1977 Baja

[splitshot]

I have a Baja boat i am supposed to get the title saturday ( just bought it not to long ago) i believe it is a 1977 its about 16'-18' i have a hole in the bottom ( about 1/2" wide by 3"-4" long) from previous owners use and i believe the best way to get to it and fix it is to pull the hull off of the trailer and flip it over my question is how much does this thing weigh ?? i guess the best way is to pull the 200 evinrude (gonna have to beef up the transom) , controls, gas tank and windshield and get it on the ground then flip it ?? thanks for any help i really appreciate it

Before i put it on the trailer

 

[zach103]

Re: 1977 Baja

you can probably marine tex it while its still on the trailer.. i did the tex on the outside and got into the actual hole than i put 2 layers of glass on the inside..

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1977 Baja

My 16' Avenger is about the same style and vintage, and it weighs 700# without a motor or windshield.

You should be able to fix it on the trailer. Grind the hole from the underside to taper the glass. Now lay two layers of epoxy saturated heavy roving on the inside, the patch should overlap the hole by a few inches on all sides. Now before that hardens, build up the outside starting with the smallest piece of cloth that will just overlap the edges of the hole. Repeat with a slightly larger piece of cloth. Continue until you have matched the original thickness of the hull. Be generous with the epoxy and try to get all the cloth in before the epoxy sets on any of it (that should be easy), so you have a "monolythic repair". Fill any voids with poly putty and sand smooth. While you are in there, inspect any stringers or frames you can.

 

[splitshot]

Re: 1977 Baja

Didnt get a chance to work on it today but this weekend is very promissing i am kinda worried theres really no flotation foam that i see (i looked under the Back of the deck from inside the boat)...i looked at another forum member's resto on a Baja and it only showed foam in the bow around the fuel tank shouldnt there be some in the back ?? would there be an advantage of adding it in the back since i'm gonna run the 200 Evinrude ?? dont want it to sit too low in the water thanks for any help i really appreciate it

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: 1977 Baja

16ss weighs 645 lbs according to the original sales brochure.

Please stop right there before you go slapping marine tex on it-

Where is the hole?

Do you have a pic of it?

As I told you on your other thread that boat is a balsa cored hull.

And adding weight because your overpowering it doesn't really make sense.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1977 Baja

shouldnt there be some in the back ?? would there be an advantage of adding it in the back since i'm gonna run the 200 Evinrude ?? dont want it to sit too low in the water

Ayuh,...

Adding foam will Not make a boat sit Higher in the water,...
Foam adds Weight, which will cause it to sit Lower....

 

[splitshot]

Re: 1977 Baja

i just went back to the thread and saw your post...i havent gotten a pic yet but i will try for one tomorrow..i would rather fiberglass it so i know there is no way for a leak to happen...why do they only put the foam pretty much in the front of these boats ?? ...thanks for the good advise i appreciate it

 

[splitshot]

Re: 1977 Baja

Here are some pics of the hole

Here are also some rub marks just into the fiberglass (not ripped or tore yet) up front close to the bow eye

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: 1977 Baja

Where exactly is it, I'm not sure.

Can you take a pic that gives some reference as to position on boat and size?

I think what your gonna have to do is remove the inner glass (inside the boat) larger than the hole, remove the core, rebuild the outer glass, re-core and then re-glass the inside.

Which means taking up that foot wide section of sole (floor) which really isn't much work and if the one stringer that sits under it is gone (they disintegrate) you can replace it.

Your really gonna want to know that stringer is solid so the bottom doesn't develop a hook while your running fast.

I really recommend that you post this also on Scream and Fly .com's forum too.

Baja's aren't really on preferred boat list there but your find not only some people who have rebuilt that very boat and people doing it right now, but you'll also find people who are experts in rebuilding hydrostreams etc. and there all like designed hulls.

Mine is all apart right now so if you want any pics of anything before you dig in just ask.

I'd be glad to let you know what I've figured out about it.

My boat's been in the family for quite awhile, my brother traded a van I gave him for it 12 or so years ago, then it was stolen and hid in the woods for years before I got it.

I replaced every wire, switch, hose, vent, cleat etc. and then finally decide I might as well go through the whole thing and know it's all good.

I have the new transom glassed together and a big pile of materials and parts ready to go, but last week I hurt my leg, this week was bike week, next week's my birthday....

Going to the florida get together in May though so I better get to it.

My girlfriend and I have site 3 and will be there all weekend.

 

[splitshot]

Re: 1977 Baja

its hard to get a reference picture but i measured....the hole is in the center (from left to right) and 9 1/2' to 10' back from the tip of the bow..it cuts across the V....i would like a picture of the "stringer" just to see how far it runs and what i'm dealing with if you will....


Here are some reference pics, the hole is right in front of the bottom bunk (also right in front of the roller)...basically inbetween the driver and passenger seat

 

[splitshot]

Re: 1977 Baja

Here are some pics after i dug into it....the actual hole is on the port side of the stringer..you can see in the bottom picture it tapers to a hairline crack that goes under the stringer then ends about 1 1/2" on the starboard side of the stringer.... i do have a few questions ....would it be better to do the outside first ?? also how many layers of glass should i put on the outside ?? and what oz mat should i use and what kind of glass ?? thanks for any info in advance

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: 1977 Baja

I think I would do it the way I said, but that's also why i really think you should ask on scream and fly.

Doesn't look that bad though.

You really want to make sure any damaged core gets replaced.

don't want it coming apart underneath you.