'90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

[proshine43]

I got this boat the Saturday before labor day. So I noticed the deck needed to be replaced. I opened it up and found the foam soaked. So now I have the old deck out most of the foam out and working on the rest. I pulled the gas tank out so I can pull its platform out. The stringers are in good shape, but I'll have to build up some of the fiberglass on the hull because the foam sat in there soaked, some of the fiberglass came up when I removed the foam.
I'm still stuck on my stringer situation, they don't go all the way to the bow of the boat, they stop about 5' short and the gas tank takes up that space. I don't know if it was designed this way or if someone did this after the fact. I need help on this one. If you guys think the stringers are ok than I'll leave them.
Tomorrow I'll be removing the rest of the gas tank platform and start cleaning up the hull to start all repairs to the fiberglass.
I'll post pics as I go. So what do you guys think so far. Any of your advice will be greatly appreciated, especialy if you tell me the stringers are fine. They're rock solid in great shape, but this is my first restore so I don't know any better. Thanks for everyones help.

 

[lrcustom]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

Proshine43,
Welcome to Iboats. First the stringers being solid you must be sure that that is true. I too thought I had a good stringer in my Ray but as I progressed I discovered rot in the inner core of the plywood. It certainly looked and sounded good but it was not. So do a core sample using a 1/4" drill bit and check the shavings. Dry and yellow - good to go. Wet and yellow - start replacing the stinger. Dark and the stringer is no good. Just do several samples and if the stingers are good seal up your holes with 3M 4200 or 5200.
As far as the stringer stopping forward need to see some pic's (most helpfull) and we kinda like them here on the forum. It just helps us diagnose the issue better.

Anyway welcome to the insane madness and joy of rebuilding a boat. Lots of great help and expertise on this forum. The replies might be slow today as I suspect that many are out enjoying this probably last day of summer.

Later
LR

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

ok, i finally got more pics. Here you see my stringers in question. They stop 5 feet short of the bottom of the bow. and the gas tank sets on a platform that i just removed about an hour ago. are these stringers suppose to go to the bow or are they good right there I'm going to go ahead and replace those stringers but i'd like to keep the gas tank, its in great shape but theres no other place to put it. As you can see i have to buil up the fiberglass and gelcoat on the keel, see the light shining through?
Again I want to thank you guys on here, with out you guys I'd be so lost.
Gonna head out and do some more grinding now, thanks again

 

[lrcustom]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

From the look of it I would say rebuild as you found it. Check the threads on here for help with glassing in the new work. Leave no wood unsealed. THE TANK PLATFORM WAS THERE TO KEEP THE TANK OFF THE HULL SO THE BOW WOULD DRAIN. Keep that in mind as you rebuild.

Later

LR

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

hello ircustoms. I was hoping you would say that about the stringers, i just wanted to be sure and do it the right way so the boat dont split apart on us. I had to take the gas tank platform out cause it was rotted, unfortunatly the geniuse that installed it foamed underneath the platform. they also installed the fuel line through the draain line thats glassed to the hull back to the engine, then they filled the front of that drain pipe with foam. there was no place for the water to drain. when i opened it up the foam was soaked. my next step is to clean up, grind down and refiberglass the keel area where the water rotted some of the fiberglass. then I will start rebuilding the platform with no foam underneath it so any water that does get in will drain out.
thanks for your reply. I got most of the stringers out today. bummer part is to get the rest of the deck and stringers out i have to pull engine. that looks like a job, never done it. thanks for your help.


brian

 

[lrcustom]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

Yep pullin the engine is a project. Be sure if you do remove the engine before you tear apart the deck and stringers take tons of pic's and even more measurements write it down clearly so when you have to rebuild you have it. Most important is the forward motor mounts. Hopefully you can reuse the mounts you have but if there is any rot at all they will need rebuilding. Also as you have read in other threads do a good check of the transom. A weak transom is no good.

Most of us are in the same boat as you (pun intended) so ask the questions I am sure there is someone here who will have the correct answers.

My Ray was a 2 to 3 month project which is now in it's 10th month and I do not see getting done until November. So my advise is be patient, do it well, don't compromise on the quality of your work. Even if this is the first time you have to do something, there is help right here on the forum.

Enjoy the ride. enjoy the journey.

Later
LR

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

well, finally got to work on the boat today, very hot here today. the entire deck is out except for about 2' on either side of the engine bay, and around the bilge. I started taking out the port side deck and my grinder burned out, harbor freight $20 grinder lasted me 7 years, not bad. went back today to get a new one and found their multipurpose tool for $40 with a half moon sawblade. I was sceptical at first. got it home and wow, so much easier than with a grinder. I know have the port side deck out bilge walls out, the port side stringer almost out and I checked the transom on the port side and it is in great shape, had me worried. Tomorrow I'll take the starboard side deck out and get that stringer ready to come out. still waiting for my shipment of epoxy and fiberglass to come in from us composites, will be here on tuesday.

