Weeding the Pumpkin patch

Greg,

I cant remember what was supporting mine back when we went through the refloor in 2000,but I remember the original drop in piece there was a mess.
It was replaced with 3/4'' marine ply, the access hole for the gland was cut and the floor was glassed heavily with chopped strand mat. Its very heavy...

There is no support like you have in your pic, and the boat has no rear seat, so the entire section has seen heavy use in 8 yrs and 800 hours. It still looks the same as when it was done back in 2000.

But your's looks to be wider? mine is 26 3/4 inches wide.

Did the same for the drop in floor at the front, (same width) it takes the weight of the observers seat and 2-3 people but it was made from a composite vacum formed piece that I got as an offcut from a pro boat builder. It weighs virtually nothing.

No issues with that either.

Stunning progress your making, I hear that big block starting to rumble from here...

Greg,
Out of curiosity- is the 36'' measurment the entire area? What is the measurment between the two inner stringers?

Greg, The horizontal lags bothered me too and it's why I asked. Short lags that wouldn't go through the 1&1/2" stringer aren't the greatest! I'd bet that CC had some longer lags in it originaly which compromised the integrity of the sealing of the stringer (plus no attempt to sealing the bolt holes). It was little things like this that really hurt the life of the wood stringers!
If you go with the original aluminum channel, here's what I would do. Short pieces of aluminum angle welded (or bolted) to the sides of the vertical channel will allow you to bolt down into the top of the stringers instead of into the sides. They would also place all the loading of someone jumping into the boat on the top of the stringers where it should be. You would still have plenty of room for the exhaust. Don't forget the CPES down the bolts holes! Sometimes minor changes are needed from the original to overcome engineering problems!!!

This remindes me of when I restored my Atom and finding one of the major problems (and leak) with the hull. When they installed the engine, (mine has the rarer CC/Chris engine instead of the Gray Marine) they ran into a clearance problem with the frame that ran under the trans. The engine wouldn't sit low enough in the bilge. The installer had used a chisel to cut out almost all (only a 1/2" left) of the frame including slicing off the now too long wood screws holding the inner keel to this frame. Double sistering and epoxy bonding the lower section of the frame cured the problem!

well I can't see the picture while at work but it sounds like you guys are looking at a later model engine cradle that they started using around 81 and it actually was part of the pylon support as well. It was mounted on the 81 I had with through bolts perpendicular to the stringers and not lag bolts. All of the 79's I've seen didn't have the aluminum cradle for the engine mounts and pylon.

Chris, When you get to a spot where you can look at the picture, take a look. It's the add on center support for the aft removable floor board we're talking about.

BTW, When Greg's done with it, he's going to get you down there to jump around on it for the big testing!! If your testing works, it will take anything. Greg, just incase you haven't seen a picture of Chris or met him, Chris is a person with a large stature!

79nautique wrote: but Hey IT's NOT ORGINAL so you might want to re-think those point deductions

LOL...no deductions on this one. This piece is original! I do think my '79 was like you say with a cross board glassed in.

Its just a difference between that era BFN and the SN, the SN has higher stringers in that location so they can use them and just glass in a board across. The support on the BFN is higher than the stringers its lagged to.

87BFN owner wrote: Greg, That support is in my boat as well. SO I would say it original. Gives you a great place to bolt your MSD ignition box to as well.

yea if you don't want to use it very long. you mount it down that low it's going to get wet.

Greg, What's up with west and the foam? Did I miss something?

What form of gel did you order from Minnicraft? The quart or the spray can? I've had very good results with their spray cans for small jobs. In fact, I had to do the exact keel job on my Tique. Mine however was farther aft due to beaching in rocks or gravel so I didn't go to the extent you did with prep/fairing.

Inside is looking great! Getting closer to the big drop test!!

Greg, I got the best price quote from Inco services (Alphaetta) problably because they are closer to you and it will be less travel time. Lewis Crane (Marietta) and All Crane of Georgia (Austell) were almost twice the price. All were quoting 10 tons cranes with lifts heights of about 100 feet and a reach or 50 feet. Inco wants 48 hours notice so keep the pictures coming so I can keep a eye on your progress. I figure when you get the floor done. We'll leave the engine out of the boat.

Pete, I know you have a crane bigger than that in your back yard...hook it to the diesel.   

The crane is gonna bounce, so I'll need some help fixing the driveway?!!?

BuffaloBFN wrote: BuffaloBFN wrote: Pete, I know you have a crane bigger than that in your back yard...hook it to the diesel.    The crane is gonna bounce, so I'll need some help fixing the driveway?!!? Edit, I just realized we need 2, so I'll look for another here...

I know I am slow, but what the heck are you doing with a crane like that? Too much wood in that floor?   

So why the 2 cranes? One crane to lift the boat, and then the ther crane lifts that crane?

I thought maybe you were going to try & put it in the water & with everything so low, no ramps are open!

OK then...I may end up vaporizing the squirrel. I think I'll try the BFH test this morning.