Mwar's '73 196

[Mwar410]

This is the balsa area,  along both sides of the stringer.

[RickK]

I'm not sure you ever told us the year of this boat.

[Mwar410]

You know I think you’re right, it’s a 73’ 196.

[RickK]

'73 was the second year the 196 was built. I would not have expected to see wood in the stringers until AS got closer to bankruptcy in '81.  Maybe it was a "Friday Boat"? My '70/71 did not have any wood in the stringers.

[Fish Head]

My 72 19’6 had plywood only in the rear center stringer. It sat horizontal at about 3 inches up from the bottom of the boat and full length of stringer. I thought it was used only there so when they foamed it kept the foam up and away from where water can drain from the front? Cheers T

[Mwar410]

 Needless to say, I feel comfortable about the strength of the keel now. :)
My word! Are you planning on an air drop?

I’m definitely going to grind it all flat and lay up some heavy strips of glass, can’t say it’ll be as structural as that. But it will be nice and smooth for proper drainage. I did hammer test the center stringer and it felt very solid, at least at mid -forward, didn’t get to the stern yet.

[John G]

 Hey Mike... Where in Maine are you? I just picked up a 1973 19-6 also in Maine.  It's in ok shape but I'm wondering what's lurking below the deck.  I'm new at this boat repair stuff but luckily I have a friend that owns a fiberglass and marine supply company out of Massachusetts.  I'm going to bring the boat back home to NH in the fall and start the teardown, so I'm seriously interested in watching your progress!

[Mwar410]

I’m down in Jonesport.
It’s going to be a good thing to have a friend in the business, you’ll be there often. Im lucky where I live in between a bunch of boat builders and Composite One is here weekly.
 The rebuild is temporarily on hold, got moved to the bottom of the list. There’s 3 customers boats and my 170( recore’n hatches and fuel lid, lower unit)  that are getting ready for this season. I’ll pick away at it in between the breaks of wind and stripers.
My boat was iin pretty good shape also, just wanted to make sure it was rebuilt completely. This is going to live in Fla once it’s done and I don’t plan on doing anything more than putting fuel in it.

[Conga aquasport]

Hey guys, registered long time ago but just started back up. I have a 1974 19'6. Had someone redo the floor in 2010. At the time my main focus was the floor and making sure it was done right. Needless to say I didn't have much money left over for motor and accessories. However, I repowering again now and this time with a brand new motor. I am also replacing nav lights with LED and adding LED spot light up front. My question and what brought me back here was that right now my wiring for Nav lights run down under the gunnel to the transom and then down and back up the cable way. Can I drop my wires down under the front cleat and run then down under the floor and be able to pull them up under the console? I was deployed while the floor was being done and I didnt see exactly how everything was laid out. But from the looks of these pictures I should be able to pick up the wires just in forward of the tank. Thanks guys!!

[Mwar410]

I was able to fish wires forward on my 170 from the fuel coffin. I used fish sticks to get the wires where I wanted them,  then pushed a length of bilge hose Over them for protection.