Restoring a 1990 Larson

[Meames1]

Last night I laid out the textured area and put it down. 30 minutes later I peeled the tape and did the 3rd coat on the rest of the floor.
Today I added wax and applied the 4th and final coat to both the floor and transom. I didn't add any shine additive so the wax has dulled the finish some, but it's rock hard.
I'm very pleased with the final product, it's not perfect, a couple blemishes here and there, some sweat drips from the bottom of my respirator...grrr.
I realized today that this marks the last of the "major" fabrication.
Other than some gelcoat repairs here and there, I get to start assembling this thing !
First up, clean the garage. Then start the gimbal rebuild. I'm thinking of installing the transom / gimbal and the engine before putting the cap back on as it will give me more space.

 

[PC on the Bayou]

Last night I laid out the textured area and put it down. 30 minutes later I peeled the tape and did the 3rd coat on the rest of the floor.

Looks great!! You, also answered one of my questions about the tape. I am going to do very similar nonskid in my boat and it will be a contrasting color. So, lay the gelcoat and then pull the tape 30 minutes later works well to get a good edge without lifting or peeling along the border?

 

[Meames1]

Looks great!! You, also answered one of my questions about the tape. I am going to do very similar nonskid in my boat and it will be a contrasting color. So, lay the gelcoat and then pull the tape 30 minutes later works well to get a good edge without lifting or peeling along the border?

Yes. I laid a coat @ 1.5% MEKP the night before (60 degrees). The next day you can tape to it with painters tape using thick poly to stand on. I taped this section so I could reach over from outside the hull and pull the tape. I left the long ends of the tape curled up so I could grab them with a long pair of needle nosed pliers. no lifting or peeling on the edges. When I taped off the engine compartment / bilge to gelcoat , that tape I peeled immediately when done mainly because it was easy to get to as the floor was not coated yet. Good Luck!

 

[kcassells]

A lot depends on the products you are using. Gelcoat has a longer time for cure other materials are faster i.e. paints. 30 min is plenty fine for paints and gelcoats probably have a longer time forgiveness. It's all about the temps and humidity. Def want to use a good quality paint tape.

 

[Meames1]

Busy weekend, a good portion was cleaning the garage and not getting productive work done on the boat, but I digress.
I cut and laid out the carpet for the gunwales, adhered one side but didn't get a completed picture.
I also disassembled the gimball housing. I had to build a quick tool to remove the large upper pin for the steering arm (I used an old corroded housing for the ginny pig, not the one I'm using).
Got all the parts washed and de-greased. There are only a few small spots of corrosion that I'll have to paint, and then I'll start the reassembly.

 

[todhunter]

Repurposed harmonic balancer installation tool?

 

[Meames1]

Repurposed harmonic balancer installation tool?

Yep

 

[Meames1]

I got the gimbal housing and transom mount painted and started assembly.
Although my "new to me" assembly is a gen II, it's an early model so it has all the bosses cast in place for the addition of the gear oil feed bottle, just that everything was plugged with pipe plugs. I was able to find a NOS quicksilver kit on ebay to add the gear lube assembly.
Added the correct fittings and anti-dribble valve, the kit was very complete and had every clamp, o-ring, washers etc.
I installed all the bellows and the new quicksilver trim sensors, as I figured as long as I was in there I might as well replace them with new. Glad I did, after removing the originals I found some chaffing on the wires that would have shorted together.
The only downside was I damaged the locking ring for the u-joint bellows trying to install it. I have the driver for it, but I suspect I should have started it by hand as apparently I drove it in crooked the first time and bent it up taking it back out. I ordered another one, but at least I can install it on the boat and put it in while attached. Once the housing is on I can work towards installing the engine this weekend.

 

[todhunter]

Nice. I like your stand. I was thinking about pulling mine out of storage and starting to replace gimbal bearing, bellows, etc. this weekend, as I'm still in a holding pattern on my truck, which puts me in a holding pattern for putting the cap back on.

 

[Meames1]

Nice. I like your stand. I was thinking about pulling mine out of storage and starting to replace gimbal bearing, bellows, etc. this weekend, as I'm still in a holding pattern on my truck, which puts me in a holding pattern for putting the cap back on.

I hear ya. I'm currently redoing our kitchen, which involves moving an exterior door and siding. Installing new raised panel interior doors (7 of them), and installing new drop ceilings in the basement from an earlier renovation. Of course rebuilding the boat, and trying to keep up on all the vehicle maintenance, when one of my kids or wife's car breaks it throws a monkey wrench into everything.

 

[Meames1]

Good news ! I was able to source a new locking ring locally and stopped home on my lunch hour, lubed it up with a little soapy water, started it by hand and a few good whacks and it seated perfectly. 5 minutes, after messing with it for 30 minutes last night, lol.

 

[Meames1]

Transom assembly installed. Feels really good to actually assemble and install mechanical bits on the boat. Although it's hard to see I also sanded and buffed the center part of the transom before installing the unit. I sanded with 800, 1000, 1200, and 2000 grit on a 5" orbital sander and then buffed with a coarse foam pad and polishing compound only. Then used a soft foam pad with meguires RV & Boat gelcoat polish. Amazing difference, from chalky white that felt like sandpaper to smooth as silk and a great shine. Almost cannot wait to do the rest of the boat.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Always feels good to be putting it back together!

 

[Meames1]

Ready to install the engine, hopefully after work today. I planned on doing it this weekend until I went to bolt up the coupler, whew, the splines are toast. Worn to a sharp point, don't know why I didn't notice them when I took it out. Anyway, ordered a new one and it came today. Assembled the rest of the bits and pieces on the new long block, added a Femco drain and hose to do oil changes and it should be ready to drop in.

 

[todhunter]

Coming along! You're right - the coupler was toast. I like the Femco valve - almost went with one for my setup, but ended up just going with one of the oil drain kits that has the capped hose. My garboard drain is too small to pass the hose out, so I planned on attaching the end of the hose to the side of the stringer, and still using suction to pull out the old oil. Good luck dropping it in! You using a cherry picker or an a-frame and a chain fall?

 

[Meames1]

You using a cherry picker or an a-frame and a chain fall?

Most likely my chain fall from the reinforced rafters of the garage. I have a cherry picker but doubt it will go high enough and still be able to drop down in. I beefed up the rafters of the garage many years ago when I was running big block Chevy's, so I'm sure it will handle this one fine.

 

[Meames1]

It's in ! I have to align it yet. How long you think the bilge will stay this white ?? LOL

 

[JASinIL2006]

Not very long, so enjoy it while it’s pretty!

 

[todhunter]

Looks like a surgical suite! Nice job.

 

[PC on the Bayou]

Lookin' good. Mine is nearing the point of engine install, too. I, too, am gelcoating it all white with the expectation that it won't stay pretty very long, but white will be bright in there.