RickK's 170 rebuild

[larsli68]

I will keep my fingers crossed you will get good weather for your painting sessions!

I know, 50s in December has happened, but normally we have high 20's here where we live. Sweden is a very long country and if you go north, you will after 10 hour drive be in winter wonderland.

I'm enjoying the weather... Keeps my electric bill low...

Will try to upload 2 pics and see if it works out better.

Thanks for the info, great work on your part as always! 
//Lars

[RickK]

Went out at 830 and put the rod inserts into booth


And a little bit later the finished inserts - there is plenty of shine - hard to see any in the pic.


I stripped down the gun and cleaned it and then came out and what did I find on the outside of the entryway into the booth?  Lovebugs!! Luckily they didn't get inside and get stuck in the gelcoat like this time last year.  Must be the styrene they are attracted to?  There were none before I sprayed.

Now I wait until the gelcoat kicks and then take them out and bring in the next batch.  Wind is blowing around 10+ right now - outside the booth. 

[RickK]

Door to console and little cabinet doors - still have to spray the inside of them.




Seat for front of console - has a little orange peel


Finally the console






Getting pretty warm in the booth now and it's only 1pm.

[RickK]

Went out and sprayed a few pieces and let them cook for a while and worked on the console for a while.  It was fun taking boxes off the workbench and emptying them for a change.


On the starboard side of the console besides the typical teleflex tach and fuel gauge, I have a 24V battery gauge to the right and the Powerpole up/down switch.  Below them is the on/off for the trolling motor batteries


To port I have a switch bank, below that is a 12V battery gauge for the starting/house battery and the on/off switch for that battery is below.  The empty hole to the right is for the ignition switch.


I mounted the windshield and ended up knurling (Edit: I meant "galling") two of the bolts.    I will have to cut them off tomorrow 
I'll spray some more tomorrow and mount what I can, like the speakers , rod holders and other stuff on the console


Been blowing like 10-15 mph most of the day.

[RickK]

A while ago I ask Randy (Druggers Welding) to build a seat for my 170 and to work on it in between his regular work.  I got some texts today from him saying it is coming along fine - what do you think?
Gave him free rein on design with the exceptions that I asked him for a seat (20" seat height), not a leaning bench and that it should have a flip back and storage under the flip-up seat.  The width is 30" between legs.  The result you see is just tacked together right now. He'll be ready to get the cushions made next week or the week after.


The top is the seat where the cushion will be (duh) and the round part is the aft side - the backrest toward the aft of the boat.


This shows the backrest toward the console


The backrest pivot


I would say that Randy and his partner definitely have it going for them.

[dirtwheelsfl]

So whats left on the checklist before splash??!

[RickK]

Hi Chris,
I still have to: (this is actually good to write it down)
1) gelcoat the cap and liner sides - ready if the wind lays down to under 10mph in blasts - from the south is bad for me, north is good since my shop blocks the north wind
2) after gelcoat install front LED NAV light and cleat and aft cleats
3) non-skid a lot of the boat - sole, casting deck, cap - you know that takes time to get the tape right
4) finish installing stuff in the console on windy days
5) install the tank and connect hoses in and outbound - don't forget the wiring to the fuel gauge. I have put this off so I could do it and install the tank lid right after the tank install so no crap blows into the tank area. I am going to be spraying the edges of the tank lid tomorrow so it'll be ready to be installed soon.
6) cut, lam and install the "keeper board" across the fuel tank - will use Plascore since I have some left
7) pull the rigging and wire/fuel lines through the pipes - fore and aft - has to happen after the tank is in.
8) connect wiring to lugs up front for the trolling motor and install the quick connect for the trolling motor, wire to the lugs up front
9) install rod inserts into the liner - they are ready to go now with rod storage fixtures installed today in them
10) move  console into boat (that's going to take a couple people) and then glass it onto the fuel tank cover
11) install the hinges on the hatches and the latches on the back hatch
12) hang the jackplate, the spacer, the power pole adapter and the engine
13) rig everything on the engine (hope I still have the pictures LOL)
14) rig everything I didn't do in advance in the console and bleed the power pole and the hydraulic steering
15) install the new seat

BTW - I guess I could launch it tomorrow, just to do so, she'll float (knocking on wood )

So I have a few things to do still.  I'm on vacation 'til Jan 4th so I'll make a big dent in the boat portion.

After all that I need to purchase and install the trolling motor - cabling will already be installed for it.

[CLM65]

Looking good Rick, and that seat looks fantastic!  Glad to see Randy is still at it and actually moved to a shop instead of his garage.  Tell him I said hi.

[RickK]

Some more progress, focused on the console since the wind was strong again. For people that haven't fitted out their console yet, add another day or two to the schedule to get it all done - takes more time than you'd think 
Installed the stereo and compass - also drilled the holes for the hydraulic steering station


The front speakers


Amp, terminal blocks and Blue Seas fuse panel


Rod holders on each side


Merry Christmas!!

[CLM65]

Nice Rick!  Must be nice to actually add stuff to the console!  And Merry Christmas to you too!

[RickK]

I need to make up a tiny little batch of epoxy and coat the wood that you see in the hole for the Seastar steering and where I cut in the access hole for the new Garmin (a 1 " hole I drilled per Garmin and is where the coiled wire is coming down the windshield) which you can't see.  It's hard to mix so little though....
I also need to repaint the upper part of the Seastar unit - not sure what to use to wipe it down prior to, and after sanding, to ensure no leftover oil, otherwise I end up with a wrinkle finish due to the oil (like what is on it right now). I will try with Acetone but maybe there is better? Mineral spirits?

[RickK]

I was just looking at the list of "to do's" and one thing I didn't see was grinding 

[jfret]

Looks awesome Rick...

[RickK]

thanks man

[larsli68]

Looking great Rick! I'm impressed for your level of detail!
Even the inside of the console looks great! Merry Christmas! From Sweden.
//Lars