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)

Thanks for the offers, Oops... both of them! First I need to find a hull. So much stuff around but all those overpriced (for their age) older engines that I don't want to pay for. Something with a popped engine is the way to go.

I want unrestricted deck space for fishing and cargo. Am I better off modifying an outboard hull to get rid of the splash well, or is it easier to pull the engine and leg out of an I/O and do the deck repair like Capt Kickback?

Hey sly,

I don't fish but had the impression some fishermen consider OBs as restricting. Is that true for you?

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

[h=1]Weekend Update[/h]I had planned to get more done over the New Year?s weekend, but as usual, life gets in the way. Last Saturday, I got a good start, putting in the center piece of the aft portion of the main bulkhead. I resined both surfaces, PL?d the bottom edge, set it in, and screwed it down. I was admiring my work when Mrs Kick Back called and said the salon was swamped and she needed me back there. I only got back to the boat late in the evening in time to close it up for the night.

So Sunday was out as far as working on the boat because it was the last week of the NFL regular season. Even though I hadn?t realized it, my Cincinnati Bengals had a chance to get into the playoffs if they beat Baltimore. I?m usually stuck in the salon on Sunday?s and don?t get to see the games, and since we were closed this Sunday for New Years Day, I just had to go to the sports bar and meet up with my fellow Bengals fans. We didn?t win the game, but it turned out we had another way in. If the Jets lost (they did), then if either Denver or Oakland lost (they both did), then we were in. Hooray! Not pretty, but were in coming off a 4 and 12 record last year, lost all our superstars (or so they thought) like Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco, and Terrell Owens, and drafted a rookie quarterback and rookie wide receiver. We didn?t have any expectations for this season. So we?re happy getting into the playoffs. This may get some debate, but we are in the strongest division in the NFL, evidenced by 3 of the 4 teams from our division in the playoffs.

Anyway, back to boating. Monday, I got the remaining bulkhead pieces PL?d in place and partially PB?d in. It felt like good progress.

I haven?t been able to get away from the salon this week and the Bengals play again Saturday, so I?ll be back to the boat on Sunday. Hopefully, I?ll have some pictures from Sunday and Monday?s work.

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

[h=1]Considering Another Layer of FG[/h]Now that the main bulkhead is mostly in (some tabbing and a layer of FG to do), I am just about to start making the templates for the stringers and additional bulkheads. I am considering whether to put an additional layer of FG down on the inside of the hull before putting in the stringers. I would do this for two reasons. One is to make sure the 30 year old hull is strong enough.

The second reason is just to add some weight to the bottom of the boat. If you remember, I am concerned (as was Sea Ray) about the boat being top heavy. Also remember, I’m thinking we are going to come up a bit lighter overall than the boat originally was. So, the extra weight, low, could be beneficial.

Anybody got any thoughts on this? And if I do it, what should I put down (1.5 CSM, 1708, etc.)? Should I put one layer or two? Where are the biggest stresses on the hull (forward, mid-ship, aft) in case I only add FG to a portion of the hull?

 

[boatnut74]

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

Good to see your moving forward. I'll admit I'm not much help for your question but I can't see why it would hurt. I know others have added additional glass on the inside of the hull. I'm not sure it would add much weight but the extra strength would be reasuring.

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Just caught on to your thread. I'm always late to the party! Any beer left? Anyway, I look forward to your progress, Outboards?

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

Just caught on to your thread. I'm always late to the party! Any beer left? Anyway, I look forward to your progress, Outboards?[/QUOTE

Welcome aboard. Still beer left. Did you see the thread on the Cool Rod/Beer Holders. One of the latest posts mentioned refrigerated beer holders. Got me thinking... Lol

Yep, outboards. I had bad experiences keeping a twin I/O boat on the water. Tons of repairs and maintenance.

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

Got a few hours on the boat this afternoon. Grinding...

When I started templating the stringers and bulkheads, I realized there were a number of places that nedded to be gound out before I could make the templates. The forward and aft walls of the head will be bulkheads and the worst grinding spot was what was left from cutting out the top of the old head. Heavy, and I mean heavy FG starting at the center of the windshield, running to starboard, and then a third of the way back under the side window. It was an inch thick along the front and stuck up at a 45 degree angle for about 2 inches. It took me 2 hours with a 7" sander with a 24 grit disc.

I think I have about an hour or two of grinding left before I can do all of the stringers and bulkhead templates. Of course there's the requisite cleanup of the dust first.

 

[GT1000000]

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

Hey CK,
Just an amateurs thought here, but you asked whether an extra layer of glass would be good or bad...
My personal belief is that the extra effort of adding an additional layer of glass is an excellent personal security blanket...
You are doing this for your own sense of security and benefit. There is never anything wrong, in my opinion, of going a little "overboard", when it comes to feeling 100% confident in our own work.
The sense of security and satisfaction that comes from knowing that we did things above and beyond that which is required, is a great feeling.
Soooo, if you feel that doing an extra layer, or two, makes you feel more secure in your boat...

I say...go for it...

A few extra dollars or hours now, is a lot cheaper, than having to go back and do it later...

The same goes for any and all misgivings you may be having...

Don't get Paralyzed by Analysis, but do things the way YOU feel they should be done...

In the end, it is you and your family that will be enjoying your finished product, so do it the way you feel is right...

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

Good to hear from you again GT. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

[h=1]Oops! Tuck Tape[/h]If any of you have read oops! Hull Extension thread, you will have seen numerous references to tuck tape. He loves this stuff. It the red plastic tape that he uses so much.

