Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

[JCNailen]

Ok, here we go. Thanks to Bob, I was able to find out that my new project hull is a 19' bay boat made by Aquatech in 1974.

I got this boat April 11, 2010 for a mere $300 with an EZ-Load trailer. Structurally, it is sound. Just old, faded, and un-cared for. It has been run up a sand bar a few too many times, so I plan on glassing 8"/6"/4" glass tape in progression along the bottom just for reassurance.

Here are some pics from when I dragged it home. The center console and seats are gone, no engine, hatch hinges gone. The rub rail is usable, but I think I will replace it anyway.

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

April 13, 2010...

Today I removed everything that was screwed down. Totally stripped it. I got the rub rail off and started scraping off the silicone. All the old pole holders had to go. The vents were pitted really bad, so they go in the trash. All the teak rails and steps - gone!

Here is a trick I learned from a friend a long time ago on my first resto - strip everything, drill the existing holes just a hair larger to get a smooth hole, then take a counter sink bit and grind every hole. When you pull out old screws from fiberglass, the resulting damage looks similar to a volcano. Grinding with a counter sink bit does two things; 1) knocks down the "volcano" so there is less that you have to sand, and 2) it creates a funnel shape so that when you fill it in with epoxy, there is more area for the epoxy to grab on to. (see pictures)

By the way, as work continues, don't expect for all my progress reports to be this detailed. By the end, I will be so worn out that it will simply say "Here, look what I did..."

My camera is not the best at close ups, so I will get a better camera soon.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

Good stuff JCN. Keep the progress reports coming and PLENTY of photos!

TII

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

April 14, 2010...

Didn't get too much done, had other stuff to do. But I did manage to fill a few holes with 3M Bondo-Glass. It's Bondo with fiberglass strands in it. Much stronger than regular Bondo. If you try it, work with very small amounts at a time. You have about 5 minutes before it is rock hard.

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

April 18, 2010...

What a weekend! I did a bunch of fairing, some glassing, and some building. The transom on this boat is in fine shape, but I just wanted to reinforce it and fill a bunch of screw holes the PO had put in it. Looks like he had 2 fish finder transducers, and a bunch of other things run down the back side. This week I have to epoxy/glass the console, fill some screw holes in the bottom, and hope to paint the topside towards the end of the week.

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

April 18, 2010...

Here are some pics of the center console I built today. It will get glassed tomorrow. I will make a separate post in "restoration" about the console incase some one wants to build one.

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

JC,

That was just the tip I was looking for on filling screw holes! I plan to use epoxy to fill the holes on the cap of my project and then finish it with single part polyurethane, but there are a few holes below the waterline I would like to fill and Gelcoat over. Have you had any success using poly with the proper additives for this or is the bondo-glass ok for below the waterline and compatible with gelcoat?

Thanks

Mike

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

JC,

That was just the tip I was looking for on filling screw holes! I plan to use epoxy to fill the holes on the cap of my project and then finish it with single part polyurethane, but there are a few holes below the waterline I would like to fill and Gelcoat over. Have you had any success using poly with the proper additives for this or is the bondo-glass ok for below the waterline and compatible with gelcoat?

Thanks

Mike

Just my thought, but for below the water line I would use epoxy. I used the bondo-glass to fill the hole after the counter sink process, then sanded to just below the surface, then epoxy resin on top of that, then sanded/feathered. This was for top side only. The screw holes on the transom, I used epoxy resin. Bondo absorbs water, so if you had any leakage, it would get to the bondo. The places I used it where where the PO had some rod holders, fish finder, trolling motor mount and such things.

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

Update... On second thought, I am rebuilding the console. I just got to thinking that the one I built was, well... total garbage, and I KNOW I can build better than that. Stepping back to look over the plans again.

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

May 2,2010,

It has been a while since I rebuilt a boat, but one thing remains... WEAR A GOOD RESPIRATOR! I worked on the transom 1 1/2 weeks ago and only wore the paper "monkey face" filters. I have been coughing up dust since then. I rushed out and spent $40 on a really good pro filter.

Back to the project... I now have everything ready to paint the topside. I just need to dust/vacuum/tack cloth. This is when it actually starts looking like a boat again. I'm so excited.

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

May 13, 2010...

Got the topside painted. 2 coats of Rustoleum Topside paint. Good stuff too. I went a little further and layed down 4 coats of polyacrylic high gloss afterwards. Don't have pics of that though.

This weekend I am laying a really nice marine grade carpet that I picked up at Lowes. Can't wait. After the top and inside is finished out, I will tape it up and cover with plastic sheet. Then I will start on the bottom. Not much to do accept repair some dings on the keel, sand and paint.

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

Some more pics...

 

[SBTOM]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

wow, looking good! what color are you going with for the bottom?

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

I think I have decided on a white on white with black trim. Like a Carolina Skiff. Black rub rail, 1 1/2" black stripe at water line, or at least along the chine. Topside hardware will be black (rod holders, fuel inlet, lights) and dark gray carpet. And paint the trailer black, with some white pinstripes.

 

[Shamus O'toole]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

nice project!!

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

Thanks! I am putting in the carpet tomorrow. I'll post pics, check back.

 

[SBTOM]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

That white on white color scheme should look great. keep on with updates, I want to see how this turns out! cheers- Tom

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

May 17, 2010...

Whew, what a day. Got delayed in the beginning, but then I finally got to work on the carpet. 10:00 pm, time to quit for the night.

Here are some pics of the carpet installation thus far. For the aft hatch and the casting deck hatch, I am using a zinc plated piano hinge. Should last for a while till I can find a stainless one. Screws are stainless, The carpet tacks thingy's are aluminum. The carpet came from Lowes, it's a marine grade UV protected with a 5 year fade warranty. I have to tweak the miters tomorrow, and finish glueing the rest down.

The length of the sides bow in just enough to not allow using the strips down the side. As you can see in one of the pictures, I have lines the edge with some black nylon rope. Doesn't look too bad, but not really what I was wanting, but I can live with it. If anyone has ideas, I am listening...

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

Some more...

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Aquatech 19' CC Bayboat Restoration Updates

May 21, 2010...


Whew! Finally done with the carpet. Now all I have to do is put the black rope around the edges. I'll do that tomorrow, and trim up the mitered corners of the carpet tack strips. Here's some pics.