1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

Progress!

Today I got the lower deck almost fitted where I want it, but not quite on the bow. I also got the transom fitted and glued up. The perfect fit was a 3/4" and a 1/2" piece of plywood. Which was good because I made a $15 mistake with one of the 1/2" boards and had enough left to for the transom, gotta pay stupid tax every once in a while.


Half the deck.

Template for the bow section.

Half the transom, glued up. I used PL, and a 1/16" trowel to spread, then 2x4 wood clamps. I have to say those clamps are genius.

The clock is ticking. I have 3 weeks to complete it or move it. I got some side work that will pay for supplies, so 2 days work=5 days on the boat in my head. Stringers and cross members fitted tomorrow, hopefully...

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

I got some more wood work done today while I'm waiting on funds to buy the poly resin and other fiberglass supplies. Come on tax refund!

Hopefully I can knock out the stringers tomorrow, then rough fit the upper deck as well. The old upper was 1/2" but I'm going 3/4" instead. I'm starting to think about colors, which is exciting. Maybe silver and blue?

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

Good progress, I'm still a bit concerned with the support of the boat (really a little late now), but may I suggest setting the cap back on for a bit before you glass in the stringers and support to to make sure all is okay. You can do some temporary tabbing and then lift the cap back off and finish her up. I know it seems like a lot of extra work and lifting, but you don't want it all glassed up and then find out the cap won't go back on.

I love the bass boats, and keep in mind this is a high performance hull and the smallest amount of twist or distortion can be a bear at high speeds and could even be unstable. Not a big issue on boat doing 20 MPH, but more of an issue with one doing 60 MPH+.

I could give you a couple of war stories from my first few restores and warped hulls, but I think you get the point...

Gook luck to you.

CW

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

Good progress, I'm still a bit concerned with the support of the boat (really a little late now), but may I suggest setting the cap back on for a bit before you glass in the stringers and support to to make sure all is okay.

Yes, all suggestions are much appreciated. The thing is...there are two sets of stringers. The lower ones are rock solid and have ultra thick glass, I couldn't justify removing them and trying to rebuild. There is also another set of supports on the bottom of the hull, they look like glassed in 2x6's running down each side of the keel. I also left those, as there are no signs of rot.

I also have side supports - thanks to GT1M, and I supported the underside of the hull in multiple places with wood and jack stands. Also, the trailer is off the ground on cinder blocks, so there is no tire or spring flex, but I get the use of the bunks and rollers.

The upper stringers I cut off low, but kept the stringer to hull structure intact as well, it is also solid and thick. When I placed one of stringers today you could see that neither was vertical, both pitched and tapered down the hull. I'm planning on cutting them large, then PB the wood into the existing stringer mount(roughed up), then cutting level for the deck, like Ooops! did on his stringers(the cutting large then trimming part).

My point is that the hull feels solid, and I'm wondering if it wouldn't flex more if I try to refit the cap.

To do so I have to lift the trailer off the cinder blocks, then move the trailer out, then move the cap in. Hoist the cap, then roll the trailer/hull under and lower the cap to fit. Wouldn't measurements suffice?

 

[rickryder]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

I was checking out your thread and had to ask.... you said that some of the stringers have no sign of rot.....did you core sample them?

Also on putting the cap on to check the fit.....can you get some buddies to help carry the cap over to the boat? I guess you could take a bunch of measurements every 12" or so and see if it matches with the cap.

When you set your stringers be sure to sand them well and wash down the pockets with lots of acetone to be sure its clean and you get a good bond.

Great job on the wood keep it up!

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

I was checking out your thread and had to ask.... you said that some of the stringers have no sign of rot.....did you core sample them?

Thank you for the advice, yes, there is solid wood in there, no rot.

Also on putting the cap on to check the fit.....can you get some buddies to help carry the cap over to the boat? I guess you could take a bunch of measurements every 12" or so and see if it matches with the cap.

The cap has a crack in starboard side, so I want to fix that before I move it. I'll take measurements and if it's out of whack I'll get some help to lift it over and check for fit. Thank you, that does make more sense than my "do-it-yourself" plan. It weighs at least 300lbs, lots of glass in there, but it's gotta fit, so might as well check before I glass anything in. 19 days left.

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

In the past few days I've been able to get the stringers glued and lapped together, they are 129" from the stern. They fit just right until about 10" from the end, then they ramp and taper up to the end. I bought this handy tool for $8 at home depot. They should make these things multiple sizes, the first cut was almost perfect, I just had to get the taper so it'd sit right.

I struggled with the fit for the wood on the bow again and failed. It's close, but not good enough. I'm going to try the foam insulation method tomorrow before I cut anymore $$$plywood.

 

[rickryder]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

I use a piece of white mason line run it from top stringer height at the transom to where it tops out at the bow......mark the string every 12" and measure straight down to the hull and transfer those measurements to bit over-sized height stringer. I connect the dots rough cut it set it and scribe along the bottom of the stringer with a compass....trim to fit.... If the stringer is too high I snap a chalk line and cut the top with the skill saw.

But I do agree with you 100% those contour gauges need to come in 4 footers

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

Wow! Hadn't been by in a while...you are making great progress...hope you make your target date...Looking GRRRRR-8!

BTW, I use cardboard strips, hot glued together, to create a template of the hull, which gets me real close to the shape of the bottom of the stringers...similar to the method used by granite counter top installers...

Photobucket's not responding, so I attached pics the " ol fahioned way" below...

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

Wow! Hadn't been by in a while...you are making great progress...hope you make your target date...Looking GRRRRR-8!

BTW, I use cardboard strips, hot glued together, to create a template of the hull, which gets me real close to the shape of the bottom of the stringers...similar to the method used by granite counter top installers...

