Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

[SawDust{RM}]

It all started from a lets put in a new floor of my Donzi, Once I got in there everything was hozed, so it turned into a total re-build. I had to cut the old stringers out with a chain saw, am rebuilding with composite materials, High Density Foam Board preped with Glass on both sides for the inner stringer & ceramic in place, ancient mariners secret for outers & Honey Comb board (plascore) preped with glass on both sides for the 3/4 Bulk Heads & 1/2 floor, new foam to fill in the places the factory neglected, will post more pix as its going back together now.

It Took alot to get to this, probally was 3.5 weeks of Drying after all wood was removed

 

[Don S]

Re: Rebuild 4.3 Vortec

Re: Rebuild 4.3 Vortec

Welcome aboard Sawdust. Since this is more of a documentation type post of your boat and engine rebuild, instead of a mechanical question, I am going to move this over to the Restoration forum. If you do have questions on your engine and/or outdrive, this forum (I/O) is the place to ask them.

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

Thx Don
But I wanted to hear reponse from folks on the Minimal HP gain, as well as the addition of an aluminum oil pan.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

Thx Don
But I wanted to hear reponse from folks on the Minimal HP gain, as well as the addition of an aluminum oil pan.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... you mentioned neither in your 1st post...

You'll see about 20hp from the Vortec heads....

No horse power increases from the aluminum oil pan though....
As long as you're boatin' in fresh water, it won't be an issue either...

Saltwater, I donno,... I don't get near it very often....

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

Glad to see your project, I'm interested in seeing the composit stuff going together. More pics would be great!

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

High Desnsity Glass Covered Foam for inner Stringer & 3/4 inch glass covered composite honey comb for Bulk heads, flooring will be 3/4
Storage floor & gas tank hole floor 1/2" honey comb glass covered

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

Where did you find the honey combed product? How much was it $$$ ?? Looks interesting

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

Filled empty pockets with new foam & outer stringers with ancient mariners secret, ceramic was used around high density foam engine well to transom.

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

Will find website & post it, drove down to Tampa for the stuff, one thing for sure it will all be composite, sealed & no more water problems & alot less weight, using PVC Board for the back of the interior as well

Where did you find the honey combed product? How much was it $$$ ?? Looks interesting

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

http://www.plascore.com/marine-honeycomb-boat-manufacturing.htm

I used 3/4 & 1/2 inch

http://www.captainlevis.com/our-store.html

Where did you find the honey combed product? How much was it $$$ ?? Looks interesting

 

[WastinGas]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

Great boat to be putting the work into. Donzi makes great crafts, do you have any hull pics?

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

More Pix

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

More

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

Will post more pix tomorrow as I've made a ledge around the Fuel Tank hole & a removable reinforced lid for that section, with talk of gas going to 15% Ethanol I thought it was a good idea for any issues that might come up later with the tank, & I almost don't want to cut the hole to put the teak hatch back in but that section is 2 layers thick. I didn't mention it before but any exposed edges of the plascore are encased with Gel Resin then a piece of glass on top of that.

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

more

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

Glad to see your still at it. Great hull man

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

Final Scuffing before Gel coat last chance to see handy work
There is a removable double layer top to fit that goes over the tank well (it will get screwed in later)
You can see double layer 3/4 & 1/2 around the ski locker & front brace bridge

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

Applied Gel Coat

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

I forgot to mention if you look in the engine well you will see a circle that has been filled, about 3" in towards the hull was another one that went down, is was supposed to be a drain was the same on both sides, the hole was drilled down into the deck, & another drilled from the engine well to meet the one from the deck, depth from the deck varied on both sides, basically in drained into the foam from the deck & if the engine well took on water in would go into the foam from the well. This without a doubt was the Most Stupidest thing I saw on the whole retro. ( so far) other than the poor foam job & glass job for the deck support.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Rebuild Donzi and 4.3 Vortec

The stupidity of most manufacturers is unreal. When working on many of my boats I notice things I do not understand. Poorly sealed decks, rats nest wiring. I guess most of it is the cheapest easiest way to mass produce a boat