1981 Aquasport 170 rebuild in Sweden

[larsli68]

Thanks Rick! It sure feels good. 

[CLM65]

The progress you and Rick are making is making me jealous.  Looking great, Lars

[larsli68]

Thanks Craig,

I do not compare my restoration with Rick's. He is doing a fantastic job on his boat.
I have a couple of jobs this week that I'm a bit nervous about. I will post pictures after... I don't want to jinx it...

//Lars

[jfret]

Hello Lars.....I've been following your rebuild thread for a while and wanted to tell you your boat is looking really good. I'm also doing a rebuild on a 1974 Aquasport 196, but I am a newbie to boat buiding so I don't have much advice to offer other than keep up the good work....the guys here an CA have helped me a lot. Looking at all the progress on all the rebuild threads keep me motivated. I also see that you work for Schneider Electric......I work with an application of utilities management software that Schneider Electric now owns called Fiber Manager.....Big Company, Small World.

[larsli68]

Hello jfretwell,

Great to hear you get some inspiration from my/our builds.
I have gotten a lot of help from this forum too. Great to be around friends with this project. I would have felt very alone (only Aquasport 170 in Sweden???)
with this project had it not been for this forum.

Cool, you work for Schneider-Electric too! It is a huge company anymore. I have been with them since May 2004.
I hope to stay on for another 15 years... ;)

I hope your restoration is progressing too. I will check the forum for 196 boats and see if you have posted any pictures.

All the best,

//Lars

[larsli68]

Installed my hydraulic steering hoses tonight, and also the control wires for the Merc.
I had great help from my 13 year old nephew. I could not have done it without his help.

[larsli68]

Finally warm here in Sweden! 80 degrees today! 76 right now at 7:40PM.
I installed the rub rail today! Feels great. The white trim was a pain, even if I warmed the crap out of it. I still have 4 feet to go.
I took the picture to make it look like it was 100% done. I hope everyone is having a nice Friday!

Greetings from Sweden!
//Lars

[larsli68]

Finally finished the rub rail this morning. This is a job I'm glad to have behind me. Installing the white trim was a pain. I figured out a special tool
I duck taped the sharp end of a crow bar, and pushed the trim in place. Still a back breaking job 3/4 of an inch at the time...
Now it is done!

//Lars

[RickK]

Looks really nice Lars, the finishing touch.   
I remember going through the same hell when I installed the rope insert on my rubrail even though I lubed it with dish soap.  A buddy and I figured out that we needed to use a 3/4" piece of conduit cut at a 45 and we ran the rope through it - we inserted the conduit into the slot and had to beat it around the boat and the rope laid into the slot as we went.  Took a couple hours and almost killed us (it seemed). Then after 4 or 5 years it shrunk about a foot 
What brand rubrail did you use?

[larsli68]

Hello Rick,

The rub rail brand is for me unknown... I bought it from the biggest boat store in Stockholm ( like West marine) called Seasea.

They have only prime products in stock, time will tell if that also goes for the rub rail...

My arms are hurting now... Feels good to have the rub rail in place.
One question. Where I go around the corners, it bulges up. Should I cut out a triangle and glue it down to make it flat?

//Lars

[CLM65]

Looking good Lars!  When I replaced the insert on my 205 a few years ago, I used a heat gun to warm it up a little.  It was still a pain, but it goes in much easier when it is soft.  You might try heating up your corners a little bit to see if they will lay down better.

[williecoyote]

Your boat is really shaping up nicely.
I enjoy watching your progress.

Your brother's sailboat is beautiful!
Is there any rivalry going on between the two of you?

Keep up the good work.

[larsli68]

Hello Williecoyote,

No, no rivalry between us. He is the master ships builder. What he can not create in wood does not exist.
I'm the computer guy, fiberglass guy and tech nerd...
We complement each other pretty good. But I don't compare myself with him when it comes to boat restoration...

I bolted in my center console this afternoon. Half the day went to go mow grass at our cottage.
It is on an island, and I had to use my old piece of crap boat to get there. I can't wait to launch my Aquasport.

I also started with the electrical system today. The main harness between the console and the engine is in place.
Posting a couple of pictures from earlier today.

[RickK]

Nice pics Lars    Do I see a power pole behind the cottage?
What did you use for the wood trim that is normally under the console?
The rain here is in it's summer like pattern already it feels like and the temps are soaring already too.

[larsli68]

Hello Rick,

I think it's a telephone pole or a power pole.

I used thickened polyester resin and filled up the edge around the base. That way it can never rot again, since my boat will
be in the water for 4-6 months every season.

I hope my brother has time to help me with some wood trim today. I will post pictures later.

//Lars