1973 Thundercraft restoration project

[Tarez]

I need to take the cap off to replace the stringers and possibly the transom, how do I do this without the hull flexing out of shape

 

[stackz]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

nice to see another thundercraft on here, though yours is much older than mine lol.

I think most people that take the top caps off leave the hull on the trailer to help provide support for it. but thats just what I've seen on a few. I know oops took his boat all the way apart and extended it...and the top cap, but I dont remember what he did. might want to send him a pm.

 

[Tarez]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

Ok trying to figure out the pics

 

[Tarez]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project



1973 Thundercraft needs some work

 

[Tarez]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project












Ok so the floor was rotting through and I pulled the carpet and found the stringers were shot, I'm pretty sure that the transom is bad too but I really need to get the cap off to inspect it. Also my stringers go under the front of the cap so I need access to that area as well.

I am new to this so any input and help is welcome

 

[Tarez]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

 

[rrumba]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

check out Oops thread on the hull extension. He used threaded rod and 2x4s along the hull with stringlines. His post is VERY informative.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=234392&page=1&highlight=Hull+Extension+Oops

 

[Tarez]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project









I have my work cut out and will be good project for me and my son. bought boat and trailer for $80

 

[rrumba]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

not a bad looking boat and you can't beat the price. you are doing the same thing i am and the floor, stringers, and transom look about the same. It is rather fun actually, except the dust that gets kicked up from the grinder.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

That's a nice little boat. Apart from the wooden components it appears to be in pretty decent shape, trailer looks good to. Nice find.

 

[Tarez]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project





I started removing the trim strip around the boat and found that it appears the cap has been removed previously. There are some big gaps and so far it looks like it was never sealed properly and left alot of places for water to get inside the boat.

 

[Tarez]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project







The fiberglass is just peeling off of my stringers, the stringers are so rotted that the only thing there for the most part is the fiberglass and there is no signs of foam in the boat at all. I hope to have the cap off this weekend and try to get the stringers and the rest of the wood out.

How do I know how far to grind down the fiberglass?

 

[rickryder]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

I grind down the glass to the hull....It make for a nicer job and helps to lay the glass....bumps and old glass will give you air bubbles and voids....plus theres that adhesion concept to think about.....good clean glass and proper prep will give you the best bond....

 

[Tarez]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project









Today I didn't get to work on the boat much but I did manage to remove the trim strip around the boat. It looks like the cap has been off before and there is quite a bit of damage and alot of holes, these little holes will be alot of fun to repair

 

[Tarez]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

I finally got to work on the boat a little more. Removed all the wiring, steering cables and and the metal plate over the transom. I was hoping the cap would just lift off bit it looks like its glassed to the transom, so i guess i will have to grind through that before i can remove the cap. Is grinding the best way to get through it?

 

[rickryder]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

I would think it's some sort of sealant and not glassed together.... Cut some wood wedges from a block of 2x4 and try to carefully wedge the cap from the hull.....you might have to get a sawzall between the cap and hull to cut the sealant.

 

[Tarez]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

Well i have tried numerous things to get the sealant or whatever it is holding the top of the boat to the transon off with no luck. So it looks like i will have to go out and buy me a sawzall and see if i can carefully cut through it with that unless somebody knows a better way. The transom is bad so the top has to come off for sure. Any input is welcome

Darin

 

[rickryder]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

Caps are set 2 ways....shoe box or flange......shoe box has sealant and the flange type is glass tabbed from the underside..... some better pics of your cap outside and inside might help us see what your dealing with

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project

Having looked at all your pics you for sure have a shoe box type cap. Need a pic of the transom looking Down on it from the top. Also a FLASH pic from the inside looking UP would be good. I suspect from the look of it this is NOT the first time this cap has been off this boat. The PO may have used resin or some type of Heavy Glue to reattach the cap and this is what you are battling. A Sawzall May be the solution but post the pics I suggested if you can and I may have another Idea.

 

[Tarez]

Re: 1973 Thundercraft restoration project











The drain hole i can stick my finger in there and feel the rotted wood. Hopefully these pics will work, hard to get pics from underneath

Darin