1974 Aquasport 222 Rebuild Captain Joe

[Capt.Joe]

Picked up my 45gal oval livewell from Epic marine this past Friday. Now I’m looking for a leaning post to place in front of it.



I also got my gas tank installed.



I’m testing a new idea for my hatch gutters to see if I can get them to come out in one piece. Working hard to get this boat up and running.

[RickK]

Nice progress.

[Capt. Bob]

 

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Getting there!

[Capt.Joe]

Had a couple of hours to spare today and finally cut out my first hatch for the floor. Next week I’ll cut the rest out and prepare to epoxy the floor together.

After I cut the hatch out, I decided to start getting my hatch gutter idea underway. I’m using 2x2 pieces of wood (actual 1.5x1.5) and made a frame for my gutters. My next step is to lay it down on melamine or project board, wax it really well, and lay/epoxy glass to it.

[Capt.Joe]

*UPDATE*

My floor is glassed together in one piece. Rigging tube is attached to my starboard stringer using two stainless steel straps and 5200. I’m replacing my fuel tank straps with stainless.

Today I tested my first gutter hatch mold idea. I used 2x2’s as my frame, glued to a cheap laminate board from Home Depot, and waxed it. Single pieces of glass were cut to cover the entire area, then one solid piece to tie the whole thing together. Wax paper and clamps were used to hold it in place keep the shape.

My first attempt at it was ruined by contaminated epoxy (I double dipped my chip brush). I realized what I could do better and tried it again. Right now my second attempt it’s drying and tomorrow I’ll pull it out of my mold to see if it could actually work for my application.










More updates to come!

[Capt.Joe]

Getting it out of the mold was a pain but I know what I need to do for the next one. It came out exactly as I envisioned and I believe will work wonders on the boat. Idk why the gutter project was so important to me but I’m so happy that it came out correct.

[RickK]

 

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Looking good. A few suggestions that I learned after making mine if you don't mind. First, if you've got a router, round over those edges a little. It will help the glass lay down better and make wiping them out easier once they are in the boat and full of leaves. What are your plans for the drains? Try to get the biggest ones you can fit in there, and make sure they have a screen over them to keep the lines from clogging up. And third, you may want to add a few more layers of glass. They will flex some when you're standing on the lid with just two.

[Capt.Joe]

The first thing I did when I popped it out of the mold was stand on it lol Since it flexed I plan on adding two more layers of glass.

I forgot to add pictures of my glassed hatches. I used poly, 1708, CSM, and 5/8” honeycomb board to stiffen them.

[Capt.Joe]

My goal is to have the floor epoxied down this weekend or next. I know I’m getting ahead of myself but I’m trying to plan my next step which is my cap.

I want to remove the old wood, clean the undersides, lay glass, then add coosa, and glass over that.

Question:
When I go to remove the cap do I need to support it with anything to keep its shape? Can I remove it, flip it up side down, and proceed with my plan or will that ruin its structural integrity?

[RickK]

Yes, you need to keep the width stable at least with a 1x2 clamped or screwed across at the rear. You can keep the sheer line pretty easily by setting it upside down on some saw horses/framing, that is how I worked on mine.

[dakota]

hi can you tell me what engine size is ok for repower of a 1976 222 Asport?? or is it better to closeup open transome & use a "bracket w/motor outside?? thanks,  dakota

[Capt.Joe]

First and foremost, the floor is in! I didn’t glue the front floor in just yet but the main floor is epoxied down. I removed those cheap fuel tank straps and installed 4 really nice heavy duty aluminum angle. The hat he gutters are glued and glassed down as well. It took 5 quarts of epoxy mixed with fumed silica to cover both stringers and about 2 quarts to fill the edges and seams.

[RickK]

Lookin good.