87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

[MountaineerMiner]

This will be my first post on iboats so I thought I would offer a little introduction. I purchased a 16.5? Glassport from a coworker with a trailer, in ?not running well? condition with the intention of fixing it up. After about a month of reading many of the rebuild threads (and ongoing) here on iboats I have began my restoration. I have already had the boat running, albeit a little rough before I pulled the motor. My plan for this spring/summer is to strip the interior, replace the stringers, deck, and transom and fix some minor problems with the drive train. After reading many of the rebuild threads on iboats I realize this is a lofty goal but feel confident and competent in completing this task. Plus I LOVE a project! Here are a few pics of what is completed so far?

Mike

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

After thawing this abused soul out I made sure she at least started!! Talk about a leap of faith, this was a gamble for me...The starter was rusted and corroded and up to the point it would not engage and the starter solenoid was shot. I jumpered the solenoid and removed and cleaned the starter. After a couple shots of ether and a recharge of the battery she started! After running up to temp I checked the oil?it looked pretty good, not milkshake like. My biggest fear is a cracked exhaust or intake manifold?they cost a pretty penny for this gem, the 2.3L ford block is a dime a dozen. When pulling the motor the outdrive the coupling looked to be in good shape, this was a bit of relief after finding a cereal box used for the exhaust manifold gasket! I then proceeded to strip the deck and inspect the stringers and transom. Since I live at an apartment complex I have decided to plan the removal of the ?cap? around a nice weekend and a couple vacation days so not to disturb the other tenants more than necessary. I plan on doing most the work I can without removing the ?cap? including replacement of two of the stringers and the transom.

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

This boat has taught me a little about tires....When I bought the boat I pumped up the tires and drove it home. In the driveway it sat dryrotted tires and all, then it got warm outside one Saturday. I had just pulled the outdrive and was in the process of building a stand for it when I heard the loudest explosion of my life and was struck by somthing and oil...perplexed I came to concousnous in the middle of the yard with all the neighbors gathered outside to see what it was...I was stuned and confused at first, then i saw the tire...

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

Good Luck on the rebuild Mike, thanks for the post. If you can, its a lot easier to read if you post the picture in the thread. Looks like you are already making some progress! Been there done that with the old tire, lol! I had the same thing happen with a tire on my boat trailer! Keep us updated!

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

Thanks Archbuilder. Im headed out for a few supplies then it will be a busy morning getting some work done. Last night I took many measurments and started to cut out the center stringers. I will try to post some pics tonight but I might get busy after the Mountaineers beat Kentucky!!!

oh, I tried for about an hour to get the pics to show up in my post. I tried directly importing them and I tried loading them off the photobucket site, any suggestions?

Mike

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

OK, so this dumb coal miner kinda figured out photobucket. I didnt get as much done as I wanted to this weekend, but I removed most of the stringes and a good protion of the transom. Here are a couple pics. Also, is the B-440 premium resin (or something like that) that much beter than the regular 435 offered by US composits?

Mike

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

The weather outlook in the thriving metropolis of Morgantown is exceptional and to make things even better the mining industry recognizes April fool?s day as a holiday. I decided to burn a vacation day on Friday to make it a 4 day weekend; hopefully I will make some good progress and get some pics up!

I also got my order in with US Composites finalized yesterday morning, I must say they are great to work with and thank everyone on iboats for recommending them!


Mike

 

[Robert4Winns]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

Looks like a good project and you have gotten a good start on the demo portion. Your boat appears to be set up very similar to mine, except you may have better access to the transom with the cap on.
On mine the stringers extend forward under the bow, which is part of the cap. If yours is the same, you may have a tough time replacing the stringers with the cap on.
Good luck with the project.

 

[Robert4Winns]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

I just got a better look at your photos. Where is the gas tank on the boat? Mine is between the ski locker and the engine, but your ski locker looks like it is further back than mine. Is that the fill hose on the port side toward the bow?

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

After getting further into the transom and stringers I figured I was kidding myself if I thought I wouldn?t have to remove the cap. I spent most of the day yesterday removing the windshield and all the remaining fittings and accents from the cap and pulled it off. This was easier than I thought it would be with the help of a few friends and an engine hoist.

I also made a trip to Lowes and picked up 2 sheets of 23/32 exterior BC plywood, a couple tubes of PL and some other odds and ends.

Robert4Winns,

Ya, the tank is forward of the ski locker with the fill valve on the port side. After reading a couple rebuild threads this seemed to be the not so standard location.

