Re: Bracket Project
 

Nice job!!!!

I always hate it when the sand people come and raid my the beer stash too. :D

http://www.vegatransports.com.au/Aus...rs/TRaider.jpg

Re: Bracket Project
 

Graet lookin bracket... you got me stoked to start one.

Re: Bracket Project
 

Chaos - You're close to me . . . we'll have to meet up sometime. Strick and I were talking about going in together on a drum (55 gallons) of ISO Polyester resin sometime in March. Strick still has to build a console and bracket, his friend Jared needs to fabricate some parts, and I need a little more to finish up a few things. I have an account at composites one here in West Sacramento. I priced it out last week and it's 1/2 of what you'd pay for the stuff through Fiberglass Hawaii. If you need glass, brushes, rollers, etc. It's much cheaper to buy from them too. PM me and I can give you details. If I had used an iso polyester instead of vinylester and bought in bulk quantities . . . it would have cost me 50% less.

Re: Bracket Project
 

A Little more progress . . . the middle of the platform was cored last week with 1/2 Marine Ply Squares. That really stiffened the platform up. So . . .

Today I built molds for two pieces that will be glued to the bottom of the swim platform . . . essentially coreing the visable part of the swim platform bottom . . . with two stick'on pretty molded pieces. The resin pool with the plywood squares is full of chopped roving . . . 4 layers of roving on the bottom and 3 layers of mat on top (the side that gets glued to the platform).

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...7/DSCN5948.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...7/DSCN5949.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...7/DSCN5951.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...7/DSCN5953.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...7/DSCN5976.jpg

Re: Bracket Project
 

Not quite following what your doing with that reenforcement panel's?

I am surprised that you picked that access hatch that you did.

The Armstrong hatches are the way to go on that. Order them straight from Armstrong.

http://www.armstrongnautical.com/dckplates.htm

http://www.armstrongnautical.com/ima...es/FishPlt.jpg

Re: Bracket Project
 

Warthog - This is how chuck cored the bottom of his bracket.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/swimpla...s/DSCN3739.jpg

I used a bunch of 6x6 inch squares and cored the center on mine. For the outer two visable/exposed sections of the platform . . . I made these two molded parts to "stick-on" like stamps . . . that way the bottom of the platform will have a nice finished look to it.

You're making me think twice about my choice of hatch, but I've used one of these Bomar hatches on my brothers boat in the splashwell. It has been water tight since 2002 when I installed it and he keeps his boat on a mooring all summer (it's got a LOW transom too). The bracket should be very high out of the water . . . and with 5200 around the lip it shouldn't leak.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/DSCN2991.JPG
This was how they cored the hatches on the boats originally. only they did a better job.

Re: Bracket Project
 

Ran out of epoxy after the stringers . . . so I got to bend over at west marine and pay $141 for one gallon of epoxy resin and hardener (that's what 5 gallons of Vinylester cost). Anyway . . . after I got over it . . . I was lucky enough to get the bracket glued together and taped (3 layers of 4" 1708 tape bonding the platform to the tub from the inside). I even painted the inside before it was glassed together. Came out pretty good considering I couldn't see what I was doing inside the bracket.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...7/DSCN6109.jpg http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...7/DSCN6110.jpg http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...7/DSCN6111.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...7/DSCN6112.jpg

Re: Bracket Project
 

do you have the specs on this and do you bolt it to the transom

Re: Bracket Project
 

And you used epoxy on the bracket...???
You mentioned vinylester......and that you and strick might get 55G of polyester...??

Re: Bracket Project
 

The molded pieces (top platform and tub) were done in vinylester. The stringers were done with epoxy and I bonded the top platform and the bottom tub together using epoxy. Epoxy supposedly has stronger secondary bonding properties. I used a little over 10 gallons of vinylester and 1 gallon of epoxy in the project.

I got some very good pricing on ISO polyester in the 5 gallon pails, so I don't think we'll need to do a drum unless chuck wants to build a boat from scratch.

Re: Bracket Project
 

I have Horhae sanding on your bracket right now. :D

strick

Re: Bracket Project
 

Thanks for the details Big....I wish I knew what ISO implied... :D....No issues with epoxy sticking to vinylester???

