1997 Escape 209

[Rph1225]

I figured I would share what I have been working on for the past year and a half. It is a 1997 209 Escape that was damaged pretty bad and had a rotted floor structure. Here are some before photos, but it has come quite a way so far.

 

[Rph1225]

Here are some of the construction photos along the way of the front end fixes.

 

[Rph1225]

In the middle I decided to paint the boat a teal, as recommended by my wife and daughter. I had to get their buy in.

During this time, I had to recore the one hatch, but then mold a brand new one for the left side.

 

[Rph1225]

During the past winter, when glassing days are hard to come by, I went about recoreing the center console. That led to making the console taller by about 8" so it is better for standing height, as I am changing from the tandem chairs to a leaning post.

I also got into some small projects, like molding a recessed battery switch for the rear of the boat.

 

[Rph1225]

Over the spring I was able to draw up and create a t-top box for all my electronics. It is all out of Divinycell, so the box is about 35lbs fully loaded.

 

[Rph1225]

Now to where I am close to today. I have the floor structure all ripped out up to good wood on the stringers, the new stringers back in and the decking going on.

 

[trapper]

Good for you! That is quite a journey and congrats on not loosing the vision to complete. Looking good!

 

[TMANN]

Very nice work.

 

[Rph1225]

Here are a couple of new pics of the floor decking going in. I used 3/4" marine ply throughout, but used multiple layers of 1/4" marine ply with 1708 between the layers to blend the 3/4" decking to the existing 1/2" decking. I also had a bid of time to quickly do a mold for the corner of the pan that the center console base sits into.

 

[Rph1225]

Here are some new pics of the fuel tank set in place, decking installed and seamed and the first coat of glass down. In the process I molded a new hatch recess in the floor which sits directly under the leaning post. The hope is to use some of the space that Grady covered up on the original design. Also installed is a molded battery switch/voltage gauge recess panel. Fairing of the decking and painting comes next.

 

[Rph1225]

Over the past few days, I finally got to a milestone. All the glasswork on the inside of the hull has been done and now on to fairing, primer and paint. It still looks rough, but all the itching should be subsiding soon.

 

[Sdfish]

Wow! Hats Off to you! A lot of hard work went into that, looking great! Keep at it!!

 

[Fishtales]

Great job. Took determination to take on that project for sure. Can't wait to see her when you finish. Best thing is you'll know for certain what you have under you.

 

[Rph1225]

Finally it is moving into a finish stage. I was able to get all the filler on the floor and moving into primer. Here is a pic of a tool I had to make the sand the interior radiuses. It uses a oscillating tool and 1-1/2" PVC. It worked great and sanded fast.

 

[Rph1225]

Getting in the last few days of good weather here in MD, I was able to get some painting done. Also, finally after about 2 years, the console and t-top went back on. Hopefully, I can get the remaining painting complete, so wiring and plumbing can begin.

 

[PointedRose]

Excellent work

 

[Rph1225]

Final painting for the year is near complete. Non skid might have to wait till the spring. Now time to start putting it all back together.

 

[Rph1225]

I was able to sneak in some no skid on the deck and then front seats. I am using Kiwi Grip for the floor and Total Tread on the upper surfaces.