Also I have read a couple different ways to mount the transom "wood" to the hull, Robert, I noticed you used epoxy and mat, many use poly and mat, and some have used PL spread out. Is either of these methods wrong, mainly the PL? I assume the epoxy is the BEST method but I have decided not to use much epoxy in an attempt to cut costs.

Mike

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab11/MountaineerMiner/IMG_0431.jpg

 

[Robert4Winns]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

You are making progress very quickly. Things will be much easier with the cap off, but be careful to maintain the shape of the hull.

I used epoxy thickened with cabosil and wood flour to laminate and glue in the transom core (plywood). The only mat I used was part of the biax fiberglass that went over the plywood once it was glued in. I've seen people use mat with poly to do laminations, but you generally don't use mat with epoxy. I am using epoxy because it is more forgiving and I can use a margain of error as this is my first boat restoration. I havn't figured out how much epoxy it took to do the transom and how much it costed; probably better if I don't know.

You can certainly save a lot using PL to laminate the plywood and glue it to the hull and many people have used it with no problems at all. It provides a very good bond. That is what I intend to use to bed in my stringers. It is cheaper to get the big tubes even if you have to buy a big caulk gun too.

One thing I liked about the epoxy was the amount of time I had to work with it. I am working alone and I had to mix up and thicken multiple batches, but I had no problem with it kicking before I had it all spread on and clamped in the plywood. PL starts to form a skin when it is exposed to air so I think you would need to work faster, although since you don't have to mix it I'm sure it will go faster. To get a good bond you probably should spread it out with a notched trowel on both surfaces. Also, be sure to let it cure fully before glassing over it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

I can't believe how quickly you got that thing torn down...and in an apt complex parking lot! Good work!

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

I bought a notched trowel and 4 big tubes of PL yesterday, I already had a big caulk gun so that was a no brainer over the 10oz. size. I was planning on brushing all sides of the wood cut for the transom with poly, letting it cure, then using PL to glue it to the hull.

How did you ensure you maintained the shape of the hull? This is one thing I was concerned about. I am going to try and use a couple rachet straps around the top to hold it as close to the origanal shape as possible, but I am open to suggestions.

I have been making pretty good progress, im single and live alone...lots of time to waste on stuff like this...its better than watching TV or sitting at the bar I guess. Though this is the first power boat I have worked on I have glassed and re-gelcoated a jetski and a sunfish a couple years back and have used poly and mat for lots of POS car/truck projects. I figure I will slow down quite a bit once it gets to the mechanicals, that the stuff Im scared of.

Mike

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

The process was expedited by building a tent over top to work at night and in the rain. I will take a few pics when I put it back up, it?s too nice out not to be in the sun!

 

[86RajunCajun]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

I wouldnt worry much about the hull losing shape if you have a bunk trailer.

The glass isnt really going to bend much unless it is under pressure somehow. If it is just sitting there on the trailer on bunks it should be fine.

Good luck!
RC

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

86RajunCajun,

Thats about the conclusion I came to. I tried the brilliant rachet strap idea but it wasnt even worth trying to explain...

I did notice there is no flex in the hull when sraddling where the bunks are (go figure right?). I will probably use a board accross this area when fitting the transom and outside stringers so my weight dosent influence the shape of the hull too much.

On another note I did make some progress today, ill throw a couple pics up in the morning.

Mike

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

I guess its been a couple days since I said I would put up some pic?s. It got real hectic between work, holidays and the NCAA tournament. I managed to get the hull ground down, pin striping removed and a template for the transom made. I also snapped a few shots of the process I used to remove the stringers and build the transom template.

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

Tools of stringer destruction

I started by scoring the fiberglass with a cutoff wheel and peeling it back to reveal the rotted floor. On some portions a circular saw was used.

The center most stringers were completely rotted and were easily removed. A sawzall was used to cut the outer stringers in half. (These were solid, but the bottom 1/4? was rotted)

I then used a cutoff wheel to cut closer to the hull.

A prybar was used to clean up the remainder

I have a few more pics to share but need to go to bed,

Till next time

Mike,

Also...please keep the miners from Montcoal in your hearts...its a few hours from where I am but it really rings home in every coal community

 

[Robert4Winns]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

Looking good! You are making great progress.

 

[SnowHunter]

Re: 87 Glassport rebuild, 16.5'

Speedy!!! Looks like its comin along great so far!!! Keep up the good work!

10-4 on the miners!