1973 196 rebuild question

[Duffy1470]

Had to stare at the above for an hour for all the cuts to reveal themselves

[Duffy1470]

Console mounting flange(?) Was in bad shape on both sides and still had a speaker hole to fix. Tried blue tape over hole method. Definitely not as good as a hard backer. Hole probably too big for tape.

Before


After, but still wet

[Duffy1470]

Did both sides

[Duffy1470]

Thank you Rick for brown thread explanation.  I did that by accident.

[Duffy1470]

More console work. Cored where steering, throttle , gauges, etc will go with 1/4 Coosa. Is that thick enough for steering apparatus to be mounted to?  Other pics as well.

I am thinking about putting a beach umbrella holder in the center of the top of the console. Wife is a red head so shade is not an option and i am not a fan of biminis and i dont want a t-top cause i am cheap. Also thinking about making it receive a pole with running and anchor lights. Maybe a tri color light like on a sailboat mast.  Any ideas or input on how to or why not would be welcome.



Trimmed up mounting flange. No complaints. It will definitely work well and looks okay.

[RickK]

The console is looking good. Doesn't look like you're afraid of fiberglass anymore. 
The 1/4" coosa is a good start and if you need to beef it up in places you can add another short piece where you need it or you can lam like 6 layers of 1708 which makes 1/4 to 3/8" thickness. I did that where my retractable cleats were in the aft - really beefed the structure up.
What I did inside mine was add plywood (soaked in resin and glassed in place) so I had place to screw stuff into - battery charger, amp for stereo, terminal blocks, etc.

[Duffy1470]

I've looked at your build a lot and it seemed like you planned ahead for most of it. Did you/can you play some of that by ear or make a game day decision on some of those decisions. I am redoing the console now, so I guess game day is today. To beef up the console where the steering is I could put a 3/4 inch piece of Coosa on the outside (glassed of course) and that would raise the steering wheel 3/4 + glass which would be desirable. Thanks for your input.

[Ulysses485]

Duffy, the console is coming along nicely!

I agree with Rickk on the thickness of the helm being sufficient. I would add glass if needed or another sheet of coosa from the underside if you feel its not firm enough for the helm. I built up a helm using Coosa (post #28 on my 1981' - 222) and the shaping and forming of the radius corners was such a pain that ill never do it again that way nor recommend  it. Now that I have used melamine to mold stuff, ill do everything I can to shape what I need using it to maintain flat surfaces and smooth radius'.

[Duffy1470]

Thanks for the input gents. Perhaps another layer of glass or two or 6. Honestly, that would be easier than more coring probably. Added the shelf lip tonight with gorilla glue. It's not structural but I will probably add a strip of 1708 on the edges. Will get pics tomorrow.

[Duffy1470]

Finished glassing console with a layer of matte on the outside. Sanded it all up (not in this pic). Cut the hole for the umbrella. It's mocked up with pvc pipe. Hopefully I can make it double as a running and anchor light setup. That's a project for later.

[Duffy1470]

Getting closer. Finished up with a layer of matte. Need to grind and sand it. The lamination schedule was a layer of matte, layer of 1708 and another layer of matte. Put a sheet of plastic over the console, put the pieces of the hatch on there, clamped the hatch in place, then glassed everything in place ensuring a good fit.

[RickK]

Yup, sheet plastic is a good friend. I still have a bunch of cheap painters drop cloths from my rebuild. 

[Duffy1470]

Gel coated back of hatch and Inside console base white. It will end up with at least 2 coats probably 3. Im just rolling it on because it is in a hidden area so fit and finish is not the goal, rather make it easier to see in dark places and protect the raw glass. Ground and sanded other side of hatch. Have a bubble to repair. You'll never guess where. Going over a corner. I'll post a picture of it later.




This actually a good picture of the shelf supports I put in earlier. Glassed down one side kind of by accident after I glued and clamped them with gorilla construction adhesive ultimate.

[Duffy1470]

Final coat with wax

[Duffy1470]

Now that the console  is "complete", I am moving to complete the casting Deck. I am planning on doing it in one piece with gutters molded in for the center hatch. Other than melamine or plastic are there other substances that can be used for a mold?  Saw frp boards for half the price with one side having a sort of non skid molded in. Does polyester resin stick to that? Any thoughts or stick to melamine?