1971 Flatback

[LilRichard]

How am I supposed to post up all the progress I made this weekend... I usually use the AS photo gallery.  Guess I need to go register for a photobucket account...

 :(

[RickK]

Yeah, dunno what is going on and I don't have access yet to anything.  I've been using photobucket too.  Pretty easy from there, look for the same "IMG" line you normally use from our gallery.
Wish I knew how to get ahold of the Capt to alert him to our dilema.

[LilRichard]

Not to be outdone by "the other project", aka Shine's project, I too decided to add in two layers of 1808 to the hull.  Actually, I was speaking with a few folks who recommended it on the older hull... apparantly adds considerable strength... so here it is.  For now I have added it between the stringers, I will do the outer areas when I start building in my cross members.



After that, I added my half-round center stringer.  This will give the tank something to sit on, while also adding extra rigidity down the middle.



From there I worked on adding a short center stringer up front.  I saw that a lot of guys were not adding them, but my boat had one stock, so I decided to err on the "overbuilt" side.  Here it is being shaped:



And here it is glassed in.  Despite the nasty angle, I only got a couple of minor bubbles.  



The next thing to do is to glass in the bulkhead where the stringer will terminate.  Here's a pic the core:



And from the rear:



Fuel tank should be here in two weeks, courtesy of RDS.

Now I just need a day back at work and away from the boat!

 :)

[RickK]

Coming along nicely Rich

[JimCt]

That'll be one strong hull when you're done.  Looks good.  Appreciate the updates & detailed narrative.

[Shine]

[LilRichard]

I got that damn cold that's been going around, so no real work this past weekend... hoping to get some done tomorrow and Sunday.  I did start cutting up my center console yesterday.





the console was originally 39" wide... much too wide for a tower boat.  Plus the design was not very useful.  Plan is to cut the top off of it, then cut it in half and take about 7" out of the middle.  Hopefully put it all back together and make it look nice.  We'll see about that last part.

[JimCt]

I noticed in your last picture the lights set into the sides of the console are the old original Marinium stern lights.  If you plan to pull them out there may be someone who could use them.

[LilRichard]

Really?  Ok... interesting.

[LilRichard]

My "help" should be around this weekend to finish some bulkheads, but until then I am still working on the console.  Here are some pics as I started to frame up my new top:







Meanwhile I also received an early Christmas present:





Got it from RDS- very nice people, good price.

Looking forward to getting it installed this weekend (if all goes well).

[RickK]

So, you already cut the middle out of the console?  Looks good - hard to tell it wasn't always like that. 8)

[JimCt]

Wish the gas tank Santa would come down my chimney. Console looks good.

[LilRichard]

Thanks guys.  Trying to figure out the best way to tackle the lip on the cooler.  Not gonna be fun to glass and fair...

[LilRichard]

Wish the gas tank Santa would come down my chimney. Console looks good.

That might be dangerous if the tank was full... it'd be the end of Santa.

[capnjfran]

I'm a newby to this forum and am beginning a rebuild of a 71 222.  I'm wondering about supporting the hull, to keep the hull straight and true while stringers are out and new stringers are going in.  Mine is in my garage, blocked at transom rear corners, and blocked under bow.  with stringers and floor out, seems to have twist and flex, if I induce it purposely from pulling on gunwhales.  Should I have more support points along the chines and under the keel to keep the keep straight? Could you include a photo of where you blocked the hull, please?   Also, how much higher are you locating the floor?  I've heard 2" higher than the old floor was is the new standard.