1963? Hydrodyne custome deluxe 1700 restoration thread

Discussion in 'Restoration Projects & Questions' started by BEFU-Brian, Feb 10, 2015.

  1. BEFU-Brian

    BEFU-Brian Established Hydrodyner

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2015
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    154
    Location:
    Columbia city, IN by Fort Wayne
    Boat Model and Year:
    86 Formula 272LS, 1963 17' Hydrodyne custom deluxe
    So exposing the front, it isn't too bad. As wentworth mentioned, the balsa core really doesn't go past the toe kick. In fact, the oak lumber in the bottom are 8' pieces, that is where they end. the center two oak stringers go up and just end along with the balsa next to them. This creates a "no core area" in the center from 8' forward. This is also where the shock mount in the seat base sits, guess they didn't want core under that. The core does continue forward on the sides, kind of forming a two prong fork with the sides curving in to form the points.
    Update: after removing the glass up front, I was wrong about the lack of a core in the middle! It is there, the shape of the floor, or maybe the separated glass to the side, threw me off. Oak is all one piece from front to back, somewhere between 9 and 11 feet long I guess.
    I also noticed the remains of two plywood bulk heads that helped support the plywood piece that was attached to the underside of the seat base. I will address the plywood reinforcement to the seat base in the next post. I do not plan on replacing the plywood bulk heads as they really didn't work and are not attached well. I think pouring a higher density urethane foam in there will provide for a much higher level of support for the new plywood. I am not a light guy at 260 pounds, so floor must be strong.
    Next thing will be to start removing that rotted core and see what the keel is like. I am going out on a limb here and saying "definitely damp". Like standing water damp.....
    IMG_2501.JPG
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2015
  2. BEFU-Brian

    BEFU-Brian Established Hydrodyner

    Joined:
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    Messages:
    154
    Location:
    Columbia city, IN by Fort Wayne
    Boat Model and Year:
    86 Formula 272LS, 1963 17' Hydrodyne custom deluxe
    So with the seat base out, I can start restoring that while my boys work on the inside of the hull. Not too bad here. One sheet of very rotted plywood to reinforce it. I will strip the plywood off and clean the backside. Cut a piece of plywood to replace the old one, resin it up and coat in glass to seal it. The seat base will be held flat and level on a jig and then I will apply a new layer of fiberglass 1.5 oz matt to the underside. Before this sets up, the plywood reinforcement will be coated in resin and clamped into place. The attaching hardware for the seat brackets will be replaced as they are rusty and one spins. The shock mount will also be reinforced so it is stronger. Then, once hull is done, it can be glassed back in, after it is painted!
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  3. wentworthto1

    wentworthto1 Hydrodyner

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2008
    Messages:
    59
    Boat Model and Year:
    1961 Hydrodyne I/O BB70
    Brian, that's really strange that there is no balsa core under the seat platform. Mine had balsa all the way up to the toe kick and tapered to a head along with the running oak stringers. When I recored, I used end grain balsa in the same formation. Also, the two oak stringers were nailed into the keel board. That's how water got into the keel board. Be prepared to carefully remove the keel board underneath because it is tapered and yo will need it for a template.
     
  4. BEFU-Brian

    BEFU-Brian Established Hydrodyner

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Location:
    Columbia city, IN by Fort Wayne
    Boat Model and Year:
    86 Formula 272LS, 1963 17' Hydrodyne custom deluxe
    Will check that out. I will use a long straight edge to check it. Right now they are supported on 6' centers, so 12" is hanging off of each end to help keep them from bowing. Plus we will not be doing the core until the motor is out, so much of the weight will be removed. All the boards were straight before purchasing them. Plus I can put another 2x6 across the middle of the frame and shim them up from there. I almost did that originally, but they seemed so stiff for how much they had to support, I did not think it necessary.

    Oh and not planning on taking the deck off. The core will not be fun to do under the rear deck, but with the engine hatch off, it is possible for the kids to do it!

