1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

[ingalp01]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Is the swim platform plastic??? is it cored with anything? I'm not familiar with the construction techniques on the Bayliner swim platforms. I would seriously consider going with the wood... Mahogany, or even cedar, redwood, or any other good rot resistant wood. I think the one posted above looks great and you could check out Produceguy. He built a really nice wooden swim platform for his boat.

If it's a solid, or semi-solid plastic, then yes, you could weld the plastic cracks up and paint the platform, but I'm betting there may be wood inside that could need repair, or replacement. You can check out page #3 post #56 in my thread and see what I located inside my swim platform.

Just my .02 cents worth...

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

thanks ingalp for the reply!
I'm 99% sure the platform is ABS plastic. NO core.
I've begun sanding things down prepping for the crack repair and paint. A dremel tool works great to get into all the tight areas!
It has been 100f and high humidity so work is going slow. I tried to bring the platform in the house and the wife ended that idea rather quickly.
I'm a big fan of the Rustoleum oil based paint, would that be suitable for this project?
I will add the enamel hardener for a more durable finish.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Sorry for delay...its summer time...what can i say. lol
Still curious if the rustoleum is suitable to paint the ABS swim platform? should i prime it?
Hoping to get this swim platform buttoned up and back on the boat this weekend.

I WILL get some pics posted of the repair of the cracks in the platform. And the paintjob.

As always, Thanks for the input!!

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

On another note,

I dragged out my 1975 15' trihull that i rebuilt a few years ago.(the boat and motor are older than I am!)
Its been sitting in the back yard for over a year.

Uncovered her, put in the battery and the old outboard fired right up.....First try!
Had her at the lake all last weekend. Tubing, kneeboarding, and we just had a blast. Although, I kinda freaked out being that close to the water again. Lol

This was my first restore and sadly i'm going to sell her. Probably for half of what i put into her.
However, I just don't use it anymore and all my hardwork is just sitting there. Someone else can enjoy the now "battle tank" of a boat I rebuilt for years to come. It was my first restore and I completely over built the thing. 2 layers of CSM and 4 Layers of 1708 wrapping stringers and transom. I've since learned that fiberglass is pretty strong stuff and I don't need that much. Hahaha

Hard to let her go!! But, gonna clean her up and put her up for sale in the spring.

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

yeah, it's tough to let go, but gives you more time to play with the Ciera
Really looking forward to more pics of her!
Enjoy your long weekend!
John

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

You have a great weekend also!

Well, the mrs. wants to go boating this weekend with friends. I've put the swim platform back on the boat for the time being. Its no where near finished. Still needs paint and a bit more finish work on the crack repairs. I'll get it back off after the weekend.

To my question:
I have 6x9 speakers i've had in portable little boxes for the past few months. These boxes are a pain and in the way all the time. I originally planned to cut a whole in the stern area for them.....but at the time I couldn't bring myself to cut two big holes in my boat!!

The time has come and I'm planning on doing it tonight. I've got the patterns drawn in the locations they will be. One on each side of the stern wall.
The attached pics show the area I'm gonna place them.

Does ANYBODY see anything wrong with these locations? Will the structural integrity be compromised?
There is plenty of room(5-6") between the "wall" i'm cutting and the actual stern of the boat.

Any problems I'll run into or something I may be missing before I cut the holes?

Btw, I will tape off around the pattern to cut to avoid marks from the saw. I'm figuring a jigsaw will do the job fine. Finish up with a little sanding of the cut edge.
Take a look at the pics and lemme know what ya think........Please.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Sorry, I guess you can't really see the pencil marks of the pattern.
This is pretty much how it is, however the pattern is more parallel to the deck. Couldn't get paint to rotate the oval. Hmmf.

Oh the other pic in there.....What the heck is this bracket for? One on each side of the boat.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Well, no holes cut yet. I've got to get a new jig saw. I dropped it on the concrete on my way out of the tool shed and busted the damn table off of it.
ARGHHHH!


Oh well, I'm goin to the lake and catching some fish while downing a few cold ones!
Find me a nice cove and drop anchor for the night. Watch some movies and whip up some sausage n eggs for breakfast.
Really wish I had a bigger inverter so I could run a coffee maker.
Ya'll have a great weekend!!!

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Should be no problem with the speakers there, a buddy with a similar boat put 6 x 9's in the same spot, just make sure there's no wire or anything behind when you cut, lol. Does your boat have shore power? I'm heading up to the boat for the rest of the weekend, hope you and the Mrs enjoy!

