1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

[aparis]

Saturday afternoon, I saw this boat on Kijiji.

Made a phone call right away and Sunday morning I was coming home with it (it was a good deal).

The boat had already been stripped: the previous owner initially wanted to restore it, but decided to go for a new one. After some cleaning:

It will take some work, but I want to restore into a bass boat.

The first step was to bring it to the weld shop. While removing the rotten deck, they had the saw going through the hull... Easily fixed, for $50. I also had a few smaller holes welded.

Next will come water test, to see if I bought a boat or submarine... The rivets and weld seem to be in good condition.
Then a tour on the water with my father in-law and his 9Hp outboard (I'll need to get a motor, but I am not sure yet about the size).
I'll also need to check the transom (last piece of wood remaining on board).

If everything goes well, I'll waterproof the hull (After reading about it in quite a few threads, it seems that Gulvit is the recommended product), build a deck (still undecided if I'll use PT plywood or epoxy sealed outdoor plywood), add some seating (pedestal seats and benches), a console (not sure yet, I guess it will depend on the engine size...), etc.

Any suggestions are welcomed! I learned already so much by reading threads in this forum (that I need to put foam underneath the deck, for example), thanks to the generous people that share their experiences.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Cool. It'll be nice starting with a good clean hull. Assuming she floats, looks like it should be a pretty straight forward project. I happen to be a believer in sealing with epoxy. I feel like the waterproofing properties of epoxy will be there way longer than the stuff they use in PT, but if you don't seal all the screw holes, it becomes a water trap. Just my opinion. Good luck sir.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Welcome to iboats.

The restoration section here is the best available on the internet. Many of us have been through it all and remember no question is dumb

Nice clean boat hull. I know what you are going to be going through.

Gluvit the rivets on the inside..... use aluminum for your stringer's to support a deck and NEVER use PT plywood because the chemicals react with aluminum (will eat away the aluminum)

Check out what the Starcraft restorations look like for ideas http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=385090

My Starcraft aluminum boat was launched yesterday for the first time....... I picked mine up as a basically stripped hull and I added EVERYTHING.

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Thanks for your encouragements, BigBoat. I like straight forward projects. They all start like that, don't they? But how many do end up being straight forward... We'll see!

Yes, this site is very good. Thanks for connecting all the threads to one post, Bob. I have read about the potential reaction of PT Wood and aluminum. Just not convinced yet... I'll do more digging.

I did more cleaning yesterday evening. And more observing. The transom will need repair. The previous owner had a fitting going through it (for a pump) and water probably infiltrated.

It is only a small section though, so I should be able to clean it, seal the hole and proceed with the water test.

Here is also the cut in the hull that was fixed.

P.S.If someone knows how to post full size images, please let me know...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Check out my post on How to Post Pics
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=410147

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Thanks Woodonglass, that is the trick. I'll try it next time.

If anyone has a good advice about motor selection, feel free to drop a note. I don't know what the boat max HP rating is, if I should get a long or short shaft, propeller pitch, etc. I am starting to look around...

Tomorrow it will go on the river...

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

OK, PT Wood is out of the question. I guess everyone of you already knew that, but I always need the scientific explanation. And I found it:

A substance called alkaline copper quat (ACQ) is one of the most common wood preservative compounds that keeps new kinds of pressure-treated lumber from rotting.

ACQ relies on copper to be effective, not arsenic (as in the old CCA PT wood), and this is where structural problems can occur if you're not careful. When the copper in pressure-treated wood gets wet and comes in contact with certain kinds of metal, it accelerates the corrosion, reducing them to crumbly oxide. Aluminum is especially vulnerable to corrosion when in contact with copper-rich lumber.​

I will be looking for an alternative (Composites plaques, WPC, ?)

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

The rear of the hull, protecting the transom, look like cheese (from Port to Starboard):

Any suggestions on how I should plug those holes? Welding (the shop was concerned in setting the transom in fire...), rivet or other technique?

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

We did our first water test last Wednesday and discovered a few more missing rivets:

and some cracks:

The rivets will be fixed tomorrow (temporarily with nuts and bolts, until I find some solid rivets). But I am more concerned by the cracks. I ordered some HTS-2000 to braze them. If that doesn't work, I guess I'll have to go back to the welding shop...

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

The first water test was not a success, speed wise. Powered with a Honda 8HP, the Espadon was barely moving. The problem was quickly troubleshooted: the transom is too tall (21.5") for the short shaft outboard (15")...

