1984 Skeeter Champ 16' Restore

[Scott Chinsota]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

i am doing something similar and as silly as it sounds...here is my perspective. i am creating sealed chambers. the only way for water to get in is through a hole (God forbid). very little water can enter due to the filler. any water will come out the point of entry once the boat is removed from the water...to repair the hole that will hopefully never exist.
water that never enters will never have to be drained.

 

[fmjnax]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

I didn't take a ton of pictures, but I did get the motor off today. The 4 bolts were a PITA to get out (they used a ton of sealant on both sides), but when I finally got them pulled out, they came out with wood shavings just like a drill bit in fresh wood (but not as much). I dug around in the holes a little and got a touch of black stuff that could have been rot, but I couldn't even get enough to fit on the tip of a flathead screwdriver. I still can't tell the state of the transom, but I see a very small layer of foam and a rigid substance with a chalky pink appearance under it. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of it, but maybe I will snap some tomorrow.

Here are the pictures. Don't pay any attention to the messy garage.

 

[fmjnax]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Today is the day that I eat crow! I got the cap popped off last night and there is definitely rot in the transom. It isn't absolute mush, as I could only scrape out about an inch off the top before I got to [what feels like] solid wood. I also noticed that the holes from core sample holes I took have since turned a brown color (too much moisture in the wood)? At any rate, even if the transom is only 10% rotted, I WILL be adding an entirely new transom to the build.

Also, after popping the cap, I found a good layer and some chunks of this pink substance that is hard as rock and kind of resembles ceramic. It looks like someone had poured something in the cap of the transom at some point to either fill gaps or maybe try and cover up a bad transom? Any ideas what it might be? Again, no pictures right now, but after work I will be taking a good set and will upload them to the thread.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Could be SeaCast or something like that.

You'll be real glad you popped the cap. Momentary pain but lots of gain with easier access to everything.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Also, after popping the cap, I found a good layer and some chunks of this pink substance that is hard as rock and kind of resembles ceramic.

Its probably some kind of poly filler.

Red colored MEKP cat is used a lot in boat building. Its to show that the resin IS catalized and the color of pink can help with how much MEKP is being added to the resin.

Red colored mekp helps with showing when the PB is mixed enough. Thats probably what your looking at.

And the "ceramic" seems to dictate it was resin and cabosil ( or something like it ) and NOT Bondo with red cream harndener.

YD.

 

[fmjnax]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Picture time! But first a question. How in the heck do I get the dang foam filled boxes off of the rear of the hull?! I cut the fiberglass tabbing off and pried as far as I could. I could hear and feel it "pop" away, but it didn't pop all the way. I ended up breaking the box into three pieces as I pulled on it. I decided to quit after getting the first one off and thought I would come get some advice and try the other one tomorrow.

Now the pictures!

Here's some of that pink stuff I was talking about. This is a thin layer. On top of the transom wood there was a 1/2" - 1" layer of it.

What a mess!

BAD TRANSOM!

Wonder how old this beer can is...

 

[Hydra-sport_Road-kill]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

I thought I was going bulldog on mine when I pulled the sparp-shooter off the wall and went at some of my foam. You look like you'll have full blown cardiac surgery getting into those pocket thingers. I've read through several restore threads and everyone seems to just say that they removed the old foam, but few are forthcoming about their particular technique in getting this done. I personally employed about a half dozen hand tools and an oldest daughter.

Seems like you're getting it done, just hang in there.

 

[fmjnax]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

LOL! Cutting the tabbed fiberglass off of the boxes was a piece of cake. I then used the longest hand saw I had to cut most of the foam away from the hull, but I couldn't get at it all. There are areas of the box that NOTHING will be able to reach. I guess I'll just use muscle power on the other side as well and if it breaks, it breaks. I'll 'glass them back together when it comes time to put them back.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Looks like an old skeeter with her top off. You're going the right direction. Cut the transom wood out and replace it right. It's not bad at this point since you can get to everything easily.

I assume you're on a bunked trailer so you may be fine, but watch for twisiting of the hull, as they get really flimsy once all the decking and stringers are out. You may want to add some support blocking from your trailer frame to the hull, just for some added safety.

From the pictures that is a "flat back" transom, and easier to replace than the angled and stepped transoms on the newer bass boats. I'd would use marine grade plywood on the transom if you have it in your budget. You can go with regular exterior grade on the rest if you need too, but the marine grade in much flatter and straighter and will make is MUCH easier to hold the transom true on a wider run like yours.

Now marine grade plywood is by far the best for your entire boat, but because of your budget I understand using a cheaper plywood everywhere else.

Nice to see a skeet coming back to life....Good luck

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Also, you need to take plenty of pictures and refernece measurements as you go. Try to cut the old stringers and bulkheads out the best you can so as to be able to get patterns off of them, now I know somtimes you just can't but try anyway.

Take measurements from the top of the hull to the tops of the stringers in several places to get reference points of the stringer heights, this will make sure you don't have it too high when you go back with the top cap. Don't try to "beef it up" with more stringers than it has now. Skeeters are well built boats and what's there is all you need.

It's reall easy to just start cutting everything out and say "oh I'll remember how it goes back" and then when you really start putting it back you say "hmmm, now how the heck did that fit in" or "how far up was that bulkhead" so get the pad, pencil and tape measure handy.

Sorry to get long winded just want to spear head problems I've had in the past so you don't have them too.

CW

 

[fmjnax]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Thanks for the advice CW!

You're right, it's on a bunked trailer and I also have some straps around the hull to hopefully help keep the shape. I noticed when pulling the foam box that the side of the hull was very flimsy. Could you elaborate on adding extra support on the trailer, though?

