Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

[D.spencer]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

the pics here are finally! it has been awhile. It seems that the forces of the universe conspire against me and keep me away from this.It is dirty and has leaves in it but some progress has been made

 

[D.spencer]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

I started to lay out where I wanted a switch panel on the dash but stopped when I realized since the new steering controls were not in yet ,they may be in the way so that is on the back burner. notice the roller under the rear trailer roller? it is a "driveway" roller I custom made because my driveway is arched in such a way as the trailer "drags"- the roller should keep this from happening again.

 

[D.spencer]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

Howdy all, more pics,let me bring ya'll up to speed- when I had the cap off, I replaced the wood at the helm and everywhere else wood was located as reinforcement in the top. That was a no-brainer. As per the pics, the original hole where the steering mounts I filled in as the original was mis-located and I knew that I would be going with a no feedback steering system and it may require a hole in a slightly different location. I now had to drill a new hole per the plans furnished with the kit. one thing I also did was after I cut the big hole, I mixed up some resin and applied it to the edges of the raw wood so water can't get in so easily.

One more thing- they don't tell you this in the instuctions,but I recommend putting a little bit of marine grease(or silicone grease) inside the plastic bezel that slides over the steering wheel shaft. My other boat I did (long time ago) started squeeking from there because it was dry and taking stuff back apart after it has been in use for awhile is not fun.

 

[D.spencer]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

The control panel switches I ordered from I boats store finally gets to go in!! I did the same thing after making the hole,I mixed up some resin and applied it to the raw wood edges so water can't get in. I used several layers of tape around where I needed to cut out to keep the jigsaw from beating my gelcoat to death.I started by drilling holes at all the corners and then cutting out along the lines and finishing up with a large coarse file.

 

[ifeeltheneed4speed]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

Did you ever get this finished? Was REALLY looking forward to seeing how you finished it off........

 

[ifeeltheneed4speed]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

For some reason your last post was dated 2009. After I sent the previous message, your newest pics popped up. She is really looking good!!! Cant wait to see your BRAND NEW BOAT!!!!

 

[D.spencer]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

hello all- it has been some time and as of yet it is not completly finished all though I will admit I have had it on the water- (Just could not stand it any longer) .It is sooooo fast!!! .I forgot my gps so I really don't know but it was awesome!!! the boat must have been really slow due to all that water logged foam. This weekend finds me rebuilding the power trim system-It is a laborious process because this one was in bad shape-no quicky fix here. Should I post some pics now or wait till it is completely done? what say ye?

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

Should I post some pics now or wait till it is completely done? what say ye?

Pix, we always want to see the latest pix!

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

Hi Spence holy smokes she's a looking sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

definetly POST THOSE PICS or face banishment! lol

hey a vid on YOUTUBE would be real neato....show that wake and rpm guage etc....whhhhaaaaaaaaa! haulin butt!

 

[D.spencer]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

It is not finished yet but here they are for your enjoyment-

 

[D.spencer]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

some more pictures-

 

[D.spencer]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

and lots more pictures-

 

[D.spencer]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

and a few more-

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

Looks great! What pedestals did you go with for your fishing chairs?

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

Very nice! The fish don't stand a chance.

 

[D.spencer]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

What pedestals did I use? heh- heh, I re-used what was originally on the boat ( what came on it when I got it) I was (still am) strapped for cash and it was too easy of a decision to make as I can easily upgrade those seats later (and will- just got to get a little further down the road with this project).

 

[mwhitey]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

Mr. Spence,

Just wanted to tell you how MUCH i've enjoyed this thread as the new owner of ABF from what i can tell is just about damn near the same year model as what you've got your hands on. There were so many variations of this boat in the short time they were around and so few good examples on the web, that yours is about the only one ive seen that seems so close in origin.

I really like what you've done with the front seat 'floating' to give a little extra room up there. In the short time I've been fishing mine I noticed it gets a little cramped up on the bow. Putting hinges on the transom bay access panels is brilliant. In fact your whole thread has been great to watch. the only thing i was a little dissapointed in is that you took out the middle control console: i get a kick out of my armrest / control panel.

Thought you might like seeing my rig with what i can only assume is the original 1976 carpet (aside from the floor) and actually the Merc is the original '76 too.







THANKS!!!

 

[D.spencer]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

Mwhitey- thanks so much. I am amazed at the photos of yours as it has been the closest I've seen to mine thus far-and I have looked at every one I can. Re; The front fishing area- strange you should mention this as I have given much thought to why they did the "notch" as I call it. Mine never had the pedestial seat mounted like yours-there was no holes cut and filled-I checked this thoroughly during the rebuild. As I got it it had a piece of "plywood" screwed down and reinforced with 2x4 's and the seat pedestial mounted on it. It appeared to me this was not factory and had been replaced by someone at some time. I came to a couple of possible solutions as to why the factory might have done that that way but none seem to "fit". what was weird was there were no holes thru the plywood and into the glass like you would think there would be. It was supported entirely by the 2x4's to the floor. This really did not make sense- my thoughts are it may have had a stainless steel panel(or alumninum) bent into a "L" shape and the seat pedestial mounted to it but then why do it that way? was there storage under it? did it come off for some reason? or not? maybee, it had a cooler that fit the notch and the seat mounted on top of it somehow and you could put your beer (or favorite beverage) there. but the shape did not make sense for that and ( why not make it square?) I have put way too much time into thinking on this but I hate when something stumps me. . The center armrest- I am on the fence about putting it back in for now,(I still have it). When it was on before, I had installed some switches there and would accidentally turn them on or off moving about in the seat. I was kinda thinking about putting a 3rd seat/middle seat there if'n I can save up for the seats I would like to have.

 

[pmillar]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

If you haven't already, you need to write this boat into your last will and testament. I'm guessing it's going to be around for a very long time. Outstanding work and excellent documentation in this thread.

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: Terry ABF floor repair/rebuild

Geez Spence....you realize that you saved about 35 thousand bucks by redoing this boat.....new ones easy run 30-45k.... now its on to SLAYING BASS

(I never thought Id be saying this to another dude but....) your Johnson looks magnificent!