Fletch's Hydra Sport 2100 CC

[Fletch170]

[RickK]

Looks like you're getting close to buttoning her back up.  Lookin good Fletch

[Fletch170]

Thanks Rick, still have a ton of work before she gets off to paint this winter. I really thought I'd have it done for the fall, but if I'm being realistic, I don't think it's going to happen. I'm just taking my time and doing it to the best of my abilities.

The only thing I'm farming out is the paint (I'll prime it), and the starboard work for the doors and rod storage trim.....all of which will be done in a heated shop during the winter months.

[dixoncj]

Hi Fletch - I just found this thread with The Google and signed up for this forum because of it. I have a 1985 Hydrapsorts 2100cc - the actual boat I used to fish on with my granddad as a teen. Been doing a lot of work on it - including the transom a couple years ago. I got rid of the 2thirsty5 and put a 1999 200 Ocean Runner on it and it drives niiiice. Havent' taken the decking off or anything - and after seeing this thread, I don't plan to. Polished it up a few weeks ago and it looks fairly stunning - particuarly the glitter in the 'lightning bolt'. This is a pre-polish pic. Will post some more up near future.
If you ever find a brochure or owners manual, I'd sure love to see it!
Thanks
CD
http://chrisdixonreports.com

[Boatdesigner]

Haven't been here in a while, but thought I should mention something. In your old stringer system, the wood was the structural component, not the fiberglass. It has to do with the relative stiffness of the two materials. With the foam cored stringers, the foam is essentially just a form for the fiberglass, which is now carrying all of the structural loads. You need to make sure you have enough glass to support the loads. Just off the top of my head, I would have used 3 layers of 1708 0/90 material or two layers of 2415 fabmat. You also need to make sure you wrap the top of the stringers with glass as that ties the two sides together and creates a beam. Some people will overlap the two sides at the top to make it extra thick and strong. It looks like your boat is coming along nicely, great job!

[RickK]

Nice explanation and analysis BD 
Thanks for hanging out with us 

[Fletch170]

Hey all! Back on track with this build. Finally got the stringers done, and have started installing the rigging tube. I will follow up with pictures as soon as I can!

Chris, I'm glad you found this! There really isn't much out there in the way of information for these boats. BD sent me most of what he had. Shoot me your email and I'll forward over what I have.

[Fletch170]

Also, as I put the deck down, I will be (outside of using a ton of putty), will be tabbing the deck to the stringers from the bottom side.

[Fletch170]

[Fletch170]

[RickK]

Nice progress Fletch 
What are you going with for the tank - poly?

[Fletch170]

Yep! 85 gallon poly. I wish it was bigger....especially with the 225 Carb merc, but it will do. I still cant get a good burn rate from things I read on the internet....so I guess I'll have to do the work myself:)

Advice for anyone who is building stringers that are not foam filled: Allow 4 times the time and resin......What a pain in the rear that was.

[CLM65]

Looking good Fletch !

Just a reminder to those of you installing poly tanks (which is also what I am doing).  Make sure you leave enough room on all sides and above the tank for expansion.  The tank will expand 2-4% (IIRC) in all directions once the poly reacts with gas.  In your setup above, if those ribs are snug against a brand new poly tank, it might not be pretty once the tank expands.  You may be aware of this already, but I figure I would bring it up just in case....

[Fletch170]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm aware the tanks expand, so there is some room for said expansion.

[Fletch170]