The transom is a "flat back" and it looks like it is going to be real simple to replace. It looks like two 1/2" sheets of plywood laminated in. It doesn't appear to have an curves, steps, or any other funky design that could prove a challenge.

Currently, the stringers are still in there. I won't even think about pulling them until the day I am ready to start glassing in the new ones. I'm going to attempt to make the new stringers before removing the old. That way I can keep as much structure in there for as long as possible. I'll have to cut part of the stringers out at the stern in order to do the transom work, but I will still keep as much as possible during that process.

I've learned over the years that I cannot remember every little thing when putting something back together. I've been in the habit of taking photographs of everything as I take it apart so that I have at least SOME reference when I put it back together.

Good idea on the stringer height as well. I've seen a few stories where the cap didn't fit back right because of the stringers. I hadn't planned on beefing anything up, so no worries there. The stringers that are in there are maybe 1/2", but they worked fine for nearly 30 years so I don't see any reason to use anything larger.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

I've seen a few stories where the cap didn't fit back right because of the stringers.

Actually that situation is usually due to the lack of a deck.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Could you elaborate on adding extra support on the trailer, though?

Add some blocks of 2 x 4's from the trailer from to the hull in several places (where there is room) you just want to use the steel frame of the trailer as rigidity.

It looks like two 1/2" sheets of plywood laminated in.

seen one that was 1/2", but most likely it's two layers of 3/4"

I won't even think about pulling them until the day I am ready to start glassing in the new ones.

That will be one long day, if you can remove all the old stringers and do all the grinding needed to prep the hull for the new ones and then install the new ones all in one day...well you da man. Let us know how that plan goes...

 

[fmjnax]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

That will be one long day, if you can remove all the old stringers and do all the grinding needed to prep the hull for the new ones and then install the new ones all in one day...well you da man. Let us know how that plan goes...

HA! Indeed, one long day it would be. I guess I should say "I won't even think about pulling them until I am ready to replace the new ones". Basically, I'm not going to pull them out now when I know I have another few weeks until I start purchasing supplies.

 

[Hydra-sport_Road-kill]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

I got me a plan on this very deck/floor measurement/copy issue and I'll share it so's you might give it some consideration. It kinda goes along the same lines as the cardboard transom template idea so I only take partial credit. I was able to quickly fabricate a dang good template of my original floor from a heavy duty cardboard box some bunk-beds came in last week (they were for the kids, not me and the wife . . . yet). I just trimmed it along the hull line with an exacto knife, easy-peasy. Any-hoo, I was all set and duly stressed to take a bazillion measurements as you too may be, but now it's all done. All I gotta do now (famous last words) is trace it onto some plywood when I'm ready. I'm expecting the idea does not necessitate the purchase of bunk-beds as large cardboard cast off material is ubiquitous behind appliance and furniture retail establishments. Now, is this a new or novel idea CW?

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

I got me a plan on this very deck/floor measurement/copy issue and I'll share it so's you might give it some consideration. It kinda goes along the same lines as the cardboard transom template idea so I only take partial credit. I was able to quickly fabricate a dang good template of my original floor from a heavy duty cardboard box some bunk-beds came in last week (they were for the kids, not me and the wife . . . yet). I just trimmed it along the hull line with an exacto knife, easy-peasy. Any-hoo, I was all set and duly stressed to take a bazillion measurements as you too may be, but now it's all done. All I gotta do now (famous last words) is trace it onto some plywood when I'm ready. I'm expecting the idea does not necessitate the purchase of bunk-beds as large cardboard cast off material is ubiquitous behind appliance and furniture retail establishments. Now, is this a new or novel idea CW?

A good idea is one that works, regardless of who thought of it. And yes I've used cardboard templates many times.

 

[fmjnax]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Texas finally got a break in the 100 degree weather so I have spent most of the day out in the driveway chipping away at the boat. I got the last foam box pulled out and the back 1/3 of the boat entirely cleaned out. I pulled the inner skin off of the transom and the plywood looks much better than expected. Most of the rot appears to be contained to certain areas and I believe I may be able to pop the wood out clean enough to be able to make a template from it. My problem is that I can't seem to pop it off of the outter skin. What is the best way to attempt to remove the transom in-tact? I think that before I try, I will make a cardboard template from the inside in case I can't get the transom out in one piece. It won't be AS exact, but it will still be better than nothing.

I'm going to put some more work into it after dinner, so pictures will be uploaded this evening.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

My transom looked very much like yours, and it sure wasn't useable as a template when I got through. I do have accurate measurements to cut my one, its not the complicated with ones like ours. pretty straight lines, with 2 even angles. Would not come out in one piece, had to break it away, and as I got closer to bottom and wood was no longer rotted...just wet, I had to rethink my approach and pulverize the wood to remove it. Mine is also an old skeeter

 

[fmjnax]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Darn, not what I wanted to hear JDA1975, but I can't hide from the facts. I'll just try and make a cardboard template and not worry about having to carefully remove the existing. I made some pretty decent progress tonight but I'm still looking at 1-2 weeks before I can start ordering supplies (dang weddings are EXPENSIVE!!! HA!).

That said, I realized another problem that I need to solve. I need to do some trailer work and I also need to paint the underside of the hull. I figure it would be best to do it while the hull is as light as possible. I can get the hull off of the trailer easy enough (the hull is light enough that I am able to fully lift the stern myself), but what I'm not sure about is how I can get the hull flipped. I've got to come up with a way to flip it with only 1 or 2 others helping me. I know the 2 or 3 of us can easily lift the entire hull, but it's the rolling it over that I am afraid of. I don't have the ability to tether it between two objects. Any thoughts?

Oh, and pictures will be coming soon.

 

[fmjnax]

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Re: Replacing stringers and floor (what cloth do I need?)

Here are the images from today, posted in no particular order: