[mrobertson]

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)

A shot looking in from the stern

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

More updates to come......

 

[swartj]

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.

 

[smellslikefish]

Way to dive right in.....HEAD 1ST Mike. A grinder, circular saw, and fiberglass boat......I'm ITCHING just thinking about it

Bill

 

[Bird Watcher]

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.

I second this. I am always impressed when people take things like this on. I wish I had the time to learn skills like this. Welders, carpenters, boat builders, electricians, etc. are the people that make this world tick.:yes:

 

[Shawn Kimbro]

Knowing Mike & his dad, it ain't nothin' to them to jump right in on something like this and I have no doubt it's gonna come out as sweet a boat as any on the Bay. Can't wait to see her done!

 

[tydog]

Mike

Keep us posted. Like swartj, I really enjoy these types of post.
Maybe Brandon will start a board for project boats.
If there is one already please ecxuse my stupidity.
I love the project boat section of classicmako.com
ClassicMako.com - Mako Project Boats

Thank you

 

[mrobertson]

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...........

 

[Shawn Kimbro]

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!

 

[Emptypockets]

Great pics

 

[twiskman]

Rockin Mike! Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

 

[iFishMD]

Nice work. At that pace you are going to have a boat in the water before me. I love those seacrafts!

Keep the progress photos coming! :thumbup:

 

[ReelSmith]

Yeah Mike, keep us posted of the progress! I'm looking forward to seeing this project through...good luck!

 

[stevej00]

Very cool. My father is a seacraft junkie. classicseacraft.com has some very cool photo sets of rebuilds.

 

[JimRockfish]

Great father-son project. Thanks or sharing and you'll really enjoy that boat when completed.. Keep those progress pics coming! Jim

 

[fishinblues]

Thank you for sharing!:clap:
Please keep us updated on the project

 

[mrobertson]

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.

Here you can see how wet the wood is

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.

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

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

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

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

 

[smellslikefish]

Nice work Mike....better you than me brother.:yes:

 

[Good Chance]

Looks like Raka epoxy? Someone amongst your team must know a bit about fiberglassing then!

 

[Shawn Kimbro]

Looks like Raka epoxy? Someone amongst your team must know a bit about fiberglassing then!

Somehow, I doubt that..... Got a strong feeling they're wingin' it, and I know the results are going to be amazing.

 

[mrobertson]

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