Restoration HAS BEGUN!

[ccarver]

the restoration on my 1977 seaking HAS BEGUN! heres some pics of my progress...




Before Sledge hammer

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After Sledge Hammer

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Front brace i built in welding class

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brace inside the boat

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differnt angle

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thats about it ive been doing this week.... im going to put 2 more braces in.... middle and back.... then lay a sheet of plywood over them... make it nice and flat and stable....oh btw.. i am going to bolt the braces in if you were looking that close... wish our school had a tig welder.. could just weld them into my boat

ill keep posting more pics as i continue to build

 

[ne7800]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

looking good keep up the good work

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

may i suggest a little more bracing.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

how many braces are you going to use ?? I agree with TD 4 or 5 braces if your going to wolk on them !! other then that LOOKING Good !! John

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

How is the steel bracing going to react with your aluminum boat?

 

[ccarver]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

how many braces are you going to use ?? I agree with TD 4 or 5 braces if your going to wolk on them !! other then that LOOKING Good !! John

im going to use about 3 or 4, and i did forget to metion i am going to put little peices of metal in there to support it more thank you TD for diagram, i was going to just put 3 little pieces verticaly across but i like the slanted idea you drew

after the braces ill put the wood down and step on it and see what it feels like if it needs more or not

and the metal is lightweight and im going to bolt it into my boat, since our school dosnt have a tig welder

 

[jennis9]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

Nice job... keep posting pics!

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

This is a great idea and one I would and will concidering for an FD Alumacraft that I have.
For the bad news is steel cannot be welded to aluminum even with a tig and bolting them to boat is not a good idea. It would be alright to bolt them if you bolted them to the brakets that the seats were rivited to.

I would try to incorporate the seat mounts into your design, it in my opinion would be the most important part as the boat strenght is the seats and where they are placed.

Useing the cold roll flat steel is great for forming the bottom as you did but you need a couple more gussets. By putting in more gusset you will be firming up the floor as well as making sure the hull will not dent in if it is was to come into contact with rocks or tree stumps.

Will you be useing the ribs that runs on the sides of the boat, they look like there are at the same level as your intention for the floor. Proper lenght of screws would make things a little easier and increase the hull strength.

I realy like your idea so please do not get discouraged with my comments or suggestions as they were free.

I would also concider a bilge pump and where it will be placed. Total cost under $30 for all parts required.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

I am sure you are being taught what galvanic corrosion is in your school? If so, you do know you will have to provide a barrier between the steel bracing and the aluminum hull. Paints can be used, but you have to be careful that is doesn't wear away with movement that will happen between them, even if they are bolted solid.

The aircraft industry fights this kind of stuff every day. This is one reason why jets have to be taken apart and inspected all the time.

Just some food for thought.​

 

[ccarver]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

yea... i wasnt going to tig weld them.. i dont even know how to tig weld never done it in my life... were probly going to bolt the top were the braces originally were, and put silicone around the bolt befor we screw it in...the rubbing part of it.. i didnt think of this... maby getting a foam noodle and cutting it in half and puting inbetween the boat and the metal? or possibly the fake rhino lininig stuff i was going to use insted of carpet (because carpet has a tendacy to absorb sents and would be easier to clean) that might work better....ill put some thought into this

 

[jennis9]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

I read in a thread somewhere here that old bike tire tubes would work as a liner - although the rubber swells if exposed to gas? check joeplumley or oops posts on that one.

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

You could cut plastic jugs into strips and place them where the steel would come into contact with the aluminum.
I am sure you intend to paint the boat inside and out just use a good marine enamal and give it two good coats. Then install your painted metal and it should last a long time.
You could even paint the wood a different color and mix some sand with it so it won't be slippery.
You could low buck this and she be looking big buck.

 

[JoeCrow]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

Aren't there special rods for arc welders that weld aluminum?
If so you could fabricate the trusses from aluminum
They'd be lighter and wouldn't have the contact problem that steel has with the hull

 

[Mark42]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

I read in a thread somewhere here that old bike tire tubes would work as a liner - although the rubber swells if exposed to gas? check joeplumley or oops posts on that one.

That was me. I use inner tubes as isolators where metals come in contact. It does work really well. But the one time I cut a gasket for lawn mower gas tank cap and it swelled up really big and squishy after a few days. I tossed it on the work bench and a week later I noticed it shrank back to normal. So its not a good material to have in contact with gas.

 

[ccarver]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

those are all good ideas ill look into... my freind said somthing he has this tarish material that he uses to dampen somthing of his.. i forgot... but well look at it and see if it will work.. heres some pics of todays progress...

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[ToothDocNick]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

Keep at it. You are in the right place to learn with all the wealth of knowledge here. Just ask and you will amazed at the number of responses.

 

[jennis9]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

Thanks Mark for checking in and giving the details... I knew I was close.

 

[andyrmilwaukee]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

justfloatin please dont do that to your alumacraft FD!!!!!! The alumacraft FD is a classic highly sought after boat. you will ruin the value of it. I am working on restoring a FD to original right now and it is a great vesal. do you know what year yours is. the splashtray in the transom was way ahead of its time and makes for one strong light weight boat. depending on what year yours is it might even be rated for a 40 HP. Mine is. thats 183 pound boat with a 40 on it wow what a ride!!!!!

 

[Randybeall]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

It is likely too late now but if they reinforcements fit closely you could bond them in with 3M #5200. That would isolate the steel from alumnium and have the strength to give what you need. I think you are underestimating the problem of steel in an alumnium boat. Galvanic corrosion is a real powerful force. Lots of luck with it and happy boating.

 

[ccarver]

Re: Restoration HAS BEGUN!

its not too late.. we were gonna use sound damping foam, but ill look into your idea thanks!