Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

[Sleeper-6]

I figured it was time to start a read on my project.

It all started out as me looking for a trailer for a rowboat. I came across a trailer with an old runabout and 9.9 motor all with complete paperwork for less than I was looking to pay for a trailer alone. The boat is lister as a 1969 Cap. Not sure what it really is, it is a NJSP assigned hull number, there is no markings on it from the manufacturer. The trailer is a 1997 and in pretty good shape. However, I was in trouble. Every project I start always turns into a complete rebuild and this one is no different.
Here are some shots of the before

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

I got it home and tore into it. I found the usual, rotten floor, and transom. Stringers were OK because they are hollow fiberglass, no wood at all. I did the usual, Stripped all of the hardware and started removing the wet mush that used to be the floor and transom. I saved the hardware that was salvageable, some landed in the dumpster. The motor has some life left in it, so that's stored in the shed to be revived and sold at a later date.

Breaking it down :

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

I don't understand about the hollow glass stringers??? How did they get fasteners to hold the decking down in hollow glass???

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

There was a thin (1/16) strip of aluminum embedded under the top layer of glass in the stringer. The screws went through that in addition to the deck being bonded in place.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

So at this point I got tired of ripping things apart and flipped the hull to refinish the bottom side before adding any more weight back into it. The mystery blue paint was stripped off, some minor nicks and scratches filled with 3M marine filler and the entire hull sanded to prep it for the Interlux Primer. Once that was sanded down I went with Interlux Brightsides Black and Blu-Glo White for the finish coats. I messed up the first round of black, so that had to be sanded down and tried again. Not to self, do not paint when you are tired, out of thinner, and after midnight. The second round using the roll and roll method went much better. I let it cure for 2 weeks or so and cut it lightly with some 2000 grit to remove the dust nibs, then polished it back up. Everything turned out pretty nice.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

Now I had hit the point of no return as far as runabout status. (Sorry guys) While it was upside down I decided to build it with a Whaler style monocoque construction. While the hull was upside down I reinforced the perimeter of the cap with 3/8 exterior ply wrapped in CSM, bonded to the top skin with hairy PB, and tabbed in with 1708 Bi-ax. This gave me the strength I was after in the bow to remove most of the original front deck and provide support for the future trolling motor. It also reinforced the entire perimeter of the gunwale. I know it is going to be leaned on and stepped on. The original cap was so thin I don't know how it made it this long.
The screws will be removed, wavy areas ground away, and re-glassed to make a nice flat top surface later in the build.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

Now that we were right side up again, the rotten transom we next on the list things to go bye-bye.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

After that it was one miserable afternoon with some goggles, a tyvek suit, respirator, and grinder with a fist full of 36 grit sanding disks. Everything was scuffed down and cleaned up.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

Next it was time for the new transom to go in. I did make a change here. The new transom has been raised to make it 20" high vs. the original 15" piece. This will allowed me to also tie it into the reinforced gunwales to strengthen the hull as and assembly. I also have a bigger selection of long shaft motors to pick from now.
Transom construction is the typical 2 layers of 3/4 ply bonded together with a layer of resin and CSM the wrapped completely with more resin and CSM. It is bonded to the outer skin with hairy PB then filleted and tabbed in with 2 layers of 1708, and finally sealed completely with another layer of CSM.

 

[pbgeneral]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

I am very impressed with your progress in this restoration, how long has it taken to get to this stage? I have a small 15.5 ft King Fisher that has set up for a couple of years now due to needing a new trailer under it. I was out inspecting the trailer, and decided to check the transom for play, and well I found quit a bit of play. I believe I am going to be doing the same thing as you. I have never done any restoration work on a boat, especially the transom and who knows what else I find when I get into it. I will be following your progress with detail. Looks great.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

Thanks! I've been working on this in my spare time since mid February. I'm currently about most of the way through the decking. I'll be posting more pics until I get to the current items. Then I'll be updating as I go along.

Here's some more of the story.....

