dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

[JASinIL2006]

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

If you've rounded the edges a bit and if you let the resin get good and tacky, the CSM isn't too bad to go around the edges. I read of someone who used plastic sheeting (or something similar) held in place with thumbtacks to get the CSM to conform to corners. I think that sounded like a good idea! (I heard about it AFTER I did my transom...)

I don't see why your idea wouldn't work, but I hope the experts weigh in on it. The key is to get a strong, waterproof coating on the transom. If the PB and CSM are mated cleanly, that should work.

Your transom looks great! This is when it gets fun. Putting the boat back together is much better than tearing it apart. It will feel so good to see your new transom in the boat, with the knowledge that YOU did it.

Good luck and post pics of your install!

Jim

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

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

Thanks! Yes I've been thinking I'm glad things worked out this way. I paid about 1000$ too much for the boat, but that was better than some who buy rotten boats. With my less than 5000$ boat budget, this is one of the few ways I could actually KNOW what I have is solid. I love that I will know this boat inside and out, and I will have no fears to modify things or drill holes or drive screws if it is ever necessary now. We installed a tower on my buddy's very nice bay liner, and we cringed each time we placed the drillbit against the hull. None of that for me!

I am about 80% done with the grinding, but I had to have a break from that today. I got a late start and my truck batteries were dead at hoke depot, so once I finally got home I was in no mood to grind!

I did round the edges over pretty well with a palm sander, and may take a grinder to it for even more of a round over. I cut the straight lines at a 45 to make that part easy. I think it'll take a week to clean this thing up after I get it together!

I could not find 3m5200 at home depot. Would Sherwin Williams or tractor supply, or maybe a small local hardware store be worth a look? Or should I order some? I read a product called pl concrete crack and mortar something or another is very similar. I found it at home depot. 5200 online seems pretty expensive.

 

[JASinIL2006]

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

I think I found 5200 at one of the big home improvement places... Home Depot, Lowes or something similar. I even think WalMart will do a free ship-to-store if you order it online. I think I paid $16 or so for a 3 oz. tube. It performs such a critical role that it seems worth the cost. It's the one item just about everyone seems to trust for below the waterline sealing...

I'm still torn about my choice for coating the deck. I've got two layers of CSM down (just finished the second one a few minutes ago) and while it looks OK, it's nowhere near smooth. It will require a lot of sanding/fairing before it would look good with gel coat (or maybe texture Durabak, for that matter....). The idea of sanding the entire deck smooth doesn't thrill me. That stuff just eats sandpaper...

Maybe gelcoating and covering with Hydro-Turf or Seadek would be better. That stuff is pricy, though, and they say it's good for about 5-7 years. That doesn't seem too durable to me.

Jim

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

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

Once I finish up I'll be broke, so I will order hydroturf one sheet at a time as funds allow. If it will need sanding I'll need wax in the final glass layer, so maybe I can learn from your experience !

If it looks like pooey maybe it will be almost completely covered with hydroturf. I want to add a touch of lime green to my interior, and the hydroturf is the perfect way to do that!

I read about covering fresh glass with plastic instead of using wax to cut off the presence of air for a hard sand able cure. If the third layer turns out to look like it needs to be faired I may try that.

Just looked it up and apparently I missed it. Home depot has some in stock, but its just the small 3 oz squirt tube. Id like to find it in a caulk gun tube.

Here's a thought. If you want, you could try to gel. If after the first coat it looks bad, put wax in the second coat. Let it all cure hard for a few days then sand it. Then apply the final waxed coat?

 

[jbcurt00]

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

I think I found 5200 at one of the big home improvement places... Home Depot, Lowes or something similar. I even think WalMart will do a free ship-to-store if you order it online. I think I paid $16 or so for a 3 oz. tube. It performs such a critical role that it seems worth the cost. It's the one item just about everyone seems to trust for below the waterline sealing...

Ouch, I just ordered 5200 from the big box L-word & it was $11-12/tube after tax, free shipping directly to me (that was a sale or something when ordered online, normally shipping would be added) and these are 12.8oz tubes...Carp, it's $9.68/tube now....

