1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Hmm...a contrast colour. I'm sure I could get a brown or brown like woodgrain vinyl. Something to think about. Thanks PM.

sphelps, I've always had a cover there with all my boats. Here's a pic of my last boat. I used plywood covered in the carpet I used for the deck. The cleats were the only two original ones left. Then I bought 2 air vents, just to keep things clean.

 

[sphelps]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

That looks nice and clean TC ! I guess the cleats work as handles and tying stuff down..

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Another day of destruction. I got more of the deck removed and as I thought, I am going to have to remove the upper half. I guess I was hoping that I wouldn't have to but I was dreaming. I was also checking the foam. In the middle of the hull is the deepest, about 6 inches. I was digging out layers of dry foam and I had this dumb thought that the foam might just be dry after all. Then reality hit as about an inch and a half of water lay at the bottom. What was I thinking.:facepalm: After a couple of hours of digging, gouging, and a temperature of 80F and 100 percent humidity, I decided to give in. I did however get a stand built for the motor.

Next time I will remove the motor and take apart the upper half. Then I can get into grinding and all that other fun.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Oh the joys of wet foam removal and fiberglass grinding!!! Aren't you the Lucky ONe!!!! NOT!!!!

 

[Trooper82]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

I had the same dilutions TC....ended up doing a full gut job..glad I did though...and I am sure you will be too.

Looking good!

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Another productive day on the old Gypsy. I was able to get the motor off where I saw some transom damage. I also got the rub rail off and removed all the trim. It took a while to get the motor off. It had some goofy looking nuts on the transom bolts. My OCD kicked in and I didn't want to just grind them off in case they were original nuts. I thought maybe some of you fellas might know what they are. My girlfriends dad actually made a tool from a piece of pipe to unbolt them. There was a lot more damage on the transom than I expected. But the good thing is that it may make it easier to take the upper half off.

Pictures don't do justice for these two little monsters

It was nice to get the old Merc off.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

The rub rail was surprising soft and easy to remove, along with the trim.

The transom really surprised me. But I am looking forward to getting it done.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Hi TC,

Just coming aboard to watch, learn and help if I can...while you bring this really nice looking MFG back to its former glory...

Have fun!
GT1M

 

[sphelps]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Don,t cha hate it when they put funny lookin bolts and fasteners on ! I think they do it on purpose just to make ya mad ..

 

[59Thompson]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

A nice boat! I have the 1980 MFG Duchess, 3d owner, same hull just a name change and same issue, just about finished pulling the floor, same rotted stringers but the foam is dry. I have an 80' 85HP Evinrude with T&T and with a 13x19 prop runs a little over 35 mph with 3 on board. Looks to me like MFG never capped the stringers. I've spent a batch of time digging the rotten stringers out carefully so I can use Seacast in the cavities as they are still good. Using a sawsall grit blade in a manual handle after drilling them with a 1/2 inch bit. I am closed to finished getting them out. Found there is a "sponson?" cavity on each side under the floor you have not cut over to yet. They are about in line with the front of the seat bases. They have no way to drain either but the hull shape doesn't provide a way to make a drain I can figure out. PM me if you want me to send some pics. I have the original convertible top but not the rest of the canvas that you have. I'm planning Nautolex for the floorcovering to make it waterproof and slip resistant. Regards, John

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Don,t cha hate it when they put funny lookin bolts and fasteners on ! I think they do it on purpose just to make ya mad ..

Honestly. I don't know why people do such things..lol. I wasn't sure if it was a factory thing or not. However, it does provide a bit of security, I think. lol.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Hey TC,
Yer makin good progress Bud!!!! Those were prolly some whatchamakallit bolts that you will need later for the thingamajig that goes between the teeter and the totter!!!!:facepalm:

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Hey TC,
Yer makin good progress Bud!!!! Those were prolly some whatchamakallit bolts that you will need later for the thingamajig that goes between the teeter and the totter!!!!:facepalm:

Yeah, and I went to a lot of trouble to get them off without damaging them, thinking they might be some king of original bolt. When will I ever learn??:redface::redface:

At least the top is ready to come off.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Hi TC,

Just coming aboard to watch, learn and help if I can...while you bring this really nice looking MFG back to its former glory...

Have fun!
GT1M

Thanks GT. That's the plan anyway. This is my second build. One wasn't enough. Sheesh.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Houston, we have separation.

Another weekend working at my Gypsy. I got the upper half separated and it was quite easy. Just a bit of resin holding on the transom to the splashwell. I can see that the transom had been worked on before and it was cut down about 3/4 of an inch. It was stuffed with resin which was all cracked. That's why the transom is cracked on the top. I had to build a cradle for the upper half which made it much easier to hoist up. The plywood on the deck is all rotted, which I suspected. I've included a few pics.

 

[sphelps]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Nice decap TC ! Looks like the fun is just about to start !

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

As usual TC, nice job with the De-Cap. Looks like you had nice weather for it.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Great job on achieving separation!

Now, let the fun begin!

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Yes, some call it fun. I think mostly it's insanity. The good thing about these builds is that we will know what we have at the end of it.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

yes, some call it fun. I think mostly it's insanity. The good thing about these builds is that we will know what we have at the end of it.

amen!!!