Kate's 1974 222 Rebuild

[mshugg]

Once more the boat looks great.  Do you know what your glass guy used for non-skid?  Was it additive to paint or gel coat?  Or something like Kiwi Grip or tough coat.  It looks like it wraps up onto the interior hull sides or is that just the photo? 

[Capt. Bob]

 

[KlassyKate]

Once more the boat looks great.  Do you know what your glass guy used for non-skid?  Was it additive to paint or gel coat?  Or something like Kiwi Grip or tough coat.  It looks like it wraps up onto the interior hull sides or is that just the photo?

Thank you! going to the welder next week to get a steering station made.

The top cap is gel coat with some grit that was "rolled" while tacky. The inside was rolled white gel coat then splattered with black and grey gel coat. You're correct, it does go all the way up the interior sides.

[RickK]

Looks really nice Kate. Glad to see you back.
Did the re-builder draw out the location of the stringers with measurements so you can find them later? How about any bulkheads? Did he put any backer blocks so you can mount a tower or a console to it?  Know where they are exactly?  You need a drawing of this for your files.
I think you mentioned needing a console - I think you should move it forward a little to offset the lever the porta with motor is causing.  I think the 26" setback is like adding an extra 100 (maybe more) or so lbs in the back of the boat. I would set the console in the boat, fill the fuel tank and launch the boat.  Then climb in, lower the bracket to the point where the motor would be when you take off (or when you're drifting - I know you'll have to learn that but take a swag at it) and walk to the rear. Then slide the console forward and walk to the rear and see what happens, keep repeating the process until you get it about right.  I think you need a little light front end so you can compensate for people and gear up front.  Once the boat is on plane you don't worry much about this because you can control the attitude of the boat with trim and porta.
My $.02 and worth only what you paid for it
Maybe I can get some help on this from one of our members that has done this in a big way on his converted boat - I'll chase him down.
If you're mathematically inclined, here is a formula that might help https://www.vcalc.com/wiki/KurtHeckman/Mechanical+Leverage+Calculator

[RickK]

I wanted to know the ins and outs of the effect a bracket has on the boat and how to counteract what I called "virtual weight" so I asked a member of ours that documented his conversion of a Bertram on Bateau2.com.
We always see members adding brackets and portas on their boats (I added a jackplate) so I really wanted to get and post an explanation for our members. 

My question:
"For example - I add a 26" porta bracket to my boat and I add a 550 lb engine to the bracket. What virtual weight is added to the transom?"

His answer:
"The weight is the weight Rick. I think what you are calling virtual weight is moment that is created. So if you move the engine back 26” it creates a 550*26=14300lb-in or 1191 lb-ft moment. To balance this you add weight on the other side(forward) of the transom. The farther forward the less weight required. If you add weight 10’ forward you need to add 1191/10= 119.1lbs. that achieves balance at rest. To negate the affect while running you have to do the same thing based on the distance from the center of lift. Is that what you are driving at?

If you are thinking what twist you are putting on the transom it is the moment or 1191lb ft. With that you can figure out what thickness your transom needs to be. Maybe that is what you are looking for?"

Now the only thing that we don't really know is how we can compensate for the variable weight to the rear in the form of people walking back there, so we don't submerge the scuppers - should we over compensate for the "moment" ? Maybe he will help us with that too.

[KlassyKate]

Hi Rick! Always great to have your advice and input. The guy who did the glass did mark it all and I've got a crude diagram that has the most important measurements. The console will be a mostly aluminum driving station with a small fiberglass helm/box. It won't be a true tower as I have to be able to fit underneath a very low bridge and only have 69" to play with from waterline to the highest permanent point on the boat.

We shifted the fuel tank about 10" forward of it's original location - the tank is also smaller (32-gallon) than the 80-gallon that we pulled out of it. My intent is to have the large hatch in the bow as a fish box/cooler and the smaller two as permanent gear (life jackets, anchors, spare prop, etc). A large cooler will be secured in front of the driving station as seating for two and two deck chairs in front of that, if needed. That's what I'm accounting for the bulk of the weight forward - am I missing anything?

