18SF rebuild

[adamcannon]

I pressure tested the gas tank last night. Everything was good it still had the 4lbs of air in it this morning. We put a layer of glass on the gas tank to help give it some protection from rubbing and from moisture if any was to get around it in the foam. Thats all for now. When we get the gas tank and water tank mounted I will post some more pics.

[adamcannon]

I am going to use awlgrip paint on the outside of the hull, bracket, console, and top deck. I was wondering.....would I be better to use awlgrip paint and nonskid on the floor or should I use gelcoat on the floor. I dont know what would hold up better for walking on. I know the finish will look different. I think I like how the awlgrip looks better but I would rather have the tougher finish so it will last.....I guess. I just am not sure. Also I am thinking of going with Aqua Mist color. I was wondering if anyone has used this color and if they have any pics of it on a boat. Thanks, Adam

[adamcannon]

Well tonight we popped the remaining liner loose from the hull. We put a floor jack under the front bulkhead and took out all the screws in the gunwale. It popped loose much easier than I had expected. I am not sure I could have taken the liner and cap out unless the floor was out already. The plan is as of right now is to screw the liner back where is was. Then build the box across the transom and put the gunwale inserts back on and tab them in place. Then we are going to pull the whole liner out in one piece, minus the floor. If I do it like this, the floor can be put in all the way to the hull on the sides and the transom. I think this will make it much stronger. We are going to try and work on the rear box saturday and I will try to post some pics of the progress.

[adamcannon]

I had to work today and didnt think anything was going to get done to my boat but my brother-in-law took it upon his self to start on the box in the stern. He screwed the old boxes I had cut out back in the boat and attached it to the liner with pieces of wood to hold it. Then put a 2x4 across the front so it would hold them the same distance apart like they were before I cut the floor out. Here are some pictures of what he did.







He layed a piece of penski board across the top and put batteries on either side to continue the crown of the stern across the void where the motor cutout was. Then cut a piece of penski to fit for the front of the transom box. After we get the rest of the box completed and all glassed together I am hoping the liner with a few braces, will be sturdy enough to remove the whole liner in one piece. I guess we will see. I am hoping to make some more progress next week. If anyone has any ideas on how to configure the hatches/storage in the rear box let me hear it. I am not sure what to do about that. Anyone with a full transom and wants to post some pics of yours maybe that will give me some ideas. Thanks, Adam

[adamcannon]

Tonight we got the top cut out and mounted in place on the transom box. I also got the gas tank back in the coffin and sitting in the boat. I think we are going to wait to glass the coffin into place after we pull the liner out of the boat. Next thing on the list is to tab in the transom box and reattach the liner to the new box. The project seems to be slow moving but we both have full time jobs so I guess it is to be expected. I am just anxious to get it done. I am thinking about putting a small storage/baitwell in the center of the stern box with a custom hatch on top. I am not sure if I will use it much as a baitwell but I would like to have the option. I will get some more pics when we start glassing the stern box. Thanks.

[strick]

We wanted to go ahead and drill thru the transom so we can fiberglass some 1/4" solid fiberglass panel on the inside of the transom where the bolts will be. I am hoping this will help spread the compression out from the head of the bolts when we mount it permanently. It will act like a backer plate.

Another option would be some ss square washers say 1/4 inch thick and 3 inches square. That would probably be stronger then the fiberglass panel.

I am going to use awlgrip paint on the outside of the hull, bracket, console, and top deck. I was wondering.....would I be better to use awlgrip paint and nonskid on the floor or should I use gelcoat on the floor. I am thinking of going with Aqua Mist color. I was wondering if anyone has used this color and if they have any pics of it on a boat.

Since you are already using Awlgrip I would just use that for the nonskid...it's tough stuff. Get a color that hides stains.... Awlgrip is easier to work with then gel coats.

Boat with aquamist color: http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...=&fpart=1&vc=1

strick

[adamcannon]

Thanks Strick, I guess the awlgrip will probably match better too. I will look around and see if I can find any ss washers. That 23 you had with the aquamist looked awesome. I hope mine turns out as good as the ones I have seen you rebuild. Thanks for the reply.

[strick]

I will look around and see if I can find any ss washers.

The easiest thing is to have a welder cut you some. They can punch a hole for you in the middle as well. Make sure they are square not round. Square washers are a lot stronger then round washers.

Thanks on the boat comment. I sure miss that boat..was a great riding boat.

strick

[adamcannon]

We got the transom box glassed into place from the outside. Put some gelcoat on the fiberglass to protect the resin from the sun if we take it out in the sun. Here are some pics of the progress.









In these pics you can see that we made the lip that will connect the liner to hull continue across where the old motor cutout was.





Next we are going to get some good mesurements and put some 2x4s across the liner so it will keep its shape. We are going to need to come up with a good way to keep the hull in shape so when the liner goes back in it will match up. I think this will be the most challenging and the most important step. If the hull or the liner gets out of wack that could pose a huge problem. The new floor is going to be put in while the liner is out of the boat. This way we can glass the floor right into the side of the hull and then glass the liner to the floor. I am hoping this will make the boat even stronger than before. When we take out the liner it can be flipped over and all the seems can be glassed from the inside so we wont have to worry with faring those seams but it will give it alot more strength. I will post some more pics when we start taking the liner out of the boat. Thanks, Adam