1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

[cyber]

OK Folks, as mentioned in a couple other threads, I feel I'm at the point to start
a restoration thread that hopefully splashes by or shortly after Walleye opener
which is May 14th in my zone.

Here's my project as I laid eyes on it and dragged it home for the princely sum of $300
Looks good from far!!!!!!

To be continued, I attached 6 pictures but the server seems to think there
are 9 pictures, (perhaps due to their size??), so I'll continue with another post!

 

[cyber]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

But far from good!!!!

So far, I've seperated the 2 parts (cap is strapped to ceiling) and removed all
the rotten wood (which was everything!!) deck, stringers, transom (it was
nothing but black mush!!!) and cleaned up as best as I could.

 

[cyber]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

Next step, buddy and I flipped 'er over, I gave it a real good sanding
1st w/ 120 & then w/ 180. Gonna try putting 1st coat on from there,
if it looks OK then I'll sand between each and put on at least 3 coats.
Of course I'll fill in any bellies or imperfections with Interlux Watertite Epoxy 1st!

Gonna start workin' on the inside while I mull around paint colours. I wanted
to use Supermarine Revolution (from WA) w/ their wide array of colours, after
failing to get that I then tried to get Duralux Marine Enamel from a place in
Florida, but it seems the eh-holes who make up rules in this country (Canada)
have no problem with big companies spewing tons & tons of toxic crap into the
air, but heaven forbid I import a couple gallons of marine paint and single
handedly destroy the ozone layer!!! (Sorry, needed a little rant there!!:redface

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

Interlux is pretty good stuff. You should be able to get it here.

http://www.pridemarine.com/index.cfm?category=10005

 

[cyber]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

Yeah, I agree Interlux is a decent product, my only beefs are the
price and the colour selections.

Whereas I could've gotten 2 different shades of red (Duralux) for $59
a gallon on your side o' the border, Interlux only has 1 shade of red
in 'Brightsides' and it's $33 a quart

The only good thing about it is I can get it right here in Ottawa
(in stock) and it's even a little cheaper than Pride Marine.
I'm going with 'Fire Red' for the sides. Burgundy stripe (from Pettit)
and 'Sundown Buff' for the top. (I find plain white too lame)
Should look pretty sweet.

I also have an update from the fiberglass front, but I haven't got
time to upload pictures and make a report right now, I'll post this
evening. Also a couple more questions on glass------on the site
I'm ordering from (www.noahsboatbuilding.com) I have found
almost everything I need but I can't seem to find any 1708 bi-axial
cloth. Is it also known by some other name?? Would I be OK to
use woven roving in it's place?? And if so, the 18 oz. or the 24 oz.?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

These guys carry it.
http://stores.infinityfrp.com/-strse-FIBERGLASS/Categories.bok


1708 x 50" Knitted ?45? Double Bias w/ Mat (SOLD BY THE YARD)
1708 x 50", 17oz Knitted +45/-45 Double Bias with 3/4oz chop strand mat stitched together. Comes on a roll so there's no creases. Use Epoxy or Polyester. Order as many yards as you like, comes on a roll and not folded - 3 yards or over please: Box Size 54" x 6" x 6" Item DB1708-50 Price: $9.45

 

[cyber]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

Thanx again WOG!

OK, so I check out Infinity, I like their prices!!

Start placing order:

13 yds of 1.5 oz mat x 50"---check (layup stringers/join & cover transom, both sides of decking)
4 yds of 6 oz cloth x 60"---check (final layer over decking)
4 yds of 1708 bi-axial w/ mat x 50"---check (final layer over stringers & inside transom)

Total cost $102.80---NICE!!
Taxes: None!---EVEN BETTER!!

Shipping charges: $55.49---SAY WHAT!!!!! Are they sending it for a couple spins
around the globe before they drop it off??!!??

Anyway, not to worry, they sell it at Noah's too, I just didn't recognize it as being
"Knitted", so I didn't look under that category. They will ship me 7 gallons of resin,
all the fiberglass I need (a little more expensive than Infinity, but far below their
total w/ shipping), and other incidentals (5200, lam roller, etc.) for approx. $80,
so I guess I'll go with them. Also don't hafta worry about border crossing (duty,
brokerage fees, being forced to pay taxes, provide paperwork, and any other
"jumping through hoops" that Canada Customs so enjoys!!)

Can't wait to get all this stuff in and start puttin' 'er together!!!!

