84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

[JasonBo]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

Im so scared that one day ill wake up and my Stratos will have a softspot. Yours is lookin good and im glad there is another boat builder on a budget here.

 

[Over30S130]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

I am soooo interested in seeing this build, but I cannot see any pictures either. Just wondering what I might need to adjust on my browser so I can see what everyone else is raving about. I have a '79 Ranger listed recently on this particular forum that I might could use this thread for inspiration and guidance. Let me see!!!!!

 

[macca123]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

One way I have found to support a hull so it retains it's shape is to use sand, take the boat of the trailer and lay it on a bed of sand the length and width of the boat then you make the boat level then add more sand underneath the sides till it's up to the chines, the sand forms the shape of the hull therefore fully supporting it. The hull retained it's shape perfect.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

I am soooo interested in seeing this build, but I cannot see any pictures either. Just wondering what I might need to adjust on my browser so I can see what everyone else is raving about. I have a '79 Ranger listed recently on this particular forum that I might could use this thread for inspiration and guidance. Let me see!!!!!

im not sure PM woodonglass he was the only other one that had the problem and he said it was some privacy setting in his browser he had to fix. just FYI if it helps any all my pics are mostly being linked from my facebook account, so maybe your browser is blocking that site or something?

One way I have found to support a hull so it retains it's shape is to use sand, take the boat of the trailer and lay it on a bed of sand the length and width of the boat then you make the boat level then add more sand underneath the sides till it's up to the chines, the sand forms the shape of the hull therefore fully supporting it. The hull retained it's shape perfect.

that's a good idea if I lived on the beach, or wanted to pay tons of money to turn my driveway into a sandbox. truthfully a good idea, but practical......not so much

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

The giant sandbox is a new one on me,guess that would work, but wouldn't you have to build a wall up high enough around it to hold the sand for side wall support? I really think just build three forms to fit the shape of the hull and make stands out of them is easier, and cheaper, just some plywood and 2 x 4's will do the trick, just needs to fit don't gotta look pretty.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

drum roll please.....

BEFORE

AFTER

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

NOW TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAP FITTING, ILL LET THE PICS SPEAK FOR ME...

I PAINTED THE BACK OF THE BOAT WITH ROSTOLEUM OIL BASED BLACK PAINT, THE REMAINDER OF THE BOAT WILL GET CARPETED....EVENTUALLY, FOUNDATION FIRST, COSMETICS LATER

 

[Silversound]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

Wow, looks really good. Keep the pictures coming.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

Am I seeing the pictures right? Looks like the transom moved out as well as the sides? And appears it doesn't sit all the way down?

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

yes you are right about all 3 problems I have to solve.... First it dosnt fit all the way back, but that is because I built the batterey boxes you see in the last picture a little to big preventing the cap from sliding any further back, maybe about an inch short.

also the cap dosnt fit all the way down because I built the deck a tad too high and now the livewells and 2 compatments wont let it go any further down.

as for the sides pushing out...dosnt seem that bad, but I wont be able to tell untill I can remedy the first 2 problems i mentioned.

working on a solution this weekend, but basically I can say right now that I will be removing both livewell (since they are damaged anyway) and the two compartments interfereing with the batterey boxes I built in the back. I will most likely build custom live wells since I want bigger ones for more and bigger fish(hopefully).

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

Are you going to paint the hull before installing the top cap, or after completion? I've found it best to paint the hull first, easier to repair inperfections and sand and prep with it flipped over, needless to say much lighter and easier to handle without the top cap.

With the skill you have shown, I'm sure you'll come up with a good solution to the fit. It appears there is no twist in the hull which is GREAT!!

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

Hey Brother! I haven't been on here in a while. Just checking to see how you are doing. I haven't made any progress on my Skeeter.

 

[ddiggerr]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

Excellent rebuild!

Can't wait for snow to melt so I can get back to mine. Just curious which resin you used - polyester, vinylester or epoxy on this build? You mention resin alot, but not sure which one your actually using.

 

[anrluckyduck]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

I just came across your long thread and all the pics of your renovation. I have a Starfire 160 from 1985 and I just, this year, started to realize I have more of a problem with rot than I would have ever imagined otherwise after pouring through these posts. I really do appreciate your sharing all the photos and how you renovated your Skeeter. You should be very satisfied with the outcome and having stuck with this to the end. Wonderful work! Just goes to show you how we can help each other by sharing our successes. Thanks again for the guidance.

 

[anrluckyduck]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

Wondering if you had a problem with getting the cap back on since you had totally gutted the boat losing some support of the hull. I read in Jim Anderson book "Runabout Renovation" that this can be a problem. Doing one section at a time is recommended but not certain if that happened to you.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

well its almost been a full year since the day I brought her home...The winter here was mild and very nice working weather, unfortunately I was laid off from work for the 2nd time in 2010 and ran out of funds. Keeping my house became my priority. Weather continues to warm up to the 80's and Im starting to trickle some funds back into my wallet and I can only look forward to 2011 being a better year. Im glad the community is still here and interested to support my project. I appreciate all the kind words.

On the other hand, I did run into the cap being a tight fit, and built the deck a bit too tall but I have a way to fix that and I will post as soon as I find livewells to replace the broken ones that I ripped out from the front and the back.

Any solutions for livewell replacements would help.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

Hard times effects everyone, I think we all understand that. I wish you the best for 2011. Glad to hear you solved the ap fit.... I'm the live wells can be solved.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

WTR,

Glad to see you back and starting up the work again.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

Long story short I made the move to the Austin, Tx (Leander) area and finally towed my boat here to start work on it again. Trailer didnt fit in the garage so I cut it off with the intention of welding on a swinging tongue kit sometime in the near futre... updates and progress to follow.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 84' Stratos resurrection***PICS***

Good to see you back at.....I trust you job situation is good now too.