Hey guys, it is time for a big update. Last week we go the cap off the boat and got the rest of the wood out of the boat. It is now time for the horrible part of grinding the hull. I bought a brand new grinder the other day, as the one I have has a bad trigger. It will spontaneously start when sitting on the ground. Talk about scary. So I think we will start soon as the schedule permits and I should be able to start putting wood back in soon.
I also had a big delivery today. I purchased a engine and drive package off eBay last week, and it showed up on Friday. I had to drive down to the UPS freight station to pick it up, but it was all worth it. Today I started her up and gave her a good shake down, and so far i could not be happier. I think the carb needs a rebuild, but I knew this upon buying the engine, but everything else is spot on. It feels so good to have that out of the way.
Anyway, we are now getting into the real nuts and bolts of the build, and I know that is what everyone wants to see. I have some new microphones coming for the go pro, and I might be adding one or two more for great camera angles. I want these builds to be very comprehensive, and offer help to all would be boat builders out there.
This brings me to a point. I have had some messages about using a composite material... epoxy... carbon fiber... etc, and how I should be using it. I thought I would address this now as they are very good questions. All of those materials are wonderful for building a offshore race boat, but is like strapping a turbine engine to a paper airplane for these type of boats. It is just plain overkill, and if you do it right, poly, wood, and good 1708 glass can make a great boat. The rotten boats I see are just plainly built like CARP from the factory!! They do not seal the wood... seal the stringers... or pay any attention to proper glass work. That is the reason why these boats rot so easy. If you just pay attention to all these factors, you will have a perfectly built boat that will last you for years to come.
So with that being said lets get to work.
After about 100 screws and cutting the rear area by the transom (see video) the cap cap off with little fanfare.
I put the cap on the trailer supported by a few 2X4s to keep the cap steady.
These are the bow supports that we just could not get too at all, hence removing the cap. the port side was rotten and full of termites.
The Tank sits right between these on a raised deck.
We cut the tabbing that held them in and they just fell out.
No more wood! I took my grinder with a cut off wheel and just went down the stringers and cut the "skin" of glass, and the stringers just lifted out! They were not even secured to the hull at all.
Most of this wood was infected with termites!
Here is the replacement engine. It is a 5.7 260 with center bolt valve covers (1987 and up) that is totally drop in. the carb needs some attention (my decision) but otherwise runs great.
Getting ready to run it on the ground. Notice how I kicked the exhaust ports out a bit to keep water away from things as much as I could.
Here is the outdrive that came with it. It needs a coat of paint, but passed a pressure test, and that is what I needed.
Running the replacement Engine
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