 

[cyber]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

OK, a little update w/ the past weekends progress.

Washed the hull well w/ Interlus 202 Prep Wash,
looked a lot better w/ all the dust off. Then I applied
the first (and for most spots:the only) coat of the
Interlux Watertite Epoxy Putty.

Next step was to cut out my 3 stringers and 2 thicknesses
of my transom. There was enough of the old stringers left
to use as a template, and I used stiff cardboard for the
general outline of the transom. then kept trimming here
and there 'til I got a nice (a little loose) fit.

I then gave all the plywood a generous coat of resin (I went
out and bought 1 liter at Canadian Tire because I wanted
to try my hand at it before I got the rest from the wholesaler),
The crooks there charged me $18 for one liter!!!!(equiv. to a qt.)

So as you cansee I made some progress this past weekend, got
a feel for working with filler and resin, now awaiting the (hopefully
timely) arrival of the rest of my supplies so I can forge ahead
and get this done in time for opening day.

On an unrelated side note, for those of you who like fishing, here's a Walter
from my home lake last summer!! And no, it's not photoshopped WOG!!!!!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

I ENVY your work Area. VERY nice. Your wood work is NICE. Glad you found a supplier. You are making some GREAT progress keep it up and keep the pics coming. OH yeah, the Fish, YOU SUCK!!!!!!

 

[cyber]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

Just a quick update from the past weekend.
I was only able to work on 'er 1 day this w/e,
apparently my ole lady thinx there's other
more important stuff to do!! The NERVE!!!!

I agree WOG, it's a beautiful work area, just
wish it was mine!. It's a buddy from work and
I have to drive about 20 miles to get there,
but I sure appreciate him lettin' me use it (and
helpin' me w/ the boat!!). Without it I'd have
never got anything done this winter!!.

So anyway, what I managed to accomplish
Saturday was completely sanded the hull
again, including special attention to all the
patches, and got a complete coat of primer
(Primocon) on all. Will do below waterline w/ Interlux
Fiberglass Bottomkote 'Racing Bronze' OOOOHH!
Then we'll flip 'er back onto the trailer (which I
also refurbished) and get to work with all
the glassin' on the inside.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

That's strange!!??!! I suddenly have an awful craving for a Coors Light!!!

Hope to get some preliminary work done on the
inside this coming weekend. See y'all soon!

 

[cyber]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

Bit of an update, as I haven't had a lot of time
to work on the boat, my progress is "Turtle-esque".

Here's a few pics after I painted the below-waterline
section w/ Interlux Fiberglass Bottomkote Racing Bronze.

On one hand, it was nice to see the Ole Gal finally sitting upright
after spending all winter on her back , but it also reminded me
of all the nasty work that lies ahead to rebuild the inside!!
Oh well, guess it's time to stop moping and GET TO WORK!!!!LOL!!

 

[cyber]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

So here's a peek at the inside pre-grinding, pretty filthy,
and I sure ain't lookin' forward to donning the 'hazmat'
suit and grinding all the crap off there to get a clean
surface prepped for the rebuilding process, but so far I
haven't been able to find any eager volunteers to do it
for me!! (my kids are all grown-up and moved out)

And a couple pics of my new transom dry-fit, looks
good enough for me!

So now it's YAY!!!---grinding time---UGGGH!!---see y'all soon!!

 

[DonRS]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

So here's a peek at the inside pre-grinding, pretty filthy,
and I sure ain't lookin' forward to donning the 'hazmat'
suit and grinding all the crap off there to get a clean
surface prepped for the rebuilding process, but so far I
haven't been able to find any eager volunteers to do it
for me!! (my kids are all grown-up and moved out)

And a couple pics of my new transom dry-fit, looks
good enough for me!

So now it's YAY!!!---grinding time---UGGGH!!---see y'all soon!!

Please don't leave me hanging!!!! You've done such a terrific job of asking and answering my questions, then shown how to do the job - and a great job you're doing - that I want to see the rest of your project.

Did you stop the project, or just stop reporting on it? Is there another thread? HELP!

Please let me know (EDIT).

Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: 1984 Thundercraft Firebird 147 Restoration

12. Please do not post to threads that have been inactive for more than 3 months UN-LESS you are the original poster. We have very active forums and any thread that remains inactive for that long should be considered "dead". It is especially confusing when there is an entirely new question posted to an old thread. This is considered a hijack. Please start a new thread of your own.