1981 Chaparral 187 restore

[robbankston]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

Well the outlaw came over and cut out the rest of the stringers and bulkheads this morning. He made some templates to take back to his wood shop so he can make up the motor mounts this afternoon.

I'm getting excited!!

 

[jhs5150]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

I've gotta say -You and your father deserve a HELL of a lot of credit. These pictures are amazing. To see what you had to start with and where you are now is astounding, especially since this is the first time you have done this (?). I have an '87 Bayliner and my floor is spongy near the back of the boat. This shows me what I could be in for. One question, how did you cut out the floor along the edges without cutting into the hull? You couldn't have used the sawzall - could you? I thought maybe a circular saw set to a shallow cut. If so, it was a good guess on the depth. Are you going to repaint the interior 'glass? As amazing as I'm sure the floor will be when you are done, it'll lookeven better if you get rid of that 70's beige.

Great job!

 

[robbankston]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

I've gotta say -You and your father deserve a HELL of a lot of credit. These pictures are amazing. To see what you had to start with and where you are now is astounding, especially since this is the first time you have done this (?). I have an '87 Bayliner and my floor is spongy near the back of the boat. This shows me what I could be in for. One question, how did you cut out the floor along the edges without cutting into the hull? You couldn't have used the sawzall - could you? I thought maybe a circular saw set to a shallow cut. If so, it was a good guess on the depth. Are you going to repaint the interior 'glass? As amazing as I'm sure the floor will be when you are done, it'll lookeven better if you get rid of that 70's beige.

Great job!

Hey thanks. It has been fun too (except for the grinding). We used the sawzall to get as close we could to the floor and then used the angle grinder with a masonary cutting disc to get the rest. After it was cut out we used a sanding disc (80 and 40 grit) on the angle grinder to smooth everything down. The sawzall was nice to get most of it out because it doesn't throw up near as much dust as that angle grinder. Have to be careful when you get near the bottom with the grinder though because if it gets away with it you will have a hole in the hull for sure. Slow and easy is the trick with it....

Yes the entire boat including the inside will be painted. We are going with blue on the outside gel coat, blue and gray interior, and light gray Durabak on the floor (just say no to carpet!). I agree 70's beige has got to go....

 

[robbankston]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

Hey thanks. It has been fun too (except for the grinding). We used the sawzall to get as close we could to the floor and then used the angle grinder with a masonary cutting disc to get the rest. After it was cut out we used a sanding disc (80 and 40 grit) on the angle grinder to smooth everything down. The sawzall was nice to get most of it out because it doesn't throw up near as much dust as that angle grinder. Have to be careful when you get near the bottom with the grinder though because if it gets away with it you will have a hole in the hull for sure. Slow and easy is the trick with it....

Yes the entire boat including the inside will be painted. We are going with blue on the outside gel coat, blue and gray interior, and light gray Durabak on the floor (just say no to carpet!). I agree 70's beige has got to go....

Also I'll add there is no way I would ever try and use a circular saw when trying to do this. My father-in-law who can use one like nobody I've ever seen didn't even suggest it as an option. Seems like it would be very dangerous.....

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

I guess I hadn't thought about it since this the only boat I've ever worked on. I guess they would have to be otherwise that'd be funky looking deck.

Also I'll add there is no way I would ever try and use a circular saw when trying to do this. My father-in-law who can use one like nobody I've ever seen didn't even suggest it as an option. Seems like it would be very dangerous.....

I would agree fully unless you are talking about something like my 18V battery 4 1/2" skill saw. It has an electric brake and not much torque. I have used it a lot on my build along with a pnuematic angle grinder. It is nice to be able to turn the pressure down for more control same as the battery style small skill saw. I gotta be honest, I would be more scared to use the sawzall and I assure you my 10 years of being an electrician has made me be able to use one of those like nobodys buisness! No thanks. Havent used it once on the boat. I think it is just a matter of being comfortable with whatever tool you choose for deck removal. I am an air powered guy wherever possible just because in a boat you need precision more than power. Not to mention air tools are typically smaller physically than an equivalent electric tool so it makes it easier to get into all the nooks and crannies that a boat is full of.

Tell you pops out-law that he is the man! I wish I had a man like him around while I was cutting my strings. You should rent him! Looks great man and your wood looks excellent. GOod qaulity! Keep at it, you are getting closer and closer without cutting corners. Congrats.

 

[robbankston]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

Decided to do some engine work tonight. The starter isn't working at all so I was thinking of trying to fix it myself. I pulled it apart and I think it may have about 1/2 of Lank Laniers bottom (Georgia red clay) in there. It was nasty looking but at the same time all the parts looked pretty good despite being very dirty. So I'm working on cleaning it up and see if it spins. Be nice if it did.....

 

[ben2go]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

Keep up the pace and it will be on the water soon.That starter is fairly common and replacement parts are easy to come by at reasonable prices.Just make sure they are marine parts.Fuel vapor pools in the bilge close to the starter.

 

[robbankston]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

Keep up the pace and it will be on the water soon.That starter is fairly common and replacement parts are easy to come by at reasonable prices.Just make sure they are marine parts.Fuel vapor pools in the bilge close to the starter.

Marine parts are definitely the way to go. Not interested in going *boom* on the water. I read the Mercruiser forum and manuals from cover to cover before we ever started the other part of the build. The plan is to be on the water by spring.

 

[jhs5150]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

If it's a standard SB chevy starter it might be cheaper just to swap it out.
Shouldn't cost more than $100-125 rebuilt. Most starters, when they go, don't fail, they just can't spin the flywheel. The starter gear pops up, and turns the fly. It may fool you. If you put 12v to it you'll see the gear pop out but that's all it'll do. Hope this helps, and thanks for the grinder info. Can't wait to see the finished project.

