Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

[Woodonglass]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

There is nothing wrong with any of your statements. Fabric is all that's required when using epoxy when tabbing wood to the hull. No CSM needed. Since epoxy takes longer to cure it's a bit more difficult to work with on vertical applications and requires a bit more "BabySitting" and as stated more pricey but it does create a stronger bond and more water resistant. It should be noted that Your boat is made entirely from Poly and your methods of application and care will far exceed those of the MFG and would be more than satisfactory for the rebuild but if you have experience with epoxy and feel comfortable using it, then by all means use it. You're costs will only be maybe a few hundred dollars more if that. That's my 2?

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Wood, I agree. I will put a drain tube at rear cross frame to spill out to bilge & provide a plug to keep unwanted water out!

Another question.....do I need to grind off perfectly good gelcoat at inside of hull where I will tab the floor....or just rough it up/sand it for good tooth? I am using epoxy....I've used epoxy for gelcoat repairs on boats and never had problem before?

Pmc, I wanted to use blue board because I know it is completely waterproof....I float my docks on it and never seen them take any water in 10 yrs ....it seems like the pour foam will hold water and I don't want that. I may use pour foam up in higher bulkhead areas near sides and bow. I don't want a built in fuel tank....I like to be able to get at it easy for any issues, cleaning, portability, etc. I plan to put a 12 gal. (Or 2- 6gal) under bench seat platform that will be slightly astern of midship (for weight distribution). I have these on my sailboat, a 6 gl strapped in to floor each side. Battery would go just behind, toward stern in separate compartment shelf, centered on keel.

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Wood, yes I have had a lot of time with epoxy & wood and some fiberglass repair with it....not much of any with poly..... So I thought I would stay with the epoxy for this one....I know it will be more in structure and $$$, but I will be more comfortable. My next project ill probably do a authentic restore and use poly.....lookin for a classic early 60's now!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Epoxy sticks to just about anything so a good scuff with 60 grit and then wipe down with Acetone and you can apply the epoxy with Great results. IMHO!!!

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Been working on transom and stringer fabrication......have transom all set with rough fit..now I can laminate it...also getting stringers cut & shaped.....then dry fit entire system before beginning the process of setting with epoxy!

Thanks again for advice and help....it is appreciated!

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Ok Wood, that's what I was hoping you would say....that saves me a lot of time breathing in my respirator and itching.....,

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Lookin' good. Are you going to cut down the top of the transom, or leave it level across the top to accommodate longshaft motors?

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Going to leave transom high ...for longshaft OB. It still gets trimmed down a little with angled cut to join up flush with top of cap, as there will a flush deck for about 3' at stern....no splash well. I will be hanging a manual jack plate at transom.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Smart move. The higher transom and flush cap will help prevent any water from coming in over the stern when you slow down, coming off plane. Besides, I think most manufacturers seem to only make longshaft motors these days.

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Ya, I wanted to have a higher transom with flush deck at the stern for exactly that reason.....this 14' doesn't have a lot of freeboard height and I will be taking her outside on the Gulf once in awhile....so hopefully this helps from getting swamped on a breaking wave. Also, those big boys running down the ICW always give you some big rock & roll !


New 10x20 shelter canopy came by UPS this morning ..... Time to put her up!

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Got my new 10x20 shelter canopy up over the boat and moved the 10x10 canopy next to it for a covered workspace. All to make a nice covered work area while I try to complete this boat over the next 1 1/2 mos.....would like be complete with all paint by Oct 1st and temps become an issue here in NY.....at least have primer done......I could always do finish paint in Florida if I have to after Oct 15.

Ok, so I worked on my stringers this afternoon. There is probably a bunch of ways to do this, but here's what I'm doing to fit the Doug Fir 2x3+ stringers:

1. Cut stringer length of 3/8 ply x 6" hgt and set in place to be my pattern board.
2. Scribe the stringer hull rib longitudinal curve to bottom of pattern board....I just rand a small piece of wood along bottom of rib and scribed line on the ply.
3. Cut ply along scribed line for a perfect fit to bottom of hull rib.
4. Reset pattern board in place and run a line level from transom to bow area where stringers fade to nothing. The level line is the 2" high floor, about 1/2" higher than original floor so I can fit foam under floor.

5. After I cut the ply to the level top line I will have a pattern board for the exact lines (top & bottom) of the stringer.
6. Then transfer this pattern to the Doug Fir 2x4 and cut the DF to fit.
7. Final step to fit the boat will be planing down the bottom 1 1/2" thickness of stringer to the radius profile of the boat's concave ribs.....checking dry fit over & over again as I shave wood to the profile.

Once I have all the stringers and cross frames dry fit, I will need to cut top of stringers flush with hull at stern area to form the bilge area.

Not sure if there is an easier way to do all this....but that's how I'm workin it now, after scratching my head for a day or so!

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Ok! ....lunch break....and No1 stringer fabrication completed....and good fit.....now onward for 2 & 3 !

Update.....finished all 3 stringer fab.....lookin good with the extra hgt so I can get foam under most of the floor. Also the higher center stringer will give much more strength to the hull.... To take those big wakes in the ICW head on!

I'll post more Pics tomorrow...

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Yea! Stringer/ floor frames all roughed in.....just a few touches for final dry fit & transom mating and a few sanding spots and we should be good to go for epoxy glueing everything in!

Break time .....time to go play in the water!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

A great accomplishment and very nice workmanship...

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Thanks GT..... Boy, after climbing in and out of that little boat.....I think I will just set the center stringer "keel" first and let it get firmed up in the epoxy before I try to do more.....not much room , i'll be knocking everything out of line and i'll be all full of epoxy myself....and once the keel is set every thing else builds off it!

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Looks great...outstanding work!

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Thanks Pm.....I looked at your build and video.....great work yourself.....and the smiles on your faces said it all!
Enjoy the boat with the family!

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Since I'm waiting for my order of chopped strand for PB to set first Stringer (keel), I decided to get those holes in my hull patched. One big hole (1) was the starboard side where the trailer roller had punched thru when sitting in the woods with tons of water to one side in the boat.. Then there is (2 & 3) at the starboard rib, and (4) at bottom corner of starboard transom, and finally (5), where some original poor dry glass work at each transom corner got a new glass strip. Holes 1-4 each got a 5 ply layup of 9 oz , each layer smaller then the previous to build a strong & faired patch with hull. Later I will do gelcoat repair to these holes on the outside face of hull.

Now maybe my boat won't leak!

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

This afternoon I got around to setting the keel....first sanded the existing hull area, then vacuum and wipe it down with acetone....then also wiped the keel too. Then gave both the stringer and the hull area a pre-coat of resin....once they were both tacky, I set about making PB thickened with cabosil and chopped strand and secured the keel, bedded in the PB and then spooned in a fillet each side. I used temporary framing to hold it all in place. Tomorrow morning, while the epoxy is still green, I will finish resin coating the keel and glass it in. Yea, Progress!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Since I'm waiting for my order of chopped strand for PB to set first Stringer (keel), I decided to get those holes in my hull patched. One big hole (1) was the starboard side where the trailer roller had punched thru when sitting in the woods with tons of water to one side in the boat.. Then there is (2 & 3) at the starboard rib, and (4) at bottom corner of starboard transom, and finally (5), where some original poor dry glass work at each transom corner got a new glass strip. Holes 1-4 each got a 5 ply layup of 9 oz , each layer smaller then the previous to build a strong & faired patch with hull. Later I will do gelcoat repair to these holes on the outside face of hull.

Now maybe my boat won't leak!

Did the small patch go down first and the bigger patches next or the other way round??