Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

[Woodonglass]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

My advice is to remove everything and grind it down to the bare hull. Take excellent and precise measurements and replace it exactly like it was.

 

[rubberbelly]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

Sorry guys I am way new to glassing so I apologize for possibly dumb questions. My search has been unsuccessful on finding the basic process to recreate the foam cavity. Which comes first the foam or the glass?

Initially my thought on steps to recreate what was there originally:
1. Add the cross ribs in
2. Then add the 1x10 resting on top of the cross ribs
3. Add foam by pouring through plugs along the 1x10

Or do I need to build temporary forms to pour the foam?

If I recreate which density foam should I use? The 16LBS gets expensive quick!

Also for reference I am aware all wood will need to be sealed unlike the factory build just trying to figure out the basic steps.

Going to pick up marine plywood this weekend so I hope to have which direction I am going figured out so I can pick it all up at once.

 

[avpaulb]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

It's funny that you emailed me on this one... your floor support structure was exactly the same as mine. Mine was not in nearly as good of shape though.

I went with the redo option myself. Everything was so damaged under my deck that I couldn't even take any great measurements of it. Looks like you might have that option though!

 

[chazz11bravo]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

How are things looking guys? I sold my 45 horse to someone that can fix it. I just didnt want to have to deal with cleaning or replacing points twice a year or more due to the salty water. My floor is done now all I need to do is find a 50 -70 hp motor that's in good shape and not $5,000. I'll have to replace the helm and maybe the steering "column". This ole' country boy might be able to put something good and solid using the parts I jave. My wife and I just bought a house that was a rental. Man I tell ya it's a never ending honey do list. I'll send pictures of the glove box that I completely rebuilt. Looks pretty good. I wish smooth, and trouble free, and timely restoration for all of us. Gods speed.

 

[rubberbelly]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

You may want to start a thread for your specific project and questions, you may get a better response.

 

[rubberbelly]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

Been thinking more about recreating the factory setup and will likely go that route rather than full stringers. To simplify the construction process, would it be okay to compartmentalize the foam by making the deck beams out of plywood that extend all the way down to the hull rather than suspended by foam?





Oops' thread is a great reference if someone does not know that already....
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=234392&page=167 starting at post 4158 thru 4164

If I bag the foam I would be able to remove the foam then cut the existing fiberglass walls away and have proper drainage. Then I could reinstall everything new....

The factory did not bag the foam so the foam was allowed to bond itself to the hull, stringer walls, etc.
Question 1: Does that add strength to the finished deck/hull?
Question 2: If not, why?

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

i was checking out your progress, and noticed yours has a stringer/keel down the center, mine did not wonder why

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

I was grumpy, sorry.

I'd have left the message's intent, perhaps just changed the verbage/tone

Encouragement to start a thread, helps those that follow, find & use the info posted, for their builds.


Bagging the foam, full width bulkheads, and modifying the original structure are not questions I am able to answer.

Hopefully, someone w/ much more experience will be swinging by....

BTW, have you tried using photobucket for pix:

Nice & big, easy to see

 

[chazz11bravo]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

Been thinking more about recreating the factory setup and will likely go that route rather than full stringers. To simplify the construction process, would it be okay to compartmentalize the foam by making the deck beams out of plywood that extend all the way down to the hull rather than suspended by foam?

View attachment 160609



Oops' thread is a great reference if someone does not know that already....
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=234392&page=167 starting at post 4158 thru 4164

If I bag the foam I would be able to remove the foam then cut the existing fiberglass walls away and have proper drainage. Then I could reinstall everything new....

The factory did not bag the foam so the foam was allowed to bond itself to the hull, stringer walls, etc.
Question 1: Does that add strength to the finished deck/hull?
Question 2: If not, why?

I think thats a fantastic design idea to use the plywood. You're right it would improve drainage and deck strength. I would find a spray on bed liner or maybe even the spray on sealer they sale at home depot. That plywood rotting would be my only worry.

Luckily my Lapline is a 78 and no offense a better design. My deck boards lay flat and rest on top what looks like fiberglass planks.
It was really fun redoing the enterior. I felt like I had done it before. I worked in architectural sheetal metal. I added a few extra touches that will help speed up the flow of the deck into the sump and make it dry faster. I imagaine this help the wood last longer as well.

 

[chazz11bravo]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

My apoligies for the remarks made earlier. I was just frustrated at the time with trying to get a 45 hp chrysler going. And I just bought a rental in november. I'm working on like 10 projects and I'm finding more as I work on those. It's very frustrating when it's a struggle to keep up with all the usual owning a home type stuff. Again my apoligies.

And yes we should start a new thread. I'm pretty sure there are others that own laplins and similair boats that are or will be in the "same boat" haha as we are. Maybe we can have moved or move our "recent" posts over to a new thread?

 

[rubberbelly]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

It's funny that you emailed me on this one...

Thanks for taking a peak at my thread, there aren't many threads for these poor old and neglected Larson's and yours was one I was able to find that was very detailed

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=546069

Hopefully, someone w/ much more experience will be swinging by....

BTW, have you tried using photobucket for pix:

Nice & big, easy to see

Yes, I have a flickr account and will start using that, I was just being lazy LOL

i was checking out your progress, and noticed yours has a stringer/keel down the center, mine did not wonder why

Not sure, perhaps just one of the model year differences? I plan on putting new keel back in place on mine since it was there...

