CHRIS CRAFT "Viking" 1982 Cabin Cruiser Restoration (With Pics & Video!!!)

[ingalp01]

Ordered all my Fiberglass products from U.S. Composites

Ordered all my Fiberglass products from U.S. Composites

Well, I placed an order for all of my materials from U.S. Composites this evening. I think I spent about $150.00 for everything I thought I might need. I'm probably either wayyyy under or wayyy over in my materials estimates, but I'll know soon enough.

Basics purchased:

1/4 inch Chopped Strand (for peanut butter) 4 lb. tub = $11.50

Aerosil-Cabosil (for peanut butter) 5 qts. = $7.25

1.5 oz. Chopped Strand Mat - 10 yds. @ $2.55 yd. = $25.50

435 Standard Polyester Layup Resin - 2 Gals. @ $29.50 Gal. = $59.00

Extra MEKP Hardener 2oz. = $2.25

Surfacing Wax Additive??? (Wasn't sure, but who cares) 2 oz. = $2.25

Miscellaneous mixing tubs, measuring cups, stir sticks & squeeges, for another $30.00 or so, plus shipping...

Total prior to shipping costs (Estimated) $137.50

Swim Platform will get re-cored as soon as I have all my supplies. In the meantime, I'm going to build myself a nice rolling workbench suitable for clamping the swim platform too while I lay in the new plywood and glass it in...

I'll keep y'all posted...

 

[ingalp01]

Fiberglassing Supplies have arrived...

Fiberglassing Supplies have arrived...

So I received all of my supplies from U.S. Composites this evening and got things sorted on my new fiberglassing table...

$30.00 bucks for shipping, but you definitely can't beat their prices.

I also plan to lay some shower liner, thanks to Woodonglass's suggestion on top of the ply for the table top, due to ease of clean-up... And by the way, the fibers from the CSM get everywhere!!! I can see that fiberglassing is a messy proposition...

Here's a video of my new glassing table, and the supplies... Let me know what y'all think... Later guys...

And for the techies, I shot and uploaded the video from my Android powered smartphone...

 

[boatnut74]

Re: Fiberglassing Supplies have arrived...

Re: Fiberglassing Supplies have arrived...

Looks like you got everything you need to keep you busy for awhile. I had good luck with US Composites as well, well packaged and fast shipping.

 

[ingalp01]

Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Hello all...

I got started today Re-Coring my swim platform, and for a brief re-cap, remember when I was removing things from the hull, I discovered the swim platform was rotted out, so here are some pics of what it looked like then...



And today I began the work to bring it back to life... I decided against laying in the peanut butter today. I will fill all of the gaps around the edges after the current layer of glass has cured and then I'll remove the clamps, get the peanut butter in the gaps, and round over the edges, and then I'll lay on what I figure will be three layers of 1.5 CSM on the underside of the platform, let that cure and prepare it to receive paint... Here's the video's for today...

So that's it for today, maybe I can get this thing done this coming week. I'll be working the swing shift, so I'll have time to kill in the mornings before I go in... Have plans for tomorrow and Sunday that don't involve boat project stuff, so it'll have to wait...

Later guys...

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Just a quick update... I got home tonight and went out to check out the fiberglass work , and it's setting up nicely, still a little tacky, but I really like the way things are turning out. I think all in all I'm going to enjoy working with fiberglass... It sure is a lot easier laying it in than sanding it down... LOL... That's it, can't wait to finish the platform and get some paint on it...

 

[produceguy]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

NICE!!! Cool you have a mold to go off of.
What kind of paint will you use?

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

I'm pretty sure this thing will be a Rustoleum Beauty when all is said and done. I never plan to have her in the water for more than a weekend straight, so the Rustoleum should hold up just fine. Thinking of doing the same on the hull, but I have a ways to go before I'm ready to paint the hull... I was hoping to finish the swim platform this week, but the AC compressor clutch went out on the Suburban last night, so that's my priority to get fixed this week. (95 plus each day here) I think I can do it myself, I'll investigate tomorrow morning and see what all is involved. "IAS" (It's always Something!) LOL...

