New Member, New Seacraft 18, lot's of problems!!!!
 

New member here, just picked up my first seacraft. Obviously by my name I'm not new to classic boats with nice lines.

some mako boat porn, new transom raised, new floor (yea yea, i know it's CS.com)

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1097.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1098.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1085.jpg





Anyways, this poor thing followed me home the other day, I was browsing around online and this one cried out for help. The first pictures are how I received the boat, hadn't done a thing.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1378.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1379.jpg

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

Obviously the transom was cut WAY to close to the edges, but really on these old boats nothing surprises me anymore.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1395.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1396.jpg

I'd like to redo it with coosa board. One thing that concerns me is that there is only 1 layer of roven on the inside skin, so I'd like to beef that up.

Also, I'd like to redo the floor with some nida-core and eliminate the rear livewell. Bet you can't guess where the soft spot on the deck is?

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1390.jpg

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

My plan of attack was to just pop the liner out and go that route, but working solo failed miserably at that today :D

So now I'm back to the drawing board, looking for some advice on a way to go about this. My next idea was to cut the rear of the cap off, like if i were to do the transom from the inside, so i could add some glass to the front side and tie some knees in (raising the transom for a 25" shaft). Then glass a layer on the rear side to level it, coosa, build up the rear skin, etc. After that, start pulling the rest of the floor up, etc... (another day)


pic showing possible cut line to minimize fairing.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...transomcut.jpg



So what thinks the hive

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

Mike, just some thoughts, I would try to leave the inside alone, I don't think there is enough room to add knees or gussets. Another thought would be to do away with the lower level of the splashwell/have the deck the same height all the way back.
I think a lot of guys have done the transom from the outside-in without doing much to the inside glass. I'm sure someone will give some better details/tips.
I will be doing the same thing some time in the future. Looking forward to seeing your progress. Welcome to the sight and nice looking Mako.

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

"My plan of attack was to just pop the liner out and go that route, but working solo failed miserably at that today"
More Deep thoughts...
If your intent on pulling the liner if you cut out the bait well and tank well, it will give you a visual of the "potter putty" bedding it down and more pry points. I don't think it would be worth the effort, I would just cut out the floor and replace.

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

I think I'm going that route, just gonna cut the floor.

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

I was planning on making the floor one continous level. If not anything else, it will raise the scuppers a 1/4" :D

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

OK, cleaned up the back side of the skin, gave the grinder a nice work out

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1403.jpg

There was a few chunks of intact wood hiding in the corners. Looks like it was held together with staples? :eek:

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1408.jpg

motor mount holes will be getting filled, but I wonder how bad this transom was before someone decided to start fixing it?

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1404.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1405.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1406.jpg

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

next question is:

How do you get the new core material in when doing a transom from the outside? West advised to cut the material into sections and slide it in. I think I'd rather keep it one solid piece, cut slots in the top of the rear deck and slide it down. (my magnificent paintbrush skills displayed below)

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q.../IMG_1409a.jpg

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

Looking at my transom from the inside it appears to be in pieces and I know it had to have been done from the outside. I think my transom was done in 1996-1997 timeframe and seems solid top to bottom.

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

IMHO the core does not need to be a solid piece. The fiberglass is the strength. the core is stiffness. Todays boats use a foam core typically 8 lb. density that you can break with your bare hands. Intrepid has been using it for over 20 years. The reason plywood was used originally is thats all they had as foam core was not known.

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

Yeah, don't underestimate that Potter putty stuff. After cutting the whole inner liner out the back and leaving half of the baitwell, I attached a hoist to the baitwell bottom half and picked the whole boat off the trailer by the baitwell with nothing holding it except that putty stuff. With the whole boat hanging in the air from nothing but the baitwell bottom, I eventually pried it off with a crowbar.

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

Ive always wondered at the integrity of these tansom jobs performed from the outside. Is it as strong ? The guy who did mine tansom said to never cut the transom skin off.

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

Yes, it's just as strong. the difficulty in doing this from the outside is in faring the transom to hull transition, especially when you have no edge with which to work. You will have that difficulty, it appears from the pictures.

Now is also a great time to raise the transom to either 25" or 30", depending on what you plan on for power. If you're going used motor, do 25". If you're going new, make it 30".

If you're planning on a 4 stroke 115 hp or greater, 2 stroke 150 or greater, or an Optimax 90hp or greater, now's a good time to raise the deck 2" as well, to accommodate the extra weight and keep a dry deck..

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

Amen! When the time comes, I will be doing this as well. With the DF140, I have to keep the plugs in the splashwell bulkhead unless underway. I'll be following your progress.

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

some fresh carnage. Plan is to build up the transom from the outside-in. That way I can tie into the inside of the side-walls and not worry about the fairing. Also, glassing upside down on the bottom would be near impossible. (vacuum bagging would be about the only way)

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1410.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1411.jpg

nope, i didn't cut the tops of the stringers off. Not sure why they are missing. at least the foam is dry
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1412.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1413.jpg

I'm leaving the inner skin on until I get some supports across the back so the sides don't bow out.

Also, that livewell was a pain! And built like a freakin tank! Some of the glass was almost a half inch thick.

The center stringer is toast, so the entire floor will be coming up later. Guess they forgot a little glass here:

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1414.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1415.jpg :D

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

had a little free time today, made up a small support for the keel and the sides. The one just slides on for easy removal 8)

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1417.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1418.jpg

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

WOW and thank you for the pictures........I now know what it looks like under the aft deck and the top off the boat.
I will follow this rebuild closely!

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

Got some grinding done today, GRIND GRIND GRIND. Mostly done, need to get the 2 inch out to touch up corners and edges, and remove the gel coat.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1420.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1421.jpg

In other news, found some water intrusion under 2 layers of glass that seeped in from the stringer. Was grinding away and saw some black glass, so out it came. Was still small amounts of water underneath. The shaded area is where I found it.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...intrustion.jpg


Also finished the rear mold and cut out a transom pattern.

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

So far so good, only a few touchups to grind out. The last layer was the only one to be a pain with a couple air pockets.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1423.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...8/IMG_1422.jpg

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18
 

I am going to start posting some pics from my rebuild soon. I will keep a close eye on your progress maybe I can get some ideas from you.

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...2/DSC01513.jpg

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...2/DSC01512.jpg

My 18 looks alot like yours did. The outer skin of my stern was still intact though. Im sure this will be a little easier than what you had to over come with yours cut out.

Re: New Member, New Seacraft 18, lot's of problems!!!!
 

got the center hub cover for you if you want it....nice Mako.I have had two...a 18'ob.and a 23' single screw