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

No i don't have shore power. I may add that feature if i ever decide to moor the boat.
I do however run an extension cord from my shed! So, kinda like shore power. Lol


We came home early due to rains coming in. Kind of a bummer, but now I can get back to working on her!

If the rain stays away for a few more hours, I'd like to get the speaker holes cut and the wiring run for them.




Happy Labor Day!

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Speakers are semi-installed!!!!
I cut the holes tonight and have the speakers mounted. I did NOT however get the wiring run for them. Won't take long, I just ran out of daylight. (I worked until 8pm and didn't start on the boat till 8:20 or so).
The whole process was very simple. (once i got the nerve to cut a huge hole in my boat!)
I measured and placed the pattern that came with the speakers.
I placed clear tape over the whole traced pattern to help against chipping. I learned that one before on my little boat. A bit of tape really helps with the gelcoat chipping while you cut.

I drilled four 1/2" holes in each "corner" of the pattern. I then took my busted jigsaw and played connect the dots. The table is busted off of my jigsaw but I actually think it made the cutting easier in the tight location. I covered the bottom of the saw with gorilla tape to prevent marring any surrounding gelcoat. (learned that the hard way also!!!)
I started cutting using a metal blade but quickly found a fine wood blade worked better, slower but a better cut.
I test fit the speakers in the holes and marked the mounting screw locatings. Drilled pilot holes and installed the speakers and grilles.

I'll run wiring for them and jam out in the driveway tomorrow night!

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

looks good! Are there any other speakers on your boat? Is the deck in the dash or in the cabin? My rear speakers are in the sides, can't put 6 x 9's in like yours because of the transom gate on the starboard side >.<

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

I also have a 5 1/4" component set of speakers down in the cabin. I will now be able to fade rear/front to turn speakers on in either area, or both.
I plan to get some better grilles for those 6x9's, they don't really offer much protection. (they look kinda cool tho)

I still have a long list of things to do.
I have most of the hardware to construct the stern hand rail. (it was gone when i got the boat.)
I've been trying to locate the actual part through marine salvage and had one lined up but the guy never called me back.

I like the look of the wood hand rail used originally but have no idea what to use to build one. I"m considering just making the whole rail out of the the aluminum tubing. I dunno.......
I have three 60deg. rail base fittings and 12ft of 7/8" tubing. I'd need some 90deg corners and a tee for the middle. I'm just not sure if it would look right. Again, I really like the original teak hand railing that came on the boat.
Any suggestions? Where can I buy hand rail for marine use?
I've searched but can't find anything online.

Next project will be reflooring and wall covering the head. (now used as a closet. lol) I will likely just get a porta-potty type head. We don't/won't use it that often. The lakes we visit have park/marina facilities that are much more comfortable. However, will be nice when anchored for the evening in a nice cove.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Oh sorry, the deck is in the cabin. I usually have it bluetoothed to my phone and just control things from the helm via my phone. It has a remote but doesn't work from the helm area due to no line of sight to the deck.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Any ideas for what to use for the stern handrailing? Where can I find it?
I've been looking around for premade "bannister" type railings(like the staircase railing in a house) and not having much luck. I don't have the proper tools to fashion one out of a chunk of wood. No luck tracking down an original one at salvage yards either.

Still kicking around just making the whole thing with aluminum tubing. I have the tubing and most of the fittings needed. Ya think it would look dumb?
The rail all around the bow is just aluminum tubing and fittings. Maybe it'd all match. But boy, that shiny wood railing looks nice.

I need some advice or experience here.....thanks guys!

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

this is what the original style rail looks like. I plan to just put the actual stern section on. Leaving the sides open.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

any hand rail ideas?

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Well, I found teak rail online. Holy crap that stuff is expensive! Roughly $60 for the four foot length I need.
Any other options? Another site had redoak rail for like $25. Is red oak ok to use?

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

yeah, teak is really hard to find, but I'd stick with it or maybe mahogany. If you could find a boatyard in your area with some old scrap wooden boats, that might be a source. There's an old abandoned 60's Chris Craft where I keep mine that's just a gold mine of material...

 

[25thmustang]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Well, I found teak rail online. Holy crap that stuff is expensive! Roughly $60 for the four foot length I need.
Any other options? Another site had redoak rail for like $25. Is red oak ok to use?

A lot of times keeping and eye out on craigslist for either teak being sold, or a boat with teak being parted out can work wonders.