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Well, luckily the AC issue on the Burban was just the AC compressor belt. I went ahead and replaced the AC Compressor belt and the main accessory drive belt this morning and everything seems to be working just fine, so good news on that front... Frees up money to spend on the boat...

So I'm going to lay on the next few layers of glass on the swim platform tomorrow before work. I plan on putting peanut butter around the edges of the plywood core and then laying on Three layers of CSM. I plan to video the entire process from prep to last layer of CSM... It takes a little more planning, but hopefully there will be some good fiberglassing info. in it for someone...

That's it, see ya'll tomorrow...

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Well, its always something is right... Turns out the compressor is on its last leg, it's binding up, which is what destroyed the ac comperssor belt. It started eating up the new one, so... Dealing with the truck right now... maybe I can get the swim platform finished later this week. I'll keep ya'll posted and hopefully have some in depth video on the rest of the fiberglass work...

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

So I decided to bite the bullet and pay someone for the new compressor and basically all the other new/recommended components for the Burban... That freed me up to complete the fiberglass work on the swim platform today... Here are the videos... It turned out great, some sanding and then it's time to play with Rustoleum and the enamel hardener and see what I can make happen with Woodonglass's (not so secret) hull painting recipe...

And by the way, I ended up having plenty of resin... I'll probably need some more before all is said and done, but that's ok by me...

Hey Woodonglass, if you happen to stop by the post... Can I just buy the industrial Rustoleum from Home Depot, and then get the hardener at Tractor Supply, or do I need to order the Marine Rustoleum stuff??? Thanks...

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Hey all,

I know I've been scarce over the last couple of weeks, but work has just been nuts, plus the boy's football season has started and the soon to be step-daughter's and future wife's cheer season has begun... Needless to say, I'm one busy S.O.B... LOL...

Due to a request in a PM, I'm going to post some cabin interior pictures.

She's a very nice and pretty boat as she sits, but I have some cedar planking visions for the interior sole, and the aft cabin rear wall in my mind, so I plan to upgrade her interior before all is said and done, but here is how she sits today, minus the captain' chairs, which are removed and will not be going back in. I have different visions for the cockpit.

Here's the definitely 1980's interior...

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Anyways, that's what she looks like now, which isn't bad, but the future "Father in Law" owns a fabric distribution warehouse, so new materials will be going in along with the cedar planking idea for the sole, and possibly the rear wall of the aft cabin... All will become clear once the work starts inside the cabin. I still have to get the mechanicals and the hull sorted at the moment...

As far as my progress, I have done a lot of sanding, I mean A LOT of SANDING on the swim platform, which actually revealed some more damage, so I have a few more repairs to do, and then I hope to paint the swim platform, and then move on to finishing the hull...

I hate to admit, that I basically haven't even been able to read posts in the last couple of weeks, I've just been too busy with work and activities, etc!!!

I hope everyone is doing well, and hopefully I can catch up this Saturday Morning...

Later guys...

 

[Luhrs28]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

That's a really nice layout. It looks like the PO took good care of it also. All the wood looks to be in good shape.

That's a great long-distance cruising boat.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Phil, enjoying the thread. The videos definitely add a lot. They should be mandatory on resto threads from here on out. Just about to start restoring my chris craft. Actually picking it up in Atlanta this weekend. Look forward to following your progress. Keep up the good work.

Patrick

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Big Day here in the old ATL... My 15 year-old son thinks we are driving to the northside of town to attend the fiance's daughter's cheer leaders root for their Rec league football team, but I've secretly secured tickets to the...

Georgia Bulldogs / Boise State Game at the Georgia Dome!!!

We're huge Georgia fans, and he's gonna poop himself when I peel off the Interstate and reveal the surprise!!!

New Father / Son UGA Bulldogs Polo Shirts ($50.00)
Gas for the Suburban ($100.00)
Dinner at Hooters in Downtown ATL for two ($30.00)
Tickets for a huge College Football Opener ($215.00)
Quality time with your son = ($$$ Priceless $$$)

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Big Day here in the old ATL... My 15 year-old son thinks we are driving to the northside of town to attend the fiance's daughter's cheer leaders root for their Rec league football team, but I've secretly secured tickets to the...

