16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

[bigman28]

Hey eveyone! I am new here and have a few questions. I bought a boat what the seller said was a 1979 BlueFin. The Hp plate is missing. The hull number on the transon begins with F M. I am planning on making this a fishing vessel. The hull is seems to be rock solid. I am going to paint the seams with gluvit once all of the wood is out. Of course the transom wood is roten also. My question for the decking is does it have to be marine plywood or will regular plywood coated with resin work? consoles are metal. From what I have read is that bluefins had wooden consoles (?) Any and all help is much appreciated. I will keep posting on the progress.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: BlueFin? boat restore

Re: BlueFin? boat restore

Welcome to iboats!!

Exterior plywood (NOT Pressure treated since it reacts with aluminum) better than regular plywood.

Take a look at this for your specs: http://www.iboats.com/Blue_Fin_Boats/bp/20br1046

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: BlueFin? boat restore

Re: BlueFin? boat restore

Read this other post http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=361441

 

[bigman28]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

Well I got the deck pulled out the majority of the boat along with the bowrider section. I am leaving out the bowrider section so I can have a front fishing deck. I am also considering the removeal of the passenger console to make room for fishing. I am awaiting the shippment of my gluvit, epoxy, and Interlux Brightside paint in Largo Blue for the topside. I am not sure if I am going to paint the bottom as it is bare aluminum and appears to be in good condition. Someone placed diamond plate metal throughout the bottom due to their use of unsealed 3/8 plywood. Once I pull out the front deck I am going to degrease,clean, and gluvit. The rear floor stringer is cut due to the fact that the last owner attempted to cut the plywood with a skill saw and cut the stringer. The slice is right down the center about 8" long. I am unsure if i need to repair the cut. Send me you oppinions.

 

[bigman28]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

Well I managed to tear out the transom wood this morning. That was a pain as I believe the boat was constructed around the transom. Thank goddness the wood was roten so I just ripped it out. I may have to reinstall in two pieces otherwise I am unsure how I will get it back in.

 

[bigman28]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

Do you guys have any suggestions about getting the new transom wood in without doing it in pieces. I will not be able to get it in from the inside.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

I was able to do mine in one piece. If there are metal tabs in the way you can either carefully bend them or if the area will later be covered my trim, cut em off. You should just be able to slide the new transom in.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

Bigman welcome to iboats and The Tincan Club. There is a tutorial on doing the transom in our tincans in the Starcraft forum Tips and Tricks section heres a link to the tips and tricks area. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=342521


That should give you a pretty good idea of how to do it easily enough . Your Bluefin is pretty much the same as a Starcraft and actually yours having Aluminum consoles makes it even more of a Starcraft since the Bluefins usually as you said had wooden consoles .


Rick

 

[bigman28]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

Thanks guys. I was actually thinking of cutting and bending the tabs back. They do not provide much structure for the boat. I am however planning on bending them back in place and fabricating some sort of attachment for possible future removal. I am new to boat restoration and was unsure if I was allowed to cut my boat as needed. I am going to start monday and will post more pics of my progress later.

 

[bigman28]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

I managaed to degrease and gluvit the seams and rivets this week. Today I got the plywood laminated together with titebond III and cut out the basic outline. Tommorow I will drill the wholes and seal with resin.

 

[tsawwassen]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

I just Over hauled my Bluefin 1985 Sportsman about a year ago, I removed the old plywood transom core and replaced it with Seacast Pourable Transom. It was not cheap but I do not have to be concerned with rot anymore. I will try post some pics of my refurb I closed in the open bow because I take it out into the ocean in the Pacific Northwest.

 

[bigman28]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

That would be good. I need visuals for ideas and of course DYI information. I am not going to work on it until next week. I will post more picks next week as work progresses. I am taking it in to get some welding done. I have some small stress cracks in a couple of my stringers.

 

[bigman28]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

I scored a motor while on vacation. It's no rocket but it will work for now. It is a 1959 Johnson Super Seahorse 35. I know its only gonna a due about 25-30 mph if i am lucky but I aint in no hurry.(redneck grammar) oh i got it for $125 with controls.

 

[tsawwassen]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

Here are the pics of my refurb I went with a 90 HP Yamaha, that was the max rating, on the GPS it clocks in at Max 43MPH

 

[tsawwassen]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

I cheated and cut the sheet metal to get all the wood out of the transom and then put on a 3/16" checker plate doubler.For the floor I used 3/4" plywood and coated it top and bottom with epoxy resin and then glued down an outdoor vinyl sheeting meant for decks or marine use. I then used some more checker plate on the floor where most of the traffic will be when fishing and hauling up crab traps.

 

[bigman28]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

I really like the restore. I like the use of the diamond plate. That Looks good. What did you use for the bow cap? I was thinking of covering mine also.

 

[bigman28]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

My restore has pretty much come to halt. It has gotten cold here in Arkansas. I am having to work in my driveway. I have a shop that I will end clearing eventually and I will move inside. Buy that time it will probably warm back up.

 

[tsawwassen]

Re: 16 ft BlueFin (Possibly sportsman) boat restore

To cover over the bow I cut out a pie shaped piece of aluminium and riveted it to the existing structure using 3/16" pop rivets, I then sealed it and covered with outdoor carpet.I also framed the underside to add strength, so if I need to drop anchor I can stand up there.