Ryan's (aka prudog45) 1975 Aquasport 222 Newbie Rebuild

[prudog45]

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY:
So it is about a year after I joined this board, please stay with me I can get wordy.Its my way, I can help it. Regardless the members of this forum Months later with much help of many on this board I bought a 1975 Aquasport 222 from Sandman (he was/is a member but I'm not sure he frequents these pages much as he was moving into a Wellcraft). Today is also the 1st Anniversary of my Fathers early passing from Esophageal cancer related to Agent Orange exposure while he served as a door gunner with "The Big Red One" in Vietnam. I honestly didn't remember this day was one year until my girlfriend told me. I mention it as It is in my signature and I'm 43 in June and I miss him everyday. I your parents are alive cherish your time with them. My dad was diagnosed and gone it seemed in a blink. Truth said it is very true statement that the best things in this life can not be bought. And although we on this board share a common interest in our boats, they really mean nothing if we can't share them with someone. At least that is IMHO.

Ok, I apologize for that, it was a small mention of this day in remembrance of a great man, and how April 7th will never be the same for me. Regardless I will now get to Day 1. It took me nearly a year, but I got my boat back from the transom re builder and boat painter. I will comply to the rules and not slam anyone on this board. Lets just say I was way over due to get my boat back, and the friend that did it will not be joining CAS. Good guy, good conversation, and pretty good work. In conclusion in this small introduction post I promise to stay more on topic from now on, but my intention is to write this to help guys like me. Guys that many not know what to expect, and hopefully I can make recommendations from the mistakes, or scares I make along the way) I have many to thank but a select few, like fellow North Carolinian, Gran398 has been of great help. Regardles thank you all that have responded to my post.

[seabob4]

Good luck Ryan in your "journey".  May your Father rest in peace.


Now start re-building!

[wingtime]

Ryan,  I'm the same age as you.  I lost my father to pancreatic cancer when I was 24.  Oddly enough he passed on his fathers birthday January 17th.  I remember the first anniversary of his passing was very hard for me. In the years since some of the anniversaries have been easier to bear while others were harder. So January 17th is a date that is never the same for me for two reasons.  I want you to know that even after 19 years, I still think of him every day.  I remember after he passed people were trying to make me feel better by saying the pain would go away.  Well I knew then as I do now they were full of BS.  The pain for me is still there.  The empty hole inside is still there.  Time helped me bear with it and live with it and move on, but it never really goes away.  I don't want that to sound discouraging, but for me thats how I feel. I think one of the reasons I have embraced boating and fishing is because of him.  He loved to go fishing, and he took me fishing several times as a kid.  There are many times I think of my father when I'm out on my boat.  I know he would have really enjoyed going out on it whenever he could.  God bless you and your dad.  

I'm glad you have your boat back from the painter.  I'm sure you will make many new friends on this forum!

[kaptainkoz]

Welcome to the site. We would love to see pics of your project. Special thanks and prayers to you, your father, and your family for all the sacrifices made stemming from protecting the American Flag. I appreciate all of our service persons and the families that fight with them.

[prudog45]

Thank you for your well Wishes. It is a sad day, but also a bit of a joy as I did start my aS  222 rebuild. Apparently my second post related to my topic didn't make it through.

POST 1 (April 7th 2014 - Deck Removal - NOTE: Transom and Paint completed prior by outside professional)

Ok well I decided that I would go ahead and use a skill saw with a guide so I couldn't cut to close. It worked fine, what didn't work was I should of got a new blade and one more like a multi purpose blade. My cut was smoking and blade dulled before I even reaching the transom, starting at the casting deck. I got it all cut with minimal trouble although around the cable trough was a bit tough. If I was do this again I would of used a dualsaw with a fiberglass/ wood blade due to space. And to make myself less nervous about hitting the hull.
I was trucking along fine and then ran into where I may need a pointer or two. I have to release the hull from the stringers. I tried a sawzaw with a long blade and couldn't make a dent. I decided to line up the left and right of the stringers and use a chalk-line so I could cut these out of what I was going to pull up. I could then work on the stringers with a lot more space. Well this is where day 1 turned into quite a site. I popped myself with a 6x4 post, busted my lip open, and ended up with 4 stitches in my mouth. Nice start :-)

1. Any pointers on removing the deck from the stringers? Special tool, longer sawzaw blade? I've accepted that the floor is going to be trashed now.

2. As I left the casting deck in tact, is there a trick to getting the wet foam from the stringers under it without removing it

I'm honestly amazed now when I seem some of the rebuild picks and people have just removed the floor no issue. I think I could be looking at quite a job just cutting it the deck of the stringers, I have no room.

Pics will come soon, not a lot to show now except a 222 with the floor still in.

[prudog45]

Ok I'm about to get slammed here for not searching enough, and posting something covered in a forum somewhere. However, I have found an issue that I need to rectify anyway, I can't see any of the pics within Post. Noted this last year after about 3 months of posting.

