1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Excellent. At this point even a little scratch or ding would make me cringe!

 

[jc55]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Eh, the paints probably going to bubble off after the first week in the water...lol.


So, I was thinking about building one of these T-tops minus the center console. One, I have never seen one on a "cheap boat". Two, I've seen some on some high end boats that were completely hideous(so how bad could my attempt be?), and with the curved windshield and outrageous bow rail of the Sportcraft, it may look kind of cool? Here's a simple design from the interweb...

A custom cover could be thrown over a t-top as a cabin enclosure, I could haul kayaks and 2x4's also. Any thoughts?

Kind of going for the micro-miniature retro version of this...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

It's kind of a 'fixed' bimini:

More then a T-top. And as long as you build it & mount it to take the stress of taking waves with a load of kayaks on it, sure, why not. It's your's to re-muddle as you see fit..

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

I've seen tops like the one in the last pic. They look to be pretty stout and in my opinion, they're very nice. I don't think that's a bad idea at all.

 

[jc55]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Thanks guys, I was hoping to get more opinions but hey...

So, I've been busy fairing the cap, filling holes, filling crazed gelcoat, etc.

So, to make a long story short, repaired the cap, moved the splash pan forward, block sanded the gelcoat as the factory woven roving "prints through" over the years. Epoxy prime, fill microscopic crazing, sand, re epoxy prime then paint...
Here she is in epoxy primer...


About 4 coats of off white Nason Fulthane single stage...


Splash pan moved forward. You can see how thick the glass is now by looking at the drain hole. About 5 layers of 1708 then epoxy SM fairing compound. I moved the drain hole off of the transom and over to the side. That way, we won't have 2" of water sitting in it at all times and one less hole in the transom.




She's not street rod perfect but you can only do so much with this wavy fiberglass. I was using a handheld broom to sweep and knocked a hole through gelcoat on the dash area...cheaply made boat.
Next up, let this all cure then Interlux Interdeck the gunwhales, bow, and rear deck.

The windshield is restoring like new thanks to the Novus system(iboats search engine). Should have her almost done except for accessories before Jan 1st.

 

[zool]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

The acrylic U shines nice right out of the gun eh? plus you still get to cut and buff it out once its gassed off and cured...looks as good as most polyester based paints but is repairable if you bang it up....

Good job man!!

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

You can't even tell you had all of that repair work to do in your splashpan. You did a sweet job on that. I like the cap, the steps are cool in my opinion. Did you have to do any other prep work on the primer once you had everything filled in or did you just have to spray right over the top of it?
Your burnin now man. From my point of view it doesn't look cheaply made at all. But I guess that just means to say your doin a great job man! And as far as the top you were asking about. I'll just say again, I think they look nice, they look stout, and I'll add that in my opinion they open more posibilities for storage of poles and kayaks etc.. just as you had mentioned. I think you should go for it man. You've put all of this heart into it, you should make it exactly what you want to if you can. Just my opinion.
Anyway, I can't wait to see that cap go on man. Nice work. I'm happy for you guys. Jealous too!

 

[electric603]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

That looks awesome!!!. I was not not going to fuss too much about the cosmetics on mine but after seeing your results I am starting to change my mind

 

[jc55]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Zool, thank you for the direction and encouragement! You were right. The single stage is the way to go. I was thinking about saving the cut and buff until maybe a year or two down the road. That way I'll have the extra "layers" to work with and renew the boat when it needs it?

Mhj, Thank you man, you know just how to pump a guy up. After the final coat of primer(which acts as a sealer if you shoot it smooth with no runs or orange peel), wait an hour at 70 degrees or above, wipe the whole boat with a tack cloth to pick up any lint or dust that might have settled, then shoot the top coat(paint) with 10 minutes between coats. All products have specific instructions. If you touch anything, it's important to wipe it down with wax/grease remover.

Electric, thank you! I can't wait to see your boat too! It won't stay nice long I'm sure.


Well today I was able to tape off, and lay down the Interlux Interdeck with a nappy nap roller. I highly suggest the 3M fine line over just the 3M green tape. I noticed some miniature crazing in the bow area that I missed that showed up in the paint. Oh well. Here are some pics...




Now to bring the hull around, finish the flooring and reinstall the cap.

Anyone know where I can get white rubber washers that mount plexiglass windshields to their mounting eyebolt?

 

[ahmincha]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Wow Great work I wish I lived closer to you

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Wow, it's crazy how the decking brings more life to the cap. I can't think of what type of washers your refering to. We have a ton of improvement and hardware stores around here though man. If you can send me some info on what your looking for I'm sure we can get some figured out.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

That fairing and paint work is some of the best I've seen on here jc, really top notch!

... now what about that floatation foam???

 

[jc55]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Thank you ahmincha! You're only about an hour and a half away. We can hook up and do a boat "work day" sometime.

I'll post a pic tonight MHj. I really appreciate your willingness to help, man.

Wow Jigngrub, I am DEEPLY humbled. Especially coming from you. Thank you. I'm sure that the "glass slipper" (looks like I just came up with her name!) will be ruined after a season in the water, but we'll see. I'm going to report back with follow up information on the performance of all the materials I've used (which is something that seems hard to come by). Pics do hide some of the imperfections.

Foam, sigh...I want to build a sealed forward compartment under the bow and just forward of the hatches for more structure, and fill it with foam above deck. As for the rear, I'm not sure I want to put foam below decks. I considered mounting all the cap hardware with Loctite, flipping the cap upside down, then filling the cap with foam. Just don't know if it would stay up in there, or if it would rain yellow fuzz for the next 20 years.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

I used Plumbing washers for my windshield install. Paint looks Nice!!! Mine was so shiny I didn't bother buffing either.

 

[jc55]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Thank you WOG! My mind is drawing a blank on plumbing washers. I'll post a pick tonight. I think it's about a 1/4" hole in the windshield.

 

[jc55]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Okay, I found/stumbled upon a can of faucet washers at work! Went to the hardware store and gathered up everything I needed! Thank you W.O.G. and thank you MHj for your generous offer.

Shining up all my "brightwork" (bow rails and mounts) with never dull and wax polish to a mirror finish.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Sorry, I guess I should have said Faucet washers!!! DUH!!!!! At least you figured it out!!!! Remember I AM an

 

[jc55]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

You're awesome...FYI I used your novus post to polish my windshield.

 

[ahmincha]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Sounds like a plan

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1968 Sportcraft C-Gull work boat project

Yeah, that Windshield Polish Works really well. Made mine look Brand New!!!!