Work Begins Soon

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Thanks Mark. I've actually pulled a lot of inspiration from the project info you've posted on your Niagra. I haven't posted anything recently as I've been working on removing the old wood from the transom and I figure people would get tired of seeing pictures of ground up and splintered wood in multiple postings. It's coming along though. I'm beginning to think that I might have to pour the seacast next spring - UGH! Hopefully we'll get a warm October down here.

I think I'm going to work on the trim/tilt on the engine to break up the monotony a bit. BOB

 

[INJUN]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Trim?tilt?
It looks identical to mine (yours is newer) and I didn't have t/t. Actually didn't need it.
Looks like you're moving along nicely with the boat. A bud of mine had the same model and only had upholstery problem.
Keep posting photos

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Work Begins Soon

I was wondering the same thing too. Where does this water get into the hull that needs to be drained?

Here's a photo of my 67 Westfield Regal puchased in 1983 for $1200, I'm second owner. I've always kept her in dry storage winter months and keep covered in Summer.
One unfortunate day back in the eightys, i had forgotton that lower hull plug and launched her, after parking my truck, came down to the ramp and found a 3' stream of water shooting straight up from a vacant hole in the deck where the seat base was missing a screw, I'm thinking just that one time was all it took to entirely soak the flotation foam under deck, that was over 20 yrs. ago and now i'm curious as to what it looks like under the deck, guess it's time for an overall, I plan to keep her another 20.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=246667

 

[goalieman64]

Re: Work Begins Soon

I have really enjoyed watching the progress of your boat. I am starting a job on my dads old boat which won't be as hefty of job as yours but looking at all the pics and play by play is a lot of fun. I can't wait to start when the weather warms up. Keep the updates coming.
Mark

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Thanks Mark, I thought I was going to get more work done over the winter than I have, but spring will be here soon. As cold as this winter has been I'm hoping it might come early. Alot colder around your way though. I'm going to pour the new transom during the first stretch of warm weather we get down here. I'll continue to post the progress as it happens so check back often.

You should put some pictures and stats up about your boat. There are a ton of people here that will help you all the way through the process like they did with me. Oh yeah...we love pictures of the project boats around here. BOB

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Here's a photo of my 67 Westfield Regal puchased in 1983 for $1200, I'm second owner. I've always kept her in dry storage winter months and keep covered in Summer.
One unfortunate day back in the eightys, i had forgotton that lower hull plug and launched her, after parking my truck, came down to the ramp and found a 3' stream of water shooting straight up from a vacant hole in the deck where the seat base was missing a screw, I'm thinking just that one time was all it took to entirely soak the flotation foam under deck, that was over 20 yrs. ago and now i'm curious as to what it looks like under the deck, guess it's time for an overall, I plan to keep her another 20.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=246667

I know what you mean about the under-deck flotation. My boat was stored outdoors near Lake Erie for years without a cover, and there are plenty of open mounting holes in the deck for water to get in. It was stored on a sloped driveway with both plugs pulled so maybe all the water drained out. (yeah right) I have too many cans o' worms open as it is so I'm going to ignore it for the time being. Maybe after everything else is done I'll cut a hole in the deck somewhere to check - OOG!

BOB

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Did you remove the gunwale to do the transom?

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Did you remove the gunwale to do the transom?

Nope, I didn't need to remove the gunwales or the splash well. Since I'm planning on using Seacast to replace the wood in the transom I just had to cut the transom cap off with a 4 1/2" grinder with a cut-off wheel. Actually the tansom cap and part of the splash well had to be cut off because they overlapped. Once the Seacast is poured I will reinstall the cap and bend a new piece of stainless steel over it, and hopefully there won't be any evidence of the repair...at least that's the plan.

I did remove the ski/storage compartments below the gunwales so I could replace any rotten wood components with a product that won't deteriorate. This wasn't necessary for the transom repair though.

I'll try to take some pictures of the cut off cap and transom repair area tomorrow. BOB

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Bob wrote...