Georgia Bulldogs / Boise State Game at the Georgia Dome!!!

We're huge Georgia fans, and he's gonna poop himself when I peel off the Interstate and reveal the surprise!!!

New Father / Son UGA Bulldogs Polo Shirts ($50.00)
Gas for the Suburban ($100.00)
Dinner at Hooters in Downtown ATL for two ($30.00)
Tickets for a huge College Football Opener ($215.00)
Quality time with your son = ($$$ Priceless $$$)

Oh good Lord a Georgia fan. I am gonna have to stop watching this now. LOL. GO GATORS!!

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Yes, we are huge Georgia Fans, and now with the loss to S.C. last weekend, things are looking bleak for the DAWGs!!!

Oh well... Let's do fiberglass work instead... The next post has some more Swim Platform Repair videos and such. little by little and week by week, its getting done... I'm afraid my splash date of July 4, 2012 will be here before I know it...

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Wow... get busy for a few weeks and your resto thread will drop all the way to page 10../ :facepalm:

I did some more work on the swim platform today, finally getting a little time to work on the boat. Here are the videos of the day and all in all it turned out just fine. I am looking forward to finishing the inside glass work and get everything trimmed, ground down and sanded... For anyone contemplating fiberglass work, just remember to plan ahead, work fast and keep in mind prep, prep, prep. Here's the vids...

That's it for today... It's football night in Georgia and the boy has his homecoming game tonight... Hoping for a victory... See you guys later and I'll let you know how this turns out.

I have some transom assembly work planned for tomorrow.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

The swim platform is looking good!
I really like your interior layout. Do you plan on changing anything with the layout?
I like your cedar planking idea.
Have a good weekend.....Go dawgs!

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

Re: Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform...

The swim platform is looking good!
I really like your interior layout. Do you plan on changing anything with the layout?
I like your cedar planking idea.
Have a good weekend.....Go dawgs!

Thanks... No Plans to change the layout. I've thought of removing the water heater, as it doesn't work, and basically the shower/head area is too small for any kind of effective showering anyways. I figure with a nice private cove, and the fresh water wash down, a quick rinse off/shower could be accomplished on deck.

Additionally I think I am removing the refrigerator, as that seems like it would be a huge power drain on the house Batts when at anchor. (My main plans are for overnighting away from any shore power. Just anchoring in a cove and enjoying the night.) When I'm done, there will be two coolers on deck beneath flip flop seats, and I plan to modify one of them for half wet / half dry goods cooled storage.

My buddy does tractor trailer repair and is trying to talk me into an air conditioner that could be mounted in the space where the fridge is now. No condensation issues, as it vaporizes any condensation produced. Completely self contained, and can allegedly be run off of a 1500 watt inverter. I need to look into that...

The cedar will replace the cheap plastic mirror material that adorns the rear wall of the aft cabin, as well as the sole, and the floor of the head. I'm thinking of fabbing up some cedar closet lining for my purposes... That's about all I can think of as far as the interior goes, and of course, the new fabrics...

See the next update for some more swim platform news...

 

[ingalp01]

Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform... FIBERGLASS WORK DONE !!!

Re-Coring a fiberglass swim platform... FIBERGLASS WORK DONE !!!

So I did the last of my fiberglass lay-up work on the swim platform today. No videos, as they are just as boring as the last fiberglass lay-up videos... LOL... Basically I've filled in the inner portion of the damaged areas and built up with raw glass and some medium/thick peanut butter to the desired thickness. Once it's all cured, some grinding, and the oh so joyful act of sanding it all down and prepping for the paint.

I don't like sanding fiberglass by the way... But, I can see the end is near and I have learned a ton about working with fiberglass while doing the swim platform. I hope to learn just as much when I prep and paint it, and then I will apply my new found skills to completing the hull repair and painting that.

So hopefully I'll get some more accomplished this week and I'll keep y'all posted.