Mike's 77 22-2 Rebuild

[Tampa Bay Mike]

I didn't get a ton done this weekend but I did what I could. I tried to start fairing some of the imperfections on the leaning post but it was just too cool for fiberglassing, today especially. It was "Florida cold" and has been raining since before I woke up this morning around 6. Yuck!

So I switched gears and made a run down to marine surplus to pick up the rest of the fuel hoses and fitting I need to get the tank finished up and grabbed a piece of starboard to make some hatches for the front of the console and leaning post. I also ordered some cockpit drains and a few more latches from Gemlux. If anyone is looking, they have some great clearance deals on their website. Hinges for about $1-2, friction hinges for $5-6 and locking compression latches for around $20. Worth checking out if you're in the market.

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Had an hour or two this evening so I finished up the first starboard hatch that will go on the front of the leaning post so I can access the livewell plumbing. It honestly turned out better than I expected being that it was the first time I have ever worked with starboard. A few small hiccups on the corners where the router caught but not bad other than that.





Now that the practice one is done, I can work on the big one for the console. I'm planning a barn door style that will let me open just the top if I want or I can move the cooler and open the whole thing up to access wiring, etc. more easily.

[mshugg]

The hatch looks awesome!   Did you use the cutout piece os starboard for the hatch cover?

[Tampa Bay Mike]

The hatch looks awesome!   Did you use the cutout piece os starboard for the hatch cover?

Yeah, I started with one piece cut to size, marked out a 1 1/4" frame, drilled 1/4" holes in the corners so I could drop the router bit in, and then ran the router around it using a clamped down edge guide. A plunge router would have been a little better but I don't have one. Then I ran around it all with an 1/8" roundover bit to clean it up, and cut and screwed a few strips to the back for the door stop. Then it was just a matter of installing the hinge and latch.

[Tampa Bay Mike]

I think I'll use an 1/8" bit for the next one. 1/4" is just a bit too much of a gap for my liking but it works.

[mshugg]

Thanks looks great!  I’d love to see pictures of your templates/guide.

[Tampa Bay Mike]

It was nothing fancy. Just a $20 aluminum straight edge from home depot that I clamped down. For the outside corners I used a 3/4" socket to trace the curve and then carefully rounded it off with the sander. I didn't use any kind of template either. Just went old school with a ruler and crayola marker to draw it all out first.

[RickK]

You sound like you use the same techniques that I do.

[Tampa Bay Mike]

You sound like you use the same techniques that I do.

What's that? The ones that cost half as much but take three times longer? 

[RickK]

ahhh, it's the doing it 3 times that takes the time - I'm guilty as charged - hell, I think I painted the bottom of my boat twice with primer and then twice with epoxy to get it right, oh and had to paint the hull sides twice too.... practice makes perfect

[perchman97]

Hatches look sweet!!

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Hatches look sweet!!

Thanks! I priced having some made and it would have been over $450. I've never been a fan of the cheap plastic ones. I should end up with just over $100 in materials to make both of these and I'll still end up for a few feet of starboard leftover for down the road.

[mshugg]

Thanks! I priced having some made and it would have been over $450. I've never been a fan of the cheap plastic ones. I should end up with just over $100 in materials to make both of these and I'll still end up for a few feet of starboard leftover for down the road.

That’s the trade: money- v- time.

[Tampa Bay Mike]

I finished up the hatches the other day and did a little fairing on the new leaning post. I also got the holes cut out for the hatch and the livewell.







I thickened some gelcoat for a final fair and spread it on which is why it still looks rough. I'll bought some brushable gelcoat and will give that a try once I get it perfect.

I also epoxied in a second rigging tube for the fuel lines, etc.

[mshugg]

Hatches look good. Question about four rigging tubes, did you put in any kind of limber hole or dran?  I always wonder about that when I see upturned elbows on both ends.  Otherwise any water that makes it into the tube needs to evaporate or stay.