1990 Steiger Craft transom investigation

[jc55]

No matter how thick I make the epoxy, it still runs and sags. Has anyone made epoxy thick enough that it won't flow out of a bottomless hole? I'd like the formula

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhmmm have you tried this... You really don't have to cut the notches. just use some cardboard or make fiberglass patch from a couple of layers of glass fabric. Then with wax paper and some string. FOLD the carboard in half and insert it in the hole and then unfold it and pull it tight against the back then apply the Epoxy PB. Twist the String till the piece of wood Wrapped in wax paper holds it in place.

 

[zool]

No matter how thick I make the epoxy, it still runs and sags. Has anyone made epoxy thick enough that it won't flow out of a bottomless hole? I'd like the formula

If u thicken it with west 407, you can make a putty, it has real good gap filling capabilities...I got it to stand straight up bedding a portion of a stringer...sands real easy too.

 

[kcassells]

No matter how thick I make the epoxy, it still runs and sags. Has anyone made epoxy thick enough that it won't flow out of a bottomless hole? I'd like the formula

Hi Jc,
I use 1/4" fiberglass chopstrand just keep spooning in cabosil until I get the composition I need to work different applications. Sometimes I do overhead PB this way and it will stick. Sometimes I'll wet out a pc of glass, apply over, pock it in the area and let set up, then come back and fill since it ends up with a bottom base to sit in.

 

[jigngrub]

What zool said, but you can buy the same thing at the place you get the fairing compound. They call them phenolic microballons and probably cheaper than the west stuff.

You may also want to consider the 1/32" milled fiber they sell... or maybe a combination of the 2.

 

[jc55]

Thank you guys. Lots of good suggestions!

 

[kcassells]

Soooooooooo? Whats ya gonna do?

 

[kcassells]

Hmm, Knowing JC though.. It's already done.

 

[jc55]

Oh, yes, it's all done, lol! I think there were literally 200 holes. The holes aren't that big but the ones you can't get to the back of might be over some foam or a stringer with just enough gap that the filler keeps running. The poly and SM fairing compound worked like a dream and drilled out for screws similar to epoxy. I'm going to use all of the great advice above to do the next one with thick epoxy only...thanks guys!

Off to the land of custom wiring!

 

[kcassells]

Oh, yes, it's all done, lol! I think there were literally 200 holes. The holes aren't that big but the ones you can't get to the back of might be over some foam or a stringer with just enough gap that the filler keeps running. The poly and SM fairing compound worked like a dream and drilled out for screws similar to epoxy. I'm going to use all of the great advice above to do the next one with thick epoxy only...thanks guys!

Off to the land of custom wiring!

Good for you! Lots of detail on the wiring. ....Help......I'm gonna need it.

 

[jc55]

Wiring is the fun part!

 

[jc55]

Back to wiring! I rewired last March but since relocating my batteries, I'm having to do a lot of it over again.
Gettin' the supplies out to the boat...

Got some Mil Spec tinned, 2/0 battery cable. No more vinyl covered 4 gauge...

Crimping my own cables...

Batteries done. Heavy duty adhesive lined heat shrink with cheap red heat shrink for positive labeling. I'm going under the deck instead of under the door threshold as originally planned. Epoxied the edges of the holes and fished the wires through...

Still need zip tie points glued here and there, but 2/0 switched to BEP Marine heavy duty positive and negative bus bars. These will be the connection points for the outboards, accessory mains, windlass, etc.

Here's last years helm wiring with dual accessory circuits...

Bird's eye...

Seat boxes cover everything. What I lose in storage I've gained by opening up two new huge storage areas.

View from the cabin today...

 

[ahmincha]

looking good jc you'll be done before the thaw

 

[kcassells]

Nice wiring JC! Nice and clean.

 

[jc55]

Thanks guys, and I've been following along on both of yours. Got pretty much all of my wiring done except a couple of alarm circuits. These LED's are gonna work great for night catfishing...

Since the weather has been behind schedule, I decided to start the most dreaded project. Luckily, I think I will be able to "glue and screw" this hatch since the crown in the cabin doesn't seem to be severe enough to have to build it up, thankfully. This will be a nice upgrade and give me piece of mind for another escape route.

 

[ahmincha]

All the things we do to are boats. It still bothers me to cut a hole in it just because. haha
As usual great work!!!

 

[zool]

Ohh that's nice!.....I need one of those...but they can get pricey...Im hoping one falls in my lap ..looks great JC!

 

[jc55]

Yes Ahmincha, but that's the beauty of fiberglass!

Zool, you'll be happy to know that I trolled ebay for months before I found the perfect sized Bomar hatch. This was new and I got it for less than $200!!!

 

[kcassells]

Lights and window look great! I see ya got a gopher in your boat window.
Whoever you hired for the electric is making quick work of it!

 

[jc55]

Thanks KC!