Unfortunately, it is a product of Canada and I have not been able to find it here in the U.S. I’ve gone to Home Depot, Lowes, and all the local hardware stores. Checking online, it seems they call it sheathing tape here but I haven’t been able to find that either.

Going through some old boxes the other day, I came across this roll of red plastic tape. On the cardboard ring inside it said “Made In Canada”. Looks like tuck tape. Feels like tuck tape. Must be tuck tape! The roll appears quite old and I don’t have a clue where it came from.

Anyway, I put it to use on my project. Now I see why oops! loves this stuff so much. Sticks well, but comes off when I want it to with no glue residue. Since its plastic, my guess is resin will not stick to it. Now that I’ve used it, I guess I’ll have to go online and order some.

Thanks again oops!

 

[Woodonglass]

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

This is the State side equivalent of OOPS "Tuck Tape"

http://www.amazon.com/Venture-Tape-x222-HouseWrap/dp/B004HE1B4O

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

Thanks for the link Wood. The order is in. Tuck tape is on its way.

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

[h=1]Life Really Getting In The Way[/h]I haven?t been able to work on the boat for over a week. We are moving to a new townhouse and the move is killing me. We were in the old place for 7 years and I have a few ?axioms of moving?:

1. You don?t realize how much crap you have been accumulating until you move.
2. It helps to watch a few episodes of Hoarders when packing your stuff.
3. The big stuff gets moved in a day. It?s the small stuff that takes forever.
4. No matter how much stuff you have, you always need to spend a bunch of money to make the new place look right.

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Tyvek tape works well also. You need to post some more rebuild porn. By the way, I have moved about 16 times and it is a great time to get a dumpster dilivered to the driveway,lol Sucks having to do other things than working on the boat.

 

[73Chrysler105]

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

Hope the move went well and you are all settled in to the new place. I really hope the silence isn't that your buried under a ton of boxes and that your actually buried under a ton of fiberglass dust. Look like a great boat and project want to see you get it finished.

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

[h=1]Still Here[/h]Sorry. I feel like I?m neglecting everyone.

The move went fairly well, but still have probably two SUV loads left at the old place. Mostly settled in at the new place, but lots of boxes in the garage to unpack.

We had a marine flea market in Pompano Beach over the weekend. Very crowded and lots of junk, but some good deals. We bought a new Pompanette 16K A/C unit and controls for $1195. We also bought a Uflex (Ultraflex) twin engine electronic control unit with 4 actuators for $300. Hope we can find the rest of the parts, but seemed like a good price. The next purchases will be a head and the A/C and DC breaker panels. Once we get those, we think we will have all the equipment we need to design around.

In light of not being able to get away to the boat, I have started the design of the stairway to the bridge. I plan to do the steps with no sides first, and then tie (tab) them into the panels that will be on either side second. I will post pictures as that work develops. I chose to do the steps because I think I can do much of the work behind our salon when I can't get away to the boat. When I can get to the boat, I will continue on the stringers and head compartment.

So, hope this helps everyone see where I?m at. Hope to get some new pictures soon.

 

[73Chrysler105]

Glad to hear everything is going well. Those sound ike some good deals.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums

 

[GT1000000]

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

Thanks for the update CK, glad to hear you are gettin settled...
Moving Sux!!!

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

[h=1]And On The 7[SUP]th[/SUP] Day ??..It Stopped Raining[/h]Good thing I?m building an ark!

So, got a good day in yesterday. At the shop during the week, I worked on building the wood frame for the stair mold. Yesterday, I took it to the boat, resined in fillets, and put on 2 coats of resin. Today, I plan to do a final coat of resin with wax so the surface will cure. Then I can coat it with auto wax and begin layering on the FG. One of my employees want to see the stairs popoff the mold so she suggested we have a ?pop-off? party. I think her expectations are a bit high.

Here is the stair mold before I started putting resin on it:

From the cockpit deck to the bridge is 50?. So I have four steps and the final height of each will be 10?. To save space going backward from the bridge, I made the steps 8? deep each. However, to give more foot landing space, I made the risers slanted to get more like a 9.5? deep step. You can see in the picture that the risers are slanted from vertical.

Anyway, FG strength question ? Once I pop off the stairs, it will be FG only (no wood or foam) and it will be the steps only (no sides yet). Then I will be making the sides (FG over ply) and tabbing it all together. My question is how many layers of FG will I need to make the steps strong enough. I don?t want to feel them move when I go up and down them.

I was working on the stairs because I could do some of the work at our salon when I couldn?t get to the boat. On problem I have is that I cannot actually tab in the steps until I modify the cockpit deck hatch to the engine room. The current hatch is huge and heavy. I am going to cut a smaller hatch into that one, then fill in (FG) the old one. The problem for the stairs is they will overlap the old hatch. And until I get every everything installed in the engine room, I was going to leave the larger hatch opening. I might have to rethink that, as only the fuel tank needs to go in before I cut down the hatch. I would prefer to get as much of the FG dust work done before installing equipment, but I don?t know if that is possible. What a dilima?

Also today, I think I have Q available to help me handle the 4 x 8 sheets of ?? ply. So, I will do some more templating for the large pieces and get his help later this afternoon. Until he is available, I have some more little holes to fill to finish the ?keep the rain out? work.

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

Beautiful, cool day here in Florida. Will get to the boat this afternoon. Got to go to Harbor Freight first. They finally got a backordered air tool in I've benn waiting for.

I have a gel coat sanding question. As you know, i will be gel coating the entire boat a different color. Here are my questions:

1) how much of the old gel coat do I need to remove?

2) someone told me if I take the gel coat off with a disc sander, it will leave marks. They said I have to use a DA sander. But that seems so slow.

Thanks all.