restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

[twkjr 1250]

trying to get info on the construcion of this boat, mainly the stringers,the rear one just before motors is hollow , however it is thick and feels solid . my ? is were they made to be hollow or perhaps the wood rotted out . this boat was made in miami fl by dolphin hull id dost 286 here is a pic.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

Hello 1250...

1970.. more then likely your stringers were wood supported glass stringers..

Replace with the same m8..

YD.

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

there goes that restoration project . really liked the boat, dont think restringing it is worth the effort along with all the other work that comes with it as you go thanks for the input

 

[JCNailen]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

Don't give up on it so soon. It's not that big of a project. That's a nice boat to just give up. But if you must, I'll give you $25 for it.

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin: "the begining"

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin: "the begining"

took gunwale walls off looks like fuel tanks are leaking,motor cross mount rotted out , cross member before it hollow but maybe came that way since there is no structual support that i can see. now for the stringers , there are 6 spots where somebody already drilled with hole saw, shoul i recheck same spots for rot of stringers or move down a couple inches.

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin "update"

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin "update"

decided to take only back portion of gunwale off . have transom almost ready to cut out , how ever i'am trying to figure out the best place to cut the deck. there is a 3 inch step along the hull should i cut there or stay where it remains flat even acrss the deck. i also need to replace my motor mount support cross member . was just going to cut top off shape wood accordingly and recap with woven roven. now what am i doing wrong .

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

hey guys had a transom stringer thread decided it better to continue my progress here . transom and stringers and motor mount in, will do one more layup of 1808 biax on all . Been using polyester resin with all my work . very satified with results even though i had some air pockets and some thickness problems with my pb; however got it figured out after all the excitement was gone. by the way that was me worried about how much time i had to work with the resin AND GET THE FIBERGLASS LAYED UP WITH NO BUBBLES. found out it was easier to have bubbles and grind them out and repair later than fight them. now for the best part pics

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

while working on transom and motor mount . i noticed my foam was a little wet so i cut the deck just before the step down into helm and seating area. pulled all the foam out and actually turned out to be pretty dry. now as far as replacing foam was thinking about doing so along the gunwales. i figure if the worst ever happens boat would remain upright thats the theory i have . now i need to figure how much foam it will take and if i have enough space to accomadate it . of course i have some pics, did not get a chance to clean up the foam yet. let me know what you think of my refoam idea

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

jr,

Looking good so far. It's a little hard to follow since your pics are of selected areas only. I am still trying to get my head around the total layout and what areas you are working on.

As far as the foam goes if it isn't wet don't remove it. If it is a little wet, cut out the wetness and reuse the dry parts. A can of expandable foam can glue together the pieces.

Keep up the good work.

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

thanks greg ,removed all foam out of boat. Will be redesigning deck area. Origanaly had a big step down area for helm and seating which left a small amount for fishing. this area had tons of waterlogged foam, however only on port side of boat. now i want to regain this step down area for more level fishing area. have more pics .the white outline is new stepdown size to enter cuddy drew a little to far aft but should give you a good idea , x's represent continued height of deck o's represent height of new stepdown

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

need to know ! as you can see in previous post . I removed deck it was tabbed to hull after gel - coated assuming that is what was used. I was wondering how resin stuck to the gel coat , i have always read here that it needs to be grinded down to bare fresh resin before it is able to adhere. if i dont need to do this grinding, sanding and roughing up much easier

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

Jr,

Thanks for the better overall shots.

All old glass should be properly ground and cleaned before applying new glass.
Don't apply over gel coat.

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

greg, looks like more grinding . will be making stringers and frame for new stepdown to cuddy area,while i'am at it will be making another under deck storage/cooler area. deck will be 7 " higher so that will leave a deep enough space for it thanks for the help . looks like your coming along with the cruiser nice job your doing

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: restoring 1970 23 ft.dolphin

Sounds like you have it figured out well. Just when you think you are done grinding...another spot/area shows up. You can cheat in a small spot but not in a full length deck hull joint. Besides it will better in the long run when you get to the finishing and such.

Thanks for checking out my resto project. I had to put it aside for a few weeks to get some marina winterization and boat hauling done. I am going to get back at it this week.

Keep up the good work. You will be really happy in the end.