Glasspar Seafair Phaeton chop top build

[63cruiser]

So new winter project. The Lonestar cruise liner was not an ideal boat to slow troll in the Columbia. So I came to the forum and Google and starting looking for a smaller fiberglass boat with a deepish V. And also not more that 5 big bills. This fit the bill perfectly. Only problem is the roof is too low and it has the big gap where a canvas top should go.
Plan: remove roof, add a spacer(fiberglass) so it will sit about 6" higher and move it forward and glass it to the windshield frame.
So the adventure started with a 7 hour drive to get it, trailer looked pretty rough but I've pulled worse. Kept it under 75. About an hour in AutoZone parking lot splicing and electrical tapping the temporary tail lights. Only had to stop once and bungee cord, dog leash and gorilla tape a fender back on. But it's home now and the fun ensues.

 

[63cruiser]

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[63cruiser]

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The motor is a 1981 Mariner 80 hp. It looked in excellent condition other than it is missing the ecu. But like all good deals on Craigslist it has zero compression on cylinder 2. Unlike a Johnson that can easily pull the head and see what's going on, mariner has to pull powerhead

 

[63cruiser]

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Question time. Looking at floor options and came across some 1" fiberglass grating. This seems like it would be very sturdy option. I would put a few layers of glass on top of it to seal it completely.

 

[Mikeopsycho]

Sounds like a fun project! I've never seen fiberglass grating before, but it looks nice and sturdy, and it'd be nice not to have plywood to worry about.

 

[63cruiser]

I talked to a buddy that works with fiberglass for a living and he said it would probably be hard to get it bonded to and might have ripples.

 

[Mikeopsycho]

I talked to a buddy that works with fiberglass for a living and he said it would probably be hard to get it bonded to and might have ripples.

Darn....on to plan B I guess.