Well, my plan in October, 2005 had been to complete my boat in time for spring, 2006 and that didn't work. It all depends, of course, on how massive your restoration is. In my case, I ended up removing the entire deck, rebuilding the floor and transom, etc. However, with all of that, I had the boat back together and ready for paint in April, 2006. The guy who I hired to do the finish glass work (pits and holes) and the paint work has had the boat ever since. So, in theory, if you are working on the boat regularly on weekends, you can do a pretty massive restoration in 12 months. You end up, however, at the mercy of whoever you hire to paint the boat, unless you do it yourself. In your case, I doubt you'll be replacing the floor because you don't have the second floor in that boat. If you need a transom, you've got to remove at least the back portion of the deck to get at it. That is time consuming work but it ain't rocket science and anyone with some motivation can do it. I should have my pictures to 2Mercs within the next week and I think when he gets those posted that should help alot. Did I send you my condensed set of pictures by E-Mail?
The last time we redid the boat we made a false floor of marine pylwood that we had sealed in fiberglass and faberglassed that over fiberglass stringers that were 1/2 circles. we used the cardboard tube from carpet rolls that we ripped into halves to get the shape we wanted and used that for the mold for the stringers. We used alot of glass the last time and that all seems to be solid still. I have to replace a gas tank that I had installed under the bow about 20 years ago. The transom is starting to worry me. We also replaced that the last time but there are some stress cracks that I cannot tell if it is the gel coat or the boat.I do have to replace the steering cable, the original one , becouse it is frozen. Does that include replacing the rack & pinion to or can I just get a cable? We are trying to figure that out now. Any ideas?If I do have to replace the whole thing, where can I get one to fit the original steering wheel?
Here is a whole bunch of info on steering and a phone number. The no feed back (nfb) steering is quite popular now. The one I felt was unacceptably stiff. I would be tempted to try the planetary rotary, but I know nothing about it. The straight rack is going to have a lot of feedback which is a problem only at the higher speeds, at least for me. Mine has a ton of feedback. I have tried hydraulic and it is a little slow except for the seastar pro which is pretty pricey. http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...category&dz=4566&kcid=boat steering|579862639 jim
That picture of the transom is sort of troubling. The key thing is you need to look down the length of the transom from the side. If it is bowed outward at all then it is likely that the transom needs to be replaced. You also can bang on it from the inside with a hammer and move around a bit - the sound will be sharp where the transom is solid and it will make a heavy thud sound where the transom is rotted. I have the new Teleflex Seastar Hydraulic ready to go on my boat but these systems are not inexpensive. If you want a less expensive option, I have a relatively new Teleflex single cable rack and pinion steering system off my old boat along with the helm and a brand new steering wheel that has never been used (I got it free with my hydraulic steering system). It will fit your boat perfectly. I'll sell you the whole deal for 30 bucks plus actual shipping cost. I was going to list it on Ebay for $100.00 but would rather sell it cheap to someone who can use it. I've attached a picture of the set-up (the steering wheel isn't in the photo - I didn't have it yet). Let me know. It worked flawlessly with the 150 V-6 Merc that was on my boat when I bought it.
Re: our project (64-66 Dyne 18) Next step We got the boat back on the trailer a few days ago. Now I have to rewire the trailer. the welder cut the wire while welding the frame. Then I think I am going to replace the fuel tank under the bow.More updates coming soon I hope.
He is very fortunate to have a nice project boat to start with. Especially since he has the family history behind it ad they are on the road to rebuilding a great boat which will live on and be a great part of their lives for many more years.
I hope to get the steering in the boat on Saturday! <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_surprised.gif" border="0" alt="Rock On" title="Rock On" />
Well, I got the old steering out ant the new one in (mostly) yesterday. Did not go as easy as I thought but it could of been a lot worse.I hope to finish it today, but who knows what else I will ge caught up in while working on it. I will try to snop a few pix tomarrow, I left the camera home yesterday and today! <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="Very Happy" title="Very Happy" />
