1974 Aquasport 222 Rebuild Captain Joe

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Looks good! I ran out of silica as well when I did mine. easy to go back and add to the fillets later.

[Capt.Joe]

Last minute tips:
1) Pre mix the epoxy resin and silica, before adding any hardener. Measure out the hardener in a separate container and set it aside. Make the mixture a little bit thicker than normal because once you add the hardener it will thin out.

2) Re wax the melamine (if you’re using it) and wax the hardware. I have to drill out my bolts.   

3) Test fit everything before you start to make sure all of your pieces line up.

Thanks again to everyone helping me through this process!

[Capt.Joe]

Today I was able to glass in the transom with three layers of 1708. Finally, the transom is complete. My next plan of attack is to remove every bit of foam and wood left on the boat, grind everything smooth, and start rebuilding the stringers. Hopefully I’ll get some pictures uploaded in the next couple of weeks.

[Capt.Joe]

Where ya’ been? I’ve been here, I promise! Finally my work schedule has shifted and I’m able to knock out some big projects on the boat. Here’s a picture of the transom glassed in.



This is a photo of the center stringer and hull stiffeners being completely removed. Next week I plan to grind the floor down smooth, power wash the inside, and get prepped for extending the stringers.



Every little bit counts and I’m remaining optimistic!

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Hey, that all looks familiar. I will say though that I'm glad that stage is behind me. Looking good and I'm glad to see an update.

[mshugg]

Looking good.  What’s your plan on the stringers?  Are you going to mold them in place? Or build sections out of the boat?

[Capt.Joe]

Looking good.  What’s your plan on the stringers?  Are you going to mold them in place? Or build sections out of the boat?

My plan is to mold them in place and run them to the transom, similar to dirtwheels. I’ll also run drains through them into my bilge area. Transom knees, new hull stiffeners, and center stringer will also be in the works.

[Capt.Joe]

Ive learned a lot in the last two days. I spent most of the day yesterday trying to make a jig to fill in the voids of my stringers. Found some Formica in the trash and decided to use those pieces to form the jig.

Unfortunately the jig idea didn’t work, so instead I decided to form the stringer voids outside of the boat. Once they were dry enough I was able to tab them into place. It wasn’t 100% perfect but damn close enough.

My next step is to foam and glass over the finished stringers.

[mshugg]

Looks like it’s working out.

[Capt. Bob]

I decided to form the stringer voids outside of the boat. Once they were dry enough I was able to tab them into place.
 

You certainly won't be the first. I recall Fearless Leader built his whole stringer system outside the hull and then tabbed them in.

Looking good.

[Capt.Joe]

After this rebuild, if I’m ever back on this forum trying my hand at another, kindly remind me to just buy a boat.

The foaming and glassing of the stringers are finished! I’m going to take a page from Tampa Bay Mike and raise them by using fence posts.

I was able to get by using 1 4lb 10 gallon foam kit from US Composites. Took my time, but should’ve could’ve would’ve done things differently to get better results. On to looking for a gas tank, flooring material, and building bulkheads.

[mshugg]

After this rebuild, if I’m ever back on this forum trying my hand at another, kindly remind me to just buy a boat.

Where’s the fun in that?  Just remember, misery loves company, or alternatively, what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.  Just think how strong you will be.

[Capt.Joe]

After this rebuild, if I’m ever back on this forum trying my hand at another, kindly remind me to just buy a boat.

Where’s the fun in that?  Just remember, misery loves company, or alternatively, what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.  Just think how strong you will be.

Hahahaha In those deep dark moments, when my epoxied knees become one with hull, I’ll remember your wise words and rise up from the fiberglass 

[Tampa Bay Mike]

The fence posts worked out really well for me. Just scuff them up real good before you glass them and they will be fine. I think I used 60 grit? I still have the end pieces that I cut off to make them fit and they are super solid, and I beat the crap out of them to make sure they wouldn't fail.

And good luck getting anyone around here to just tell you to buy a new boat!  Trust me, it's all worth it in the end when you see it come together, and the hair on your knees will grow back lol.

[RickK]

LOL - I remember when I was wetting out the the bare hull with epoxy before laying in the 1708, I mistakenly stepped on the wet resin and in an instant I was on my side in the epoxy....