Plywood core question
 

I am going to recore all of my hatches this weekend.. I am going to use 1/2" plywood for the core material and poly. I have seen where others have used plywood in full sheets, as well as small squares. I am thinking small squares will be easier to work with and easier to bond as well (from a search on this site). Any other input appreciated!

-Fred

You are right on all of the above...if you do not have the plywood yet then I would use 1/2 inch plascore. Not that much more than plywood and you can get it scored so it will conform to the hatch.

Terry
Darn it!
I already bought the plywood last night...will hotcoat it all etc...
Hopefully it will last another 33 years!
-Fred

After work today I was able to remove the rotten core of my fuel tank hatch. Because I do not have an air chisel..I removed all by hand...
Pics showing removal of rotten core....and the owner making sure I do a thorough job!!!
And a picture per the owner's request....

After my arms fell off and the chest pains subsided, as well as, changing the owner's outfit... because he decided to play in the water hose..I broke out my angle grinder with 80 grit and was able to remove the remaining core from the hatch without any trouble....now I know how Don Herman feels!!!

Question...
How do I deal with the large hole in the above hatch...
I was thinking of backing the hole with a piece of ply with waxed paper while I put down my first 1.5 oz mat on the inside of hatch! The smaller screw holes, I plan on backing with blue painters tape....
Any other suggestions for the large hole appreciated!
Only need to repeat the process on 3 more hatches (bow/anchor hatch, center console hatch and stern baitwell hatch!!!)
-Fred

Great progress in a short amount of time.

Thanks Glen...looking at your signature we have owned the same boats...!!!
Hard to get things done on the weekends so trying to take advantage of the longer days when I get home from work....
-Fred

Was your hatch completely flat? Just be sure when you put the new core in that it does not distort the original profile. You might lose the camber if you place weights on the ply wood to hold it down.

The hatch is completely flat..thank goodness..
I am going to place it on the garage floor when I layup the fiberglass and plywood core squares. Hopefully will get to it this weekend.
Thanks for the reminder!
-Fred

First bevel the edges of the large hole. Then cut out a exact shape of the hole with the glass mat and if this levels the hole with the back side your good to go. If not cut another piece and fill the hole. Now you should be able to lay down the glass mat and then the plywood.

I would also screw the wax paper plywood down so you get very little leakage.

Check out my post(on my rebuild thread) #116 on page 3 for a better picture of what I am talking about.;)

Thanks Terry...glad you answered my question!!!!!
I reread your post (I keep reading yours, Stricks and Blue_Herons threads over and over again!!!)...makes sense that is what I needed!!!!
Thanks again
-=Fred

Today I was able to get 1.5 oz mat (2 layers)on my fuel tank hatch as well as thickened resin with Cabosil and a layer of 1708....I used the garage floor so the hatch would not be all twisted and distorted...I am going to finish up with gelcoat or paint on the underside and get my tank installed....andthen get hatch back on.
Pictures showing the 1.5 oz mat. I ended up going with two layers.
Also blocks that I coated on all sides then poly thickened with cabosil then finally 1708.
-Fred

Looking good. Those squares were a good choice. I went that route on my tank cover also. I used a single piece on a previous cover and wasn't happy with the results. The one with squares and cabosil is much stiffer.

Hope you had a good screed man on that floor..Looks like your resin cup is sittin in a little duck pond. Might just be the lighting Ha Ha.

Just the light there.....I did have to move the hatch around to find a level surface...hehe!
Today I got my fuel tank installed with 5200 on top of my coffin strips as well as resin soaked wood spacers between coffin and tank brackets...I attached the resin soaked wood spacers to the coffin with resin/caboil mixture.
This week after work I plan on replacing fuel outlet hose and attaching tank brackets to wood strips...and getting everything attached etc....
I also placed hatch back on to see how it will fit and to get it out of the garage!!. Hatch will fit nice and flush after I screw it down and caulk the seams!!

-Fred

Center console
 

Boring stuff....
I am starting the rehab of my center console..I have decided to move the steering wheel to the left so I can at least have my wife or son sit next to me...I used plywood coated with resin to fill the steering and throttle holes then added cabosil/resin slurry, fg mat and then my fairing compound on top of that. I did not realize how many screw holes etc were in the console until I started filling all the holes etc. I also ordered my windshield.
Next step will be to finish filiing, fairing/sanding and then prime/paint. Here are some pictures thus far.
-Fred

Today I was able to get two coats of 2 part high build primer on exterior of console. I complete inside of console with 1 part poly and Naptha!
I will now break out the glazing and get what imperfections are left, sand and topcoat. I achieved a great base for my topcoat with my brush only..I did not have to use the roller on the primer. I will see how top coat works out..I might just employ the roller for the top coat like I did on the hull...temps are making it ideal right now for brushing!.

-Fred

More pics of console...2 coats primer..interior completed!

Nice Job

Great job Fred! Who did you end up going with for your windshield and price? Also, I was noticing the footprint of your console and it looks it may have moved forward from where Potter had it originally. I would leave it where it is. Your son is always smiling in the pictures. Great memories for you guys.

