Hi there,
Been following this thread for awhile.
Really admire your work.
Anxiously awaiting updates.
Cheers,

Thanks, top and glass coming soon...will post when they are installed.

Rub Rails
 

Originally the transom did not have a rub rail on it. When Strick was on vacation in FL. we had a chance to boat BS and he thought a rub rail all the way around would look cool. WHO am I to argue with the guru himself :p

A friend came over to lend a hand. The transom was a learning curve since there was no easy radius. Almost 90' bend. Had to die grind the back and use a heat gun, but it worked.

Transom,

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...r/IMG_0850.jpg

Side view,



http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...r/IMG_0849.jpg

Side with scrap of stainless,

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...r/IMG_0851.jpg


The rest of the rub rail should be easy. However I know when I get the S/S inserts that transom bend will be tricky.

When there's a will there's a way :) Like the color choice on the bimini also. That is an incredible boat. Thanks again for having us....well be back!

strick

Lookin` good. Does the rub rail go on prior to paint?

Good question!

Short answer no...I wanted to get the transom part done and drill the holes before paint. In case there was any F/UP'S :eek: and there was.

So now I will take the rail off fair in a few wrong holes and be ready for paint.

Last Piece...
 

Well I finally got the last piece of the windshield puzzle solved.

Awhile back I posted this picture and asked for some ideas on supports.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...attachment.jpg


The best one was to copy Blue Herons idea. Dave was kind enough to make me two supports. Unfortunately when I got them they did not fit because after I routed the rabbet for the glass the support was a little to wide . Back to the drawing board.

The support had to full fill 2 criteria. 1. support the windshield and 2. provide a strong hand hold.

So here is what I came up with...3/4 inch S/S rod compound miter cut then drilled and tapped. Again it is nice to have a friend in the machine shop business.

The rod drilled and tapped.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...r/IMG_0904.jpg

Close up of angle cut

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...r/IMG_0907.jpg

Nice tight fit

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...r/IMG_0903.jpg


Front View

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...r/IMG_0900.jpg


Both

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...r/IMG_0902.jpg

Extra Hand Grip and Glass

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...r/IMG_0893.jpg

I think this is the final hole drilling and fitting before going to paint...:D

Wow nice

VERY nice work there!!! Kudos

Please please take alot of pictures when you get to the point of installing the glass. I'm going to building a new windshield soon. I'm not really sure how I'm going to keep the glass in.

NICE work on that windshield brace Terry! I'm sure Moesly would have done it the same way if he had used wood for the frame! Does that piano hinge provide enough clearance between screw head and center section when windshield is open or will you have to recess the screw a bit? Would hate to see it ding up the finish after it's done!

Are you planning to paint or varnish the windshield? I saw an article on Jamestown Distributors/Epifanes web site recently that convinced me that epoxy + varnish is best way to finish bright work. It said that many varnish failures are due to water getting under the varnish, which would eventually lift the varnish. (I suppose the same thing could happen if you were to paint it!) It recommended using 3 coats of West Systems epoxy to completely seal the wood, followed up by 3 coats of varnish to provide UV protection for the epoxy. I think Dave/Blue Heron used the epoxy/varnish finish on the cherry wood windshield on his Seafari, and it looks gorgeous! Denny

Oh don't worry there will be a lot of pictures...:D


Denny to answer a few of your questions, yes there is clearance on the screw head...however I will recess the washer to give a cleaner look.

Pros and cons on the epoxy seal. The pros is everything you said.

The cons are (and this happened to 2 people I know) your varnish wears down and everything still looks good, and all of sudden every thing turns creamy...cause! varnish has lost its uv protection and the epoxy has none. The result you have to sand all the epoxy off :eek:

Epifanes recommends the 10 coat layup, starting with a 50% dilution and working up to the final 3 coats of full strength.

The other alternative, is Imron makes a clear coating that can be sprayed on.

So we will do a bit more reading before I decide.

Terry, that's a significant con! Human nature is to let stuff go until it obviously needs attention! Touching up ratty looking varnish is a nit compared to sanding off epoxy!

A neighbor gave me a nice solid mahogany front door with a cut glass window that I'm fixing up and was planning to varnish. It will face north so shouldn't see much UV, but the epoxy would add significant expense. Thanks for the feedback - I think I'll stick with plain varnish and just use plenty of it! Denny

Joey said that even if you recoat the epoxy every year w/ varnish, after about 5- 7 yrs. the epoxy starts to yellow.

That makes sense to me. I'd stay away from clear coating over epoxy. Epoxy is great for a barrier coat under paint.

strick

Finally got some stain on the window frames...now on to the varnish work :p

Attachment 3428

Looking good

I see a lot of love in those window frames :)

Looking great Terry. What else you got going on with that boat? any closer to paint?

strick

It is a love hate relationship...mostly HATE right now :D...the hull is in the blocking primer stage. So progress is being made.

beautiful work
 

Absolutely beutiful work. I've built curved stairs for 25 years...strait square woodwork is easy, but put a compound and a few curves in it and the game changes. Very sweet work on the hull...I just spent over an hour reading each entry in your saga. Very cool.
-John

Thanks, its comments like that...that keep most of motivated to keep on going.

