Vanguard Phantom

[Cannuk]

Hello Everybody!

I've been lurking around doing some research on this forum, seems like an excellent resource with some very knowledgeable folks contributing.

So I've helped out on a few floor/transom projects over the years and decided why not get into something myself. Anyways I bought a project boat, a (I believe)16' Vanguard Phantom circa 86, with an 88 115HP Mariner hanging off the back.

Most notable defect is the floor, it was quite soft. I'm sure all of the wood in this boat could use some TLC however the transom looks solid enough (no cracks, visible flex etc) In the name of actually using this boat for some fishing in the fall I'm going to postpone the new transom to next year when I will have the time/space to properly split the hull etc.

So phase one of this project is re-doing the floor/stringers. (yes I know it will be much harder to cut out the transom with a nice new floor butted up to it but I don't really care)

Anyways here are some initial pics, as well as a shot of below the floor :facepalm:

 

[Cannuk]

Re: Vanguard Phantom

Here are some of the demolition pics, as well as fitting the new stringer.

From the factory it was two layers of 5/8" plywood with a terrible job of sealing the edges (even the bottom of the floor had no coating) New one piece pressure treated stringer cut and this is as far as I am now. This weekend is a long weekend for those of us on the north side of the big fence so pending the weather I plan on finishing the hull prep work, and dry fitting all of the floor/bulkhead pieces. To give a little perspective the wood section of the floor is only 33" wide...

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Vanguard Phantom

Pressure treated lumber isn't really a good choice for boat building, even with fiberglass boats. Pressure treated lumber is "wet" with a high moisture content from the pressure treating solution, this causes the resin to not penetrate and bond well and your layups will more than likely delaminate.

Regular ol' kiln dried lumber is a better choice.

That's a nice looking boat and should be fun on the water when you get it finished.

 

[Cannuk]

Re: Vanguard Phantom

Pressure treated lumber isn't really a good choice for boat building, even with fiberglass boats. Pressure treated lumber is "wet" with a high moisture content from the pressure treating solution, this causes the resin to not penetrate and bond well and your layups will more than likely delaminate.

Regular ol' kiln dried lumber is a better choice.

That's a nice looking boat and should be fun on the water when you get it finished.

Thanks! Many, many hours ahead of me but it should be worth it...

Floor/bulkheads will be 3/4" exterior grade plywood. At the lumber yard there were a few PT 2x8s that fell behind the stack, they were much much drier than from the top of the pile so I figured I would try it out. I have a moisture meter I should test it to compare to the kiln dried stuff. Worst case another $15 bucks and a couple hours to shape it wont kill me!

 

[Cannuk]

Re: Vanguard Phantom

So I've been busy with other commitments lately, however I have made some progress!

Only a couple more pieces to cut, and a few more hours of sanding/prep and it's ready to start going back together.

Regarding the pressure treated lumber.... I checked it with my handheld moisture meter at the surface, and 1/4" deep and it's the exact same as the plywood. I would guess it air dried for a couple years by the amount of dust on it at the lumber yard (indoors).

Has anyone seen west system epoxy delaminate from pressure treated wood before? I'll probably give it a go anyways, only the vertical sides of the stringer really have the coating left as it's been ripped lengthwise and thoroughly sanded top and bottom, if that makes sense.

Cheers

ps sorry for the sideways pic, no time to fix it now!