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

after looking at the exterior of my hull and seeing all the gelcoat that has been patched by p.o. and all the patching that needs to be done I think I've decided that after patching it I'll scuff it up and paint it. Theres no way i'll be able to match that color. I might as well do it while I have oit in two pieces to make it easier. Also I was thinking about patching up all the rivet holes along the cap and hull, when the p.o. decided to do their half a## job at repairing the deck they went wild with the rivet gun, like one rivet every inch. I plan on getting a new rubrail which means I would have to driil more holes. Is there an easy way to patch these or should I just reuse the old onesw. Thanks again

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

Well I got the rest of the deck out today and most of the stringers. Checked the transom on the starboard side and unfortunatly I found dry rot. Now I'm bummed. I don't know the first thing about getting the old transom out. I haven't pulled the outdrive and motor yet but I will soon. After that what's my next step. Seems like everytime I get ahead on tbhis project I get farther behind. Thanks for your input again.

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

Well, I haven't had much time to work on the boat lately. Yesterday I went to harbor freight and got a cherry picker. Got the engine and outdrive off. I can't get the exhaust off at the transom though, all bolts are off but can't get it to break free, any suggestions. I'll try again tonight after work, and I want to get the transom plate off tonight so tomorrow I can start removing transom. Hopefully it don't start pouring again

 

[badkins50]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

good start. just keep in your mind how much you will be enjoying it when it's all done.

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

Thanks for the motivation. This boat has really taken a lot out of me, and my wallet. I'm hoping I've got about 2 months till she's ready. I promised my wife and kids i'd take them around the harbor to look at the christmas lights, but with only 1 day a week and a little after work to work on her its getting tough. Oh well I know the inside and out of my boat now.

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

Ok I got the transom plate out and the lower exhaust pipe off. I started cutting out the transom and found the transom is in two pieces the piece on inside of boat is the normal size, about 2 feet wide maybe 3/4", then there's the one behind it that runs the entire width of the back of the boat. Do I take that entire transom out? That worries me. I found dry rot on the outside piece so I'm sure the inside piece has it as well. Thanks again.

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

Well I started cutting out the transom tonight. I cut the starboard side with my allpurpose and a grinder. No easyway to take that wood out besides a chisel and a hammer.I wanted to try and take it all out in one piece and use it as a template, but that's impossible. If the rain stops enough tomorrow I plan on finishing the starboard side transom. Friday I'll start the Port side. This Saturday I'm taking the day off and going on a friends new boat. That will give me some motivation.

 

[Bendie]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

You have a big rebuild going on. Having done a few major fix-it-up projects around the house, here is my free advise. Don't worry about when it will be done, this is a hobby, not a job. My best luck in keeping a really big project moving has been to try to get a little done every day, even if it is very little. Helps to keep you mentally engaged, avoiding the unproductive "where the heck was I" stuff. What your best guess is now will be off, and low.

My Galaxy rebuild? Next summer, I hope. Maybe later.

Like your gas tank location, mine is above deck. Think I'll try to go with something like your setup.

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

Thanks bendie, I like where the gas tank is as well, the previous owner put it in and didnt build any kind of box or anything around where the filler and vent tube go from the tank, through the deck and to the top of the boat. So thats where all the water came in and pretty much rotted everything.

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

Ok had some time to remove rest of a stringer and found the p.o. nailed the stringer to the transom. Thats where the transom rot came from. Whats the best way to remove the good wood from the skin?

My plan is by friday to have the entire transom removed. You think its possible? I only have about 1-2 hours a night to do it. And then this weekend i wanna start prepping for new transom.

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[Bendie]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

I have seen some threads where the existing wood was cut with a circular saw, sliced about 2" wide, to make a checker board type pattern. The pieces were knocked out with a chisel. I did this with my transom, only had to deal with 3/4" wood, first layer fell out. Setting the blade depth was kind a worry, gave up 1/8" to keep from cutting through. 2 hours was about all it took, but I was whipped. Keep the beveled edge of the chisel toward the transom.

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

finally had a few hours to work on the boat today. I got the rest of the stringers out and most of the transom. The circular saw trick helped alot. Now i have to chisel out the small stuff left behind and make a template. Went today and bought the adhesive, wood and of course the most important, the beer. hopefully i'll have a few hours tomorrow to work on it, wife made plans togo to friends house for bbq.

 

[proshine43]

Re: '90 19' open bow galaxie restore progress

just an update. I finally got the transom all chiseled out and the rest of the stringers out. I got the new transom cut and glued together and its drying in my garage. When i test fit the first peace i noticed the outerskin is warped, if i epoxy and clamp the new transom will it keep its form? also I need to patch the hole that the speedo cable went through as I will not be using it. Do I grind and feather down the hole and fill with fiber glass, or do I fill it with a putty and gel the outside. Thanks again