Avenger Project - NEW QUESTIONS!

[croSSed]

Hi.
See the link below:

s110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/tadpoleig/

I have two questions to present to you
1.) Advice on gelcoat repair
2.) Fuel tank options.

Gelcoat - As you can see by the pictures, I cut the dry well out to get to the transom. I've been thinking of having a pro reinstall the drywell because it should look nice (like it was never cut) when it's done. It's looking like the budget will not allow for this. Can anyone steer me in the right direction on how to do this repair so that it looks nice? There are some other gelcoat scrapes here and there as well that I'd like to repair.

Fuel tank - This boat originally had a 18-20 gallon alum. bow tank. I don't like this tank because I like using the area under the bow as storage in my boats. The tank makes this rather large space completely useless. I've been thinking about installing a stern tank under the drywell. However I'm concerned that this will throw off the balance of the boat; make the thing squat really low in the rear at rest, and maybe make it a porpoising nightmare at planing speed. Thoughts? Thank you all!

TG

 

[Mark42]

Re: Avenger Project - NEW QUESTIONS!

Before working on the section of splash well you removed, I suggest that you fit it back in place and tape firmly with clear packing tape. (this will let you see how well it lines up through the tape). Then cut and fit two pieces of plywood to cover the back side of the cut lines, and drill holes and screw in place, ensuring that the splashwell fits in place right. Be sure to leave a gap to compensate for the kerf from cutting.

Now take it apart. The holes and plywood will be your "fitting" template to allow you to reassemble it after grinding the edges and they are no longer an exact fit.

Grind all mating edges down to a long 3 or 4 inch taper on the (top) side, also rough up the back sides. Now assemble using the plywood template and screw holes. Fill in the taper with layers of glass, grind smooth and paint or shoot gel coat.

Regarding the gas tank change, to a test first. Add the equivant weight to the stern (use water filled jugs, or any other things you have that are heavy) to simulate a full gas tank, and go for a run. Be sure the front tank only has a gallon or two. You should see the affects of relocating the gas weight without having to actually install a tank.

Nice job so far. Real nice.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Avenger Project - NEW QUESTIONS!

Blanche, I think if you follow Mark's advise, the refit of the splashwell will work. You will need to match the color of the gel coat, or paint the repaired section to match the gel coat. You can use a plastic applicator to apply the gel coat, cover it with saran wrap to cure, and sand it smooth.

As for the gas tank. My 16' Avenger has an 18 gal tank in the bow. The weight tends to hold the bown down, when I would like it to trim up. However, adding that much weight to the transom will make a low transom sit lower in the water. I would not expect any performance issues, it is just not that much weight. It is like having a friend sit in the back of the boat. (20 gal fuel X 8 lbs/gal = 160 LBS plus the tank)
The only other choice it to have twin tanks under the seats, if you can find tanks flat enough. Now that will be a mess.

 

[croSSed]

Re: Avenger Project - NEW QUESTIONS!

Mark/Chris,
Thank you very much for the responses. VERY helpful.
Mark: Thanks also for the props on the job I've done so far.

TG

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Avenger Project - NEW QUESTIONS!

storage is a major problem in that style boat. fuel tank in stearn, i think that splash well is going to get a lot of use, and don't make a quick stop. the backwash may come over it. if you are going to reuse the current upolstery, you can shove life jackets, between the seat backs and the hull sides, hopefully. the enginners put that tank in the front for a reason.