Merkins 222FB rebuild

[merkin222]

Admin Mod: I merged the two threads so we didn't lose the "before" on this rebuild

Hi guys,

I'm excited to report that I just bought a 1969 222 glass bottom. 

Had to go to New Jersey to pick it up, trailer issues (smoked a hub) on return to St. Petersburg, but I'm still excited to start the process. Been waiting for the right time and hull for almost three years now...

I wanted to ask for a little direction on where to find past threads that have anything to do with glass bottoms, and particularly glass bottom rebuilds. I see that some rebuilders have opted to glass them over, but I just don't think I could bring myself to go that route without a solid effort at preservation. I really like the idea of that feature anyhow.

I also recall seeing some mention about some difference between the boats guys buy from the northeast region and southeast boats. Not sure if this was related to the condition theyre usually found in, or price; but I'd be appreciative for any information.

Personally, I expected to find soft spots all over this thing, but the deck has littler to no flex and the transom doesn't seem bad either, so I'm interested to get further in the assessment process.

These photos are from the trip back to FL. It's just dirt on the boat, which should look pretty nice after a wash. Guy said she's been sitting up for 12 years since last in the water.

Thanks for the inspiration, Gents, and for any information you're able to share.

Merkin

[RickK]

Congrats on the find and the purchase merkin 
Start in this forum, as this is the one you should start your refurb or rebuild topic in, http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?board=39.0
Scan through them and it won't be hard to find the ones with the "windows".
LilRichard was one who filled his in, if I remember correctly.

[fitz73222]

I've always thought the see through panels and diver door option were such a cool Florida boat option that's never been replicated. If you're going to keep the panels I would try to understand what they were made of assuming some sort of plexiglass and after almost 50 years are they still any good? If not, what can they be replaced with and can the replacements be safely glassed back in place (chemically compatible). These boats were notorious for wet foam regardless of deck and transom core condition. You may want to consider getting the boat weighed to get an idea of the level of saturation. Understanding the trailer weight, the original hull weight should be 1700-1800# but you can check that in the archives. I've always been in the camp to keep these boats original as possible and just make some functionality improvements. Anxious to see what she looks like after a gallon of bleach and a simple green scrub down!

[CLM65]

Congrats on the great find!  And I also vote on keeping the glass windows.  That is too cool of a feature to eliminate without making a decent effort to restore.

[uglystick]

Hi, I didn't know they made anything like this. If you don't mind please post some pics of the glass area and (dive door?) Restored that would be one cool boat. I have an 87 Osprey not restored but used every week to fish. 2008 Yama 150 on it. Runs good. Only problem I have is with the scuppers. A very bad design.

[Capt. Bob]

I didn't know they made anything like this.

Here is some light reading on the original.
http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=559

Here's a classic with both original dive platform and viewing "windows".
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=9559.msg82131#msg82131

Same hull with door/platform.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=1474.0

Scroll down about half way and you will see the same hull (and a few more of other members boats from the first gathering.

[merkin222]

Hi Uglystick, Hi Gents,

Good post there Capt. Bob. These pages are helpful.

As for mine, she's got a good wash and I've started some light work on the cap (filling old hardware holes and crazing) while I wait for a builder friend to assist with transom rebuild.

By the way, I'm using Americas Cup so far but have now been recommended AwlFair, for fairing. It seems like everyone has a different opinion but I'm curious to know what CA posters have had the best experience with.

Ok, now some pics to follow...how about that (original?) Float On trailer....

[merkin222]

Will get window images when I'm back in town after weekend...

[merkin222]

Anxious to see what she looks like after a gallon of bleach and a simple green scrub down!

Not too shabby, 'ey Fitz? 

[RickK]

Looks good 

[fitz73222]

Anxious to see what she looks like after a gallon of bleach and a simple green scrub down!

Not too shabby, 'ey Fitz? 

Yep, cleaned up nice, she appears to be an unmolested original.... I hope your plan is to make the neccessary upgrades and repairs and keep her that way.

[RickK]

Hard to see but she might have the green rubrail on her?
Looks like another "time capsule" found.

[merkin222]

Hey guys thanks for the positive reviews. I'm excited about it.

Fitz, I'm planning to stay as original as possible but want to go with the closed, wide transom we're all familiar with. Put a little crown in it and maybe a baitwell.

As I think I mentioned before, I took my whole rig to the CatScales somewhere near Jacksonville and after subtracting truck and trailer, I end up somewhere around 1900lbs. - including the 115 tower of power.

Since I'm widening the transom, losing a foot or so of space inside the back, I figured I'd use the same opportunity to cut the last foot of flooring so I can drill stringer bottoms and look for any seeping water.

That said, have you guys seen examples of boats that, for whatever reason (not including rebuilds), managed to keep dry stringers for this long? My floor is in great shape, and the weight seems right on so far, which has me wondering if the above deck fuels tanks may have been her saving grace... The '69 doesn't have another tank under the floor does it?

Thanks all,
Merkin

[RickK]

Prior to '72 the tanks seemed to be above floor, inside the console.  Maybe in some version of '71 they started but mine was above floor.
If the boat was kept under cover and not abused, plus not left in the water, it's very likely the stringers, deck and transom are still perfect.

[fitz73222]

You guys may remember, the Coast Guard regulations changed in '72 that allowed manufacturers to install the fuel tanks below the deck. Prior to that, fuel tanks were either under the console or mounted saddle style in the gunwales. I think a lot of it had to do with the introduction of aluminum materials as opposed to the traditional painted carbon steel tanks of the 50's and 60's which simply would not survive in a below deck environment. The early regulation also required that the below deck tank had to have a ventilation method to allow accumulated fumes to escape, hence the air scoops and duct hoses in the bow cap that forced fresh air under the deck and out through the port grid vent on the 70's models. Later, the forced air vent system was eliminated, I think mainly do to improvements in fuel and vent hose material and aluminum proved to be a superior material against corrosion.