Flatback Fireboat Rebuild

[CLM65]

Weather hasn't been great here lately, so got a little work done in the garage.  First I took my first shot at a baitwell.  This will be the crustacean well in the transom cap.  It is 18" x 10" at the top, and 17.5" x 9.5" at the bottom, and should hold about 10 gallons.  I started with the form, which I wrapped with formica.


Unfortunately the only formica I had on hand had a subtle pattern to it - a bunch of tiny holes in a grid pattern.  I figured I would spray the whole thing with high build primer to fill the holes.  I also made some starboard pieces so that I could recess the bottom drain as well as a light.

[CLM65]

I then sanded it, sprayed several coats of clear polyurethane, and applied several coats of wax.  I added some starboard pieces so that I could recess the bottom drain as well as a light, and sprayed several coats of PVA.  Then I tinted some gel coat a light blue and applied it followed by 2 layers of 3/4 oz mat and 2 layers of 1808.

[CLM65]

I figured with the prep and the taper, it should pop out of the mold easily, right?  Wrong.  What a PITA that was.  Although I thought I did a good job sealing the joint between the formica and the bottom piece of wood, apparently I didn't and it didn't want to let go.  When I finally got it apart (by destroying the mold), about 30% of the primer was stuck to the gelcoat.  I was able to sand it off pretty easily, but now I need to apply another layer of gel coat.  Overall it doesn't look too bad as it is.


And here is the light

[Capt. Bob]

 I also made some starboard pieces so that I could recess the bottom drain as well as a light.

Remember who's asking.
Should there be a slight "indent" on the form bottom to allow for light wiring?

Edit: Guess I was a little late with my question.

Edit #2: Thought the light was in the bottom.

[CLM65]

I also got to work on the form for the transom cap


I'm using melamine for the wide area at the back, and I'm also going to replace about a foot and a half of the gunnel.  To match the width/shape/contour of the gunnel, I boxed in area I will be replacing and used some expanding foam to make that part of the form.

[gran398]

[CLM65]

Here is what the underside of it looks like




I will need to do some prep work before I can glass it, but it is a start....

[RickK]

GREAT looking work Craig  :!:  :!:  
I've not got much work done lately but did work the build up stuff around the rod holders inserts - borrrrrringggggg stuff.

[CLM65]

 I also made some starboard pieces so that I could recess the bottom drain as well as a light.

Remember who's asking.
Should there be a slight "indent" on the form bottom to allow for light wiring?

Edit: Guess I was a little late with my question.

Edit #2: Thought the light was in the bottom.

I guess my wording could have been better...drain on the bottom, light on the side.  I will also have an overflow and supply fitting on one of the flat sides.

[CLM65]

GREAT looking work Craig  :!:  :!:  
I've not got much work done lately but did work the build up stuff around the rod holders inserts - borrrrrringggggg stuff.

Thanks Rick!  Yes, there are some parts of these projects that lack excitement, but overall a very rewarding experience   !

[Capt Matt]

You could use a drain tube to control water overflow level
I can't stand this type of drain in a baitfish live well but for crabs and shrimp it will work good and make plumbing easy
Capt Matt

[fishinonthebrain]

Craig looks good. I can't wait to see you pop that transom cap out.

My form on my livewell stuck too. Man was it a bitch to get out and clean up.  

[CLM65]

You could use a drain tube to control water overflow level
I can't stand this type of drain in a baitfish live well but for crabs and shrimp it will work good and make plumbing easy
Capt Matt

I have that type of drain on my 205.  It is simple and functional, but a pain when you only have a couple fish left in the well and you have to chase them around the standpipe.  Even though the main purpose of this tank will be for shrimp and crabs, there may be times when I only have a handful of baitfish and just use this tank instead of the bigger one.  So with that in mind, I'm perfectly fine with the bit of extra work with the separate overflow.

[CLM65]

Craig looks good. I can't wait to see you pop that transom cap out.

My form on my livewell stuck too. Man was it a bitch to get out and clean up.  

Thanks fish.  I've only made a few things with forms so far, and each has tried my patience.  But it is still one of the most rewarding things I've done so far on the rebuild.  I'm hoping to get the transom cap form ready to go by next weekend...keeping my fingers crossed that it goes smoothly!

[gran398]

You could use a drain tube to control water overflow level
I can't stand this type of drain in a baitfish live well but for crabs and shrimp it will work good and make plumbing easy
Capt Matt

I have that type of drain on my 205.  It is simple and functional, but a pain when you only have a couple fish left in the well and you have to chase them around the standpipe.  Even though the main purpose of this tank will be for shrimp and crabs, there may be times when I only have a handful of baitfish and just use this tank instead of the bigger one.  So with that in mind, I'm perfectly fine with the bit of extra work with the separate overflow.

Have two different height standpipes, they both screw in. So when the bait gets down to a few, screw in the shorter standpipe. Lightens up the weight load too.