81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

[CaptainKickback]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

I'll call the place I bought it. They may have some info.

But, I think I should just plan on supporting the angled sides.

Sea ya...

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

Just had to post in light of all the problems our fellow iboaters have run run into lately. It is disconcerting that we've recently lost several guys due to these problems.

Most of us started these projects knowing nothing about fiberglass work or boat building, and we have all learned tons along the way. Those leaving us will take their knowledge and experience with them, so they will still have that. For the rest of us, we need to keep our spirits up. You started your projects for good reasons, so keep reminding yourselves of those reasons.

As for my frame of mind, I'm in great spirits. Yes, the project is much more work than I first estimated. No, I'm not getting as much time to work on it as I'd like. Yes, the heat has been unbearable. But, I am making slow steady progress. I can see the boat changing, even when no one else can. It will get done and I'm trying to make the work fun as well.

As Home Depot says, "you can do it, we can help"

Sea ya...

 

[Trooper82]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

Glad you are still having fun...I am too...No deadlines help too...


I'm with you in doing a little that you notice the difference even if others do not....I started my project with the intent to do something everyday....even if it is just to sweep out the collecting dust

I think you are making great strides...stay cool...those AC units sould be a great help in that I'd think...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

+1 to all that..

Capt you should add iboats: You can do it, we can help to your sig line

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

+1 to all that..

Capt you should add iboats: You can do it, we can help to your sig line

DONE!

Sea ya...

 

[emoney]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

Finally got caught up in the thread. Good to see you're in a good frame of mind and still looking forward. If you don't support the water tank it may eventually begin to distort on you. I had an unsupported tank that a PO installed in last sailboat that had to be replaced only because he cut corners.

This is going to be awesome whenever it's done and I hope to see it through. Of course, this makes my upcoming pulpit/anchor locker project seem like nothing but a nod and a wink. Good luck!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

Outstanding! That's how I got the smiles & pride tag line.. Off hand comment & it was suggested I add it to mine.

Great!

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

Finally got caught up in the thread. Good to see you're in a good frame of mind and still looking forward. If you don't support the water tank it may eventually begin to distort on you. I had an unsupported tank that a PO installed in last sailboat that had to be replaced only because he cut corners.

This is going to be awesome whenever it's done and I hope to see it through. Of course, this makes my upcoming pulpit/anchor locker project seem like nothing but a nod and a wink. Good luck!

Yeah, I agree with you on the tank support. In fact, I spent some time today thinking about how I want to do it.

Make sure you document everything you do on the bow pulpit project since that is part of my project plan as well. Your work will be a good reference when I get to that point.

Sea ya...

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

Awesome statement CK...I agree wholeheartedly! Keep up the great strides...

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

[h=1]Fuel Compartment Quandary[/h]I couldn?t get away from the salon today to work on the boat (too busy ? good thing), so I spent some time thinking about the boat. Today?s thinking was about the compartment for the fuel tank. I?ve been fretting about this for some time, but have not come up with my solution.

If you remember, the 116 gallon, poly fuel tank will sit across the hull and is shaped to fit that way: Here is the tank, still on the car when I brought it home:

It will be installed at the forward end of the (former) engine compartment, under the forward end of the cockpit deck.
I have been trying to think through how I want to enclose the tank. If I leave it open to the engine compartment, I have to make sure all components I install in there are ignition protected. The compartment will have a generator, but that will be ignition protected. However, I have some actuators for the engine shift/throttles that I would not be able to put in there because they are not protected. I was also hoping to put actuators on the deck hatches.

If I were to completely enclose the tank in a sealed compartment, I wouldn?t have to worry about those things, However, I would have to give that compartment its own ventilation (not the tank?s ventilation ? but for the compartment). And if I do that, I have to worry about water getting in and, therefore, would have to put a bilge pump in the compartment. The ventilation I?m not concerned about, but the bilge pump would take up valuable space.

If I did a bilge pump, it could be a small one and I could make a small outset space in the compartment such that any water would drain to that outset where the bilge pump would be. That way, it wouldn?t take up space all the way across the boat.

So this is my quandary. All suggestions are welcome.

Sea ya?