When we splashed her the other day she sat nearly perfect, so I'm hopeful that the weight that we add forward will only elevate the scuppers slightly. If someone walks to the stern and water comes in, it will flow back out when they move again. Now if it's cold, I'll run with the plugs in to prevent wet cold feet.

I appreciate you reaching out to the member about the porta bracket - that explanation helped me visualize what is going on much better! 

[northfork]

Wow what a nice job. That thing is really going to move that HP
Post up some more pictures of your finish.

[FL.flatback]

Can't wait to see the driving station set-up. Should be cool.

[KlassyKate]

Here are some pictures of the mini-tower/driving station that was custom designed and built by Florida Marine Fabrications:

[KlassyKate]

Almost done with the custom designed, made from scratch multi-purpose box. This boat didn't have much storage and my goal has been to keep it as clean and simple as possible. The box was a brainchild of my husband and brought to life by one of our talented captain friends who can build just about anything out of glass. The box will house my battery, hydraulic pump, and oil reservoir (until I switch to a 4-stroke), act as a backrest for the 75 Yeti that will be sitting in front of the console, and acts as a footrest for me while I'm driving. Recessed hinges keep it clean, still trying to finalize how we will latch it... possibly with Yeti-style straps.









I got all of the holes cut for the instruments a few days ago and the guys are rigging her tonight. I wish I could be out helping, but I'm home fighting a bug. Crossed fingers that she will be in the water within the next week!

[RickK]

Nice looking station Kate.  Boats really coming together. 

[KlassyKate]

This is the post I've been looking forward to making for about four years..... THIS PROJECT IS DONE!!!

Lot's of learning, fiberglass itch, derp moments, and 5200 have finally brought this project to a conclusion with the installation of hatch hinges yesterday. We splashed her and ran her at the end of April and she ran FANTASTIC! However, not self-bailing as I was worried about. If you're reading this and you're debating on raising your floors, DO IT. That is my only regret on this build is that I did not do that... not a biggie by any means, just going to have to scupper her down the road or create a drain into the bilge.

I fished her two days in early May and filled the box each day with fish, this boat gets you to your fishing spots in a hurry. Both days we went about 20 miles off shore and it rough one day and smooth as glass the next but a comfortable, DRY ride both days. The fish box that I had backed and insulated held ice as good as a Yeti - over 48 hours and still had ice.

The tower fit under the bridge perfectly and is just right in height. Since those two days fishing we have swapped out the steering wheel for one with a suicide knob (have to have that to safely navigate the rivers here) and installed the GPS on a RAM mount. I'll post some photos of that after tomorrow's fishing. There will still be some details and tweaking I'm sure, but all of the big stuff is done!

I'm really looking forward to putting this boat to work on July 1. As pretty as she is, she is a work boat and will be running scalloping charters and custom charter trips from here on out. My husband and I are taking her out at o'dark:30 tomorrow to go trolling for gag grouper (that season opens today June 1) so we'll see how that goes. This boat turns heads for certain! Many people do a double take to stare at the boat, then look again that a female is captaining it. Stare away! 

Thank you to everyone on this forum that has helped me in some way over the course of this project. The Aquasport community is supportive and I'm thrilled to be a part of if. If anyone is ever in the area, give me a holla and we can catch up and talk boats! Here are some photos of the conclusion of this project:

First splash and MacRae's


In the Blue Water behind our house


Running to dinner after a successful fishing trip


Slick water on our first fishing trip


The water was crystal clear


Mouth of the Homosassa River


I can't get enough of the shine on that gel!



Bottom paint job done by Crystal River Marine


Best way to go out to dinner


Happy to have this done! His and hers boats

[Capt. Bob]

Excellent!

[theFunsmith]

Looking awesome. Well done.

[FL.flatback]

Beautiful job, I really like the driving station.