Welcome to the Starmada!!!
Awesome find sir!!!
I am sure others will be along too. Sounds like you have already started tear down, are you planning on keeping it a center console?
SHSU
Just shows you it has a history has a good fishing boat!!! lol
Good think you found it.
I have never been one for polishing aluminum, but know others have. It would look good, but it might get bright in the sun too. My 2 cents is just to paint it, but that is just me.
SHSU
I went with similar arrangement as @MNhunter1. Four in the back with one upfront in a removal front casting deck. That being said, I am 6' 2" and tried the shorter 9" seat pedestal. It didn't not work and I switched to the 12". Something to think about is guys our size will never get low...
Any pictures? If you got water intrusion it can cause issues with just the fiberglass itself if not dried out. Why do you think you have bilge rot?
SHSU
I have seen many repairs done by rivet and 5200. They do have the potential for head popping if hit, but so would bolt and nut. So if you can't weld closed, I don't see an issue with rivet/5200.
Just my 2 cents, for what little that is worth
SHSU
Hope all is well and no major damage.
We were blessed here in Houston TX, but I know a lot of people were dealing with burst pipes and such. We don't know how to handle cold down here...
SHSU
Your first mate looks super excited. lol
As for the fairing compound, not sure why. If you are going to cover flooring don't see a practical purpose.
SHSU
When installing the end caps and nose piece, make sure to use bolt or similar. Rivets seem to break and those things are as rare as a live dinosaur. So if you lose them, its custom fab to have them replaced.
SHSU
Can't mix to much with ketchup as it will water it down to much and it will run off. As for the soak, it depends on how bad the corrosion is. I used it on my trailer and left it on for 48 hours. Did an ok job for areas I couldn't get with a wire wheel.
SHSU
lol
We all have done that at least once on our projects.
Not sure the washer is needed anyways with the aluminum bracing you already have in place. So not a big deal if you decide to leave and not worry about it. Once you cover with the motor and splashwell you would never know.
SHSU
I see you mentioned the transom is tight without glass. Did you make sure to account for the 1/8-1/4 of extra space needed for each side including the 2 faces? Once you epoxy and lay the glass you wont be able to trim it anymore without significant rework. That also goes for the areas you...
You mix cabosil into the epoxy. It gives it a peanut butter consistency. I have heard of people use fine chip fibers added as well to help with strength.
Thinking on it again though, it is possible to get air trapped as it is so thick. Works great for filling cracks and holding to vertical...
If you read some of the old threads, a lot have used the exterior Big Box store glue for vinyl. As long as your comfortable with it, that is all that matters
SHSU
