1974 Aquasport 222 Rebuild Captain Joe

[mshugg]

I purchased my hatches and rims with gutters from Gulfstream Composites (no longer in business), but I can report that the gutters were approximately 3/16” thick.  The laminate appeared to be 17 oz or 12oz biax with layers of chopped strand on both surfaces.

As for hatch lip or no, if you are coreing your hatch all the way to the edge, I see little added with a rim.  On the other hand, if you only plan to core the center of the hatch as is more common, then the rim would add stiffness to the hatch cover.

Your rebuild is looking good.

[Tampa Bay Mike]

I made gutters and did a flat hatch without a lip and they worked well. I made a quick and dirty mold out of melamine. I made the channels all straight and cut them to size and 45'd them together afterwards and then glassed them all to the bottom of the floor before installing it. I think I used one layer of matt and then 3 layers of 1700 for each one and they are plenty strong. It was relatively easy and cheap vs paying +/- $500 each for them since I have four.

If I were to do it again I would do a few things a little differently. first I would gelcoat the mold first before laying them up. I painted them after the fact and I think it would have worked better to just gel the mold. I would also rethink the size of the openings. I didn't quite anticipate how much of the openings the gutters would take up and I ended up sliding them back under the floor a little to make the opening a little bigger. It still drains fine but it makes cleaning out leaves and dirt harder. I would also make the actual gutter part a little wider. Hope this helps.

[Capt.Joe]

Thank you Mshugg and TBM, your insight is always appreciated!

What’s the best method for cutting the hatch out of the floor? Router, circular saw, oscillator? Is there a router bit size you recommend?

Gel coating the gutter mold is a great tip. I want my gutters to be square like an upside down top-hat. I’ll see what HD or the internet has and post my findings. Hopefully it won’t rain tomorrow!

[Tampa Bay Mike]

I hope it stays dry too because we are supposed to head out on the boat. 

My floors are coosa so I actually used the grinder with a diamond cutoff wheel and a very steady hand lol. I used a jigsaw in the corners but the grinder actually cuts a cleaner line. Then I went over the edges with either a 1/8 or 1/4 inch roundover bit to clean it up. Probably not the best method in the world but it worked.

[Hooked-On-Shenanigans]

Capt. Joe, I will be watching for your updates as i am at the same stage as you figuring out my hatch ring ideas, etc. 

[Capt.Joe]

Today I picked up a console I found online. It’s built like a tank and almost the exact measurements I was looking for. When I got to his place I quickly learned that I was buying my console from Corey Lynch, the former NFL safety.

A very cool story that will be added to my boat and couldn’t be happier.

[mshugg]

Great looking console.  Cool story too.  Isn’t that what boats are? Machines for collecting stories.

[RickK]

Yup that's a cool story.

[Ulysses485]

Good looking console. They seem hard to find from my short research. Mind sharing the dimensions?

Thank You

Ulysses

[Capt.Joe]

Good looking console. They seem hard to find from my short research. Mind sharing the dimensions?

Thank You

Ulysses

I was set on purchasing a panga console, but was nervous on how long it was (52”-55”). This console is 48”L x 27.5”W x 38.5”H.

Constant checking on Craigslist, Facebook, and ebay is what it took. If I come across anything I will post it!

[Capt.Joe]

 This week I was able to finish glassing up the parts for my fish boxes and also tried to make a hatch gutter. To make the gutter I used a 2”x1” piece of aluminum that’s used for lanai’s. Waxed it really good and used 2 sheets of 1.5oz mat and 1 sheet of 1708 with epoxy.

Once I trim the edges and sand it, I’ll lay some gel coat on it.

[Ulysses485]

I’d love to hear this further explained. How did you create the profile? You have a picture of the “mold” you could share?

Thank You

Ulysses

[Capt.Joe]

I’ll document more of the process when I get a chance to.

I had some old melamine desk drawers that I waxed entirely and used as my base. I waxed the aluminum piece and placed it on top of the drawers. It would’ve been wise for me to screw or glue it in place but I was only testing it out. Since it turned out well I’m going to use it.

When I cut my glass to go over on top of the aluminum I made it a few inches wider on both sides. One edge will be used to glass to my floor and the other I’m going to attach Trim Lock rubber seal. Wet everything out with epoxy, then csm, then one layer of 1708, and finally one more piece of csm.

It’s really strong and Im happy with how it came out.

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Looks like they came out good. 

[Capt.Joe]

Last week I epoxied the rear bulkhead in and filled the hole on the port side of the boat (where the plastic ventilation plate was) with 1/2” coosa board.



Today I epoxied my fish boxes in and placed a few bricks on top of the base so that everything would lay even. Next I’ll sand the boxes down, lay a sheet of csm inside, and lay two layers of gel coat down.



Ulysses, I didn’t forget about your comment and plan on documenting the hatch gutters.

I plan on cutting out my hatches out of the floor BEFORE I glass my floor pieces together. Then I’ll use poly on the hatch lids. This is what’s next on my checklist. Little. By. Little.