 

[robbankston]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

If it's a standard SB chevy starter it might be cheaper just to swap it out.
Shouldn't cost more than $100-125 rebuilt. Most starters, when they go, don't fail, they just can't spin the flywheel. The starter gear pops up, and turns the fly. It may fool you. If you put 12v to it you'll see the gear pop out but that's all it'll do. Hope this helps, and thanks for the grinder info. Can't wait to see the finished project.

That's a definite possibility. I'm going to try and get this one going. If it doesn't turn the flywheel then I'll just pull it off and get a new one. Didn't take very long to pull it off the first time. I've got time to attempt the rebuild myself since we aren't even close to putting the engine back in.

 

[Schmoe]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

I'm curious, you going to drill some holes on the bottom of the bulk heads to let water pass through to the bilge?

 

[robbankston]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

I'm curious, you going to drill some holes on the bottom of the bulk heads to let water pass through to the bilge?

All of them except for the built in cooler. Don't want the nasty water in there. We plan to put in a channeling system, which we hope will work. We will probably use some fine mesh screen so that we can form the channels on the hull without having to worry about the new foam intruding but still allow for the water to perculate through. The holes in the stringers and bulkheads for drainage will probably be notches in the bottom of them instead of holes that are slightly off the hull. These to me are worthless since that means there has to be a build up of water before the drainage starts. I think the system should be setup to move the water to the bilge as quickly as possible.

 

[Schmoe]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

That's good planning! Looking great and keep up the good work!!!!!

 

[robbankston]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

Got a bit done this weekend. Most of the time was spent practicing our resin and glass techniques since neither of have done it before. We did get one stringer bedded and began the glassing on it though. We started with the funny cut one that we had to work under the deck of the bow. We thought it'd be one of the more difficult parts but less visible also since it'll be covered by the deck later. I think it turned out pretty good.

 

[robbankston]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

Here's our mess, I mean resin station, with my resin cooler. We figured out after the first day that if you don't let the resin get too warm you can work with it for a bit during August in Georgia.

And here's my handy boat tent to keep everything dry. My neighbor hooked me up with that. He's a boat guy too. Fixing up an old boston whaler right now.

And last but not least my 7 year old son with his green, that's right green mohawk. For some reason his mom (not my wife) thinks this is a good look for a young man his age.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

wow, he looks just like me at that age! Mohawk and all. I was a punk kid piercings and all but look at me now. I turned out normal!...ish. Dont worry, kids just need attention and for somone to make a fuss about them. Just the way they are. No big deal, and yo baby momma just did it to **** you off, dont worry, thats just the way they are They need attention and for someone to fuss over them!

Your progess looks good buddy. Make sure you are squeegeeing your resin out of the glass. Looks a bit wet to me but otherwise very familiar. We are the only ones that I have seen on here to have the "look" of ours. like our PB is white/yellowish and I like your fillet tool That is THE best tool for glassing hands down.

 

[robbankston]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

wow, he looks just like me at that age! Mohawk and all. I was a punk kid piercings and all but look at me now. I turned out normal!...ish. Dont worry, kids just need attention and for somone to make a fuss about them. Just the way they are. No big deal, and yo baby momma just did it to **** you off, dont worry, thats just the way they are They need attention and for someone to fuss over them!

Your progess looks good buddy. Make sure you are squeegeeing your resin out of the glass. Looks a bit wet to me but otherwise very familiar. We are the only ones that I have seen on here to have the "look" of ours. like our PB is white/yellowish and I like your fillet tool That is THE best tool for glassing hands down.

Trust me I know. He's the youngest of my three, so I have a bit of experience with kids and their need for attention. Plus I have/had a bit of a wild side myself (i'm still into long hair, earrings, tatoos, and rock'n'roll) so I understand it. My only issue with it is his age. He's not really old enough to be rebeling or trying to express himself. You hit the nail on the head when you said babies mama is trying to **** me off. I'm not pissed I just don't like her using the kids to get to me. I'm old hat at that stuff too. Just thought everyone would get a kick out of seeing it.

Not sure what you mean by the "look" of ours? We using the west system resin and filler, with the biaxial cloth. Why would ours be different? I'll tell you this. I knew that epoxy was tough stuff, but I didn't know how strong until after we used it. You can grab the stringer and shake the whole boat. The only way that thing would come out now is cutting it out. Definitely made me more confident in what we are doing. Other stringer is bedded now. I'll post some more pics later.

 

[bigbad 4cyl x2]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

i used to do 3 or more layers at a time since wetting it out 1 layer at a time was time consuming and wasted more resin , i think i even did 5 layers once

 

[robbankston]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

i used to do 3 or more layers at a time since wetting it out 1 layer at a time was time consuming and wasted more resin , i think i even did 5 layers once

So you'd lay down 3 layers and then wet it out?

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1981 Chaparral 187 restore

So you'd lay down 3 layers and then wet it out?

No, I wet each layer out individually. I couldnt imagine trying to wet out 2 layers of 1708 at once. I think you would die before you got half way through!

And what I meant by our "look" is just everyone that is using poly seems to have a stained color to it or greenish hue. Then their PB looks either like poopy(not bad, literally like runny poop) or 70's avacado. OUrs just look different than the vast majority of the others restos. Not good or bad, just unique like your sons do!

Did I mention that I am glad I dont have a baby mama or kids? My wife and I are going to a fertility doc right now but man if we have kids and ever split, I am moving to Russia. I couldnt be part of the ex-games. hahaha