Photobucket's not responding, so I attached pics the " ol fahioned way" below...

I like that method, looks good. How do you use them on the bow?

I tried using paper...failed. I bought a sheet of the pink foam from HD today, but some free cardboard sounds good compared to $15 sheet of foam.

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

I use a piece of white mason line run it from top stringer height at the transom to where it tops out at the bow......mark the string every 12" and measure straight down to the hull and transfer those measurements to bit over-sized height stringer. I connect the dots rough cut it set it and scribe along the bottom of the stringer with a compass....trim to fit.... If the stringer is too high I snap a chalk line and cut the top with the skill saw.

Ok, I had to reads that a couple times to get it, but I do and that is a solid working method, I like it. I cut my stringers real big knowing that I will chaulk line and cut them to the correct deck height.

But I do agree with you 100% those contour gauges need to come in 4 footers

Seriously! I can think of many uses for a 4 footer. The one I bought is just a bunch of steel pins clamped together. I'm thinking there are some things at HD I can buy to make a big one, it'll have to wait till this one is done though.

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

I took a huge step back today and decided to start over with my hull support. The trailer just wasn't going to cut it, there was way too much movement. I spent the hours of 9-4:30 crawling around under the suspended boat building supports. I knew when I started it was going to be all day, but I didn't think about all the time on the ground.

I'm real glad I did it, with the trailer out of the way I discovered another hull breach where my sawzall punched through. It's small , but would have been more of a pain to fix without inside access.

To start, I had to jack the trailer off the blocks, pull it out, then put the cap in. Winch the cap up, trailer under, cap on. Then winch the whole thing up and pull the trailer out. All this on my own I might add...I'll be sore tomorrow for sure but for now a cold beer seems to be helping.

Some photos - cell phone again so not so hot.

It's rock solid now. I'll tie a few of the supports together in the morning, but then it's time to grind all the areas getting glass. The UPS guy came a day early today, but I missed him since I work on the boat at a rental property 20 miles south of me. Bummer! Oh well, tomorrow for sure. 11 DAYS LEFT.

 

[Trooper82]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

Climbing aboard to watch your progress. So many rebuilds on here, I find new exciting ones all the time. Looks like you are doing quite well.

Like the countdown ticker.....those days are going to fly by

Hope you make it!

The lip you were asking about how to remove. I found the best tool for me was an Oscillation tool from HF. Was cheap, works well, was easy to keep off the hull. It wasn't too slow using it, but not too fast either. I would rather the contol than speed anyway when working near the hull. I set it to slowest speed so as not to burn the teeth. Get a HSS (Highspeed steel) bit for it.

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

Climbing aboard to watch your progress. So many rebuilds on here, I find new exciting ones all the time. Looks like you are doing quite well.

Like the countdown ticker.....those days are going to fly by

Hope you make it!

Thank you, I appreciate the compliment. I'll be on it every single day for the next 11 days, no doubt about it. If I make it to the point of being paint and gelcoat ready then I've made it in my mind. I want to get all the fiberglass work done, and the cap back on, trailer tagged and legal so I can tow it out of there. My new tenant moves in on the 1st. So it's gotta go, no choice.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

I like that method, looks good. How do you use them on the bow?

I tried using paper...failed. I bought a sheet of the pink foam from HD today, but some free cardboard sounds good compared to $15 sheet of foam.

Not sure what you mean, but I would just cut shorter pieces of cardboard to conform to the shape, and if necessary, I would add pieces glued and then bent 90? to support the cardboard vertically...

I hope this is what you are asking, if not Holler back or PM me, I'll check back in in a few hours...

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

Not sure what you mean, but I would just cut shorter pieces of cardboard to conform to the shape, and if necessary, I would add pieces glued and then bent 90? to support the cardboard vertically...

I hope this is what you are asking, if not Holler back or PM me, I'll check back in in a few hours...

I think that answers my question, I just need to experiment with it some. Thanks for the quick answer!

 

[rickryder]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

I like the cradle! Good job getting the hull secure

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

I like the cradle! Good job getting the hull secure

Thank you, I should have done that on day one. Next time I'll start there.

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

I got ZERO done on the boat today. I realized too late that I could have picked-up my UPS packages from USC this morning if I had called them and asked them to hold it, instead I hung out all day and waited on them. 4 packages delivered at two separate times, 3 then 1. How they make money is beyond me. Tomorrow will be a long day, but I am excited to get it going.

10 days left

 

[vcaptain]

Re: 1978 Venture Phase V bass boat, new deck and transom - first timer

I got tons done today, very productive. Unfortunately, I had to quit around 6. I just can't make all that racket when people are coming home from work, and right now it's nothing but grinding, that thing is loud! Once I start glassing I can stay later. It also helped that I was hungry thirsty and dead tired.

I used GT1Ms advise on hot glue and cardboard. The gun was only $5 at lowes with glue! Thanks for tip GT, this will come in very handy. The new bow cut was darn close a little more beveling might help, but I think it's good as is with some PB to sit in.

Lots of dust

I got a question for anyone who might know...see the outer stringer pockets? I was thinking that I'd PL the stringers in the existing pockets, then glass them in. Then I'd install and glass the lower deck in and then glass the lower deck into the outer stringers. It seems that looking at the original construction, that's how they did it.

OR, should I glass the lower deck in first and then the stringers?

Between the outer stringers is the 1/2" lower deck, it's mounted on the lower stringers. Then the upper deck sits on the upper stringers. There's wood all over the place on this boat. I haven't seen this type of construction on any other bass boat restorations I've read.

9 DAYS TO GO - back at it tomorrow, just gotta get a new tyvek suit on the way there. Ripped mine at the crotch today stretching too much, which also helped my decision to quit, it itches down there enough already without the dust, time for drink.