Re: Bracket Project
 

Thanks Chuck - The bracket got it's first round of body work and I didn't lift a finger!! That made my week!!

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6140.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6150.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6151.JPG :D

Re: Bracket Project
 

There are no issues using epoxy on vinylester/polyester unless wax is added, but polyester or vinylester bonding to cured epoxy surfaces can be an issue . . . especially if the blush isn't totally removed and the surface isn't skuffed up.

Here's a little blub from uscomposites on different resins.

http://www.uscomposites.com/polyesters.html

isophthalic polyester resin that is used where strength and durability is a must. Experiences lower shrinkage and a higher heat distortion temperature than orthophthalic type polyester resins. Used extensively in boat hulls and in fiberglass mold construction.

Vinyl Ester resin is superior in every property as compared to all polyester resins. This product is used in high performance applications in which high-strength and maximum heat tolerance is necessary. This resin is extremely chemical resistant when cured. Similar in strength to epoxies with much increased stiffness.

Re: Bracket Project
 

Got it.....I was going to use all epoxy from epoxical
since I thought epoxy was stronger.

http://www.epoxi.com/application/hand_layup.asp

But the vinylester sounds good and cheaper....and the
improved stiffness sounds good for a bracket.

Re: Bracket Project
 

BAyou - If I were doing this all over again. I'd use an ISO Polyester resin. It's 40% less than vinylester in cost (where I get it) and I don't think we'll ever come close to pushing the limits of a 5/8" thick glass.

Re: Bracket Project
 

I got the bracket primed this weekend! Just gotta remove the old motor, plug the hole, sand, paint, bolt on, rig, and go!! Only a few weeks till Salmon Season. :)





http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6177.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6176.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6179.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6180.JPG

Re: Bracket Project
 

Big,
Looking very very nice. Great thread keep it coming. :D

Re: Bracket Project
 

You guys are definitely my heroes.....

Re: Bracket Project
 

Old Volvo motor came out ("back home texas" style) on the back entrance to strick's seacraft racho . . . The outdrive and the motor were a mess. Block sanded the bracket again and used some of stricks quick fair to fill the low spots. In the last pic you can see where those molded pieces went . . . they really stiffened up the swim platform nicely. I butted them up against the tub for better support and there's no flex at all on the platform.

Just priming again and painting and the bracket is DONE!! It's no Hermco/potter bracket, but it'll do. One thing I should have done was to make the edges sharp on the bottom riding surface, but that'll have to happen on the next one.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6245.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6247.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6248.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6249.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6251.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6255.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6256.JPG

Re: Bracket Project
 

Hey big....exactly what do you mean by "make the edges sharp on the bottom riding surface". It looks great to me. I like the engine lift out pics....

Re: Bracket Project
 

Looking good.. Gotta love that "Classic Rule" Bilge pump..
WOW! ;)

Re: Bracket Project
 

My edges are rounded . . . now check out hermco's bracket.
http://www.hermco.net/images/bobm0012.jpg

The sharp edges cut/release the water better than round ones.

Re: Bracket Project
 

Those do look good....I see what you mean.

Re: Bracket Project
 

Removed the engine mounts and plugged the hole . . . The outer transom skin is almost 1/2" thick, so I matched the thickness when I made the plug on chuck molding table. Inside skin is only 1 layer of mat and 18oz roving . . . Thought that was a little weird, but the wood is still in good shape for being 35 years old.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6249.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6287.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6288.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6322.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6323.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6324.JPG http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6325.JPG http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6326.JPG

Re: Bracket Project
 

Nice work. Can't wait to see the bracket on.

Re: Bracket Project
 

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6383.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6385.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6384.JPG

Re: Bracket Project
 

Looks great Big.....I think that red is Vivid Red...either the
Jamestown Distr gelcoat or the Awlgrip...

