82 Starcraft MR 180 floor, slight refit and leaks

[Sharpie223]

I don't have the answer on if one is better than the other, but some thoughts. Paint thinner flashes off quicker, so will mineral spirits keep the BLO thinned longer and maybe penetrate deeper? Maybe timing doesn't actually matter and BLO will penetrate as far as it will either way? But does one open wood pores more than the other and help BLO penetrate deeper? Does one dissolve tree resins more and allow better oil penetration?

 

[Watermann]

Personally I would use Helmsman spar urethane in gloss rather than the varnish in the OTF.

 

[redneck joe]

reason?

 

[Watermann]

reason?

More solids pulled into the wood by the other 2 components. Nothing gets past the first layer of waterproof glue in the plywood and it's also good for wood bunks.

 

[redneck joe]

OK makes sense. Just a 1 to 1 swap on the varnish? On edges would it be best to stand pieces on end to soak prior doing the field?

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

OK makes sense. Just a 1 to 1 swap on the varnish? On edges would it be best to stand pieces on end to soak prior doing the field?

I don't know about the varnish, but there shouldn't be any need to stand the pieces on edge. The wood should wick the liquid in. You'll probably need to wet the edges a bit more than the flats though. It would also be good to round the corners a bit. A sharper corner has less surface area and will hold less material.

 

[redneck joe]

10-4.


So pulled her out of the barn today. Good news is helm is 24 inches wide so perfect for adding a built in fuel tank. I'll be separating the helm from the fish tank and adding in a 20 gallon there. Moves weight forward.

I'll also be removing the 12 gallon portable that is under the helm seat. I'll keep a line there I case I ever want to make 150 mile run but that will become general storage.

Battery moves from at the splashwell to under the helm, again moving weight to center it.


Anyone have any pros or cons about the weight relocation?

 

[airshot]

For the leak, really the only way to find it is to fill it with water and look for leaks.

If at all possible, dunk the hull without the interior, then mark any leak areas. In my 60 plus years of aluminum boats, I have saw many damaged from being filled with water....to much weight and hull not supported enough equals junk twisted hull. Just some words of warning....

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

If at all possible, dunk the hull without the interior, then mark any leak areas. In my 60 plus years of aluminum boats, I have saw many damaged from being filled with water....to much weight and hull not supported enough equals junk twisted hull. Just some words of warning....

Makes sense. When we do it, it's always on the trailer. After our attempted fix the boss will sometimes float it to check. Haven't done one in a little while though.

 

[redneck joe]

If at all possible, dunk the hull without the interior, then mark any leak areas. In my 60 plus years of aluminum boats, I have saw many damaged from being filled with water....to much weight and hull not supported enough equals junk twisted hull. Just some words of warning....

That is the plan and the reason the floor replace is being moved up a couple years. That, and I'm getting old and the body may not allow the effort needed in a couple years.

 

[redneck joe]

Trying to not fall into the project creep trap but things need doing. My tnt does not stay in position, slowly falling. Not leaking oil. 5 star does not rebuild mine so thinking new.

First question would it all be standard o rings should I do something stupid and rebuild myself?

Second, how to tell if leaking is in the pump or the cylinder?

Third, are not pumps just a pump so could I swap with the below? Assuming I can determine if it is the pump.

https://www.amazon.com/DB-Electrical-TRM0101-Mercruiser-Stainless/dp/B019GUKZR2?th=1

 

[redneck joe]

OK clearing out all the gear and had forgot about the 4 inch air vent just after the casting platfoarn. I can reach in about a foot in all directions and no foam so that is a blessing. I've decided to go pink board so after I croak and the boys have it they won't have to deal with it should more work be required.

 

[redneck joe]

Ordered up the OTF ingredients. Would fiberglass over that be too much?

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

Ordered up the OTF ingredients. Would fiberglass over that be too much?

It would prevent the fiberglass from bonding because the wood is already saturated with a repellent material.

 

[redneck joe]

10-4

 

[Sharpie223]

If you have fiberglass time and money, I'd just do fiberglass and skip the OTF. The epoxy will seal the wood off really well.

 

[redneck joe]

How thick would I have to go avoid any cracking?

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

For the glass or otf?

 

[Watermann]

How thick would I have to go avoid any cracking?

You won't have a possible fiberglass horror story with lust the OTF and have saved $$$.

 

[redneck joe]

You won't have a possible fiberglass horror story with lust the OTF and have saved $$$.

Well now I never thought I'd have a lust for OTF but here we are...