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

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

I just ordered two tubes on that link. Still 27$ . I hope that does it.

I should be done grinding tomorrow!! Timed that about right because we're just starting to have temps sneak up to around 60.

Also ordered another 5 gal of resin. I wanna filet my strakes in and I may have to fill in that little ridge all around the edge of the hull. I thought the deck would sit on top of it to about where the consoles start, but now I think it may stop just below it. I might make my stringers a hair taller so it will sit on top of it.

Any thoughts on that?

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

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

:victorious::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo:Grinding is done, woo! :whoo: Cleaning all the dust out now and focusing on getting the transom glued in.

 

[JASinIL2006]

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

Feels good, doesn't it? Congrats!

Jim

 

[jbcurt00]

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

Congrats....

And put back begins :horn:

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

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

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

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

It does feel good. And I'm right on schedule where I hoped to be. I finished up right before it's warm enough naturally to glass.

 

[Woodonglass]

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

Ahhhh, the look and feel of Nice PINK Ready to go Glass. Ain't she a Beaut!!!!!

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

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

Yupp!

 

[ezmobee]

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

Really nice work! Now for the putting back in!

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

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

Thank you sir. Now I hope you say the same about my building/glassing. My ability to cut straight with a jigsaw leaves a little to be desired. I want the stringers to fit the hull as good as possible to cut down on filler/filleting material.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

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

Any tips on glass mixing/processes? I have some 4" red glasskoter rollers, a radius roller, and a couple bubble buster rollers to hopefully make a good job. I mixed up some pb to fill my screw holes and edge voids today. Is it necessary to scuff dried pb before new pb is applied to it or csm?

I plan to fillet, tab, glass all at once, taking on one section at a time. Mostly just to cut down on grinding unwaxed glass between sessions. That stuff is a bear to sand. Does anyone see a problem with trying it this way?

I was thinking when I get to the deck, I can use a 2' wide piece of half inch foam insulation, like I cut templates from, to kneel on top of as I move around. It is plastic coated on one side, so will that work?

 

[Woodonglass]

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

Your plan is spot on! It's best to lay glass on as soon as the previous as tacked up a bit. Much better bond that way.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

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

Good. I figure if I do one section, from fillet to done, at a time, I can get the best bonds possible the whole way, even if I am not able to get it all at once.

Is there any maximum or minimum % mekp above, or below, which the resin will not work?

 

[Woodonglass]

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

I never go below .5%...Never. Not saying you Can't cuz I've heard others do but I don't. And I never go over 2%. Doing that I've never had any issues. Polyester resin cures by an exothermic reaction created by promoters (cobalt & amine) and activator Methyl Ethel Ketone Peroxide (MEKP). The reaction of polyester will occur at the thickest cross section sending out a wave of heat, which cures resin to a solid glass-like hardness. Temperature and moisture content can affect the rate of cure and the drying of part’s surface. The resin’s reaction starts with the addition of MEKP at 0.5% to 1.5 % (2 % for thin laminates). The ratio is dependant on air temperature, resin thickness, temperature of resin and mold. Fillers are added to help control peak exotherm, shrinkage, and cure rate. Unfilled resin can heat up to 300F resulting in cracking. Resins that create uncontrolled peak exotherm can exhibit wrinkles or alligator skin. Using lower levels of MEKP, preheating the mold surface or both, can change this. In wet weather conditions, tacky surfaces may be exhibited by resin due to high humidity. Working in a controlled, dry-heated area should help resin to cure properly.

 

[JASinIL2006]

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

I think I mixed my PB for putting in the transom at about .75% so I'd have plenty of time to get things adjusted.

Are you covering (or have you already covered) the transom shield with CSM? I found that getting the screw holes well filled before covering with CSM made it much easier to get a good flat layer on. A couple of the screw holes that were still dimpled after two applications of PB didn't cover very well with CSM.

Good luck with your installation! Hope it goes smoothly!

Jim