Newbie Rebuild" 1988 Bluefin Sportsman 1900 w/ 100HP Merc

[BWR1953]

Howdy! :wave:

I just read through your entire thread. Don't know how I missed it before. :noidea:

Good work! :encouragement:

 

[Renderwurx]

Howdy! :wave:

I just read through your entire thread. Don't know how I missed it before. :noidea:

Good work! :encouragement:

Thanks guy! I'm learning a lot as I go along (I think that's what I like the most!) And I'm really just wanting a comfortable, custom boat to go catfishing in (and general fishing). I am SOOOO close to getting into the faster moving things that make it look and feel like a boat. Definitely NOT a restoration... just a custom fishing boat.

I too have been watching your thread! Great stuff. The painting questions and experience is very interesting to me.

I feel you on the health issues... i underwent a bone marrow transplant a dozen years ago for Leukemia. A heart attack last year. And deal with lung issues. Sucks but hey, better than the alternative!

Keep at it and I'll be looking forward to your progress.

 

[BWR1953]

Thanks guy! I'm learning a lot as I go along (I think that's what I like the most!) And I'm really just wanting a comfortable, custom boat to go catfishing in (and general fishing). I am SOOOO close to getting into the faster moving things that make it look and feel like a boat. Definitely NOT a restoration... just a custom fishing boat.

I too have been watching your thread! Great stuff. The painting questions and experience is very interesting to me.

I feel you on the health issues... i underwent a bone marrow transplant a dozen years ago for Leukemia. A heart attack last year. And deal with lung issues. Sucks but hey, better than the alternative!

Keep at it and I'll be looking forward to your progress.

I hear ya about a comfy fishing boat. That's my goal as well!

Man, these health related issues seem to be affecting more folks on the forum lately. Hang in there!

 

[Renderwurx]

It rained like the dickens yesterday, but after work I began wiring the console up. Switch panel? Check! Fish finder? Check! Dual LED Floodlights? Check!

 

[Renderwurx]

I am using the Blue Sea Systems fuse block. Just mocking it up for now to get an idea of how I will run the wiring. For the floodlights, I am thinking about drilling exit holes in the grab bar, using grommets, and running the wire inside the tubing.

 

[Renderwurx]

I just relaxed a bit last night, but did clean up the Nauticus Pro Troller Smart Tabs that came with the boat. These are trim tabs that are supposed to help get the boat on plane faster and reduce porpoising while reducing the amount of motor trimming (greater efficiency). These models are also designed to flip completely vertical to slow trolling speeds. Being stainless steel, these cleaned up like new... normally like $200... not bad for a $650 boat!

 

[Renderwurx]

I also got the bilge pump and float switch mounted on the mounting plate.

Rule 800 gph pump.

 

[Renderwurx]

Another decently busy weekend on the boat. Worked on the front decking. Still have to build a framework underneath, but for now have it attacked to the gunwhale lip with 1/8" aluminum angle. The framework will build storage compartments and provide the support underneath the deck.

 

[Renderwurx]

My initial idea is to mount the livewell/baitwell under eh fron deck and make a hatch to access. but I may move it to the back of the boat.

 

[Renderwurx]

Time to get that foam in!

 

[Renderwurx]

I wanted to make my own flipflip bench seat, so I bought this cooler on sale last fall... and finally got around to working on the back. Many years ago I had a camera jib make by a local metal shop. haven't used it in years so am repurpsing it. The bracket was cut into two pieces for a left and right side mounting plate. Two uprights were added and a back made from 1/2" ply and 1x2 framing.

 

[Renderwurx]

I had hoped to make some type of stops so that the back could be flipped either way with no mechanism that required fixing the back in place. I still will at some point... but for now a few holes drilled with safety cotter pins will do the trick.

 

[Renderwurx]

Sometime down the road... maybe have a bracket welded out of 3/8" aluminum to provide stops for the upright... something like...

 

[Renderwurx]

OK, floor is laid in place. Will rivet it down as soon as I make structural addidtions for things lie the flipflop seat back, etc.

I like to mock things up a bit, and in this case, it gives motivation to see it start to come together. My vision for the boat is starting to come true!

 

[Renderwurx]

I also did a first coat test of Skid-No-More non skid paint with rubber particles. The actual surface is awesome... but the application leaves MUCH to be desired. First part looked pretty good but it went downhill from there. Am going to take the belt sander to it and knock off the high spots, then I'm going to try spraying it with an undercoating gun. I ready where others have used one and the results were fantastic. We will see... ;P

If I like it, it will be on the gunwhales and decking. i will carpet the sides with the same carpet the console has on it.

 

[Renderwurx]

I meant to say that I applied the Skid-No-More with a brush. I read that a roller was horrible. But I wasn't pleased with the results... hopefully the undercoating sprayer will make a more uniform spread of particles and no brush marks with clumps.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Looking good. I like the flip flop seat cooler combo.

 

[Renderwurx]

Alrighty then... so I bought a small 2.5 gallon dewalt air compressor (4.0 SCFM @ 40 psi, 3.0 @ 90) and used a really cheap (under $14) undercoat gun to spray the Skid-No-More rubberized coating... Night and day difference in finish. I love it!

 

[oldrem]

Looks good!

 

[Renderwurx]

Worked all weekend on the boat. Got a lot done although it doesn't look like it! lol

I finished the framework under the front deck and added reinforcement to the pedestal seat mounting area.

I have the center console tacked in place, and got the flip flop seat back in place. Created these mounting boxes for either side. It worked out perfect that a 2x4 with a 1/2" ply top slid snugly under the lip of the stringers. Will put a couple aluminum angle braces on the ribs to tie it in even better. Last step will be to add some solid wood under the plywood to bive the mounting bolts somethign to grab to. Not sure if I should try and use blind nuts or lag bolts.

You can also see the aluminum strapping I am using. A 1/8" strap goes across each rib and provides more support for the 1/2 plywood decking.