89 18sf Project/rebuild/restore started

[alexh]

I've finally started tearing into the 1989 Seacraft 18sf I bought back in 6/11. The boat was "turnkey" and I took it out a few times, but at some point I knew it would need electrical work and a new deck. The hope is for a completed project by 5/12. The hull itself is in great shape, just oxidized so I will either wetsand or use a serious buffing compound, The transom is solid. The never ending list I have in my head so far goes as follows:
New deck - Same height/mg ply.
Recore removable gunnels/tank hatch/livewell hatch with composite (still TDB)
Rework console/repair spider cracks.
Complete rewire/new electronics/new hardware.
New paint inside.
Inspect fuel tank for leaks/excessive corrosion, replace if needed.
New leaning post.
New leaf springs on trailer
Ideally, I would like to repower with a late model 150hp 2stroke carb.

At time of purchase:



11/19 removing the console/hardware




11/26 removing gunnel cap




By the end of the day today I had the caps ready to be recored. I THINK I want to use some sort of composite here. Mainly because I've never worked with it before, and I think it would be a good area because of the curve/bend the caps make from bow to stern.
My main concerns are: I am sure they cored these caps while they were still in the mold. They currently still hold their shape to some degree as they are. My plan is to support their natural shape and core them, but I am hoping if they are off at all they can still be bent/twisted to fit the boat as needed. When I removed the caps today, they were still very flexible, but part of me thinks this is from the rotted core that was initially in there. Either way, I'm pretty sure itll all work out, but it was just something I noticed. Suggestions on coring material?? Im going to be buying it tomorrow along with fairing material for the spider cracks in the console/gunnel caps. I hope by the end of this week I can have the console ready for primer and the gunnel caps recored and topside ready for primer.

Ive started with the gunnel caps/console first so I can get a feel for priming/spraying paint before I tackle the entire inside. Thinking snow white interior and light blue/gray nonskid.


As always any advice/criticism/anything is appreciated.