restoration pics.

[hooked on Grady]

 

[hooked on Grady]

 

[hooked on Grady]

so it got pretty hot in the cabin over the summer but I did get back at it. The sides have been foamed in bonding hull to deck. Then using 4" bi-directional glass tape I further bonded hull to deck. All undersides of deck have been cleaned, sanded, and glassed ready for fillers. The helm is getting there, I have enlarged what was the radio box to become the larger surface to mount screens and switches. below the new surface where the gauges used to be will become home to auto pilot, vessel view and any gauges I will need.
Next up, after the filler is underway I plan to prepare the location for all the new wiring, grounding blocks, fuse blocks etc. This idea is pretty trick I think and should use an underused space really well, I'm looking forward to starting that project. I feel like it is sorta a milestone once I get the glass work done in the cabin.
oh yeah, working on bow pulpit as well

 

[Lt.Mike]

What did you do for the dash?
If I see it right did you put in a foam block to glass over the top and back of to give it shape. Then once it’s set up you carve away the foam?
That’s pretty slick !

 

[hooked on Grady]

yes sir, except one very important step. You must wrap the foam in plastic wrap so the epoxy doesn't stick to it. right now the foam is trapped in there but I plan on cutting the bottom of radio box out and attach a piano hinge to cut out pc and a catch to keep it closed. Then in this space I will install my wiring, terminal blocks, fuses and such. It will be the perfect place for neat wiring rather then under dash around steering wheel and where ever else it had to go. I am excited to get that going as that should really be trick. the radio box as it was from factory was mostly wasted space, now it will be used fully.

 

[hooked on Grady]

 

[hooked on Grady]

 

[hooked on Grady]

went from to hot in there to needing heaters but I'm almost there. barrier coats is my goal but if I can I would like to get the gel coat on. A little more filler and a lot more sanding but its looking like something, IMO.

 

[PNW_Drifter]

Awesome work. Fiberglass projects interest me. Love how you're using foam to make complex shapes. So what kind of plastic do you cover the foam with. Would it protect it from Polyester resin or just epoxy?

 

[hooked on Grady]

glad wrap, or the like. I think you can see the box in one of the pics, not sure. As this is my first time fiberglassing anything I am not sure how it would react with polyesters. As for the foam, yeah it has been really easy to work with but you need to get plastic tight where you will have finished surfaces so you do not have wrinkles to fill and sand. The epoxy and fillers have not been a small investment but doing the labor myself definitely makes it worth it to me. I feel like it has added value to the boat and once the electronics and wiring access doors are built and installed along with getting the original teak back in there it will really come together. Will be saving up for new cushions in there for sure!

 

[Late Again Grady]

Really like what you've done so far. The enclosed front windows are spot on. They are gonna look great.

 

[hooked on Grady]

thank you, I am really proud of it so far. For a first timer its not so bad.

 

[hooked on Grady]

 

[hooked on Grady]

 

[hooked on Grady]

A little final fitting and dash will be ready for some cut outs.

 

[hooked on Grady]

Finally dash is ready to start putting the parts in.

 

[Sdfish]

looks great! Cant wait to see the continued progress!

 

[Ted R]

very impressive, keep up the great work.

 

[hooked on Grady]

I can't wait for it to warm back up around here so I can start painting and putting things back together. I feel like I am half way from I think I can to look what I've done.

 

[hooked on Grady]

Ok I am back at it.