First Bass Boat

[Shawn Dompierre]

Here are 2 pictures of the entire thing glassed in but not sanded. I could not get all the picture on the one reply.

 

 

Thanks for the comments and feel free to like the reply!

Shawn.D

[Shawn Dompierre]

Took that picture this morning

[Fishing Rhino]

One thing concerns me. The top of the transom. How are you going to reinforce the transom at the top. You have the cross member at the bottom which transfers thrust to the stringers. At the top, all that is currently supporting it there is the 1/4" to 3/8" thick fiberglass which is sandwiched between the plywood. I'm assuming you will lay up a thick layer of composite over the transom, wrapping it around to the back of the entire transom.

Even then, you might need a transverse timber near the top that extends to the sides of the boat. That distributes the thrust across the entire transom to the sides of the hull.

I just went back and noticed that the transom is reinforced by the inboard side of the floatation compartment. Make sure that panels is bonded securely to the stringers. It is going to take a lot of thrust from the outboard.

Looks like you're doing a great job. Take care that you do not skimp when it comes to the transom. There was a photo of a Ranger, if I recall correctly, where the center section of the transom got ripped out. The sides of the transom were still intact.

[Shawn Dompierre]

One thing concerns me. The top of the transom. How are you going to reinforce the transom at the top. You have the cross member at the bottom which transfers thrust to the stringers. At the top, all that is currently supporting it there is the 1/4" to 3/8" thick fiberglass which is sandwiched between the plywood. I'm assuming you will lay up a thick layer of composite over the transom, wrapping it around to the back of the entire transom.

Even then, you might need a transverse timber near the top that extends to the sides of the boat. That distributes the thrust across the entire transom to the sides of the hull.

I just went back and noticed that the transom is reinforced by the inboard side of the floatation compartment. Make sure that panels is bonded securely to the stringers. It is going to take a lot of thrust from the outboard.

Looks like you're doing a great job. Take care that you do not skimp when it comes to the transom. There was a photo of a Ranger, if I recall correctly, where the center section of the transom got ripped out. The sides of the transom were still intact.

Hmm you have a point, but I can assure you that the boards along the flotation compartment were only there for the filling of the foam.. The boards were very thin and were pressed wood with very little fiberglass on them.

I followed how the boat was built. The pieces you see on my other pages are pieces I tried to mimic but made of 3/4" plywood.

If your telling me, with the experience you have that I should add those pieces and glass them in properly the I will, I'd rather follow someones advice that has more experience then to find my engine at the bottom of the lake...

Thanks for the advice Tom, I'll get on it after I finish the floor boards.

Shawn.D

[Shawn Dompierre]

Finished the floor boards friday and I've been working on the rear end of the cap.

The rear end had loads of stress cracks and I knew it was going to be a PITA putting it back on... I have a lot of work to do to that..

I try looking for where I could add supports and after I tested the top cap I knew that this was going to be impossible because I have no room (the splash well occupies the entire area) .

I have 4 layers of 6 ounce on both sides of the transom.

I'll be buying paint to for the bildge area and then masking it because of all the repairs I have to do to get the cap to fit without wanting to twist and warp.

Shawn.D

[Fishing Rhino]

If you have basically replaced what you have removed, being faithful to the original structure, you should be okay. The corner in question may be stronger than it looks in the pics. You are wise to use epoxy since it is much stronger and bonds better than polyester fiberglass resin, particularly when working with older, fully cured composites.

Fiberglass, when laid up properly, forms a chemical bond, not an adhesive bond. The molecules actually interlock, making it all but impossible for layers to "delaminate". I was glad to see you applied new laminations around those corners that I questioned.

You've done a lot of great work. I'd hate to see it ruined by a transom that wasn't up to snuff. If I were doing it, I'd use heavier plywood for the inside of the floatation compartments, and have it butt up against the front face of the plywood, not to the side/edges of the plywood you replaced in the transom. It will significantly reinforce the transom against the thrust of the outboard, without adding much weight or labor to the job.

[Shawn Dompierre]

Hi guys, sorry I haven't updated anything, work has been busy..

The bilge area is painted I used bed liner, rolled it on easy and it covers very well. I'm happy with how it turned out and I installed the gas tank.

I'll cover it all up with a cloth so that I don't get any resin or dust on it.

The Bass boat funding is dead for the moment but should pick back up by the end of august..

 

 

I've also been using what little time I have had getting my gear ready. Attached a photo of that.

 

Meanwhile the princecraft has been getting some love and it has gone out this past weekend !

It only needed a few things and as much as I would love to ride around in a bass boat things come to those who wait... and don't break the bank..

 

 

Just wanted to let you guys know, I still have it, its just sleeping..

Cheers!

Shawn.D

[(='_'=)]

suscribed!!

[Shawn Dompierre]

Its going to be awhile .. 2 boats, tournament circuit and life has got me on a tight budget.. But I'll see if I can do the topcap with polyester resin..I have a lot left.. I'll see what I can do to finish the cap between now and july..

[Nice_Bass]

Wow...I have learned several things on this thread- but the thing that sticks out the most is I learned I would never be able to complete a project like that! Looking foward to seeing a finished product.

[Shawn Dompierre]

Work has started once again on the bass boat, I will take some picture and let you guys in on the action soon.

[Fishing Rhino]

Looking forward to seeing more progress. So far, so good.

[Shawn Dompierre]

Morning, I've gotten back to working on the boat, lots of sanding and filling in small holes here and there.. Its a long process but a necessary one!

The more time I spend here will save me a world of trouble in the end.

Pictures of the work in progress:

 

 

I'll start the installation of the rear once its sanded.

I'll keep you posted I'm pretty much back to working on her every night.

Shawn.D

[tnriverluver]

I have done many many different types of resto projects from homes to cars, motorcyles, aluminum boats, etc. etc. After looking at this post this is one project I never ever want to undertake. Props to you for being brave and energetic enough to tackle this one!!