Re: 81 Sea Ray 26 Sedan Bridge I/O to OB Conversion/Restore (Pics)
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Monday Update[/h]Sitting on the patio this morning, it seemed cool, so I thought it was going to be pleasant working on the boat today. Not. All afternoon I?d work 10 minutes, sit ten minutes. And even when working, it was slow and unproductive. About 6:00 PM, the sun had come down, mostly, and I was able to work without stopping. I think I?m going to change my work plan, and just do 2 hours in the evenings (6:00 PM to 8:00 PM), and get everything else done in the daytime.
Took the hole saws to the stringer to make access for the water tank connections (3). Wasn't easy going through a double thick stringer. The hole saw would lock up if I didn't maintain the original angle. I also had to stop several times on each hole and breakout the cut piece, otherwise the saw couldn't go in any farther, So now, I?ll have to load the tank into the car again, bring it to the boat, and do a final check out/adjustment of the holes.
I also cut away the rest of the transom gunwale where the transom seat will be. I first cut away just part of it, planning on making use of some of the existing structure. But once I did that, it became obvious that the best course would be to just cut it out, fabricate a complete seat (will do at the salon) and set it in as a unit.
Here is the space that is left:
The piece I did leave angles back a bit and has a curve out at the bottom edge. I want to make use of the strength of this piece (at the curve out) as well as ensure my seat matches the angle at the outsides of the transom gunwales.
Next steps on this area, besides making the seat unit offsite, are to PB the top transom support and add lots of layers of FG to bring it all up to deck height. Followed by fairing, the area will be ready when the seat is complete.
One last thing I did was to first fit the 4 pieces I had cut out to plug the stern drive holes. Two pieces for each, they are shaped like a vase. Next, I?ll glue each pair together, then do another fitting before FG?ing.
So, some progress. Not as much as I?d have liked, but progress is progress.
Sea ya?
