1974 Aquasport 222 Rebuild Captain Joe

[Flyguy]

Nice job on everything! The stringers and transom look great. I am working on a 1975 which is extremely similar but I'm a couple of steps behind you (still in demo). Good luck with your build! I look forward to following along with all your posts.

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Cruising right along

[RickK]

This week I was able to cut out my rear bulkhead and glass two layers of 1708 to both sides. Since this will be above the deck, I used poly resin. On the area that will face the bow I messed around with white gel coat and put a layer on the piece.

I’ll sand the edges and gel coat, then see how it fits again. I also purchased a 55 gal moeller fuel tank which should be here sometime next week. Next I’d like to finish up several small items on the boat and have the front bulkhead cut out (the bulkhead that meets the deck to the upper floor).


This is the bulkhead before I trimmed it up.

Help me out Joe. What is the piece for? Do you have a pic of the boat from the front with the deck in?

[Capt.Joe]

This week I was able to cut out my rear bulkhead and glass two layers of 1708 to both sides. Since this will be above the deck, I used poly resin. On the area that will face the bow I messed around with white gel coat and put a layer on the piece.

I’ll sand the edges and gel coat, then see how it fits again. I also purchased a 55 gal moeller fuel tank which should be here sometime next week. Next I’d like to finish up several small items on the boat and have the front bulkhead cut out (the bulkhead that meets the deck to the upper floor).


This is the bulkhead before I trimmed it up.

Help me out Joe. What is the piece for? Do you have a pic of the boat from the front with the deck in?

I don’t have a picture from the front with the deck in. This piece will be for transom storage and access to pumps and wiring. I’d really like to have a foldable bench seat that can connect to it. I’ll be adding epoxy tiles to it.

[RickK]

Ok, I thought it was something like that but the lower part dropping down below the stringer tops was throwing me.

[Hooked-On-Shenanigans]

Capt. Joe, on that transom bulkhead where it drops down to the hull, are you running your deck up to that and glassing the deck to that bulkhead? adding a second smaller bulkhead so the deck has a lip to rest on would be good as there would be a lot of pressure on that deck to bulkhead joint. Are you running it down to the hull for added strength For the fold  out bench seat ?

Either way, i like the design ! 

[Capt.Joe]

Capt. Joe, on that transom bulkhead where it drops down to the hull, are you running your deck up to that and glassing the deck to that bulkhead? adding a second smaller bulkhead so the deck has a lip to rest on would be good as there would be a lot of pressure on that deck to bulkhead joint. Are you running it down to the hull for added strength For the fold  out bench seat ?

Either way, i like the design ! 

Thank you! The deck will run up against it and I’ll also have a piece of flooring between the bulkhead and transom. I ran it down the hull sides so I can tie it in for strength and stability. I’ll cut a limber hole at the corners too. I’ll consider your idea the next time I’m working on it!

My gas tank is arriving today and I’m extremely excited to see stuff coming together.

[Capt.Joe]

Gas tank arrived and it fits perfect. I was able to sand down my bulkhead too. Prepped for the weather, but ready to get some more work done!

[Capt.Joe]

Miscellaneous glasswork was done today, along with cutting out the front bulkhead and laying glass to it. I started on measuring bulkheads, but want to make sure I’m placing them in the right location. My mind is set on trying to make supports for the front deck since there is a large gap from hull to the deck. One step at a time.

[RickK]

How are you going to support your fuel tank?
This is how I did mine - split 3" PVC and tapered them to make sure the rear was low but not too low. I cut up a foam padding that you see interlocked on boat floors.

[Capt.Joe]

How are you going to support your fuel tank?
This is how I did mine - split 3" PVC and tapered them to make sure the rear was low but not too low. I cut up a foam padding that you see interlocked on boat floors.

Did you use a table saw to cut your pipe in half? I really like the way you setup your fuel tank coffin.

I was going to place a 1.5” round pvc down the middle. On top of the pvc would be a glassed piece of 1/4” foam that the flat belly part of my tank will sit on with neoprene. I’ll adhere the neoprene to my stringer sides too.  I’m thinking of making supports from scrap Coosa to help support the tank.

[RickK]

I think I used a jig saw to rip them down and if I remember right they were like less than 1/2 in the aft and more than 1/2 in the front

[Capt.Joe]

No pictures yet, but I’m still knocking out projects.

I’m reinforcing the old large front hatch by cutting out the wood and replacing it with honeycomb board. Next week I’ll finish glassing and gel coating the inside of it.

All of my bulkheads have a layer of glass and I just need to finish sanding the edges down.

I was able to plan my gas tank placement and make a “coffin” for it. I’m going to surround the tank with 1/4” neoprene, but need to figure out a good way to secure it.

My next steps are to epoxy the bulkheads down, secure the tank, and run rigging tubes. There’s enough space for me to epoxy a 1/4” piece of aluminum along the tops of my stringers and glass over them.

I’m also ready to purchase a center console and seat combo that I think will fit perfect for what I want to do. A lot of moving parts but I’m getting closer to floor hatches, drain channels, and glassing the floor together

Pictures will be in my next post!

[RickK]

Sounds like you're making good headway. I used contact cement to secure the neoprene in my tank coffin.

[Enginerd]

I hate to say it but I don't think cutting grooves in the stringers to level the fence post risers is a great idea. I'd be concerned about the fence post ledges cutting down into the foam. Sure you have 'glass to hold them in place, but glass is not excellent in compression. Furthermore, that glass to PVC bond is less than full strength. I hope I'm wrong and you'll likely never have an issue, but I felt the need to say something in case anyone else wants to adopt this method of raising the floor.