Hey Fred, that sure brings back memories from when I rebuilt my console. I had no idea there were so many holes drilled in mine from previous owners, my brother counted over 180 after I took off all the hardware and "stuff". Oh yeah, do all you can inside the console while on the saw horses, after it's installed everything, even as simple as tie wraps, are harder to deal with laying on your back. :)

Thanks Jorge...I am getting there...you made some serious progress in the last couple weeks!!!!

Danny--I ended up going with upgraded windshield from UPD Plastics at 3/8" thick (as opposed to 1/4") and smoked..it was $230.00 shipped to my house...I will receive it in about 4 weeks. I am keeping all pictures so my son can look at them when he is older....yes he is a happy guy!!!

Don--I plan on doing everything and I mean everything on the sawhorses...I am over 260 lbs :(so it is hard for me to work on my back/side in confined spaces for a period of time.

-Fred

I was able to get 2 coats of finish on my console. Now I am starting to get the console rigged..before I install back in boat. I was able to get the starboard dash installed. I routed the edge to get a perfect cut against the console. Also, I installed a hatch and frame for console...So much more to do, including my new gauges etc. I plan on getting everything wired up prior to install of console!
-Fred

After routing the edges of the starboard, I installed the plexi wrap around on console. I still have some small pinholes on console I have to contend with...but might just leave..its just a darned boat!!!
Some pictures..... the boss and owner of the boat is pleased with the progress..he was unavailable for a picture!!!
-Fred

The console's looking good, Fred. What did you use for finish?
Dave

Thanks Dave...
I am using two part Interlux Perfection for everything. It is very easy to apply and the hull finish seems to now be pretty durable. I only used a one part primer and one part bright white poly finish inside console so I can see in there!!!
I have not advanced enough nor am I set up to use Awlgrip etc..
I just used my 3" brush on console to apply and tipped it....did not use a roller.
-Fred

I puttzed around in the garage last week and was able to get holes cut for gauges and switch panel. Now on to wiring gauges etc down the road..........I also received my baystar steering in the mail.


The owner of the boat decided that he wanted to save money on wiring so he started to untangle an old wiring harness I had from a mercruiser. We should be able to get some good usable wire after he is done!!!!
-Fred

I have a wiring harnes with a key switch that works on Merc's don't know if you can use it

Hi Jorge....I dont know what happened to the rest of my pictures..I deleted them!!!
I have a wiring harness for my engine..getting wiring ready for gauges and switch panel..thanks for the offer though!!!
-Fred

Today me and the owner/boss worked on getting the bimini top up...we also installed the binnacle and ran cables...All wiring is done for the switches etc and all I have to do is connect to bus bars and fuse block..Also, I have to install my baystar steering..I am slowing up due to having to fly back and forth to MS to help my mother and look after our 700 acres up there!
Attached pics, including pics of the owner/boss and some other pictures that the owner took as well!!
-Fred

Cool boat Fred :) My kids used to climb all over the boat when they were little too. Now they just want to go wake boarding!

strick

Hey Strick thanks !!!
Yes, my son bounces around on the boat and helps me out on everything...I sure am gonna miss this.....time goes to quickly..... eventually it will be no more hanging out with daddy just for the fun of it:(.....but its all cyclical:)
-Fred

What? There comes a time when you're supposed to stop bouncing around and stop climbing all over a SeaCraft? Nobody told me... I used to do it at that age, and still do it today. I guess the Seafari is like a time machine to me...

Hey Fred,

The boat is looking really good! I'm sure this is the beginning of a life long passion for your son. I'll bet he'll still love the SeaCraft, even when he doesn't "love" you :D

Keep up the great work!
Brandon

What happened to the blue Seafari? I haven't seen her pop up here.

Hey Brandon..hope all is well waayy up there.....good post and so true!!!:)
-Fred

Tday I got some rigging done and got the seats in place. I was going to use a flip flop cooler seat but I have been unable to break away. I decided to use some seats I had taking up space in the garage. Still have all final wiring and straightening out to do but I was anxious to get it out and test it! see pics in photosection of test run!!
Next...finish wiring, painting etc etc....


-Fred

I was able to get dash installed and gauges hooked up...
What should I do with the Lowrance (besides upgrading!!)...should I flush mount in dash or leave as is??? Advice appreciated
-Fred

Rewind---Prep/Prime/Finish--Interlux Perfection
 

A rewind and step back----- I have decided to include three videos from JD that I followed to paint the hull/console and eventually topside with interlux perfection.....

AN overview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Evc...eature=related

1)Prep
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7p2R...eature=related


2)Prime
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSHD-...feature=relmfu

3)Finish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK9Zc...endscreen&NR=1

I was able to install the rubrail today..I went with a Taco all black rubrail. I would have liked to of gone with stainless or all white but again it would of been more upkeep down the road etc..
The kit was very user friendly and it took about 2 hours.
Some pictures
-Fred

Ready for windshield need measurement!
 

I am going to mount my windshield this weekend and complete all on the boat....due to being so close to the finish line!

I just need to get a measurement in order to mount my windshield at the proper height..looking at other boat pictures it looks like windshields are mounted about 3-4 inches below top front of console?
Anyone have a measurement they could share with me?
Agaian top of console to bottom edge of windshield to determine mounting height!
Thanks so much!
-Fred

I can get that measurement for you tonight. It'll be in the morning before I can get it posted, though. BTW, great work on her. Planning on starting mine this fall. Transom to 25", recore and raise floor, etc., etc., etc..........