    But thank you for the reply, I appreciate others offering advice and pointing out things to watch for before I make mistakes. That Formula hull I did was so solid and I was only doing parts of it at a time, hard to image that bending. The hull alone weighs in around 3000 pounds, lots of glass in that old resin bucket!
     
  5. BEFU-Brian

    BEFU-Brian Established Hydrodyner

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2015
    Messages:
    154
    Location:
    Columbia city, IN by Fort Wayne
    Boat Model and Year:
    86 Formula 272LS, 1963 17' Hydrodyne custom deluxe
    Wentworth, I do not know why. Yours was a 61, correct? Might have changed over the years. By the way, the story of your boat is incredible. One of the coolest things I know of on old boats. Yours has a known history that most of ours will never know.

    Still in the PA area? Which part? I head out to Lebanon once a year to go to the corporate office.

    I still need to read up on how you finished the bottom of yours, probably looking at doing the same thing eventually.

    Brian
     
  6. wentworthto1

    wentworthto1 Hydrodyner

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2008
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    59
    Boat Model and Year:
    1961 Hydrodyne I/O BB70
    Thanks for your kind words. I live about 45 min north of Pittsburgh in Butler. My restoration didn't turn out "perfect" or "judgeable" in a show...but it definitely turns peoples heads anywhere I go :) Trust me, the boat will be worth the work when you're finished! The last show I went to at Lake Chatauqua, NY...when I pulled in to the show, the guys were so excited to see a "new" boat that wasn't a trailer queen. When I entered my first show in Buffalo, NY, even though it rained most of the time, I constantly had people coming up and saying how it brought back so many memories to them. That's what is SOOOOO FUN in the end! Not sure where you are from, but if you come up through this way, give me a hollar and maybe we could take a cruise down the river!
     
  7. BEFU-Brian

    BEFU-Brian Established Hydrodyner

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2015
    Messages:
    154
    Location:
    Columbia city, IN by Fort Wayne
    Boat Model and Year:
    86 Formula 272LS, 1963 17' Hydrodyne custom deluxe
    So how do you like the Volvo engine and outdrive? When I got the boat, I also bought a 1987 Chris craft with the 3.0L alpha combo. Gutted the whole boat and everything looks really good, so I have everything to install a "New" power train in the boat. But once I pulled the drive and the motor turned over freely by the crank bolt, I have been wondering. Of course learning how to tune twin side draft carbs could be fun.....!

    I am in North East Indiana by Fort Wayne. I go by Butler down 76 at least once a year. We also have camped twice at Ohio Pyle State Park south of Pittsburgh, definitely a long way to tow the boat!
     
  8. wentworthto1

    wentworthto1 Hydrodyner

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2008
    Messages:
    59
    Boat Model and Year:
    1961 Hydrodyne I/O BB70
    I had the engine rebuilt and didn't need to do the outdrive. So far...so good. I couldn't be more pleased with the performance. I'm looking at purchasing the new SXTabs to help with the porpoising at full open throttle. Your engine has way more parts floating out there than mine. Are your carbs the zeniths or the su's? One carb is plenty for me to tinker with :) The rebuild kits are out there for the carbs. I got the rebuild kit for my engine online from a classic volvo car site. I had the piston walls rebored to .030 and I kept all the fuel pump original. I know every square inch of that engine and boat. Makes me feel a lot more confident on the water. I hit 4500 rpm at full open throttle and I guess I cruise around 40mph. I need to take my car gps out on the water and check that out. If you come accross the Turnpike (76) you would get off at (8) and go North for 30 min to reach Butler. According to mapquest, you go right through Lake Milton in OH. I take my boat to a show there in September. It's not too far away from me. Nice place to spend a day on the water.
     
  9. jim

    jim Hydrodyne 18 Specialist

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
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    Location:
    FL
    Boat Model and Year:
    77 Dyne 18 I/O converted to Outboard

    Twin side drafts are fun, and easy.

    jim
     
  10. jim

    jim Hydrodyne 18 Specialist

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    Location:
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    Boat Model and Year:
    77 Dyne 18 I/O converted to Outboard

    When the core is out it will probably be flexible.

    jim
     

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