'77 Sceptre Rebuild

newellchunker · #1 04-14-2010, 12:04 AM

Ok gents, we started the overhaul of our 1977 Sceptre. The first pic is when we got her in '08. The rest are from the last two weeks or so. I'm gonna need lots of pointers and advice, as I have never undertaken any kind of project like this. Please be patient with me.....I'm a complete newbie at fiberglass and repair. (And apparently posting pics too! Can't figure out wht some pics are huge and the others are small??) The plan is to enclose the transom, add a bracket, add a bait tank in the transom, recore the floor (has a few soft spots) totally repaint her and upgrade the wiring and electronics.

ScottM · #2 04-15-2010, 10:28 AM

The images are not showing up.

newellchunker · #3 04-15-2010, 09:23 PM

Lets try again: My son and I bought this boat in '08 and we knew that we'd be able to fish her for a little while and that we were gonna need to re-do her. Well, we fished her for the last two seasons and we finally got brave or crazy and decided that it was time to do something. We were just gonna paint her and then redo the floor next year, upon removing the Lenco's I found water dripping from the holes.....we all know that ain't good, decided to go ahead and tear her on down....floor, transom, repaint her and then upgrade the electronics and wiring. I'm hoping to enclose the transom, add a bracket (need advice here..IE: brand and etc.) add a bait tank in the transom and of course recore the floor. Started a couple of weeks ago and sanded the starboard side back down to gelcoat...had two coats of paint (what a PITA), then moved to de-rigging the engine and preparing to remove it. Removed the transom bait boxes and finally got around to removing the engine. Next we're going to remove the hardtop and start on the transom...removing the old core. Need some pointers on all of this, as I have never undertaken such a project and have very little fiberglass experience. Here are a few pics:

When we first brought her home.

Starboard side sanded down.

Where I filled and have started fairing the starboard vent.

The bait boxes removed.

Starboard side box gone!

Port box gone!

The main reason for the whole project!

NoBones · #4 04-15-2010, 10:04 PM

Glassing in the vents was a mistake..
Thats why the deck is still solid!
It vents the inner hull of moisture that would be normally
trapped.

Just my 2 cents worth.

See ya, Ken

newellchunker · #5 04-15-2010, 11:07 PM

NoBones......the floor was soft in some spots to begin with. It's not like I cant cut them back out u know?? Thanks for the advice! CAN someone delete the empty pics in the original post??? Please

fdheld34 · #6 04-16-2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

CAN someone delete the empty pics in the original post??? Please

admin@classicseacraft.com

Request deletion via email..

newellchunker · #7 04-17-2010, 07:04 PM

I was able to get the vast majority of the transom core out today with the pry bars and lots of luck and pulling! I have another question......what is the best (easiest) way to get the rest of the core out that is stuck between the outerskin and the stringers??? I'll try and post some pics later on my progress. Also, what type resin is preferred for transom and floor....I will probably be going with marine ply......can't afford the composite stuff!!

newellchunker · #8 04-18-2010, 08:32 PM

Here are some pics as promised yesterday...Please note where the inboard engine WAS mounted and give me some ideas about this. I want to add some height to them so that they will support the floor (deck...sole) whatever you want to call it. I will be moving the batteries (somewhere) and adding a larger fuel tank. I sure am glad I found some Tyvek coveralls!! (Still itching a 'lil though.) Another thing.....since it was an I/O, there was no center stringer...it ended about 3 ft from the transom, should I make a knee(???) to tab to the new transom when I get there for more support or should I extend the center stringer to the transom anyway??

newellchunker · #9 04-22-2010, 12:06 AM

Got the majority of the grinding finished today and made a trace of the transom with a 4X8 piece of foam and fitted it, to use as a cutting guide for the marine ply if we can ever find some here in eastern NC.....amazing I can find one sheet but never two at the same place! Anyway, here's the obligatory shop vac pic and our fitted cutting guide.
Also a pic with the fuel tank removed.

fdheld34 · #10 04-22-2010, 12:09 PM

Makin some serious headway..looks like you have alot of property to do such a project...very nice..keep pics coming
-Fred