1981 Springbok 18' Restoration/Renovation

[SlipperyOar]

 

[SlipperyOar]

View attachment 412153

got the back 4'x8' cut to shape and fit into the hull, it was the easiest shape to start with while i had minimal time to work away on it, ill need another sheet for the section of flooring closer to the bow in my main deck, as well as using some remaining plywood for the floor at the back.

 

[SlipperyOar]

Cut the plastic runners to fit my tank and life it off the bottom, gonna attach them to the tank with some Gflex 650 after I address a few spots with some pitting using the same epoxy. The plastic should be thick enough to provide the gap at the bottom crease off the hull but if not he got some thicker stuff I’ll have to use.

In regards to my fuel tank, the fill and vent necks are at the front of the tank pointing starboard. I was hoping I could mount the fill/vent cap on the port side to make it the same as my truck for ease of fueling. Has anyone else had a tank like this and made it work to the port side? I realize the fill hose is stiffer and I wasn’t sure if I can route it to the port gunnel practically. Not a huge deal if it’s starboard side but would like any input on someone with this same experience.

Pic is when I first cut the strips and before i addressed the pitting spots. I plan on using 4 on the bottom and 1 on each end where it’ll contact aluminum to hold in place.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

If you want the fill neck pointing the other way, I would just have it cut out and welded back in place. Or maybe a U pipe welded on to turn it. You would need a lot of room and extra hose to get it to turn 180°.

 

[SlipperyOar]

If you want the fill neck pointing the other way, I would just have it cut out and welded back in place. Or maybe a U pipe welded on to turn it. You would need a lot of room and extra hose to get it to turn 180°.

i figured it would be a lot of stress onto the hose to bend it that much, as well as probably creating a dip in the line that would give me a headache when fueling. I have the tools and equipment to weld aluminum with my TIG machine. I'll look into cutting the neck on its vertical part and rotating it to port.

Would it be wise to change the vent connection orientation as well or do you think it would be okay pointing starboard with a bend in that line since its smaller?

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

You would still need a generous curve to be sure you don't kink the line. Might as well just do both while you're at it.

 

[SlipperyOar]

You would still need a generous curve to be sure you don't kink the line. Might as well just do both while you're at it.

Ok thank you, I’ll probably fill the tank full of water after rinsing it a few times unless I can put a purge on the tank with argon. Working in the petrochemical industry has taught me not to mess around with flammable vapours and any source of heat lol. I’ll have to figure out a way to tackle this job. My fuel pickup to the engine is also located near the middle of the tank so unless the pickup curves towards the back I may end up welding a pickup near the back of the tank closer to the motor to ensure I get all the fuel out of it

I appreciate your help on the matter!

 

[SlipperyOar]

Happy new year. Progress has been slow with winter coming around and dealing with the first winter in my first home. I had some time between Christmas and a bout of pneumonia to make up a console.

I started with a cardboard frame and thought I liked the layout so I went ahead and welded up an aluminum frame. Turns out I do not love the design very much and to my own fault, I’ll have to start over. I don’t care for the height very much or how long I made the console face where the steering will mount. I’m going to tweak my design a bit and make the console taller, deeper, and fit better to the gunnels. 2026 is the year I finally finish this project lol…

 

[SlipperyOar]

Consoles are beginning to take shape, framed using aluminum angle riveted together (with clecos). Gonna finish the whole design and then weld all the angled seams smooth.

 

[jbcurt00]

That looks like pressure treated plywood?

 

[SlipperyOar]

That looks like pressure treated plywood?

Nothing pressure treated, the floor is showing some dirt from my shoes.

 

[SlipperyOar]

Sheet aluminum cut and bent to fit the front, top, and back of consoles. I’m going to put some stained and sealed wood at the console face plate itself.

 

[SlipperyOar]

Outside view of the starboard console progress. Like I had said before I’m going to use a nice piece of wood as the console dashboards on each console. With the starboard one having all my gauges and switches and the steering and the port one having a glovebox for some extra storage. I’m hoping to dry fit everything up and once I’m happy with the fit, and ensure it can be installed in one piece after painting I’ll drive some solid rivets in place of the clecos as use my TIG to weld the seams for a cleaner finish.

 

[SlipperyOar]

Cardboard template for the console dash. From my understanding and when seeing other boats the steering wheel is typically more towards the centre of the boat, I assume for ease of bending the cable to the gunnel. I’m going to mount the gauges and switches on the right side of the steering wheel, closer to the gunnels.

The top of the dash will have a curved shape, somewhat of an ellipse. Either going right from edge to edge or from the middle edge to where the gunnels line up. I mostly figure out how I will set things up based on marketplace boats I see for sale and their configuration lol. Just about everything on this boat has been designed and fabricated in this same way.

I’ve been looking into what type of wood is best for the dash, teak seems to be a popular choice for the rot resistance. I’ve yet to figure out hay colour it will be stained to, I’ll likely try multiple different stains on different wood types to figure out what matches best with the colour scheme of my boat (Honolulu blue and grey)

Go Lions!

 

[Ifishmuskie2]

My last rebuild I made a custom console with a flat top. I just saw a new boat with a flat top console. More room to mount electronics.

 

[SlipperyOar]

My last rebuild I made a custom console with a flat top. I just saw a new boat with a flat top console. More room to mount electronics.

The top of my console is 11-1/2” front to back and 28” wide. It should have plenty of room for a sonar screen and anything else I may need to mount. The curved top of my console is mostly for aesthetics. I think I’ll probably make a flat top and a curved design or two out of some scrap plywood or OSB I got to see what I like most.