1975 18 ft Sea Sprite restore

[airman1094]

Hi guys just looking for some opinions! I've got a 1975 fiberglass sea sprite tha came to me as an empty shell! Got a new transom installed and glassed in place. Got some good timbers for new stringers and ideas for the actual deck. My question is do I need to put foam under the deck? If so what would the benefits be?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1975 18 ft Sea Sprite restore

Security knowing you and your passengers will have something to hang onto in case of a catastrophic accident. It adds additional structural support to the hull. It significantly quiets the noise of the hull when waves and wakes slap against it.

 

[airman1094]

Re: 1975 18 ft Sea Sprite restore

I see...what would be a good foam to use, and how much under the deck needs it? I've never done much involving a total gut and rebuild...

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1975 18 ft Sea Sprite restore

Posting pics of your boat will get you the best help. We're not all familiar with your model of boat and seeing what you have to work with will help us help you better.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1975 18 ft Sea Sprite restore

I believe your boat looks something like this if my research serves me correctly...

The 2# density Pour In foam is what's most commonly used, and the entire under deck cavity is usually filled. You will need to calculate the approx Cubic Feet of space under the deck to come up with the quantity you'll need. U.S. Composites, Inc. - Fiberglass , Epoxy , Composites, Carbon Fiber is a good online source for the product.

 

[airman1094]

Re: 1975 18 ft Sea Sprite restore

That is the boat! So all under the deck? What about spaces for water to run to the bilge?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1975 18 ft Sea Sprite restore

What about spaces for water to run to the bilge?

That's another reason we need to see pics of your boat!

Do you actually have a draining bilge?... or do you have a sealed bilge with a deck drain? The sealed bilge and deck drain is a more typical design for a tri-hull than an actual draining bilge.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1975 18 ft Sea Sprite restore

Some people attempt to do this using all kinds of innovative methods. Others go with the theory that if you seal the deck properly and maintain the boat properly there should be no water getting below the deck barring a breach of the hull. If you search the forum you'll see what I'm getting at. Personally, I'd make a "Bridge" over the center stringer so it was 6" thick, cover it with plastic so the foam wouldn't stick, put down a temp deck, foam it, remove the temp deck, remove the bridge so there would be a 6" center channel, then install the final decking. Hope that makes sense. If not look @ this. He did his this way...http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...r/1982-sylvan-bassboat-project-526064-24.html

 

[airman1094]

Re: 1975 18 ft Sea Sprite restore

Thanks for the advice so far! I totally get the idea of a temp deck! Jigngrub I really don't know what was in it before, but it's totally a blank slate. I'll get some pics of it uploaded tomorrow for you to see to give an idea!

 

[airman1094]

Re: 1975 18 ft Sea Sprite restore

I've attempted to attach some photos...sorry the top of the boat is in the way!