1988 Champion Boat restoration

[concept10]

Re: 1988 Champion Boat restoration

Finally removed the top cap. It was a lot of work! Now i'm trying to figure out how to access the hole that I need to repair. The hole/crack extends from the bilge to the right most stringer, right under the drivers seat.

Unlike many projects on here, there is not very much visible rot (yet) and I haven't started tearing it down yet. I'm sure since the hole is extends across that stringer, that entire side is rotten. I'm really debating if I should gut the entire boat or leave the port side structure in place and only repair what I need. I have taken tons of pictures... here we go:


With minimal cleaning, no rot visible:

Had to cut the splashwell... Look at that PB underneath it!! I need to get into the transom skin and find the true condition of it...

Bilge area where livewell sat:

Screwdriver pointing to the sunlight... this is the hole I need to repair:

 

[concept10]

Re: 1988 Champion Boat restoration

Don't ask me how I removed it !

No rot?!

The crack is underneath the aft drain..

I'm really, really, really looking for some advice from anyone on how I should go about getting access to that crack... For now, I'm planning on removing the floor (which is solid as heck) and deciding then.

 

[concept10]

Re: 1988 Champion Boat restoration

I've been doing a lot of reading others threads and pondering about my layup schedule once I reach the repair area. I'm wondering should I start with gel coat and proceed with the mat - cloth - mat or should I have mat on the outside of the hull as well? I also curious about the diameter that I should cut out, since the hole extends across the bilge.

Just planning what I should do next and how to go about it consumes most of my time on this rebuild.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: 1988 Champion Boat restoration

It does that for most of us, too

For that crack I'd plan on matching the hull thickness in glass, so use alternating layers of mat/cloth or layers of 1708 or another stitched mat/cloth material to get the thickness you need.

You'll need access to the whole area of the hole and the surrounding glass, so you will need to remove any other structure in the way.

Then start by grinding back from the edges to good, clean glass. Plan on grinding down an area at least 15x the thickness of the hull there on the inside so the eventual patch is that wide.

Once you grind out the bad glass you should be able to put a mold on the outside... something like a piece of formica or a piece of thin MDF covered with tape or plastic.

Then working from the inside, brush on gelcoat (on the mold, not the hull interior, but right up to the edges of the existing hull), let it cure as needed, then start layering on glass starting with a piece the size and shape of the hole, and getting about a half inch bigger in each direction with each following layer.

Stop when you've overlapped all your ground out area and matched the hull thickness. Let it cure and remove the mold.

If you got the mold tight against the hull and you did the grinding right, it'll need very little final finishing on the outside.

After the patch is in place, restore the interior structure around it. If the hole is that close to structure, odds are good the structure took a hit, too.

Erik

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: 1988 Champion Boat restoration

you seem to be running into typical bass boat deconstruction problems, so far I have tackled them the same as you, keep working....

as for the crack in the hull, you will come to find out how easy it is once you removed the deck and all the stringers out of your way, well atleast the deck if you want to try and salvage the stringers......

 

[bailey]

Re: 1988 Champion Boat restoration

One quick suggestion place some wood across the top of the hull to keep the hull from "flexing" and distorting. You'll find it a lot easier to put your cap back on the boat if you do.
Bailey

 

[concept10]

Re: 1988 Champion Boat restoration

Erik,

Thanks for the detailed post. I will be reading that over and over during this work! I really appreciate the knowledge.

 

[concept10]

Re: 1988 Champion Boat restoration

you seem to be running into typical bass boat deconstruction problems, so far I have tackled them the same as you, keep working....

WTR,

so far I've tackled them the same as YOU! When I ran into trouble removing the cap, it was your thread that I studied until I came up with the solution.

I originally thought that the floor was fiberglass and it was attached to the top cap because it is so solid. I searched all around and couldn't find anyone else that had removed the cap on a Champion.

I saw that you went around the edges of your console and I started investigating. Turns out the floor is a piece of wood like every other boat on here, just covered with a piece of mat over the wood.

I found the gap between the top cap and the floor and cut around that edge and I still couldnt remove the cap.

The last piece of the puzzle was the under seat storage. Also made of wood, tabbed in and carpeted over. Once I cut this area, the cap was free.... I spent a week trying to lift the cap with one engine hoist and some ratchet straps with no success.

I then planned on building a gantry crane, with 4x4s, but didn't have the money last week and finally got frustrated enough and got it off with the help of my GF.

I'm glad you're ahead of me in your build because I'm watching close.

Thanks!