Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

[geeco1]

I finally got started on the floor, bow seats, and consoles. Since everyone here lives on pictures, I will try to keep them updated. Here is what I have so far.

I didn't take a picture at the very beginning, but I got one after I got the port side console removed.

The P.O. built the bow seats using regular 2x4's and particle board...ugh...

After I removed all of the bow seats, I can lift the tongue with one hand.

Plywood floor is shot... it's being removed now. Then will remove the foam.

I am debating an idea for the floor. I have access to as many sheets of 1/2 inch marine ply as I want..... the kicker is ..... they are all 2 feet by 4 feet. I was thingking about laminating 2 layers of this together with screws/glue and stagering all of the joints. This would create a single sheet that is the width and length of my boat and be 1 inch thick. Does anyone have any idea if this would work?

I will post more pictures as progress continues.

Thanks

 

[osborn159]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

yes your plywood idea will work, it will however be heavier than original, consider weight in all you do. and good luck with her.
D

 

[geeco1]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

Yes, weight was my thought also. However if I went with 1/2 inch exterior ply and coated with epoxy, that might weigh as much???? I don't know? If all else fails, I can use the marine grade to build the consoles and bow seating. That would only require a single thickness of ply.

I've spent about 2 hours on the foam and only have about 4 foot removed. UGH....

 

[Eaglewings05]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

The easiest way to take out the foam is to take a 1 1/4 wood spade drill bit and grind off the center point. put it in your drill and go to town.It shreds the foam into small enough pieces that it can be easily sucked up in a shop vac. It took me about 30 minutes to remove all the foam in my boat using this. if you have a torque clutch on your drill turn it down to about 10 or 12 this will prevent the bit from doing any damge to your hull if you get it in a bind. Good luck with the restore.

 

[geeco1]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

Thanks for the suggestion on the drill bit. I may give it a try. I also thought about borrowing my neighbors pressure washer and seeing if that would eat the foam out. I will give your drill bit idea a try tomorrow.

 

[rwhodel]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

I have 19 foot Bluefin Sportsman that I am restoring and changing over to a center console. You also might want to chech the transom for rot, mine has a lot of rot and I am going to replace it with Seacast.

 

[osborn159]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

whether you use the marine grade or the exterior, you will want to coat it w/ epoxy to seal it from the elements, so i would use the exterior for the deck and as you suggested use the free stuff for other construction. for the cost of a sheet or 2 of plywood i think thats the best solution for ya.
good luck, D

 

[geeco1]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

Almost all of the foam is out... still have about 4 sq feet to finish. Then I will power wash the inside to get as much of the gunk out as possible.

The foam was dry in some places, and wet in others. I could tell that some areas, especially in the stern, there was water trapped between the foam and the aluminum.

Some rivets on the stringers were popped and not secured to the hull, only held in place by the foam.

The drill bit idea, as suggested earlier, sure ate-up the foam. I don't know if it was quicker, but it was less hazardous on my knuckles. I still had to use a putty knife to remove the thinner layer that was stuck to the aluminum.

I hope to have more pictures tomorrow.

 

[geeco1]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

Ok, I am just thinking a little ahead here, but thought I would ask this question...... has anyone use "carpet squares' as a deck covering?

I used these in my basement and they have done very well. They have a hard rubber backing and don't absorb water. Easy to install and easy to remove for cleaning.

Any thoughts?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

Okay..... worry about the carpet last

I would concentrate on repairing the rivets and probably a treatment with GLUVIT for future prevention of leaks.

Replace the foam with extruded blue board .... I would avoid the 2 part foam.

1/2" decking will be fine for your boat.

Regardless of the top treatment for the decking..... you should still have it sealed up with epoxy or fiberglass resin...... even if it was marine plywood.

 

[geeco1]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

OK, foam is all gone. All wood is gone. Just need to powerwash and scrub it down. I will also run new wires to the lights, etc.

 

[geeco1]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

What kind of plywood is this? I was told that it is marine plywood, but I have my doubts. One side has the normal plywood grain and knot holes. The other side has almost like a melamine finish??? Does anyone have any idea?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

Are you planning a coat of Gluvit on the rivets and seams after you get it cleaned up?

I've never seen plywood like that myself.

 

[osborn159]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

not sure about that plywood, never seen that product b4, where did it come from, how many layers in the makeup? is that the free stuff?

my opinion: carpet does not belong in boats unless its removeable, b4 you put carpet in think about how much work you have done to restore this project, the carpet will accelerate the rot potential in the deck

 

[geeco1]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

Yes, after I get the inside scrubbed down, I plan on checking for loose rivets and then appying Gluvit. I still need to cut off rivets that are sticking up and then I will wash her down.

The plywood shown is the free stuff. It is 3 or 4 layers (I don't have it in front of me now) I think that I will just use it to build the seats and consoles and use exterior plywood covered in epoxy for the floors. The floors that I removed were 3 sheets, laid sideways. The deck is a little over 5 ft wide, so I will have to lay the wood sideways. Unless I do one loooonnnggg scarf joint on the 8 ft side

Speaking of epoxy.... it looks like West Systems is the way to go, but in the interest of time, is there something similiar that is sold at Lowes?

I am undecided on the choice of flooring. One factor is cost. I don't have a lot to spend, and it looks like epoxy is not cheap. That is one reason I was thinking about carpet squares. They are cheap, easy to remove, easy to clean, etc. But I also like the idea of the marine vinyl. As one poster said, worry about it later...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

Speaking of epoxy.... it looks like West Systems is the way to go, but in the interest of time, is there something similiar that is sold at Lowes?

Nope

I am undecided on the choice of flooring. One factor is cost. I don't have a lot to spend

Ain't no shame in just painting it!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

I want to add.....if you put 2 coats of epoxy resin on your exterior ply wood floors they will look gorgous. When I put marine vinyl on mine I was like "shame to cover this up." Seriously looked like a bar top. You do have to cover it with something as UV breaks down the epoxy. My point is, even just a coat of quality paint over the epoxied floors will look very nice.

 

[geeco1]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

Thanks ezmobee. You actually gave me an idea. I could epoxy and paint for now, then add carpet or whatever later, as time an $$ allow. hmmm now should I use pink or lavender

Ohhh another question (man I love this forum)... .the original deck had a small gap around the edge where the wood met the gunwhale(sp?). Of course it had the foam to help seal it. Should I put a bead of caulk around the edges?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

No. Leave the gap.

 

[Seadoomanls]

Re: Start of BlueFin 1700 restore

Out of curiousity...why leave the gap?