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Seacraft Progress

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21K views 40 replies 27 participants last post by  Aches n Pains  
#1 ·
I spent saturday home on the shore with my dad working on the seacraft. We just got it last tuesday.

Saturday we stripped the inside, removed the console, leaning post, all deck hatches, and pulled the fuel tank.

We are going to replace the deck (since it's 23 years old) and probably open up the transom to close it in and add a bracket.

Here's what she looks like naked inside (pulling the tank)

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A shot looking in from the stern

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The best part about this project is, i still have my Maycraft so we can fish.

More updates to come......
 
#2 ·
Please keep the updates coming. I learn a lot from the posts and am facinated by it for some reason. There was a guy on THT that did a makeover of a Mako, posted pictures and answered questions. It was fun to watch the boat take shape.
 
#7 ·
Thanks guys - i will keep you posted with updates.

We have never done anything like this before and all i keep telling my dad is "fiberglass work can't be rocket science"....hahahaha


We'll see what the end result is...........
 
S
#8 ·
Yuk yuk.... that's pretty much what you say to everything. Making lures - can't be rocket science, building a rod - can't be rocket science, rebuilding a boat - can't be rocket science, making a thermonuclear warhead powered by solid rocket boosters.... well, you know!
 
#16 ·
UPDATED 9-29-08

Well we decided to go all the way with this project. I didn't have alot of time to work on the boat this weekend, but we did get some work done.....good weekend for it too.

We cut out the remaining part of the deck. It was all wet from years of abuse.

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Here you can see how wet the wood is

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The stringers in this boat are a fiberglass shell, filled with foam. They were kind of weak and the foam inside was loose. We cut the tops of the stringers open and dug out all the foam.

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We filled the starboard side stringer up with 4lb density closed cell 2 part foam.

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Once we got the stringers filled up, we cut some 1708 glass and started wetting it out.

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Here is the starboard side stringer after 2 layers of 1708 wet out with epoxy resin

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All of this work is relatively quick and easy. Because it's all under the deck, the glass work doesn't have to be perfect, just strong. The new stringer is so much stronger than the old. Our next move is to open the port side stringer and redo it the same was as we did the starboard side.

More to come..........

-Mike
 
#20 ·
Shawn is right.......we are winging it. Neither of us have ever been involved with a project this big.

However, we have both studied ClassicMako Owner's Club and Classicseacraft.com on various subjects about replacing decks, transoms, rebuilding stringers, etc.

As far as our supplies go, well my dad is a bit over-cautious and he only wants to buy high quality supplies. Our first order of cloth/resin and foam was over $800, haha.

-Mike
 
#21 ·
Mike-

Interesting project. You should have a nice rig when completed.

A friend of mine did a full restoration of a classic Seacraft. It was just completed last week and he will have it at Montauk Oct 5 when we go up. He powered with a new Yam F250 which should be a great motor for that rig. Because of the extra weight and the better fuel economy than older motors that were available when the SC was sold, he put a smaller fuel tank in her and moved it forward some. That helps counter the extra weight of the FS.

BTW, Simon still has his 1998 23' Seacraft for sale. It is in great shape and does not need restored. Since he is running his new Reg, the price is negotiable. It will be a great boat for someone. Here is a shot at Montauk last year.

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#25 ·
Seacraft Update 11/10/08

Had some time on saturday to do a little boat work. We accomplished alot in a short period of time.

Here we are trimming some glass for the port side stringer.
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Wetting out some cloth
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We had to build a new rear bulkhead. It is 2 pieces of 1/2" plywood glued together with epoxy and a piece of 1708 cloth. Then, we layed 1708 cloth on both sides and sealed it up.
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We glued the bulked into place with epoxy thickened with Cabosil. Notice the drain hole at the bottom, never had that originally and it caused problems.
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We cut slats out of 1x4 red oak for the fuel tank to sit on. We decided on slats so that any water to gets into the tank coffin can run out between the slats and then out the drain hole in the bulkhead.
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At this point, both stringers have been rebuilt and they are STRONG. The bulkhead is in place and the slats are cut. Once we get the slats glassed into place, we will begin working on the new deck.

more to come......

-Mike Robertson
 
#28 ·
Seacraft Progress 02-07-09

Well, it's been slow go on the seacraft. Not really a lack of motivation, we found out the hard way that resin does not cooperate in cold weather. My dad's shop is great, but it is un-insulated with an open ceiling. He can only get it to about 2x the outside temperature in there. So, when it's 20 degrees outside, it's just too cold to get anything done.

All the stringer work is done, they are totally rebuilt. We needed to find a solution for slats to sit the tank on. After alot of consideration, we molded a solid piece of fiberglass about 4' x 4' and about 3/8" thick. We then cut out six, 8 inch strips and squared off the ends.

Weird picture, but this is about how thick they are

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The slats still did flex a little bit and my dad is an overbuilder, so we glassed in a thin strip of 3/4 marine beveled and totally encapsulate with epoxy and cloth.

The end result

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Since the last post, we added a front bulkhead and glassed it in place to completely close in the tank coffin. When we took the boat apart, there was no front bulkhead. We gave the bottom a quick coat of paint and then bedded the new slats to the bottom with epoxy thickened with cabosil. After that setup, we gave them a quick grind and tabbed them into the stringers. The 1st and last tab are also tied into the front/rear bulkhead.

Here is our slats layed out and ready for battle.

Image


This is our first serious project. One thing i can say is that our glasswork is not the cleanest, but it sure is strong. Once the slats hardened dad and i stood on 1 together. 2 x 250 pound men standing on them and they do not budge. They should hold the tank down without question. Next we will clean up the coffin and finish painting it. Then we will set the tank and begin laying the deck back down.

More to come soon on this slooowwwwwwww project.

-Mike
 
#31 ·
Let me tell you with 100% certainty. We do not have any type of special skillset. We are winging it as we go. Most things you just have to pre-plan and think about for a while before wasting any material. Any of the work we have done thus far can be done by anyone who is relatively handy.

Bob L said:
Looking good. I have been using fast hardener on my project due to temps. Yesterday with it being so nice out figured I would laminate my 1/4 ply on the bow of my skiff, all I can say about that is ya gotta work fast and be well planned out when the temps are up with the fast stuff. When I was done the temp in my unheated plastic shed was 70 and by yesterday evening I was able to pull my temp fastenings. Think I will get some slow hardener now.

Bob
Click to expand...
Hey Bob -

We are utilizing the fast/medium/slow hardeners as well. When the temps are high, you are right you don't have many minutes with the fast hardener. The glasswork is alot easier with 2 people, at least for us!!

-Mike
 
B
#30 ·
Looking good. I have been using fast hardener on my project due to temps. Yesterday with it being so nice out figured I would laminate my 1/4 ply on the bow of my skiff, all I can say about that is ya gotta work fast and be well planned out when the temps are up with the fast stuff. When I was done the temp in my unheated plastic shed was 70 and by yesterday evening I was able to pull my temp fastenings. Think I will get some slow hardener now.

Bob
 
S
#32 ·
Thanks for the update, I have taken interest in watching your progress. I along with my brother fully restored a 1962 50' chriscraft constelation about ten years ago. I have been itching to get after another project (not a wood boat !) Just looking for the one that jumps out after me.

You just need skip to come out and insulate that building for you, that way you can get her done for the spring. Looks like you have a great workshop eitherway, thats what i lack right now my work shop is only 12x20:helpsmilie:

Good luck,
Taylor
 
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