"I did remove the ski/storage compartments below the gunwales so I could replace any rotten wood components with a product that won't deteriorate. This wasn't necessary for the transom repair though"

Hey Bob, I'm doing the same thing. I just finished making the 1x3 cleat. Used Mahogany. When I get down to the shop, I shot some pics. BTW I'm replacing all the "T" nuts too. Darn expensive... those buggers

Ed

 

[pduquette]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Hey guys , I was thinking during your seacast discussion , and came up with this idea....[it's ok to laugh ] To get the pour up into the corners I would pour the whole transom as normal , up to the cap . Before the seacast sets add 2-3 joiner post (ie 3/8' nylon or ss studs 6"-8") half way into the lower transom and let it fully set. then roll the boat on its side , pour one corner, let set ,then repeat for the oppisite side.
I realise :1 - My boat may be considerably lighter than yours
2 -Ths adds lots more time before getting back to the water
3 - I aint no rocket scientist

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

New Windshield

New Windshield

I've been wondering what I was going to do for a windshield on this boat ever since I got it. At first I was going to try to polish the fog off the plexi-glass one that came with it, but then I noticed that it had cracks all over the place that wouldn't come out with this process. So I decided to try to find a replacement windshield with real glass so I wouldn't have this problem again later.

Most of the used windshields I've come across either weren't the right size or they're in even worse shape than the one I have. Today I went up to Maryland to check one out that was listed on craigslist. It had been taken off a rotten 16' SeaRay bowrider he had at some time or another. After measuring it I found out it was too wide and decided not to buy it. Since the seller wanted it gone he gave me a price that I couldn't refuse.

When I got it home I test fitted it on the Westfield. The port and starboard windshields and side-wings fit very well, but obviously the center section didn't close properly, so I decided to just do away with it altogether. It was permanently attached to one of the side pieces so I used a Dremel with a cut-off wheel to cut through the flange that held the hinge. I then ground down what was left of the flange and sanded the area smooth. When it warms up some I will mask off the glass and paint the frame black.

I think it turned out looking pretty good, and now I have easier access to the bow. Now, back to work on that transom - UGH!

BOB

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

More Windshield Pictures

More Windshield Pictures

 

[woosterken]

Re: Work Begins Soon

WOW,that looks good
don't get rid of the center section,you could rework it to fit the hole any glass shop could cut a glass to fit it.

woosterken

 

[pduquette]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Looks good ! Is it not Sweeter when you get a great bargain ?? Are you going to add center supports to the open ends ? projects looking good !!
Peter

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Thanks guys! I think it looks pretty cool. (hopefully it'll be somewhat functional too) My mom saw it and said it looks like my boats wearing glasses - I guess that means the boat won't be named after her - HA!

woosterken - I have the center section tucked away in the shop. I'm going to wait until I get her out on the water to see if the center section will add any wind spray protection. If not I'll probably just leave it as is.

pduquette - It originally had 2 plastic supports, but one was broken and the other was too long so I took them off. iboats actually has some nice chrome supports for a good price. I need to measure the length between the windshield and dash before I price them though. Maybe I can get those used out of the bargain basement too!

BOB

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

FINALLY...The Bottom!

FINALLY...The Bottom!

I was continuing on with the old transom wood removal today and passed a major (at least to me) milestone...I reached the bottom of the transom! HOORAY!! Once I got there I started moving to the left. Work progressed much more quickly than before and I ended up getting a good amount out in just a few hours while accumulating a nice hill of debris besides.

Thanks again to EdC for all of his help with this process so far (specialized tools, corner caps, etc., etc.). Between my current level of motivation and the nice weather in the forecast I plan on having the remainder of the wood out by the end of next weekend. I'll have plenty of pictures to post if I can accomplish this, so stay tuned.

BOB

 

[woosterken]

Re: Work Begins Soon

WOW, your get there but what good is the watch for digging out wood?

woosterken

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Oh, I had to take it off so my arm would fit between the transom skins to grab the big chuncks. BOB

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Hey Bob
My mom had an old Electro-lux vacuum that had an attachment for cleaning out the old style radiators. Those big ol' cast iron jobbers. I think it was called a "crevice tool" It worked great for getting out those big chunks!

Ed

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Woo Hoo!!!

Woo Hoo!!!

I went back to work on the transom today after work and in about 2 1/2 hours was able to get the remainder of the wood out (minus the corner caps). I'll try to finish those off tomorrow afternoon. If the weather permits I'll start the fiberglass work this weekend. If not, I'll get the supplies at least. I'll probably need help with this along the way as I've never done it before.

After work on Thursday I'm headed back up to Baltimore to look at 2 Captains chairs I saw posted on craigslist, that is if he hasn't sold them yet. Saturday the motor goes to the mechanic so he can trace which wires go to what gauges. Gotta love it when things progress.

Time for pictures! BOB

Gotta get that wood out any way you can!