1973 196 rebuild question

[dbiscayne]

not sure what Aquasport did from the factory, but Grady Whites include a drain through the rear bulkhead of the fuel tank coffin that dumps into the rear bilge, no plug, for the outboard models and they also don't foam the tanks in. Inboard models keep the coffin area isolated.

[Duffy1470]

That makes sense, actually.

[RickK]

To add a little to the context, The biggest danger to the tank, if it's metal, is water. The drain hole is to let any water that gets in, to escape to the bilge. Hopefully there will not be any gas leaking from a new tank.

[Duffy1470]

No joke on a leaky new tank. That would be a real bummer. 


Bulkhead fully glassed in. Very solid.

On the front bulkhead, does anyone ever use a piece of Coosa or ply and extend it it high enough for the front casting deck to rest on? I was either going to get rid of the front deck or make it bigger and taller.  I throw a cast net a lot and think I will miss the casting deck and it would be better taller. Thoughts are always appreciated.

[RickK]

Bulkhead looks solid.  Also, the top of the transom came out nice.

[Duffy1470]

Thanks Ricky. I appreciate it and the tutelage prior to it coming out the way it did.  Does anyone ever use a piece of Coosa or ply for the front bukhead and make it tall enough for the front casting deck to lay on?

I was looking at the 196 gull with the console against the casting platform and thought how cool it would be if the center of the bulkhead, however wide the console is, were tall enough to be the front of the center console.  Seems like no advantages to doing it though.

[RickK]

I would stick with making another bulkhead and glassing it into the stringers.  This will help with fighting twist as the hull moves through the water. It will make the stringers, bulkheads and the hull itself all one. Plus it will allow you to seal up the bilge from the top of the deck. I looked through all your pics and I can't see one that has a casting deck in it. Do you still have the original?

[Duffy1470]

Think it was dbiscayne's . I will look for it.

[dbiscayne]

Original console layout of the 1971 Gull model, and underside of the console shelf.

[Duffy1470]

Did you keep that boat? Looks extremely fishing,  beer drinking, diving, swimming,etc functional,  but looks can be deceiving

[dbiscayne]

Yes still have it I'm a hoarder of boats. In the process of moving the console back just a bit, not as far back as a traditional center console but the forward Gull layout induces a lot of motion when it's anything more than choppy. I will say this - when anchored and fishing off the back it's a great setup. But if someones casting up front and you're driving it's duck or bleed time.

[Duffy1470]

Dry fitted tank. When I removed this tank it was not strapped down and had foam all around it but no coffin so it's nose stuck out of a mountain of foam Into empty space so I really have no guide. I do have pics fr9m Ricky's build and others. Looking for the must haves like bottom supports that allow air flow. I do not know what's important. Where does the vent need to be in relation to the fill and fuel pick up etc,  help and thanks.

[RickK]

You said that you are having a tank made, is it a duplicate of the one you show? Did you take measurements of where the original was before you took it out? What I'm getting at is the placement of the tank affects the way the boat sits in the water and the center of gravity. You built and installed a rear bulkhead. What told you that is where it should have gone? When I built mine, the original tank was above the tank, so I had no hints at where my new under the deck tank was to go.

[Duffy1470]

Answers to your questions:
   # I put the rear bulkhead where I removed the old one from. Exactly where it came from.
   # I did not take any measurements on old tank because it was just laying in the bottom, no straps, foam randomly  poured all around it, etc.
   # I am having a duplicate tank made because it is the right height, width and capacity
   # if you look at the rigging troughs on the starboard stringer and compare them to tank measurements you can Infer where the tank should be "ish". For instance, the fill tube goes through the trough angled towards the front, so I am guessing the forward end of the tank ends roughly there.  The tank is 66 inches long and happens to fit perfectly between the rear bulkhead and the forward angled rigging trough
   # was hoping to glean some info by scouring the 196 rebuilds

[Duffy1470]

Oh yes, for sure dbiscayne, hoarder of boats. I know the feeling. In my barn right now is a 14 aluminum jet boat, another 14 foot aluminum jon boat, an 11 foot whaler (which is for sale) that was my first boat when I was 7, I'm over 50 now, the aquasport 196, and 3 other boats at different locations. Really need to consolidate but wont.