 

[avpaulb]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

Thanks for taking a peak at my thread, there aren't many threads for these poor old and neglected Larson's and yours was one I was able to find that was very detailed

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=546069

With a bit of luck, I should be back at it tomorrow! I've had to take a few weeks off of it to find a shop to work on it! Check again Monday, maybe I'll actually get something done!

 

[rubberbelly]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

Made it the lumber yard and picked up some plywood.

they did not have any douglas fir for the stringer items I needed so the guy recommended poplar would work just fine for stringers.... knew I shouldn't have taken his word but he sounded like he knew what he was talking about.... The poplar looks really nice but after reading on here I am not so sure. from what I have read it rots quickly. Any thoughts? Finding a 1x10 is going to be a challenge I think....

would really like to hear the pro's on here comment to the proper way to rebuild the stringers as they came from the factory

 

[rubberbelly]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

Anyone want to comment on the proper way to rebuild the stringers as they came from the factory if I strip the hull?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

absolutely NOT poplar

Fir if you really want to use dimensional lumber. I'd prefer ply. If you're trying to match width/thickness of material of original, I didn't find the original stringer width/thickness, so I don't know exactly what you meant by: rebuild the stringers as they came from the factory.

Replacing the stringers w/ lateral bulkheads doesn't sound like a good plan but I'm not a naval architect, nor do I play 1 on TV:facepalm: as I mentioned before.

Better wrapped/sealed w/ resin & glass, then redone as the factory setup would be my 1st choice...

Do you think a previous owner did repairs that aren't per original?

 

[rubberbelly]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

absolutely NOT poplar

Fir if you really want to use dimensional lumber. I'd prefer ply. If you're trying to match width/thickness of material of original, I didn't find the original stringer width/thickness, so I don't know exactly what you meant by: rebuild the stringers as they came from the factory.

Replacing the stringers w/ lateral bulkheads doesn't sound like a good plan but I'm not a naval architect, nor do I play 1 on TV:facepalm: as I mentioned before.

Better wrapped/sealed w/ resin & glass, then redone as the factory setup would be my 1st choice...

Do you think a previous owner did repairs that aren't per original?

Thanks for the comments and trying to help I sure appreciate it. Just trying to get a hold of the best way to proceed since this is my first total tear down and rebuild of the stinger/floor.

From the research I have done I am 99.9% sure this stringer/support system is how the factory built these boats and no it does not appear this boat has been touched since it was built in regards to the structure.

Woodonglass suggested rebuilding the structure the same as it was and that is also the way I was leaning although I am open to going to a more traditional stringer. Either way I do plan on wrapping/sealing the wood properly.

What I do not understand since I have only read about glassing and this will be my first attempt, is the basic process of glassing in the foam if I did build it as it was:

1. Assuming a bare hull. Do you glass in the wood structures, drape the fiberglass cloth, and apply resin (my concern since I have never glassed is there would not be an internal structure to glass against)? Then drill plugs in the 1x10 to pour the foam?

or

2. Do I vacuum bag the foam as it currently sets then rip out existing fiberglass structure and rebuild on top of the vacuum bagged foam? (doing it this way, the foam would not attach itself to the 1x10 or hull like it was from the factory).

Regarding the wood, they did not have 1x10 Douglas Fir as that is what I was expecting them to have, the largest dimensional Douglas Fir they had was 1x8. I had thought about using plywood, perhaps that would be the best route for the 1x10 caps.

Thanks, Jason

 

[rubberbelly]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

Oh and I was considering the stringer for my boat as the foam core topped with a 1x10 laying on top that has been fiber glassed to the hull

Jason

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

IF it's exterior grade, or made w/ waterproof glue, most plywood would work. Auraco (sp?) was quite popular but apparently a fire at 1 of 2 manufacturing sites, has made it scarce in some areas, underlayment, douglas fir plywood and possibly others......

My biggest 'complaint' of dimensional lumber use, would be it is typically less straight when you 1st buy it, and it is much less stable (prone to warp & twist) after you buy it. But left un-secured, or exposed to heat & moisture, especially cycling thru both, ply will go all potato chip looking fairly quick & fairly easy too.

It may require a trip or 2 to a local lumber place(s) to see what they've got & then check for yourself as to it's makeup. Not that the guy at the lumber store was deliberately mis-leading you @ the poplar. He either didn't know, or had been mis-informed, specifically to use in a boat under the deck. Poplar isn't particularly strong, or stable and also isn't particularly dense or resistant to rot.

If you don't hear back from YachtDr, WOG, oops or someone else about the specific makeup of your hull~stringer system, you'll need to PM 1 of them & just ask them to look in on your thread that your stumped or that you have questions on how to proceed. Don't ask the questions in the PM, they may not be answered & infact cause your PM to be ignored. Many of the "pro's" prefer to keep Q&A's in the public forum. In a PM they are not serving the masses & available later to others that follow.....

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

Better wrapped/sealed w/ resin & glass, then redone as the factory setup would be my 1st choice...

Do you think a previous owner did repairs that aren't per original?

I'm not sure this was clear, I meant wrapping/sealing your stringer caps (??flat stringers?? or what ever we should call the 1X10 boards you intended to use) better then the factory probably did (which isn't hard to do) with resin & glass and building the system back the way the factory laid it out.

That is going to be my 1st choice in putting it back together. Similar methods to original, but better, more complete prep & protection from water...

 

[rubberbelly]

Re: Project Rubberbelly Rebirth - 1966 Larson Lapline

Thanks for the info, it is noted.

Last night I started making my transom template, hope to cut the transom pieces this weekend and get them bonded together.