1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

For simplicity's sake I closed your transom thread http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=434481 since it's been pretty well covered here. We'll continue to watch and aid your progress in this one thread.

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Great, thanks for the advices. Sorry about the double thread. I started the second one focussing on the transom because I was not getting any answers, thinking it was too buried in this rest thread. Turns out it was because the pictures were not showing... Case closed!

Regarding the use of JBWeld to fill those holes, some of them are below the water line. Is it safe to use JBWeld, or should I get them propoerly welded?

Also, I have the regular JBWeld:

Should I get the marine one:

Or are they the same? Other than the packaging, I don't see much difference...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I have used both interchangeably. Fine below the water line.

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Thanks Ezmobee.

Very well, since I have everything I need, I guess I'll be changing the transom this year...

I hope I'll be able to do it without removing the splashwell, but the "transom cap" doesn't go all the way to the side of the boat (green circle). I might have to bend the splaswell or modify it a bit...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Here again, since you are already there, and you have all winter, I would drill out the rivets and remove the splashwell so you could get to the transom and do it right. That way you will KNOW it is right and you will NEVER have to worry about it EVER again and it will hold any motor you want to put on it. Lot's of examples and help on here.

I'm just sayin...

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Just got the Espadon back from the welding shop. I hope the crack is sealed once for all:

While I was there, I asked them to modify the trailer. It was too short for this boat, so I asked them to extend the main beam. It is removeable so it can still fit in my garage:

I was also missing the bow cap, ant the gunwale was damaged on both sides:

Finally, I got them to build a stringer to support the floor:

Now the work will start!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Bob_VT did the exact same thing for a bow cap. Nice work on the stringer and tongue. You're ready to move forward now!

 

[dude11]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Lord knows I can't be much help with all the pros and such.But I must ask--why did you put it in a body of water w/kids,buddies,etc.and take such a chance?? The best way to ck for leaks in a cleaned out hull is to put it on saw horses and add water.That way you can swat down and see where the leaks are.Sorry,just had to ask.

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

The boat is strong and sound, it will not sink catastrophically. Water coming from a missing rivet can be handle easily and we always have all safety equipment on board.

The boat stayed at the dock while we checked and fixed the leaks. They were minor. Only then did we take it out.

Thanks for your comment, Dude. I'll stick to the technical stuff and provide more details when safety is involved.

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Ezmobee, you made me search for Bob_VT's bow cap! No kidding, they are almost identical. I wish I had read his thread first: I might have made mine fold back below the gunwale like his:

from Bob_VT's "Starcraft Supersport The Project Begins-SPLASHED 7-15-10"

But I guess the tradeoff is the top weld...

from Bob_VT's "Starcraft Supersport The Project Begins-SPLASHED 7-15-10"

That is the problem (a positive one) with these forums: there is just too much info available!

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Still alive!

I got slightly "distracted" by another project: the restoration of my 1976 BMW R100/7:

It is almost complete, so I can now resume working on the Espadon.

After reading some Piece715's Sea Nymph tread, I decided to go for a cedar deck. So I started to brace the stringer to create a sub-frame:

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I went to Home Depot this morning to get some cedar boards. This is what the deck will look like:

I am using 6" x 10' x 1" boards for the main section. 1" is quite thick and will add some weight, but I want the seats to be well anchored... The front section will be hidden by the raised deck, so I will be using "fence boards" (1/2" thick). I don't need the structural strength there as I will only store the gas tanks.

The upper deck will be made with 1" thick boards, but in the transverse direction.

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I went shopping last week. I won't be needing most of these items for quite a while, but I couldn't resist!

What I was after, really, were seats. I did find those adjustable/swivel pedestals kits, but failed to realize that they were fix. Since I would like to have the ability to reconfigure the boat, I will be returning them...

I also received some Gluvit. The last quart in Canada, according to Grandad's post.

I applied two coats over the weekend and I will soon post some pictures of the results and tips I have learned.

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I applied the Gluvit last week. The application was quite simple, it is the prep work that took most of the time.

First I cleaned the hull with a mix of water and vinegar using many Scotch-Brites. Then I brushed all the seams using a steel brush (followed, of course, by the removal all the fallen bristles...). I cleaned again with the water/vinegar solution and finally with acetone.

I followed a tip found on many threads and mixed only half of the quart. If it did not cure while I was applying it, it did start to thicken about 15 minutes in the job. So I then decided to only mix only 1/4 quart at the time. That way the Gluvit viscosity remains low and probably penetrates better.

It took me the entire quart to do the boat... once. I then waited the next day (12 hours) to apply a second coat (not sure if it was really necessary) and used only 1/2 quart that time.

A week later, it looks pretty sealed and strong.

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I took the idea of using PVC pipes from other threads. I have installed two 2" PVC pipes:

The first one runs from stearn to bow for a fuel line. I will install the gas tanks under the fishing platform. And the other with a junction at the console location for all electrical needs.

I might also run through the outboard controls through it, if they can make it through the sharp turns...

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I finally started to install the pool noodles:

Only to realize I didn't buy enough! And at this time of the year, I might have a hard time to find them at the Dollar Stores...

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I drilled all the holes on the cedar boards today. Over a hundred...

I plan to install the boards using 1/4" SS machine screws that will grip in threaded inserts. I bought the proper tool from my favorite store last week:

I also sanded all the boards. I still need to stain them and then the deck installation can finally begin!

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

The deck is now stained and I started the installation. It is a slow process: lots of threaded rivets!

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

I bought four bases for the seat pedestals (Springfield Taper-Lock Base - 4-1/2'' x 9''). They are rectangular so the can fit the deck planks:

Any guidelines on how to position them? How far should I install them from the walls, from the steering, console, etc. Two will go at the out most stern and two at the console.

Talking about the console, any suggestions on where I should place it? Dead center, forward, all the way to the fishing platform?...

 

[aparis]

Re: 1979 Espadon FS-175 (Deck Restoration)

Finally got some time to work my Espadon this year. I managed to finish the deck:

And to install a gas line to more the tank to the bow: