Howd ya do it

[strick]

I've been getting a lot done on the boat lately filling in the notched transom, reinforcng the transom in preparation for the bracket etc.. etc.. One thing I keep pondering everytime I walk by them is how I'm going to fill in the front vents. I've already done the ones in back and they were easy but the fronts have no access except from the outside of the hull. My delima is how to plug the hole prior to glassing them in. I've thought of filling them with foam somehow but still how do I plug the vent so my filler wont run down into the bilge. Any help would be appreciated. I know Fellowship plugged his.

Strick

[abl1111]

I know how I would do it. Basically your going to make a mold out of cardboard, place it in through the hole and hold it place by pulling it toward you w/ string.

Take a flat pc of card board - like from a cardboard box. Cut it 3/4" larger than the dimensions of the actual hole.

Make a small hole in the dead center middle of the cardboard. Take a pc of twine and thread it thru and make a big knot so the knot won't get pulled through the hole.

Wet out w/ resin (2) plys of mat and place it on cardboard - cut mat so the string can run through it. Then, take a little resin and wet out 1" of the inside lip of the hole.

Then, bend the cardboard a bit and push it through the hole w/ the wetted mat laying on the cardboard. Make sure mat is laying flat. Align it all and pull the twine to you w/ the cardboard/mat laying flush against the inside of the hole.

Pre-think this part: Either put a stick in dirt near the boat and tie the twine to it just enough to keep the cardboard in place ( or use a big planter w/ dirt in it )

Let this cure. Cut twine off close to cured fiberglass. Then, lightly sand fiberglass.

If you've done the backs then the rest is cake.

I would then use stuff called Dura Glass or something like it ( it's a thickened resin and glass mix ) or use resin and cabosil to a putty texture. With a squeegee, smear it on to the fiberglass - fair it out. Leave enough room for some sheets of mat and gelcoat and you're home.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

I did mine just like abl111 said above the only difference is that I used a flap piece of fiberglass that I had lying around and used it instead of the cardboard then built out from there. Worked great. http://www.classicseacraft.com/mcgovern23page3.htm
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[strick]

Thanks fellas I'll give it a try.

Strick

[kricharda]

Maybe this is covered somewhere on the site, but since you guys are talking about it now, what made you decide to fill in the vents?

[FELLOW-SHIP]

For me they took away from the beauty of the SeaCraft lines not added to them. The other reason they served no real purpose, there are lots of ways to vent gas tanks fumes on out board boats.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[strick]

I also agree that the vents are not necessary on an outboard. The gas tank already has a vent and the bilge does not need 4 large vents. I will find another way to vent the bilge in case fumes or fuel gets down there. Also the batteries are on the deck in the consel and not in the bilge. The vents are ugly. Take a look at fellow-hips boat. Also the newer SC did away with the vents.

Strick

[kricharda]

I see what you mean. It does look sweet. I'll have to give it some thought myself. Thanks for the idea.

[Ikan Besar]

I had been under the impression from talking to a few restoration yards that I have spoken to that the vents had nothing to do with fumes and everything to do with moisture. I was told the new ones could do away with it because there was no wood involved. I certainly agree that it looks better without the vents though.

[mal05319]

I have similar concerns about the vents. I would like to do away with them however I am concerned about gas fumes and not having any circulation for moisture.