My 1977 Aquasport 170 Classic... Project... Floor... Rebuild

[hogdogs]

Got the main cutting done and close to ready to start fitting, cutting and fitting the new floor area...

I left that ledge of bottom layer of glass hoping I can incorporate it into the new floor for a better, stronger fit and finish...
I also have to repair the fuel well cover...

What I need to know right off is which cloth material on top and bottom of this new floor...

I will have to build in several areas of double layer wood for seats and around the hole I need aft (8"X14" approx) to access bilge pumps easily... Will I want a different cloth to glass in these pieces as it needs to form some tight radius bends???











Brent

[pzart]

so cool, that looks like mine.....nice to see whats under there

[hogdogs]

I need to know what types of glass... weight? Weave? chopped? I want a strong floor...

Brnet

[Callyb]

I need to know what types of glass... weight? Weave? chopped? I want a strong floor...

Brnet

I'm going to make an assumption... 1/2 marine fir plywood as a core material and epoxy resin.

6oz biaxial cloth to cover the new sole material with, top, bottom, sides. Use 12 oz biaxial tape for the seams. Make sure you precoat the plywood with epoxy before you put the cloth on. Also round the edges over or the cloth will have air gaps in it because it can't make too sharp of a corner.

Good luck!

[RickK]

Remember that if he goes epoxy he won't be able to gelcoat and his floor is gel right now.  If he's going to paint then that's a different story.
HD, you left a ledge around the cut out area - that puts the new at a height disadvantage to mate up to the existing.  Do you plan to cover the entire deck area with new wood?  Measure what thickness you have to mate up to and report back.

[hogdogs]

Typical original floor... 3/8ths or 1/2 inch tiles of plywood... But it sat on 1/2 to 3/4 inch of bedding on the stringers.

I can route down my new wood edges to fit the groove or cut top of groove (deck surface) off all together...

Most if not all the area between stringers will be double layer wood... My dad is an epoxy lover but I am using polyester as it kicks fast and I know more about it...

I also might want to double the area running up the port side too...

I have a limited amount of cash burning a hole in my pocket...

Brent

[gran398]

Brent, while she's opened up fill that rigging trough with water and check for leaks to the bilge. If she's dry, just pull the water out with a shop vac.

Regarding matching the existing deck height as Rick advised.....ideally you want a crown in the center with a slight taper to the sides...your boat probably didn't feature that originally. The seventies 22-2's were straight across from the factory, as Fitz pointed out recently.

Point being, you don't want it opposite...higher on the edges, holding rainwater in the middle.

[RickK]

When I add the floor to the rebuild of my 170 I will be using 5/8" ply and epoxy coat the bottom and then lay one layer of 1708 on it.  For the top I'll switch to poly and lay a layer or 2 of 1708.  My finish will be the non-skid using glass bead sprinkled on top of gelcoat and covered lightly with gelcoat.

[Callyb]

My bad.... I was going off of the pictures.  I looked to me like it was just a section of the floor that is being replaced.

Also, very good call on not being able to gel over the epoxy. I forgot to add that to my reply.

[hogdogs]

Cally, It is floor being replaced...

I am using marine ply 1/2" and polyester resin... My dad loves his west system but too pricey for the budget and I cannot budge it...

I was given some glass... Some is chopped mat some is weave and some is chopped with some sort of threads running through it...

I think since one sheet was going to be real tight on amount I am getting 2 which will allow me to use some large pieces to double layer...

After done rebuilding the fuel hatch cover, I won't want to go drilling it up to mount my Todd seat pedestals... So if I set them back off of that, I am afraid i will be too far to sit and drive...

Thinking a 150-60 quart cooler crossways in front of the pedestal  legs may add the ability to sit and drive with a thick cushion???

Not sure I can get the console far enough back and then the forward base and any included support would block the hatch from easy removal...

Don't want to lose my cockpit space much neither...

Either way... I am sure it will be a much better boat that I started with... The cancer docs only gave me 24-36 months so I f i out do that (which I fully intend) i can decide what else is needed....

Brent

[Callyb]

The cancer docs only gave me 24-36 months

Oh man that is heavy... :(  to hell with cancer, kick it's a$$ :!:  My heart, thoughts, and prayers will be with you and your family.

You'll be fine with the polyester resin, just make sure you grind pretty good. With the poly you will (nearly) only get a mechanical bond to any cured areas.

[gran398]

May God Bless you and your family.

I would like to invite you to the Classic Aquasport Octoberfest Reunion, mid-October 2013, Southport, NC.

Don't worry about bringing a boat. Just come

[RickK]

Sorry to hear that HD.  We have a few cancer survivors here so maybe you're in good karma company.  

[hogdogs]

Good Karma is always a good thing to have around...  :afro:

Will post pics and pick brains after a bit more prep work...

Brent

[hogdogs]

I called in the order for 2 sheets of 1/2 inch marine ply to a local purveyor today... Will be here by thursday or friday...

Will get my resin at that time...

Not sure how many gallons it will take yet...

Fuel tank seems to be running behind schedule a bit too...

Brent