dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I like it except...I would use PB to Glue the Transom and NOT PL. Not saying you can't just that I think PB gives a Much Better Bond. Your boat your choice. Remember Epoxy sticks to just about anything. Poly....Not so much.

I was told earlier that a coat of epoxy is an excellent choice for the underside of my deck. But now I think you mean the pl won't bond the deck to the stringers if the bottom is coated with epoxy. Is this true? I wanted epoxy on the bottom to save a few steps and for its superior waterproofing ability..

 

[jigngrub]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

No Wog is talking about you can't poly over epoxy, but you can epoxy over poly.

If you epoxy the bottom of your deck and the edges and leave the top bare wood to glass over later you'll be fine.

PL will stick to just about anything.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

OK so I can epoxy only the back of my transom before I pl it to the outer skin.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

He hole below for the fuel lines is factory! No wonder these boats do this.

Dunno if you can see all the screws around the tank and the old unglassed nailers.

Any bright ideas how to deal with those fuel hoses? All I can come up with is let foam come up around them and paint over it with a rubbery compound? Also that little kick plate I removed under the console, it would be fine to leave it off, no? I like the idea of any moisture under the bow seats being able to flow out.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I really do not recommend using PL to glue the transom to the outer skin. Not saying you can't just saying Personally I wouldn't. I would use Poly Peanut butter. Epoxy does have better water absorption resistance but...Not that much. Only if you left it submerged for years would you see any difference. Hopefully your boat won't be submerged for that long

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I really do not recommend using PL to glue the transom to the outer skin. Not saying you can't just saying Personally I wouldn't. I would use Poly Peanut butter. Epoxy does have better water absorption resistance but...Not that much. Only if you left it submerged for years would you see any difference. Hopefully your boat won't be submerged for that long

I agree with that! Just trying to save from using up so much poly. For all I know, though, in equal quantities pb may be no more expensive than pl. I'm also just thinking about my short working time with pb. I'm afraid of taking too long with my clampage. I haven't ruled it out yet, though.
I just figured if it was good enough for jay, though, its good enough for me lol.

What say you of using one of the cheaper grades of resin from uscomposites for some of my pb?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

So how's the demo going on this boat? Got all the grinding done?

How do you intend fixing the bow area from the consoles forward if you're not going to pull the cap?

... and you're going to cut and grind that transom on your belly and back?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

As previously stated with I/O's it's not usually necessary to remove the cap. the front portion of the stringers under the deck might be another issue. If the stringers are not rotten up front you could always consider sistering in the new ones.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I have cut the bottom off the bow seats to give me room to cut and grind underneath there. The floor is all cut out and foam all removed. I have the motor out and y pipe and most little odds and ends removed from the transom. I've removed the bolts from the inner transom plate and it won't budge. I've posted on that in the motor forum. Once I get that off I'm gonna start cutting the skin off my transom and getting the stringers out. Yes I will work on the transom from under the cap. Its quite roomy under there with the motor out and lids removed.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I notices a few different types of pl. I got the pl.premium for my first couple tubes. Will any of the other types do?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Yep, you can even use Liquid Nails. But again, I would recommend using PB and Not PL. Your boat your Choice.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I may use pb for the transom, but the stringers will definitely be bedded in pl.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Here are a few pics of how she looks as of today. I wanted to start cutting stringers today, but I'm waiting on some ratchet straps to come in to support my hull a little. I ordered several from harbor freight to better justify the shipping along with 3 flap wheels I ordered. They are cheaper than I can get em at Wally world even with my employee discount.

I must say, if you have the patience and the time, a multi tool with round cutting blade works awesome. Its slow through wood, but it makes very little dust.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Looks nice and cozy under that splashwell @ the transom, should e a perty getting the wood out, grinding, and glassing back there.

The bow area looks real good for access.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I'll make it work. It won't be the first done this way I'm sure. I can sit up straight by the transom with the lids removed. Its not as bad as it seems or as it could be. None of this process is easy anyway, right?

There are as many ways to do it as there are people to tell me how

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I've donned my space suit and begun cutting stringers. I also ground a little of the old lip where the deck met the hull just to see what to expect. I must say I detest this much less than I did removing stuff from the boat. Out for some lunch and more blades then on to the front lines!

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Below is a shot of the stringers sitting outside the boat. They were not yet "rotten" so they came out in whole pieces.

The motor mount stringers, just from the bulkhead back, weighed probably 30-40 lbs. Lotta water inside there I'm sure.

I plan to lam the ply together three inches wide or so, or whatever it is, and keep in the same height all the way back. Then I'll cut this little recessed section out just at an angle, instead of stepping it like that. I think it is like that to keep some space between the exhaust y pipe and the stringer. ( by the way, I have the motor mount sections on the wrong sides, they should be on opposite sides of the mock up)

This little whateveryacallit from the front of the tank back in the center will have to be cut out and replaced as well. I was hoping it wasn't a wood core of some sort, but it is. I fought with the idea of just cleaning it up and putting a few layers of glass over it, but I decided to just replace it properly. I'm thinking it will be fun to cut out.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

All cleaned up!

I've decided this shelf will have to come out and be built back, the flotation foam inside it is waterlogged too.

I'm afraid if I leave it water will seep out of it and into the edges of my deck and weaken it over time. I'm thinking of building it back out of wood and glue the panels into place and stain and clear them. Or maybe just paint or carpet it since there is no other stained wood in the boat. Either put sheet foam inside it or expanding foam if I have some left.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I'm glad I stumbled upon this before getting too far. I was planning to trace the key hole on my transom wood, then cut it out with a jigsaw flat on sawhorses. I was staring at the outside of my current transom when it dawned on me then the angle would be all wrong. So, are you guys cutting them out with a sawzall after gluing to the outer skin? I'm imagining the blade possibly flexing and not cutting straight.

Also, can y'all tell if that little 2x2 glassed into the center of the tank section/bilge is for structural strength, or perhaps to hold the tank up off the hull?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

If you'll look back through Frisco's threads it looks like he's just cutting them out "square" before installing them, there's no way you're going to get a good cut with a sawzall after the transom is installed.