18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

[Slacker411]

I have a 18 FT Bonito Bowrider with an outboard. In the process of sole, stringer, and transom replacement. I am almost ready to install new materials and have a question about filler materials. I have cabosil, glass microballoons, and un-waxed polyester laminating resin. I need to know if I have to add wax to the mixure to be able to use it as a fairing mix or for fillets that might need some sanding.

A little more info on the boat: Cap is off, sole is out, stringers and transom out, and about 80% of the inside of the hull has been ground to a fresh layer of glass using 36 grit flap disks and an orbital sander with hook and loop 40 grit. Template made for transom, still need to cut the new wood. I got the hollow fiberglass shell once containing the old wooden stringers ground out very close to where they met the hull. Thinking of using them as rough templates vs. scribe and post method. I plan to use 1.5oz CSM, then 18oz woven, followed by another layer of 1.5oz CSM. for the stringer and transom layup. I still need to buy more wood for the sole/deck. I am wondering if downgrading to a cheaper wood for that portion would be on ok idea or not? On the inner sides of the hull there was previously carpet there is all sanded and I plan to sand the rest of the boat down and primer, then paint using an air compressor and 20 oz. HVLP gravity feed spray gun. Hopefully the pics I have to attach work.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

You can see in one of the pictures with the stringers and foam still in on the right side of the boat you can see there what looked like supports for the sides of the hull or possibly just structure that was built to have a storage area on either side of the boat. It was basically a longer 2x6 along the deck and sides of the boat forming a shape kind of like a ]. I wonder if I really need to worry about putting that back in if it looks like it serves a structural purpose or was maybe just there to be able to form a box on either side for storage.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

I plan on taking all the accessories and hardware off the upper cap, filling any holes from the old rotted out seats and just go over the whole thing with primer and paint. One day down the road maybe I will re-install backrest cushions.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

Hi and welcome to the Dry Dock, Slacker411...

Looks like you have a pretty good handle on what you are getting into...
I would like to come aboard and watch, learn and help if I can...

Best of luck!
GT1M

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

If anyone was wondering how I am supporting this whole thing while on the trailer I have measured the width of the cap. After I finish sanding I will run a couple screws through some of the existing holes from the rub rail. I will then use ratchet straps and adjust the sides inward the right amount since it all kind of flexed out after removing the cap. I have the boat raised up with 2 stacked 2x4's on the trailer lifting the boat up at the bow just about where it starts to curve upward. This took the weight off 3 of the rollers in the middle of the trailer. In the rear it is resting mostly on the back roller. The bunks on the trailer just lightly support the rear of the boat and don't seem to be putting any indentation or impression on that area at all. It actually has a lot of play and I can move the bunks around from the straight position: | : or / or \ directions. If that makes any sense. Any way I move the bunk it just barely hugs the shape of the hull but does not put any indentation on it. When I actually start to lay in the new stringers and floor I will put the trailer on jacks and get it leveled out, then make sure the boat is well leveled out. I will use these adjustable saw supports against the front sides of the bow portion of the boat that doesn't have any bunks. From my experience thus far those roller supports were easy to adjust and support the front of the boat to keep it stable while I work/grind on it. I would use a carpenters level across the front of the bow as shown to make sure each side of the boat is level and looking straight. I realize that I probably should have built a movable cradle and taken the boat off the trailer before ever taking the cap off. Unfortunately my better half would not have looked too kindly on the extra cost of building a cradle considering how much money I have already put into materials etc. Any opinions are welcome.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

I cannot see hooks or unwanted curves in the hull and seems well supported.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

Here are a few pics. The tools of the trade =) Respirator, goggles, angle grinder...gimme something to grind. I have just been wearing long sleeve shirt, pants and shoes and work gloves while grinding. I know some prefer a tyvek suit though. The other picture is of the engine stand on wheels I built.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

By the way if anyone decides to get a cheap-o grinder make sure you get the replacement plan. My grinder was $12.99 at harbor freight and it only cost $2.99 for a replacement with a warranty. That is grinder #5 for this job so far lol. I wonder if I am pressing too hard =)
m

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

By the way if anyone decides to get a cheap-o grinder make sure you get the replacement plan. My grinder was $12.99 at harbor freight and it only cost $2.99 for a replacement with a warranty. That is grinder #5 for this job so far lol. I wonder if I am pressing too hard =)
m

Try putting a scotchbrite pad on the air intake held on with some rubber bands to help filter the amount of fiberglass dust that gets in there...

Also add some baby powder to your PPE before you suit up for a grinding session, helps cut down on the itch factor afterwards...

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

No wax necessary for the fairing materials or fillers. You can still sand them without it. And, I would imagine if you couldn't completely get every spot on the surface new resin wouldn't take to it. I am using a skil brand grinder from Walmart that has been flawless for about 35$.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

Thanks for the response MWE-maxx. I will have all the interior of the hull ground to a fresh layer of glass soon then plan on using something like 180 grit with an orbital sander on the outside of the hull to prep for paint. I do not plan on grinding all the way through the gelcoat though. Thx for the advice on the fairing/filler materials

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

Yay, no rain so far today finally. Time for some grinding =)

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

So I ended up getting rained out. Typical Florida weather. I did manage to get some grinding done before the rain came though. Since it was wet outside I decided I would do a rough cut of the transom wood. At this point I plan on laminating the two pieces that are under my foam template there together with 1.5 oz CSM and poly resin between the two layers of wood. When that finishes curing I will finish cutting the actual shape of the transom with a jig saw so that the cuts are smooth. I will probably run some stainless steel screws to help clamp the two pieces together before cutting. You can see the wood left over from my cuts today that should work out perfect to shape some of my stringers.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

Curious if anyone could tell me if the curing process would be different if I was to glue the ply together with the poly and CSM in my garage and leave it in there to cure for a day or two just it is rainy out? Or would I be better off waiting until its nice and sunny outside. I figured that the resin would be hidden from the sun anyhow being covered by the 2 pieces of wood.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

I would use titebond3 wood glue or something similar instead of fooling with the resin and mat.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

I was thinking about that too. I am going to price out some of that stuff and decide. I already have the resin and mat that is why I was thinking of using that as a glue instead of opening up the pocket book (yet again) but its definitely food for thought.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

Check the link in my signature for drawings and instructions on how to fabricate your transom, stringers and deck. You can glue your transom together for about $10 bucks worth of TB III wood glue.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

That's a good price thanks Wood! Excellent info wood, I have actually read your thread a few times already it has great info. I started looking at threads like yours and Oops hull extension well before ever cutting into my boat. You guys have some great info and it has helped me a lot. Thank you.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: 18ft Bonito Bowrider Restoration

My thoughts are you'll need lots of mat and resin for the build, save it till it's needed!