1970 Hewescraft remodel

[ineedtofish]

Hi guys, I have never posted before, but I have been reading and searching this site for a few days now because I just bought my first boat. It is a 1970 14' Aluminum Hewescraft Big Fisherman. I plan on putting in a piece or two of plywood down on the floor to make a level surface (because right now the v-hull up front and the ribs make it hard to walk.) I was wondering what the best non skid coating would be for my plywood, and if I absolutely need to use marine grade? I also am replacing the transom, as you can see in the pics, because it was starting to rot. Same question here, what kind of plywood. And after I cut it from the old transom template, should I paint, and then epoxy it? Because that is the plan, and then I was going to just bolt the two pieces together, with the aluminum in between, because that is how the old transom was. Also, how should I bolt the pieces together to have no leaks? As you can see I am brand new to this, and welcome any input. Thanks, Kyle.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1970 Hewescraft remodel

hi....welcome to iboats... !

you can use marine grade.....but the standard is exterior grade plywood...

just coat the ply with epoxy and paint...

as far as the holes....just drill thru....fill holes with 3m5200.....then but the bolts in and tighten......the wipe the excess off

 

[ineedtofish]

Re: 1970 Hewescraft remodel

cool thanks! I am also painting the inside of it. Had to strip off three layers of old paint and primer to get down to aluminum but finally got there. I have come to understand that zinc chromate is the primer you want to use, but what is the best kind of marine paint? thanks again

 

[ineedtofish]

1970 Hewescraft remodel

Well, got the floor cut out and laid in, along with the new transom and the new bow hatch I am installing.
Next step is to paint and epoxy everything and screw it in. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to attach the plywood to the ribs on the floor? Should I rivet it or just screw? Thanks

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1970 Hewescraft remodel

Nice work man. I pop riveted mine in. Us Starcraft types have riveted hulls so we used a product called Gluvit which seals any seams, rivets etc before we laid the deck down permanently.

Paint wise I went a little overboard and used the Interlux products for their zinc chromate, 2 part epoxy high build primer and thenvc performance epoxy for trailered fresh water boats for the areas under the water line. Above the waterline was zinc chromate primer and then whatever the body shop used. In this case it was an Endura paint product

Many guys here on the Starcraft alum restores are using Rustoleum marine paint on the budget side with good success.

Like Oops says coat any thing going through the hull or deck in 5200 so water can't get in through the hull or into your nice new deck.

5200 is on the permanent side and 4200 is for some things you might be looking at removing in the future. My through hull fittings are 5200'd in...the stuff is strong once it sets.

 

[ineedtofish]

Re: 1970 Hewescraft remodel

Thanks alot for all of the valuable info...I would be nowhere on my boat without this site. More updates to come.

 

[ineedtofish]

Re: 1970 Hewescraft remodel

Well it has been about 4 months, but I have actually gotten some stuff done to my Hewescraft! Work and weather finally let me do some stuff to it, so here it is. I put in a plywood floor, primered and painted it with non skid paint. The transom is totally wrapped in epoxy and paint, and I am still going to put a seat up front. Also just bought a 15 horse sears gamefisher today that pushes it along great!

 

[ineedtofish]

Re: 1970 Hewescraft remodel

dont know how to delete a post...

 

[ineedtofish]

Re: 1970 Hewescraft remodel

I actually have some before and after pics also, since it looks like my pics up above were deleted.View attachment 132805View attachment 132807