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

[rrumba]

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

time for the popcorn and chips guys......this is a major !

Agreed.... this should be another nail biter like the hull extension. it's like a double feature now with the I/O to Outboard conversion as well... will be keeping an eye on this.

 

[boatnut74]

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

Those armstrong brackets look nice. I think twin 150's to 200's would be sufficient.

 

[zopperman]

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

I wouldn't put ANYTHING less than a pair of these on it

 

[rrumba]

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

now those ROCK.......... has me thinking about changing my IMP over to an outboard.

I agree, definitely a pair of those need to be the power plant ....

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

Zopperman, "these" are totally awesome. I actually saw them at the Miami boat show last February. They are even more impressive in person. Just putting my hand on it gave my chills. Lol.

A guy can dream...

Speaking of boat shows, the Firt Lauderdale boat show is in 8 days. I will be looking at everything from a different perspective this time. And i will lay hands on a 7 again.

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

[h=1]Transom Status[/h]We have been thinking about adding another ?? ptp + FG layer to the inside of the transom. The transom appears in good shape. It sounds fine when thumping it everywhere. The only concern is a small area around the drain plug. It sounds fine when thumping, but when you stick your finger in the drain hole and run it around, it appears mushy. Someone said you often find mold there. So, I have to take a closer look (I?ll take some pictures of the area and post them). Maybe drill a core sample? If only a little in question, maybe I should use some penetrating epoxy. Thoughts on that?

Anyway, the current transom has two ?? layers of plywood plus glass. We would be adding it for two reasons: 1) just to insure the transom can handle the stress, especially if you guys push me into bigger engines, lol, and 2) add a bit more weight to the stern because we are slightly worried about being bow heavy.

How much weight do you think a ? ptp plus glass for a 10? beam would add?

How dry must the ptp be and what is the effect of glassing over if it is not totally dry? Same for treated 2x10s?

 

[boatnut74]

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

I would definatly do some core samples. Sometimes it may feel solid but still be wet. Better safe than sorry on that especially if you are planning on bolting a bracket on the back.

 

[zopperman]

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

NO CPES!! thinned epoxy is weaker. I'm sure someone else will chime in about this too. Drill the samples. Save the headache.
wait edit, are you saying like use git rot or antifreeze then dry it if its just a small area?

NO PRESSURE TREATED WOOD UNLESS ITS CCA!! that green stuff at HD has no place in a boat.

It is hard to dry the wood completely for resin to adhere properly. unless you leave it in the hot sun for weeks.

 

[Big Island Lifer]

I have the same boat in the non fly bridge version as a '85 255 AJ. It came from the factory with a single 5.7 260 mercruiser. Yes it is incredibly underpowered. Top speed is 30mph with one person and 1/4 tank of gas, but since I'm on an inland lake and my primary purpose is cocktail cruising it's perfect for me. I have often thought about putting more power in it, but it would not be used. For what it's worth my boat came from the factory with a 150 gallon fuel tank mounted just in front of the motor in its own enclosed space.
Most of these were fished to death in salt water. Thanks for keeping another classic out of the dump and I look forward to your progress.
Darren



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

I would definatly do some core samples. Sometimes it may feel solid but still be wet. Better safe than sorry on that especially if you are planning on bolting a bracket on the back.

You're right, and I will drill!

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

NO CPES!! thinned epoxy is weaker. I'm sure someone else will chime in about this too. Drill the samples. Save the headache.
wait edit, are you saying like use git rot or antifreeze then dry it if its just a small area?

NO PRESSURE TREATED WOOD UNLESS ITS CCA!! that green stuff at HD has no place in a boat.

It is hard to dry the wood completely for resin to adhere properly. unless you leave it in the hot sun for weeks.

Not sure what you mean by "No CPES". Do you mean don't do it or did you mean use CPES instead of ordinary penetrating epoxy?

Yea, that HD stuff is very wet. Actually, I planned to get it from a local lumber yard. It seem pretty dry when I visited them. I don't know if its CCA. Does your statement propose using just regular plywood?

