starting the rebuild. 72 aqua 222

[randy56100]

Im new to classicaquasport and i just bought a 222 about 2 weeks ago that i have started building. im only 20 so my funds are going to decide how long the rebuild takes :P so far i have pretty much stripped the boat of everything except for the livewell and the center console. the console is probably going to be the next thing i take off. the stringers are good and the floor is rock solid so i will probably leave them. the hull is dry also. my biggest problem at the moment is the 40 years of bottom paint it has on it. im planning on renting a soda blaster to get the rest off. my first plans for the boat is the transom. And i want to do it myself because i want to get into the marine field anyways so what better way to learn than doing it myself. but if anybody has advice for best materials to use, best way to to close the transom i would greatly appreciate it. i have big plans for this boat to make it a charter/tournament boat for myself and im really looking forward to the rebuild!

[RickK]

Looks like it has a nice top on her  

[randy56100]

the previous owner made it himself. and it would be nice ill give it to him he did a heck of a job with the welds...but..he made it out of steel  so i took it off because it was rusting at the base and center console

[RickK]

Would powder coating help it?

[randy56100]

yeah im sure it would. the only spots it rusted was at the bases and where it was screwed into the console. but i want to put a half tower on it eventually anyways so i think im just gana get rid of this one im sure somebody would pick it up for 3 or 4 hundred bucks its a nice looking top, strong, greats welds...just wrong material:/

[Aswaff400]

welcome! i think i am no longer the youngest Aquasport owner on this site! haha

look forward to seeing a restoration!

[seabob4]

Welcome Randy!  She looks good, and the top does look like someone who knew what they were doing did the fab work.  Maybe really cheap SS?  Looks powder coated to me...

Where in CFL are you?

And yes Aaron, he makes you an old man!    

[gran398]

Welcome Randy

[randy56100]

thanks everyone! yes i am young haha but dont let the age fool you i got a passion for pretty much anything to do with boats and fishing so im going to do this rebuild right! A little guidance along the way never hurts though especially since this is my first rebuild. yes seabob i believe it was powdercoated but im guessing it was awhile ago because it could use a fresh coat. but like i said i would like a halftower eventually so i think im just going to get rid of it. its a little too heavy for my liking haha my main focus right now though it the transom...any ideas on the best materials??

[randy56100]

i am in bradenton by the way about 30 min south of tampa

[gran398]

thanks everyone! yes i am young haha but dont let the age fool you i got a passion for pretty much anything to do with boats and fishing so im going to do this rebuild right! A little guidance along the way never hurts though especially since this is my first rebuild. yes seabob i believe it was powdercoated but im guessing it was awhile ago because it could use a fresh coat. but like i said i would like a halftower eventually so i think im just going to get rid of it. its a little too heavy for my liking haha my main focus right now though it the transom...any ideas on the best materials??

Young man, good thinking, go ahead and cash out the top. Although of good workmanship, it is too heavy for your needs. And steel...even stainless...is famous for cracking welds under stress. Don't waste money on powdercoating...per the old Carolina country boy saying..."Don't put perfume on a pig."  The steel, that is.

The transom...from the ground up, we all like Coosa board, and for good reason. Spend quality time on the Rebuild forum.  Many questions you may have are answered here.  For a great transom-only poured build...search "author"....Bondobill.

Any other questions...just ask

Best to you young man...and welcome aboard!

[randy56100]

thanks gran, i wasnt planning on cutting out the entire transom. was going to cut the cap off and then add to it. i had a glass guy come look at it and he said porcellin is the best stuff to pour for a transom, said it was really strong. but than he estimated me 1500 to do the whole thing which isnt bad...but not exactly what i was looking for on a 20 year old budget haha and i want to learn how to do it anyways thats why im doing it myself. he checked out my existing transom and said it was suprisingly strong for the age and looked good so i dont think i need to cut out the entire transom. but im going to do my research before i go tearing it apart. i have a good idea of how i would like to do it, its just the materials im unsure of.

[gran398]

Randy,

Every 70's transom either needs replacing, or has been replaced. Main reason...the garboard drain (low hull drain) lost its adhesion many years back, and has leaked water into the plywood transom.....outside of the sleeve, between the sleeve and the unprotected plywood. The water, over the years (especially if the boat stays in the water) travels via osmosis and pressure upwards through the transom.

Not a knock...these hulls were built forty years back.

Aquasports were way ahead of their time. Trapezoid fiberglass foam filled stringers, no wood....makes for a straightforward rebuild today.

For right now however...if  she still doesn't flex much...go ahead and run it. When you start tearing out...the bucks add up real quick.

And in the meantime...you're not running.

[randy56100]

yes and that is completely understandable. once i get the motor off and start tearing into it i will have a better idea of what im getting into.