1974' Aquasport 240 CC Rebuild

[RickK]

The hull does look to be ready for battle!! I wondered how you were going to reglass the weird transom those 240s have. Looks like you've got a good plan.

[Capt. Bob]

 

[Ulysses485]

The hull does look to be ready for battle!! I wondered how you were going to reglass the weird transom those 240s have. Looks like you've got a good plan.

Rickk, Once the stringer are molded back, fuel subfloor is done and stringers capped, it should really feel stout. And yes, I pondered  a while (years at this point ...because I started this 240 project on a cut up cabin model Seahunter I sold) to come to this conclusion and pretty confident it will be the best way in the long run. It will definitely be a challenge getting it shaped and rub rail how I want it on the transom.

Hey Capt. Bob., good to see you around.   

[Capt. Bob]

I check in off and on. Been working on housing improvements for our two sons. Boat hasn't seen water in over two years. Priorities change and I'm not getting any younger.

Excellent progress on the 240. looking forward to the finished product.

Good luck.

[Ulysses485]

On March 23rd I picked up a TTop tower combination that was from a Young 24. Looks to be a similar top that I have seen on a Gause as well. Really solid and got it for a great price. I tried for a while to find a frame so I could build a hardtop so this is perfect. It also has the provision for me to add a second station if I decide to do so and has a storage box built into the fiberglass top. Now just have to cut up my console to make it work.



Transom live well that they just threw into the deal( Pretty Wide and deep.....Dimensions are approx. 17x37x17 :

The fuel tank subfloor was almost finished until I had a failure on the layup. I am pretty sure the glass was wet in one spot because it rained really bad the day before and the glass (although hiding under the hull) got damp. Got it ripped off, grinded back down and its finally done.



These 1’’ Plascore Plastic Honeycomb panels are incredibly strong when laid up. There is nearly no deflection in a 1'' panel. Really happy with them. I did pick up a couple sheets of 3/4'' to inlay for the tower and either heavy glass thickening or 1/4'' aluminum backing.

[RickK]

 

[Ulysses485]

Got the bottom of the hull gel coated underneath the fuel tank subfloor and subfloor glassed in. I used some cut up glass panels from another project as a "Mold backer" and it worked out great for the purpose. Getting close to putting foam back in the stringers.

[Ulysses485]

Got around to measuring up and cutting the console down to fit the new T-Top. Need to grab a couple of sheets of Melamine to use as mold backer to build it back. I cant wait to get a deck built and start mocking stuff up!!

[RickK]

 
That's a unique t-top the way it has 2 levels. Are you going to make the console taller so you can utilize the rear attachment points?

[Ulysses485]

That's a unique t-top the way it has 2 levels. Are you going to make the console taller so you can utilize the rear attachment points? Unfortunately the rigging tubes you noted that go to the storage box in the top are not in line with the console so I will have to raise the console about 4-5 inches to make it work. I thought about raising just the helm section so I don't increase the overall height of the console but it would be much more work so I have to ponder on that. I was always into puzzles as a kid but this is next level.

The Top style is actually commonly used on Gause Built Boats (not sure if they come out of the same mold but they surely look identical) which I discovered in the process of making the decision to purchase. The top was marketed as a takeoff from a Young 24. It has a fiberglass hardtop so it makes for a usable platform. I really like the look and think it will compliment the eyebrow on the cap well. I know most like a flatcap but I like the classic look of the brow and its functionality to shed water.

[Ulysses485]

Summer is HERE!! And it’s more brutal than it seems it ever has been!! I'm determined to get foam in these stringers this summer so I don't miss out on the expansion opportunity of the heat (and get stuck waiting for winter to be over to foam). I'm going to be coring the hull sides with 3/8’’ Divinycell (from the chine up and forward within the bow) and capping with a layer or two of 1708 and final fairing a layer of chopped strand mat and then maybe a fine cloth for easier sanding/fairing (similar to peel ply but cheaper and works better according to a boat builder I am buying materials from).

I’ll be using the factory casting deck so it will get built back using new foam on the underside for the integrated fish box, new glass tabbing @ underside, and new Gelcoat inside the boxes and underside of gutter rails for a finished look inside. The main cockpit deck will be 1’’ plascore with 3 layers of 1708 top and bottom). I hope to core the sides in the fall/winter, set casting deck by spring of 2025, build deck mold/table  and finishing/fairing by fall/winter of 2025.  Don’t mind me as I brainstorm and set goals for myself LOL. On to some updated photos…


Melamine Form built & screwed/bolted to existing glass outer skin, Matt buildup, one (1) layer of 3610, and one (1) layer of 2408. The remaining layers for exterior skin will be laid now that the mold and screws have been removed..

[RickK]

That looks really good Ulysses, that multi-level transom is a bear and it looks like you nailed it. 

[Ulysses485]

Rickk,

I am really happy with how it came out indeed. Molding clay was the ticket for the inside corners and the melamine works great for molding! It was my first go at a mold so glad it came apart so easily. I just wiped it all down with some partall wax (making sure not to get it on my tapered glass edges) and it popped right off.

Not I have to decide how best to set coosa because I’m afraid of just bedding it in the center without a way to get to the backside corners. I’m thinking of forming inside with melamine and pouring foam in the corners, popping the mold, and laying 3-4 layers of 1708 to build an inside “exterior” skin sort of speak for the coosa to bed into. Thoughts?