1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

[Ksmith0110]

I bought this boat last year and recently found out that all the wood in the boat is junk. Time for a rebuild. I called around and to replace the transom alone was $900-$1500. I can't afford that so, it's into the boat rebuild arena I go. I'm going to try to keepa a log of what is going on.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

Well welcome to the madness!! Yes we will guide you along, give you tips, listen to your rants and problems (we all have them ) and get you back on the water safe!

 

[Ksmith0110]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

I have already gotten the transom and floor out - wow what a job! I found out about the fiberglass box stringer system that they used. I'm thrilled that the stringers are not wood! I'm sure if they were, they would be rotten also. I have also found out why they, (Winner), said their boats wouldn't sink. There are "air bottles" everywhere! All around AND IN the stringers. I counted 40 of them around the stringers. I don't know how many are in them.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

I have also found out why they, (Winner), said their boats wouldn't sink. There are "air bottles" everywhere! All around AND IN the stringers. I counted 40 of them around the stringers. I don't know how many are in them.

Wow,.... Way Cool,.... This belongs in the Foam threads,...

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

Well welcome to the madness!! Yes we will guide you along, give you tips, listen to your rants and problems (we all have them ) and get you back on the water safe!

Well said there Bob !! yep were here for yea !! and we will help all we can !! John

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

Wow there certainly is some unique engineering going on in that hull. Nice looking boat. Good luck with your project.

 

[Ksmith0110]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

I want to use a new plywood called DryPly. I found it at Lowe's. From their website:

DryPly? plywood sub-floor panels have a water-repellent coating to provide weather protection during the normal exposed construction cycle*.
DryPly plywood is backed by a lifetime limited homeowner warranty.
DryPly plywood absorbs 40% less water for protection during the construction cycle, plus is backed by a 100% Builder Satisfaction Guarantee against delamination, edge swell and joint sanding.
In addition, you get the benefits of using plywood, including:
■Holds hardwood floors firmly - less squeaks
■No surface flaking - excellent adhesion when used under laminate flooring
■Superior stiffness - decreases the probability of tile cracking

So if I were to use this for my floor, and also coat it with some mating and glass resin, do you think It would last a while?

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

Sounds like cool stuff, but I may be worried about poly bonding to it depending on the coating. How much more is it? May be worth a test to see how well resin adheres.

Your plan sounds like the same way you would do a regular exterior ply deck, so it might be a good way to go.

Terry

 

[Ksmith0110]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

It's cheap in comparison, like $25 a sheet, 3/4 x 4 x 8.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

It's not exterior. I'd avoid it. All it is in interior ply with some Thompson's on it.

 

[mattpyle]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

What type of material are those air bottles made out of? Definitely a cool idea!!

 

[Ksmith0110]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

They just seem to be plastic. Kind of like a gallon milk bottle.

 

[SnowHunter]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

Thats one interesting boat ya got goin!!! I'm eye ballin them jugs tryin to figure out how to do that with mine! (wait, that didnt sound right )

How'd you get lucky and have the big hoist type thing to take the boat top off? You get a big ol YOU SUCK for that Makes it too easy!!

 

[Ksmith0110]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

That's not a hoist, it's the framework for one of those canvas garages. It tried to blow away in 50 -60 mph winds. I actually used a floor jack and a 4x4 to lift the top, and then I put a ratchet strap across the top of the garage frame and locked it up. (I did this on the rear of the boat) The front I lifted the top and locked it up the same way but then I used the 4x4 and the roll bar of my zero-turn mower and lifted it and re-hitched the ratchet strap. I repeated this until it was up high enough to back the hull out from underneath. It took a while but I finally got it done.

 

[Ksmith0110]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

Okay, I have the transom out and the fiberglass ground down ready for the new stuff. I am looking for some advice on how to adhere the new stuff to the existing fiberglass of the transom. I think it goes something like this... resin the plywood, lay some csm on it and get all airbubbles out, resin the hull and squeez 'em together, clamp and wait. - Is this about right?

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

Many use a skim coat of pb on the transom as well, but your plan is about right on for the transom. It may depend on how flat and smooth you got the inside of the transom. Good work!

Terry

 

[Ksmith0110]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

What is PB?

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

A putty made from resin with fillers, search for oops' hull extension thread. I prefer to use a combo of 1/32" milled glass, aero/cabosil for a tough and strong PB that goes on smooth. You can add 1/4" fiber for more strength, or other fillers for easier sanding.

I you dont have any waves or gouges, you would probably be fine with csm.

Terry

 

[Ksmith0110]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

I have both waves and a few gouges. I guess I'll have to mix some of this stuff up. Should there be like a bed of it across the bottom of the transom, so that the botom edge of the plywood gets bonded to the bottom of the boat?

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: 1973 Winner Bimini 17' Trihull Rebuild

Yep, the idea is to eliminate the possibilty of air pockets or pure resin spots between the transom and the skin. THis makes the interface 100% solid. You use the same sort of putty for making fillets so the glass goes up a corner smoothly.

Terry