Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

[ezmobee]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Nice work so far!

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Thanks EZ and jas. Today between the Mothers Day events I restored the side console with the help of my Wife. The condition was horrible and I almost considered scrapping it and making the rig a center console. Thankfully it came out well enough to avoid re-inventing the design.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

The side console begins to take shape.

 

[KellyC]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Going to town on that boat, good work so far. Can't wait to see it done. And how did you get the wife to help out on mothers day anyway? I thought it was supposed to work the other way around on mothers day.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Very nice work. That console came out great. Mine started out pretty horrid also http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2146.jpg yes that's bad house carpet on the dashes

 

[emoney]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Great work so far! This is gonna be a real show piece I believe

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Wow you have made quick work of the teardown, nicely done Bighoss

That old transom may not have held a Minn Kota WOT from the look of it. Good thing you replaced it.

If you think that the pitting has weakened the transom, a used road sign makes a great resource to rivet in and reinforce. A few other guys have done this and they highly recommend it. They are usually a pretty hefty gauge of aluminum.

Very entertaining thread and thorough job so far, I am impressed!

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Kelly, I know the wife is great she not only bought this project for me but buzzes around looking for parts, tools and suggested we get something done on the boat because it was so nice out. I joked that after we finished this one we'd look for an old Chieftan or Islander...less than an hour later she returns with 2 she found on Craigslist. Although, the ones she found were in Florida...I suspect a vacation ploy motivated the search.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Emoney, I sure hope it turns out the way I picture it. I really want it to be something we're proud of.
Huron, the road sign is a great idea and I think the answer to my problem. I wanted to reinforce it as well as cure pitting issues. I'm planning on powering it with a 90hp, a weakened transom no matter how minor would have me doubting the strength on every outing. This is exactly what I hoped for by posting the thread...encouragement and advice from those who have done it. Can't thank you enough for both.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

I dunno what to say man. I am still kinda confused that your better half allowed you to work on the rig on Mothers Day! And even helped!! Wow! Awesome!!

Yesterday, I walked past the Islander a little slow, with a quick glance, and I had a kitchen utencil thrown at me! I think it was a cheeze grader.

Nice work man!

 

[keelwheel]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Wow! I'm so glad I sold the boat to you. I figured someone would just scrap it and keep the trailer. She deserves the love I could'nt give her and Im happy that you are shining her up all pretty! Looking forward to more restoration pics! -CH

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Keel, I'm glad you got there early for us. I wasn't kidding when I said I wanted it really bad. When I'm done you and your friend have an open invite to the maiden voyage, the walleye will be heating up around then. Tell that pro fisherman I still want my thermos and if he wins the Bassmasters again he better look for me to collect.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Real nice work......... actually inspiring to possibly make me re-build my consoles.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Thanks Bob, They're coming along. I'm still trying to think of a color scheme and coverings. I've been looking at the restore threads for ideas and I like several. All the details spinning through my head on so many projects.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Today between the periods of rain I stripped the outside hull to bare aluminum. I used a product called Mar-Hyde that I picked up from O'rileys auto.
It's an aircraft paint remover and is supposed to be low odor and doesn't appear that strong. However, by the end of one side I'm higher than Tommy Chong. Seriously this stuff really works and is well worth the investment.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MHY0/3713.oap?pt=N0483&ppt=C0171

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

That thing is cleaning up really nicely. Super nice trailer you have there too. That rig is going to be like new when you're done!

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Some guys here are reporting good luck removing that glue using MEK soaked rags. I used that stripper before and had good results so I'm about to try it on my new resto. $30 for a gallon is a damed good price. I hope I can get mine looking as good as yours. I know I have pitting in the hull and if its not to bad the plan is to fill and feather with marine tex unless the angry mob convinces me to steal a street sign.
Keep up the great work!!!!!

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

EZ, I know..... the trailer came with the boat.The paperwork for it had a receipt for twice what I paid for the whole outfit. The guy knew he was selling it really cheap but needed it moved from his friends backyard. I got lucky because everything he told me about the deal was honest info., that rarely happens in my business.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Michael, the search for the street sign is on brother! I'm looking for one in local thrift shops and every legal avenue available. Although, there's a "Welcome to Toledo" sign I've been driving slower by every day. I think as long as I keep my socket set out of the truck.... the good people of Toledo remain welcomed for years to come.
The idea to remove the glue is a huge boost to my original plans for this boat. Man, seriously I appreciate it!!

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Ok, here's an idea that's been debated on a few posts before but wanted your input. After stripping all this paint off I'm thinking of leaving it bare aluminum and using the Shark Hide polish and protectant. I went to their website and the marine photo's are stunning. Maintenance issues??? Would you recommend painting below water line? I'll trailer the rig and will rarely leave it docked over a day or two when on vacation. Here's a pic from their site.