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

First off I have have to commend you Capt`n for sticking to your project through all the little setbacks life seems to send our way. My hats off to ya Cap. I have been do some thinking on your trying to support the water tank. Over the years I`ve had to install a few whirlpool tubs and they were done with a mud set. Just basically type M mortar mixed up, dumped in a pile and the tub pushed down into it til it sets level. Obviously a little more to it but you get the idea, if it can support a person or person`s and however many gals of water why wouldnt the same principle works for you?
Next, I know these aren`t right around the corner but I ran across them and thought of you. 200 saltwaters. I believe you would have to do some painting. http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/3141816158.html

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

First off I have have to commend you Capt`n for sticking to your project through all the little setbacks life seems to send our way. My hats off to ya Cap. I have been do some thinking on your trying to support the water tank. Over the years I`ve had to install a few whirlpool tubs and they were done with a mud set. Just basically type M mortar mixed up, dumped in a pile and the tub pushed down into it til it sets level. Obviously a little more to it but you get the idea, if it can support a person or person`s and however many gals of water why wouldnt the same principle works for you?
Next, I know these aren`t right around the corner but I ran across them and thought of you. 200 saltwaters. I believe you would have to do some painting. http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/3141816158.html

Hey BlkY2k, I have been giving your idea some thought. My step son (Q) suggested expandable foam (readily available, light weight) for exactly that purpose. They say don't foam in tanks, but I wouldn't really be "foaming it in". I would only put the foam under the angled portions of the tank. I'll have to give some thought to the best way to mold/form the foam.

Thanks for watching on the engines. Q has been watching for me too. Still a ways away.

Sea ya...

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

[h=1]Fuel Tank Compartment Solution[/h]I was describing my fuel tank compartment quandary (posted yesterday) to Q, telling him I was thinking about a little outdent in the bulkhead structure to house a small bilge pump. He said that since I really only expected to get any water in there rarely, why bother with a bilge pump? Just put a plug (just like in the transom) and open it to drain it occasionally.

Although the plug would be below the normal level of water in the bilge (that water the bilge pumps leave behind), since, besides my planned three 1500 GPH bilge pumps, I had already planned a small self-priming, manually operated pump to get the last bit of water out of the bilge, I could drain the fuel compartment whenever I completely pumped out the bilge.

Problem solved! I will enclose the fuel tank, except for blowers and hoses on each side, leading out the sides of the boat near the tops of the gunwales. And, these will serve as passive ventilation when the blowers are not running. I will also provide a sealed access panel for the tank connections and the fuel tank fill/vent/supply hoses will be sealed as well.

Sea ya…

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

[h=1]Monday Update (On Tuesday)[/h]Started with a rough & scuff in a number of area. And then, of course, the obligatory vacuum and acetone wipe down. Then I was able to get several mixes of crunchy peanut butter (with chopped strand) on the water tank support rails.

Followed this with the first fitting of the center floorboard (over the water tank). And then creamy (no chopped strand – milled fibers) peanut butter along the edges of the port and starboard floorboards where they meet their respective stringers.

While all the PB was kicking, I spent a bunch of time cutting CSM & 1708 for tabbing. Armed with all these FG strips, I mixed up a liter of resin and tabbed in outer edge of the port floorboard to the hull. It was getting dark, so I can state there were no air bubbles because I couldn’t see any. FG goes down a lot easier when it cools off a few degrees.

Anyway, that was it for Monday.

Sea ya…

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

[h=1]This Week At The Salon[/h]Didn?t do much on the boat today, but did get setup to do some boat work at the salon this week.

I took the top board of the water tank support to the salon so I can add several wings for supporting the angled portions of the tank. I?ll be making them to match the contour of the bottom of the tank. I will post pictures as I work on this.

I also took the center floorboard to the salon. I need to take off about a quarter inch off one side. Then I will be putting on CSM on both sides. I don?t plan on any 1708 because this floorboard is not structural.

So, I?m ready to get something done mid-week.

Sea ya?

 

[Trooper82]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

Sounds like you had a good productive day Capt.K

I agree with you on the temps dropping a little makes all the difference.....

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

Great to hear that Q and you have figured out the placement of the fuel tank and that you are getting the water tank all set...Progress, Sir, is good!

It has been awhile since I have done any glassing, but it is amazing what a few degrees drop in temp does to the cure rate of resin, and how much better it is for our sweaty souls...

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

Sounds like you had a good productive day Capt.K

I agree with you on the temps dropping a little makes all the difference.....

A little at a time adds up!

Sea ya...

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

Great to hear that Q and you have figured out the placement of the fuel tank and that you are getting the water tank all set...Progress, Sir, is good!

It has been awhile since I have done any glassing, but it is amazing what a few degrees drop in temp does to the cure rate of resin, and how much better it is for our sweaty souls...

Looking forward to the first day of fall.

Sea ya...

 

[emoney]

Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)

You know what they say, CptK...."I've seen it hot likes this in Florida and then turn around and get hotter!". It's been a real scorcher on the Gulf side all week too so be safe down there.