The Project Begins!!!

[Helibob1966]

Its great seeing all the work you are doing, with the engine in place. I have the same project coming up with my Chaparral and I really don't have the space to remove the engine. One question, are you putting in drainage pipe in the bottom center of the bulkheads? I used short pieces of 3/4" pvc and glassed them in on my Capri. I was concerned about trapping water between the bulkheads, but then again I had a ski locker. Looking good!! Nice update

I am doing the drains just as you described after I get the ski locker and fuel tank decks in place.
Funny thing is, i'm removing the engine after the work is done to do a cam swap and remove the exhaust y-pipe for a side exit exhaust.

 

[Helibob1966]

No Title

Its been awhile, but still making progress on the boat. All of the permanent decking is down, the ski locker is finished and the fuel tank support structure is under way. Had to remove the engine to facilitate the thru hull exhaust and it will make painting the bilge much easier.
Going ahead with a cam swap also to coax a few more ponies out of it. Picked up a factory late model gear reduction starter too. Much less amps to turn and much lighter than the old one. Also converting the dizzy with a pertronics setup. I couldn't bring myself to dealing with points.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Just looked at my last post on your thread.....LOL. I ended up biting the bullet and removed my engine. As much as I was dreading it, it really wasn't that bad. Totally necessary though!!! :faint2:

 

[Helibob1966]

No Title

Getting close to a finished product.

 

[Helibob1966]

It's been a long while since my last post, but the project has been completed! I would like to upload all of the pictures, but there are too many. I have a link to my facebook post and all of the photos.

Mod EDITv dead link removed

 

[Helibob1966]

Let's try this again.

I've been pretty quiet about my project. Wanted to get it finished before I shared any info about it. It is a 1990 Four Winns 200 Horizon. I purchased it in Oct 2016 for a really great price. The wife was a bit skeptical and apprehensive, but I had a vision of the finished product. It was a mess! The interior wood was rotten due to the fact it was left uncovered for quite some time and the carpet acted like a sponge. The vinyl seats were dirty, but they cleaned up nicely. The exterior gelcoat was in great condition. Just a bit oxidized. The wood and fiberglass work was back breaking and very itchy. The engine only had 94 hours on the meter and the outdrive was in near new condition. Took the opportunity to get a few more horsepower out of it by a cam change and add a thru hull exhaust to let it breath a bit. Decided to gelcoat the interior floor and have a lay in carpet made in the near future. I am pleased with the results and have a better than factory boat. Took it out for the first time at Canyon Lake on April 7 and it performed perfectly! Need to change the prop pitch to compensate for the added horsepower. All that is left to do is finish installing the sub and amp, fit a new Bimini top and were ready for Powell!

 

[pckeen]

Congratulations - and 94 hours? That's barely broken in.

 

[Woodonglass]

She looks good but...
What kind of plywood did you use?
Did you precoat the wood prior to glassing?
Did you glass the underside of the deck wood?
Poly Resin or Epoxy??
These details will help new members in knowing what to do!!

 

[Helibob1966]

She looks good but...
What kind of plywood did you use?
Did you precoat the wood prior to glassing?
Did you glass the underside of the deck wood?
Poly Resin or Epoxy??
These details will help new members in knowing what to do!!

Good point! I made all my decisions based on members projects and advice on this forum.
I did use ACX ply, sealed and encapsulated with fiberglass. Combination weave and mat.
I used polyester resin.
The final 2 coats is a mixture of 1 part unwaxed gelcoat and 3 parts resin tinted to my liking. Recommended by a local fiberglass products vendor.
I made several improvements over factory, especially in the fuel tank bay.
Very pleased with the results and this sucker is water tight!!! Will last a long time!

 

[Woodonglass]

Alrighty Then!!!! Sounds like you're in for some Water Fun this Season!!!!

 

[Helibob1966]

No Title

Wow!!! What a season!!! Finished her up and made it before Memorial weekend. Had a few trips on her and a big one to lake Powell for 8 days.
Got it back home and someone heard about the restoration. He came by, checked it out and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. That allowed me to buy a very nice Cabin Cruiser. The purchase, restoration, sale and buying another boat all happened in less than 1 year!

 

[Baylinerchuck]

What did you use on the floor if you don't mind me asking

 

[Helibob1966]

What did you use on the floor if you don't mind me asking

3 parts resin to one part gelcoat, added black tint to get the gray.

 

[cowboykid8]

Wow that is a crazy turn around! Would you buy another project in the future?

 

[Helibob1966]

Wow that is a crazy turn around! Would you buy another project in the future?

Actually bought a 27 foot cruiser. Repowering from a 351 OMC to a 496 Mercruiser.
No more wood and fiberglass work for me.