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

I have the same boat in the non fly bridge version as a '85 255 AJ. It came from the factory with a single 5.7 260 mercruiser. Yes it is incredibly underpowered. Top speed is 30mph with one person and 1/4 tank of gas, but since I'm on an inland lake and my primary purpose is cocktail cruising it's perfect for me. I have often thought about putting more power in it, but it would not be used. For what it's worth my boat came from the factory with a 150 gallon fuel tank mounted just in front of the motor in its own enclosed space.
Most of these were fished to death in salt water. Thanks for keeping another classic out of the dump and I look forward to your progress.
Darren



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for verifying what i expected. I'm wandering how much better the twin 170 HP option performed? I imagine just OK, not super. Did you know anyone with the twin 170s?

How is your hull parformance?

We boat the way you do, just anchoring out or cruising up and down the ICW. And when we do get out on the ocean, I generally cruise at only a moderate speed. Don't want to burn the extra gas at higher speed.

Does anyone have a feel for fuel economy difference at idle speed between 200s and 250s?

 

[oops!]

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

there is no point in adding another sheet of ply capt.

you will gain nothing but weight. the key in your place will be a solid transom to start....then lots of tabbing, as the weight will be transferred from the lower portion of the hull to the upper portion wanting to tear it self away.

knees from the stringer will also help.

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

there is no point in adding another sheet of ply capt.

you will gain nothing but weight. the key in your place will be a solid transom to start....then lots of tabbing, as the weight will be transferred from the lower portion of the hull to the upper portion wanting to tear it self away.

knees from the stringer will also help.

Don't need the extra layer from the guy that buil a tank, lol well that will certainly save me a ton of time. I did have a FG guy (20 years experience) check it out and he said it was sound. Like i said, my only concern is around the drain hole.

So, when you say lots of tabbing, are you saying to add layers of FG from the hull up the inside? If so, 1 layer of 1708? 2 layers?

Also, I've seen you mention "knees" before, but was never sure what you meant.

 

[rrumba]

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

he is refering to a brace attached from the stringer to the transom to help transfer the energy/power/force from the transom to the stringers and help with dissipating the energy...

something like this:




but in your case bigger

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

he is refering to a brace attached from the stringer to the transom to help transfer the energy/power/force from the transom to the stringers and help with dissipating the energy...

something like this:

View attachment 119111


but in your case bigger

Ahhh! I can do that. Thanks.

 

[Big Island Lifer]

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

Thanks for verifying what i expected. I'm wandering how much better the twin 170 HP option performed? I imagine just OK, not super. Did you know anyone with the twin 170s?

How is your hull parformance?

We boat the way you do, just anchoring out or cruising up and down the ICW. And when we do get out on the ocean, I generally cruise at only a moderate speed. Don't want to burn the extra gas at higher speed.

Does anyone have a feel for fuel economy difference at idle speed between 200s and 250s?

At displacement speeds my bow will hunt for a straight line. That is a combination of the deep bow and an old gimbal bearing. When I am at about 2400 rpm it feels like it is on auto pilot and will track true and straight. It's just enough to get the bow above the stern and break the waves. Its a very stable boat (without the FB), for the length you can't beat the beam!!!

 

[CaptainKickback]

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

At displacement speeds my bow will hunt for a straight line. That is a combination of the deep bow and an old gimbal bearing. When I am at about 2400 rpm it feels like it is on auto pilot and will track true and straight. It's just enough to get the bow above the stern and break the waves. Its a very stable boat (without the FB), for the length you can't beat the beam!!!

So, you seem happy with the hull. By "hunt" were you referring to bow steer?

My local FG consultant was impressed with the hull. Someone else told me they tend to be a little bow heavy. As I make a lot of changes, I'm trying to prevent that.

 

[25thmustang]

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

I will be keeping an eye on this post. Great start so far, and good to see you working out the details now.

 

[zopperman]

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

Not sure what you mean by "No CPES". Do you mean don't do it or did you mean use CPES instead of ordinary penetrating epoxy?

Yea, that HD stuff is very wet. Actually, I planned to get it from a local lumber yard. It seem pretty dry when I visited them. I don't know if its CCA. Does your statement propose using just regular plywood?

CPES, thinned epoxy, penetrating epoxy etc. Any epoxy that has been thinned. But in your case it might be OK. oops will know better.

Yes, use exterior grade arauco ply from Lowes. Veyr good stuff, ACX. coating it in resin and glass or epoxy is sufficient for water sealing. PT wood will corrode metal fasteners, will be very difficult to get completely dry and cause possible adhesion problems with the resin.