SBD

Cap and Cowling

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SBD
on 08-29-2010 at 10:38 PM (1082 Views)
I have been fairing (aka sanding sanding and sanding) the cap to get it ready for gelcoat. I also had to remove a bunch of parts to make access for spraying. Off came the rail, anchor roller, anchor locker cover...blah blah blah. After hours and hours of prep I shot the cap in one session. Today's weather ideal. The cap came out better than any of the other parts I have done so far. I think it was a combination of prep and practice.

Port...



Starboard...



This is already pretty glossy and will look great after a very light sanding and polishing...



I also finished redoing the rear cowling. This part covers all of the components and rigging mounted to the transom. This part had a lot of issues.

Most annoying was how it overlapped the lid for the fish hold. When you tried to open the hatch for the hold it would bind on the cowling...ridiculous. Even more annoying was the fact there was no need for the cowling to be so big in the first place, so I cut it down 1.5 inches...enough to clear the hatch. Then I rearranged stuff under the cowling, which made more room, so I cut it again...removing another inch. Then I reconfigured things one more time and trimmed off another 2.5 inches.

This made the face of the cowling flush with the rail which looked great and added a total of 5 inches of deck space to the back of the boat. On a boat this small 5 inches of floor is a lot.

The edge molding was toast...



The vent grills had been crushed...



I found new molding on ebay for cheap and new grills at West Marine. At $5.00 each I believe this is the cheapest thing I will EVER buy at WM...



In this old pic you can see how cowl used to protrude from the rail and overlap the back of the hatch. You can also see the busted grills and bungee cord "latch"...



I sanded the cowling and trued up all or the areas that had been trimmed and re-trimmed. Shot it with gelcoat, installed the new edging and grills. It came out great. Now its all pretty and low profile...



Obviously I've pretty much moved away from a simple repower to a major renovation. I am trying to fix all of the goofy crap as I go, so when its done, its really done. Lots of folks ask "when is it going to be done?" I have no idea, but I am having a lot of fun so I have no motivation to hurry for no reason...I am just enjoying the process.

One thing is for sure though, my neighbors think I'm crazy!

Updated 08-30-2010 at 07:27 AM by SBD

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Comments

  1. JHFish's Avatar
    One thing is for sure though, my neighbors think I'm crazy!
    Welllll, the evidence may be pointing in that direction! LOL, you know, weekend and evenings covered in dust and goo, cocktail hour on board, starting on a small area on the stern, now doing the WHOLE boat . . . .

    Just kidding ya, it's understandable - she looks freakin' beautiful, fine work.
  2. SBD's Avatar
    Who's side are you on??? :)

    How are you doing? We have been thinking of you.
  3. JHFish's Avatar
    I'm on your side, of course! I've enjoyed watching the project, and can relate to the spontaneous celebrations on-board while on the trailer, done that. I'm doing well according to all concerned, thanks.
  4. K.Z.'s Avatar
    Sean, the boat is really looking great. Clean work. Trimming back that cowling was a good move.
  5. bluefin17's Avatar
    Sean, looks like you are going to save our knees walking around the back of your boat while fighting halibut and tuna!!!! Nice work as always.
  6. SBD's Avatar
    Sean, looks like you are going to save our knees walking around the back
    I ditched the surface mounted rod holders for the same reason.
  7. HOLY TOLEDO's Avatar
    Wow! Lookin great Sean!
  8. SBD's Avatar
    Jfish-thats great to hear.

    HT-Thanks!! Trying to get back to Cotati soon.
  9. Hardway's Avatar
    Nice work brother. Keep it up. It's a war of attrition....
  10. FINSEEKER's Avatar
    LOL...I was just thinking about all of our conversations at the beginning of your project and orginal timelines. Looking great Sean!
  11. MacBarry's Avatar
    Sean looks great! Where did you find the Duratec? I have been looking for it with no success.
  12. SBD's Avatar
    Chuck-so whats half a year anyway????

    Mac- Revchem Composites 4807 South Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206-4924 (209) 983-0236

    I spent the day yesterday wet-sanding my arms off...holy crap. I did half of the hull and half of the cap from 220 to 1500. Gonna try and knock it out today. I started yesterday with a 3 hour mtb ride so I won't be starting pre-tired!!! Hope to put the buffer to the whole mess Weds.
  13. Hardway's Avatar
    The hardest thing is fighting project "creep". For most of us, we can't overlook the goofy or backwards stuff that always seems to get done prior to us....

    She's looking damn good though.
  14. SBD's Avatar
    I started color sanding and buffing the cap over the weekend. Its coming out pretty sweet.

    "Creep" is the devil. I have a hard time with knowing when to move on. It is a fishing boat after all...but in my head everything is going to the Oakland Roadster Show.
  15. LotsaLuck's Avatar
    Sean, she is looking great!
  16. ravensblack's Avatar
    I havent checked in in a while and all I can say is, HOLY CRAP! Thats just fantastic looking. Sean you are really doing a great job. Look at that deck space. Awesome. Get some pink from the K?