Re: Bracket Project
 

Big,
Been watching you build this bracket for some time now. You may have stated it early on, adn I missed it, but didn't know unitl recently that it was going on the back of a 20' Seafari. What year is it? 74? Bracket continues to look extremely impressive. Transom plug is pretty slick too. Going to be real interested to see what you do for power on that Seafari, and how it sits in the water (how deep the chine sits in the water at the stern) and the performance #'s you get out of it, and how you like it with the outboard vice teh stern drive you had. I have a 76, Seafari that is in pretty good shape (been indoor rack stored since new, I'm second owner). I like the solid transom option of the outdrive, but motor box obviously has its drawbacks. Have thought about pulling the outdrive and motor box to increase deck space, but would like to see a successfuly completed conversion with performance numbers from some modern avaliable power before I go diving into a project of that magnitude myself. Going to continue to closely monitor your progress and performance. Keep it up!!, looks great!!

Re: Bracket Project
 

Kahuna - thanks for the kind words. It's a 1972 hull . . . I'd love to see some pics of your boat. It must be in great shape being stored inside on a rack.

I struggled over the I/O outboard swap . . . and strick talked me into making the bracket. It's taken forever mainly b/c I screwed up a few times, but the bracket is getting sprayed today in my garage.

I'm also really excited to see how the numbers come out with the motors. I have two power options . . . 1980 Merc v150 and a 1979 V200. Both motors are right out of a time capsule (essentially brand new). I swaped the carbs, reeds, and tuner off a Mariner Magnum (same as the XR2 Merc) on the old v150 . . . I'm also going to run the 16 amp setup instead of the original 9 amp. I'm expecting to hit low 40's top end with a 25 - 28 mph cruise (good for the west coast). 150 should save a little $$ on fuel too over the 2.4L motors.

The plan is to fish this year with the engine box and next year tear out the box and free up the back for a nice 30 gallon live well.


Here's some 2.0L 150hp merc numbers on a heavier Wellcraft V20.

3800rpm
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...TestDay009.jpg
4500rpm
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...TestDay011.jpg
5400rpm
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...TestDay012.jpg

Re: Bracket Project
 

Big,
I'm here on the coast in CT. The boat is still covered up, but as soon as this weather breaks, it is goign to be about time to get it out. I'll get some pictures.

That is pretty slick taking pictures of the flow scan while running along. Great idea. I'd say that the 150 is going to give you plenty of "go" and is probably better in the weight catagory. These things sit a little low anyway. Should be a good match.

Re: Bracket Project
 

Strick lit a fire under my butt with all his progress . . . . and what better way to stall strick's progress than to bring the bracket down to his house and force him to work on my boat all day :) It's a close race now . . .


http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6499.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6500.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6501.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6513.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6516.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6520.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6522.JPG

Re: Bracket Project
 

That baby is RED!!!. Nice.

Glad to see it passed the dog test.
Won't be long now.

Re: Bracket Project
 

That dog photo is a great candidate for a "caption" contest.

Re: Bracket Project
 

What finish and color did you go with????
It looks great!!

Re: Bracket Project
 

I can't wait to see this project get splashed !!!

Red Seafari's Rule !!!!!

:D :cool:

Bill

Re: Bracket Project
 

I used the nuetral gelcoat, red pigment, and 25% duratec clear 904-001 High gloss addative. There's some orange peel in places, especially when I shot the back. The color is not an exact match . . . it's a little brighter and needs a touch of blue tint to match up. For now . . . I'm gonna hold off for now and just go fishing.

I'm also very proud of the upside down christmas tree stand adapter on the jack!!

Re: Bracket Project
 

How many beers to get to the frame of mind to think of that? :D

Re: Bracket Project
 

Don- Tim is the king of jury rigging. :D Many times I've looked at him with crossed eyes only to be surprised at his in ingenuity.

strick

Re: Bracket Project
 

Getting real close now.

The motor is on and it looks real good. I decided to go with the old verticle front half 1979 merc v200, 3wire trim setup, 2:1 ratio gears, and a newer cowling :) instead of the 2.0L 150 . . . I'll try them both at some point and compare, but the 200 is on first.

Fuel tank was a lucky find at the local marine salvage stop. It's 35 gallons 23x7.5x48 for $90 . . . any bigger and it wouldn't have fit. I actually had to grind the lip on fuel hatch opening for it to fit. Thanks again strick for all your help this weekend.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6660.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6662.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6619.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6635.JPG http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6639.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6641.JPG http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6644.JPG http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Tims%20...t/DSCN6629.JPG