat the bilge with either paint or gelcoat before you laid up the deck? I guess it may seem like a waste of material if you're not in a salt water environment. I may throw down a coat of gelcoat and then shoot it with PVA before I cover it up. With my center console plan, I will have to have a hole in the deck under the console and another at the transom for rigging access, so protecting the bilge is a little more critical in this application.
Congratulations on a job very well done, and I look forward to seeing the progress of your next project.