Regardless I'm back, roughly 10 months later. I bought Sandman's 75 AS 22.2 and knew right from the get go I had to replace the transom. I hired that out, then the guy that did the transom offered to do an outside paint job - since he had to paint the transom. So I elected just to get it done. Well he had it much much longer than I had hoped. I finally got it back last week.

Anyway, to the point, I'm replacing the floor myself, and maybe the front step up locker and fish-box/storage section. The cable channel will come out and I'll run PVC pipes from under helm to transom (Probably two - one to left and one to right). The plastic gas tank that was put in I believe I will replace as it was put in backwards and foamed in. It was made to work as it was, but Im too OCD to let it go. My OCD is expensive at times. I pulled all cables and wires out (No Good), I pulled out all hoses (No good), I'm either replacing the helm, or re-glassing it. I have that all covered I believe.

Question 1: Can I just remove the lower section of flooring and decide on the step up storage area after ithe lower floor is removed, or should this all be removed at once. The old floor will be scrapped for sure. But the storage section might need saved for a reuse, I need to see what I'm dealing with. I'm going to uncap stringers and pull the foam out, then re-foam with closed cell. - of course then re-glass tops on stringers.

Question 2: When removing the floor my challenge looks to be the cable channel,  maybe it's easier that it appears. But if I set my saw to cut about 2 inches from gunnel, I'm not sure I can cut this out. Is it easier than I'm thinking, will this remove as easy as the rest of the floor?  

Question 3: I will be putting in a gas tank, recommendations on size? Or Links? It appears that they threw this one in, through some pieces of un-glassed plywood in so it would set on these, assuming to leave drainage open. I'll pull these and glass a section for it to sit. But the access panel is so large, has everyone been making the access panel as large. I like it, but it surely makes for some super reinforcements. I thought a big piece of thick mahogany would do well, shined up stained, and polyurethane'd, probably have to put not skid tape on walk on sections. Now bare in mind this is what sounds good, as I would like to build a helm pod out of mahogany and make all front hatch doors from mahogany. But Im talking a lot about wants, and wants don't get me fishing. So any and all ideas are welcomed.

PS. I know this topic is probably covered 100 times, so I am sorry for the re-post of an already posted discussion. However, I couldn't find any specific, and as I have to start Wed - it's at a friends boat shop - he's allowing me to do the work there. I don't want to take advantage. So I need to move on it ASAP. He's not going to rush me off, he's not like that. But I would like to be making progress as opposed to scratching my head.

So even if you provide me the post that discuss this, I am very thankful. Then I can troubleshoot why I cant see forum pictures.

Thanks to  Cmitch94  http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/member.php?uid=70828 he had the picture showing almost exactly what Im looking at. Minus the fact that my transom is new and raised 5 inches see below.
http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6631&title=aq10&cat=2

[RickK]

Hi PD, welcome back.  I'll try to answer what I can below.
1) There are a couple ways to tackle what you want to do.
    a) the best way would be to pop the whole liner out as one, flip it and recore the bottom.  Most of us don't know how to do this (including me) so we move to the next option.
    b) cut out the floor and leave a 2" ledge around perimeter to lay the new floor on.  That's what I did the first time I replaced the floor in my 170.  Worked fine.
    c) Cutting the top off the stringers is a normal way to de-foam them, you'll have to do some finagling to get the foam out from the portions of the stringers that extend under the casting deck.  Been done before here and documented.

2) The "trough" is something you will have to cut out separately and you'll have to fabricate a ledge or glass the new floor to the side of the liner. What I did was left it where it was and added another layer of flooring on top of it.  If you want it gone, then you'll have to cut it out.

3) Poly tanks are pretty rugged, can you reuse it?  Pull it, check it out and see if it is still usable.  Orient it the way it should be and it could save you some major denaro.
I would stay away from exposed wood on the rebuild. It will be a PITA for the rest of the time you own it.  The tank cover may be too big or seem to be because it has to end in the middle of the stringers.  You won't know until you pull it apart.

Now for the "not being able to see pictures" problem.  You can't see any?  If you go to the gallery can you see them? What kind of device are you using?  PC, Mac, smartphone?

[Capt. Bob]

However, I have found an issue that I need to rectify anyway, I can't see any of the pics within Post. Noted this last year after about 3 months of posting.

I'm guessing you are experiencing trouble posting a photo(s) in your post  

There are a number of "stickies" on photo posting in each forum. We can help if we know what you need. I read through your prior posts and see no mention of this before (but I might have missed something). We certainly want to see your rebuild and that includes any photos of work you already completed on the transom. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions on same.

Thanks and good luck.