Terry,
Your 21 keeps looking/getting better and better. What are you thinking on the fore deck hatch? Slide rails or flip like the original? Perhaps something really cool employing a fancy power-slide?
-Gillie

A master carpenter!
Looking GREAT!

Ahhh Gillie you must of been on vacation or took a nap...:D

Check out post #278 for your answer. (Keeping it simple)

Just for grins Terry I went back about 10 pages to review your build again, stopped at post #278 like you mentioned to Gilly. Your quote "Windshield fits nicely" just killed me!!! NO kidding, it's just like the whole project, everything fits nicely!!!! Great job! :)

Thanks for the refresher, Terry. Yeah, I must have been sleepin'. I remember most of that page yet the hatch bungies eluded me. Springy bastards... nice simple solution. I had actually thought of using Jeep hood -style releases to make the Seavette a convertible cuddy. Fortunately I quickly shelved that idea.

Not to derail this, but indeed, Denny - mine does raise in front while closed. Or at least it did. Then one day we towed her down to the big pool with the hatch open and found the hatch had scooped a lot of wind and was pinned up against the windshield. Luckily, nothing broke but It was embarrasing:o

An amazing job Terry. Your attention to detail and the meticulous workmanship is so impressive.
I came to work today and turned on my computer,poured a cup of coffee and figured that I'd take a few minutes to see what's going on at the site.Came across the update of your project,and now after 1-1/2 hours of an almost hypnotic state caused by this incredible project of yours,I finally started to get back to my work.

Congats on a beautiful job,I can't wait to see the finish.

Still Going
 

I would like to report that the boat is done and ready to be splashed.

How-ever it is not!

Progress is being made. Below the waterline is painted and the sides are primed. Weather and a few personal issues (not mine are setting the timetable back). But pleased with the results so far.

A few pictures of the hatches. They were sprayed with Grip Tex a mixture of fine and coarse. IMHO they look good :D

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psa332092c.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psf0ce24bb.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psce68ce36.jpg


















http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps5549e770.jpg





The better half is real happy on the slow going...she states "Boy a lot of stuff around the house gets done when the boat is not around" :eek:

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

I really like your non-skid! What's your ETC (estimated time till completion)? The respect to the original design is most impressive.

Terry, lookin' real good so far! Your paint guy clearly knows what he's doing! Can't wait to see the finished job! Denny

Nice work Terry I cant wait to see her all painted!

strick

Hopefully some time in March...need to be ready for Long Point :cool:

I am new to the SeaCraft family. About a year ago I bought an 18 and have been "fixing it up". After going through this thread I am almost ashamed of the way I have treated my boat. Whoa...you are putting a lot of love into this boat.

The one picture that struck me was the one of it sitting in the water. What lines! With that bow it looks like you could find yourself in a hurricane and still be OK. This is going to be a heck of a boat. I can see why you want to do it right. I cant wait to see it finished.

Keep up the good work.

Inspired.

Rob

Freeboard at the bow on the Moesly 21 is almost 5'! Check out the whole story about it on Carla's web site @ http://www.moeslyseacraft.com/21-seacraft.html. I recently posted some pics of a factory original 21 owned by a friend of mine on the Old Pictures thread in the General Discussion section. The original 21 is my favorite SeaCraft model because of it's unique combination of ride, practical and versatile layout, and incredible amount of storage space in only 21'. It is indeed, the worlds biggest 21' boat!

Terry,
Really looking nice & like everyone else, can't wait to see her finished ...
Now I'm really looking forward to the gathering at Long Point ... and a ride
in her!

Bushwacker thanks for the link. I thought it was funny that it mentioned a group of them working their way through a hurricane. I cant think of a 21' boat that would be more seaworthy.

Again, I cant wait to see what it looks like when its finished.:)

Some Paint
 

Finally some color on the boat :D

This is only 2 coats so far and I think we will be putting on another 2.

Nothing that exciting as far as pictures but at least it shows something. After the sides are done than the cap and interior get shot and then it comes back home for rigging....

Bristol Blue

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps39243c0f.jpg

Self Portrait

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psf475569a.jpg

Always need one of the bow

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps02abb35f.jpg


Another self portrait :D with 3 bugs!

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps70e1912b.jpg


Hopefully Soon it will be out there looking for Grouper :eek:

Maaaaaan.....with that dark color the lines on that boat really pop out. Awesome!
John

How much will you be charging for rides??? The endless hours of fairing are really making a statement here. Dark colors ain`t easy. Remind me to get some good early pics of her at LP. Maybe I could get Sarah to paint her for a club t shirt...She and hubby Tom are hopefully coming to the Keys next fall to go diving. I so want her to do a Guy Harvey type of painting in her style to make mass market T`s.

I don`t think you have made a questionable decision along the way. The thoughts of weight and balance alone must have taken your dreams for months. The proof was in the splash.

Can`t wait to see her,
All Of Us!

Looking good Terry. If you already said, I missed it, what paint did you go with?
Dave