Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

[pmat1]

What have i gotten myself in to?

Last night,, got windshield, seats, carpet, and more out

Tonight.. got the 'rude off, got rubrail off, drilled out rivets, cap ready to come off tommorow
Outboards are not light!

 

[drewpster]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

If you could hear me laughing right now you would think I was making fun of you.

Welcome to my madness!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

Please resize those pictures.

Sounds like you are on the right track..... since you are in PA I hope you have an indoor work area....not too much time until all outside boat work is put on Winter hold.

 

[pmat1]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

Will do bobvt..
Yes, i have a heated garage, I think its already winter here, its currently snowing.

 

[pmat1]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

Today, got the cap off, that wasnt too bad...

Not sure what this stuff is.... looks like resin with airsoft bb's in it..

 

[tinkeringwackyone]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

looks like you are off to a great start. keep up the good work. like the lines of the boat

 

[pmat1]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

Floors out, as you can see in the pics it wouldent have lasted much longer...

 

[drewpster]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

Wow! great progress. Looks like you are well on your way to new cores. Is the transom out too?

BTW pmat1- The tri-hull I have scattered around my shop is a thundercraft too. Its like we are best friends really........

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

Hi pmat1 - That is a great boat! My neighbor in MA has the same year and model Thundercraft with a 90hp Mariner and that thing FLIES at full throttle!! We take it out in Buzzards Bay to fish all the time too and the deeper lines on the boat really help with stability.

Keep up the good work, I'm subscribed to this one!

BOB

 

[pmat1]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

drew, the transom is actually rock solid, so i'm not bothering with it.
haha maybe we are best friends...

landscaping wiz, thank you! could you tell me the model? i really have no idea what it is! mine tops 30mph with a 70, and waterlogged floors

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

landscaping wiz, thank you! could you tell me the model? i really have no idea what it is! mine tops 30mph with a 70, and waterlogged floors

Not sure, but the length and lines of the boat are the same as yours. I'll give my neighbor in MA a call to see if I can find out the model name.

BOB

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

drew, the transom is actually rock solid, so i'm not bothering with it.

It doesn't look too great. If rot has started anywhere in it, it will continue. Since you have the cap off, definitely do the transom while you're at it.

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

Do the transom now while its easily accessible, you will thank yourself in the end. Its Somewhat of a pain but imagine 2-3 years from now you have to do it...............

 

[pmat1]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

I think i will do it and get it over with... Project is kinda on hold for a week, i need to buy wood, and cant fit it in my Trooper... so i will have to wait till the weekend when i can use my moms boyfriends truck
in the meantime... i build a stand for my motor!

looks like crap but its strong!
I had fun lifting that engine up by myself, i thought my arms were gonna explode

 

[jonesg]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

That transom looks quite shot.

 

[pmat1]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

Whats the easiest way to get the transom out? I would like to keep it in one piece so i know exactly how to cut the new wood....

 

[pmat1]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

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[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

You can try to get it out in 1 or 2 pieces using pry bars and wedges, but it would probably be easier if you used some cardboard to make a full sized template of the old transom while it's still in the boat. That way if the old rotten wood crumbles and breaks apart you'll still have a usable template. Cardboard is a lot easier to cut & shape in a confined space than plywood too!

Try to get a cross section of the old transom as you pull it out so you know how wide the new one needs to be.

BOB

 

[pmat1]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

Ok thank you, i will try that. Right now my problem is the nuts on the back tow hooks are totally rusted and i cannot get them off.. any ideas, id rather not cut the hook.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Here i go.... Thundercraft Restore

They are easily replaceable. I'd grind 'em the heck off. Also I agree with Landscaping Wiz above....just hack out the existing transom however you can. Then make a cardboard template for a new one. It's not a complicated shape.