[prudog45]

Thank you RickK and Capt Bob, I think the picture problem is specific to maybe some users removing photos. I can see them in the photo gallery, but not on every post sometimes they appear as missing Xs. last summer, I was growing accustom to using gran398 (Scott's) Miss Delmarva photos for references. But I can not see one photo in his posting "Miss Delmarva Pics - at last - 1973 22-2 Rebuild". I have found it is touch and go when going through the Aquasport 222 Rebuild Post. Seems all the Flatbacks I can see their photos, but all the 12 degree deadrise 1970s AS 222 show no pics. I'm almost positive this is just a coincidence, it would make no sense otherwise. I think the way to troubleshoot this, is have someone go to gran398's "Miss Delmarva Pics - at last - 1973 22-2 Rebuild" and see if they can see pics. If not,, then I have no issue, as I can see pics other places. The only issue was I was going to print Miss Delmarva Pics - at last - 1973 22-2 Rebuild pics that I needed for reference. But you know, maybe it's time I start my forum and then write a book and make Millions, maybe even hundreds :-)

Back to the show: Rickk I must say thank you, because something I seem to keep forgetting is "K I S S" and although Im sure you know what it is, in case someone doesn't -- "Keep it Simple Stupid". Because I tend to think I have to make it better that before. But the truth is to do everything I want, I'm eatting up time and money. I believe this Wed morning I will start removing the floor with the 2" left from the gunnel. Im still concerned about the cable trough, because I don't oppose going over it, but won't I be raising my whole floor about 1/2 an inch. Ive not got under it and looked, but maybe I could use a Dremel and a 1" piece of wood and take out this side? The 1 inch piece of wood to make sure I leave one inch of floor. I'm by no means debating someone that has done it, what do I know. I just either remove it, or find another use for it. But if I find another use for it, I have to rebuild the cover. I don't like the idea of that. I did think I could see about leaving a very small part of the trough and then match it on the port side then lead both sides back to the drainage, self bailing area. But there again, Im talking like Im a fiberglass master. Nope, far from it. I understand fiberglass 60%, I have done it, but Ive only used Polyester resin and roven woven. That is my plan for all of the top (Polyester) as epoxy is just too expensive and unless I build a livewell, which I may later, Im not sure what I will get from the extra money.

AlsoI have read so many guys removing the floor and then sanding underneth, Im not sure I get this? I mean if I find some delamination, I will fix it, but besides a good power washing to see what Im dealing with, I don't see adding fiberglass over fiberglass in a boat that was built in 1975 and was still sea worthty when I bought it. I've also read about guys reinforcing their gunnels with more fiberglass, as the thickness of the 222 was very thin. Agreed, it does seem to be thin, but once again, isn't it prefered to have some flexibility in a boat (these boats were built in the 1960s and 1970s and here we are in 2014 talking about restoring them. It seems Aquasport got this build pretty right. I mean I really could throw it together and launch it next week if I didn't care about cosemetics. Problem is I do care   If I had to do this,add glass to the gunnels, maybe one or two layers max. Thats just my thought. I do have to glass the top cap as I removed rotten wood on both sides. I'll have to redrill pole holders and such. I also have to figure out if there is an anchor locker that was hidden. The wood was removed from the underside of the bow cap. I have to replace it, but Im wondering about making an anchor locker here.

Well I have more questions than answers. You have given me what I need to get started. Granted I'm still confused about the cable trough. Anyone in the Raleigh, NC area done this before? I can surely find 24 cold ones for a drive by supervision :-) Pics to come soon with a new Post stepping through the rebuild.

[RickK]

I think it's something with either your PC or your internet connection - I can see all the pictures in the Miss D thread.

[prudog45]

Well I bet I missing an add on. This happened to me last year, after about 3 to 4 months of joining. I thought it was a website issue. I'll switch to Chrome and Mozilla and see if that fixes it. I'll assume it's a missing add on, and IE gets flakier with every upgrade. Thanks for checking it out. Now I know.

[RickK]

I use Firefox/Mozilla and have no problem.  IE seems to pick and chose which PC it wants to work on.   I have a PC in the family room that IE gives us fits on so I use Firefox and on the PC in my den IE works great.

[seabob4]

Second the FF or Chrome usage.  I use Chrome, have no issues with it whatsoever.  I highly recommend NOT using IE, very susceptable to attacks, malware, etc...

[Capt. Bob]

I think the way to troubleshoot this, is have someone go to gran398's "Miss Delmarva Pics - at last - 1973 22-2 Rebuild" and see if they can see pics. If not,, then I have no issue, as I can see pics other places. The only issue was I was going to print Miss Delmarva Pics - at last - 1973 22-2 Rebuild pics that I needed for reference. But you know, maybe it's time I start my forum and then write a book and make Millions, maybe even hundreds <!-- s:-) -->:-)<!-- s:-) -->

OK, let's start here first.

http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=10459.0

If you can't see these photos, the problem is on your end.

This is the reduced version (wheat separated from the chaff) of the thread you listed above. This thread has ALL the photos with descriptions, just the banter between members is removed.

Gran asked to have this done so someone (insert your name) could use his rebuild to help with their (again insert your name) own. It is 6 pages long rather than 117 pages so you can better concentrate on your rebuild. Of course the original has all the flavor, flare and flatulence along with high drama that this particular rebuild, like no other has had.

You can therefore copy the photos, in their proper order and as Gran had hoped for, gain insight into your rebuild.

Good luck.

[seabob4]

Flatulence!!  Moi?