After the transom was in, I repaired and reinforced my stringers. As you can see in a few pictures they has started to break away from the hull and were damaged in a few spots. I repaired the damaged areas with 2 layers of 1708 to cover the holes, Then I made cap strips from 3/4 ply and wrapped them in CSM before bonding them down to the tops of the existing stringers with PL Premium. Once that had cured I wrapped the entire new stringer assembly in 2 layers 1708, overlapping onto the hull 3" in the first layer and 6-7" on the second.
The reasoning behind the caps is I planned on building bulkheads to raise a front and rear casting deck up on. I wanted something to spread the load from the edge of the bulkheads out across the tops of the hollow stringers.
I then built the rear bulkhead/splash well grid work. This was assembled with PL Premium, tabbed together with 1708, and then covered completely with a layer of CSM. I installed it the two grids into the hull, tabbing them in to the hull sides, stringers and transom with more 1708.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

I got a little creative with flotation foam. I decided I wanted foam, but I did not want it sitting on the floor of the bilge where it would soak up water and never dry out. So I made floors out of sheet foam in the sections that I wanted to fill with foam. It worked out really well. I have foam in the boat, but still have open channels underneath that I can run wiring, livewell plumbing, and have air circulation. I also found out that a hand saw makes a great foam trimming tool.

To give things a finished look I also painted the bilge areas that will be seen through any access points and hatches, . It is white Rustoleum with Valspar enamel hardener as a base. Topped with splatters of gray and blue just to dress it up a bit.

IMG]http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b614/Sleeper-6/Spare%20Parts/2380572070053235105xpmiCx_fs_zps45b879a1.jpg[/IMG]

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

That gap between the bulkheads is sized to hold the aluminium fuel tank thank I picked up CHEAP on Craigs list. I started life as a 32 Gallon tank out of something, and it was spotless inside. Way too big for me, but it was the right height and depth. So after cleaning it out several times with soap and water untill I no longer smell any fumes I chopped the ends off and welded new plates on the sides I had a nice 12 gallon tank that fit just right. I treated the inside to some POR-15 tank sealer and a fresh coat of paint on the outside juse because I wanted to. It passed a 3 PSI pressure test just fine.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

I took the chance to install the battery holder, pumps, run my hoses for fuel (feed, vent and fill), bilge pump, and livewell. Put my through hulls in for the Fuel fill, and vent, livewell, and hull drain before I secured the rear deck down. I didn't take any pictures of the final product. (I'll have to do that). Anyway here's what I have.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

So now that it's finally starting to look like something the rear deck goes on. It's 3/4 ply coated on the bottom and edges with more resin and CSM. I will fillet and tab the sides, and glass the top once I get more of the deck in. It is currently just bonded to the top of the bulkheads with PL Premium. I left holes for a hatch for bilge/mechanical access and a screw in plate for the fuel tank fittings.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

Moving forward....

Now that I could sit on the seat and determine how much leg room I needed to be comfortable, I was build to build the middle floor section. construction is the same as the rear deck. With 2 holes that will be covered by drain grates. These will allow and splash and rainwater (Sometimes it rains on the only day you can get out and fish) to drain into the bilge and get pumped out. I also left a gap on each side for wiring to run through. The two dark strips are thin shims so the deck can sit flat on all 3 stringers. The center one is raised just slightly, I believe even the original floor had a slight crown in it.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

Now with the middle floor settled I could move forward with the front casting deck. this section will house a foam insulated livewell in the center with a deep cycle trolling battery flanking it on each side. between the live well and bow will be a storage area.

I considered many ideas for a livewell, but eventually decided to do what I've been doing. it's framed in 3/8 ply and coated with a layer of CSM on the outside and 3 layers on the inside to keep it water tight. This assembly will drop into the center of the bulkheads and be glassed in. then I will flip the assembly over and use 2-part expanding foam to fill the gap between the two walls. This should lock them together for strength, as well as insulate the livewell that will also double as a cooler on non-fishing excursions.

So far I have built, tabbed, and wrapped in CSM the main bulkhead structure and the outside live well bucket section. Hopefully this weekend I will glass them together and see how it works out. Here's where I'm at so far.

It's really starting to look like a boat again.

 

[relocyo]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

what... no questions??


j/k lookin good bro... keep it up... what are you doin for deck paint? gel coat? surely not carpet

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

Thanks!

No questions that haven't been answered my MANY hours of sponging info off the forums and heavy use of the search button.

I'm thinking Durabak in a light gray for the decks. Plenty of grip and easy cleanup for the win.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Project log : Runabout to Fishing machine

Excellent looking work, I like your foam design.

What size motor you gonna put on her?... I'm thinking 150!