1979 Lucraft Rebuild

[YakZak]

Hello all,

I came across a 1979 17ft Lucraft with a 1977 Johnson 85hp for cheap, and decided that with a little work, she could become a pretty decent flats boat. Plans are right now to finish cleaning, then pull the deck and gut the interior, and then proceed with the rebuild. I would like to raise what is now the front casting deck about 3" and build a rear casting deck. I'm definitely looking for advice, and also to use this thread as a way to hold myself accountable on the build, haha. I've pulled 99% of the previous owner's rigging off of her and the deck is soft the whole center line of the boat. The gel coat is rough. Rough enough that I might try and buff it just for giggles, but its probably going to get painted. The transom seems solid as a rock, absolutely zero hollow sound to it. Also, the motor is in pretty good shape, just needs a few things, but I know that this isn't the correct forum for that discussion. Anyways, I know everyone likes pics, so here are a few.











Here's a link to my photobucket with the rest of the pics so far.
http://s350.photobucket.com/user/yakzak/library/

 

[kcassells]

Very nice boat. Will follow along.

 

[kcassells]

On another note I had a MFG about the same size w/an 85 and it flew across the water very nicely. Then I became addicted.....

 

[YakZak]

Haha, yeah. Best I can find out, the hull only weighs 550lbs, she should move along quite nicely with that 85. Doggone squirrels ate some wires on the motor, so thats gonna be fun to either replace or patch.

 

[YakZak]

Sorry about the delay, but between work and family time I haven't had time to post. The demo is still on-going. I was hoping that I'd get lucky and the stringers would be glassed in foam, but no such luck. They're wood and rotten as can be. I'm thinking of replacing them with glassed in foam, both for weight savings and for rot-resistance. I don't have the bankroll for coosa, haha. I do have a couple of questions: What is the best way to remove the foam from the boat? Everything I have tried is extremely slow, and there must be a faster way. I am also thinking of making a stringer grid when I do replace the stringers. On that note, the sides of the boat have a large rectangular glassed in chunk of foam along either side. Do you think they are okay to cut off and not replace, especially if I'm going with a stringer grid?

 

[chevymaher]

Makes a big mess but a wire wheel on a drill gets foam up fast. I run the wire wheel and it cleans it right off. Run a shop vac and it is gone. Massive time savings.

 

[YakZak]

That's awesome! Thanks!!

 

[YakZak]

Does anyone know if those side supports that run along in front of the rear boxes are likely to be structural?

 

[YakZak]

Well, I've got all but the last little bit of deck removed and I now have the motor running, but the water pump is gone. New one on the way. Next step is ordering the resin and glass and putting her back together.

 

[YakZak]

For those interested, though military life has taken its toll on my free time, the project is still on-going.

 

[Woodonglass]

I for one Greatly appreciated your Service to My Country and wish you only the best!!!

 

[YakZak]

Thanks Wood. It's my pleasure to serve.

 

[kcassells]

Thank you!