We decided to build something to adapt the outboard to the boat. Not that I want to power it with a 8HP, but just to feel how it is moving. So I built this, to drop the engine height by 5":

We went back on the river yesterday and achieved a top speed of 20kph (12.5mph) with the same 8HP. The boat is still "naked", but we were carrying two adults. Very satisfied!

So I think I'll be looking for a 35HP. It seems to be the largest size not requiring controls... And with a long shaft: I don't want to modify the transom either.

Comments?

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I haven't posted any updates in quite a while. I was focussing on hunting for a outboard. And I found it last week:

A 1999 40HP Johnson, commercial version. As you can see I built a stand for it, thanks to the post by D Haynes (http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=266008&highlight=build+outboard+stand). I just cut all the pieces and assembled it like an IKEA kit! It worked perfectly (Thanks Haynes!).

The boat is now in my garage so I can prepare it for "Gluvit". I barely fits:

I brazed the cracks I had in the hull, using HTS-2000. I read a few posts about it, and it was actually a lot easier that expected. Only problem is that there is so much thermal expansion that the rib had a tendency to re-crack during cooling. I finally managed to get it to hold (on the right hand side). It doesn't look pretty, but I didn't want to cycle heat-cool too often and shear off more rivets. I might grind it down...

That is actually the next step: to replace the missing rivets. I got some solid rivets that I now need to install.

I read a few posts about water drainage. The ribs in my boat where so tight that the water would acumulate between them. So I took the advice of Azlo, and pry them open.

That way the water will run down all the way to the bilge pump.

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I installed the three missing rivets this evening. I used a hydraulic jack to hold the rivet underneath the boat,

and hammered it from above. It is not a nice as the original ones (I think the rivet length was a bit short), but it worked.

During the process, I noticed another crack. Just next to a weld...

It correspond to where I did the brazing earlier. I think I'll go on the river this weekend to see if it still leaks, and to test the outboard.

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I went on the water last weekend to test the outboard.

The good news is that the motor is running great. We exceeded 50 kph.

The bad news is that the brazing did not hold. Water started to pour in quickly so we returned ashore. I guess I'll have to visit the welding shop again...

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I need some advise with the transom.

A you can see on this picture, it has been reinforced (by the previous owner):

So I am asking you: should I remove those threaded rods and PTW 4"x4"? Or leave them there?

The inside is, I think, built quite strong with a lot of bracing:

Right now, I am thinking about replacing the 4"x4" by an aluminum "U" beam. But I wonder if it is worth the trouble... I will be using a 45 HP outboard engine, and I got the feeling that the previous owner was using something much bigger...

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I spent the day cleaning today. It was a hot day too! I think I amortized my DeWalt Grinder: it never worked so hard. I cleaned all the stringers, and rivets. Remove most of the carpet glue. Pressure wash all (a lot of rotten wood came out of the stringers). It is clean enough for now. And the water run down easily through the pried holes.

When it comes back from the welding shop, I'll do the final touch (de-greaser) and apply the Gluvit.

Anyone wants to offer any suggestions about the transom (see my previous post)?

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Now with Pictures!!!

Apparently, I was not following the posting instructions correctly so no one but me could see the pictures on my posts. It is now fixed: I am using PhotoBucket.

It was probably not a very good restoration thread without pictures...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

You can use a produce called Gluvit on the inside of the boat that will work miracles to fix all the small cracks and leaking rivets for your boat. You won't have to do any brazing. Check it out.

http://www.marinetex.com/gluvit.html

Lots of the Tin Boat guys on here use it and swear by it. Works great. and lasts forever.

Or this is an alternative. Basically the same stuff and a little cheaper
http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=30


I'm just sayin...

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I have ordered and received my Gluvit already!

I do intend, after reading many thread about it, to Gluvit all rivets and seams before putting on my new floor. It was supposed to be the next step, once my boat comes back from the welding shop. The crack was just too big for me to only trust a gluvit repair...

But now, after reading your reply to another thread, I am considering replacing the transom first...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

IMHO that is TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO nice of a looking boat to NOT do it right and make it so your Kids can enjoy it when they are YOUR AGE! With a little effort you can make that happen. All of us on here will help you all we can.


I'm just sayin...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

If it was mine this is what I'd do concerning the transom......rip it all out. Replace the wood with a 2 sheets of 3/4" (or thinner if your total thickness is less than the 1.5" mine was) exterior ply laminated together and sealed with epoxy resin. Before inserting the new wood, I would determine how many of those swiss-cheese holes were really needed. I would think 2 bolts on each edge and 4 in each knee brace would be more than sufficient. Fill the remaining holes with JB Weld with little tin squares as backing. I used some cheap aluminum flashing pieces for this. The threaded rod and wood in your splashwell is certainly not needed.