79BFN

Okay........I've started my rebuild.
I probably wouldn't post this, but I'm going to do a few different things in this build that may be useful to others.
I will primarily be using, of course, epoxy resin, however, I will be using some two-part epoxy adhesives in a few applications.
I am also planning to build my own engine cradle of sorts. I do have some preliminary concerns with the overall shape and contours of the 79BF primary stringers and how the motor/trans mounts are located, however, I will attempt something. I'm going to get a little more involved in it this weekend and I'll get some of your opinions later.

Here is where I am so far.

Kirk,
Before this thread gets longer, please go back and edit you post. Use the "enter" key between the pictures and they will stack top to bottom instead of side to side. It makes reading and looking at the pictures easier.

Keep us posted with your ideas. We've got plenty of experts here to critique them before you get into a potential problem.

So, it sounds like you're going to be getting some "sample" epoxies!!!

Looks like a lot of fun, btw !!

Have you seen all of my rot? It's amazing someone would take such bad care of something. If you'll look at one of the pictures that shows the motor mounts, you can see that I drilled some holes in the primary stringers. I drilled with a 3/4" hole saw to get a core sample from them. I was amazed that two of the four cores were completly dry. The stringers are very solid, however, that moisture in there will eventually be a problem so they got go! Here are a few shots to bring some things up to date.

You probably can't tell from the pics., but the bulkhead that is furthest forward is bonded to the hull with epoxy adhesive. The other two are in with the epoxy resin mixed with cabosil and 1/2" fiber. Using the epoxy adhesive is a far cleaner and simpler method. I don't know the exact strength specs of the epoxy resin, however, the epoxy adhesive is around the 3000psi range. In my testing, which was quite simplified, the adhesive is stronger in this application. I don't think we're trying to reinvent the wheel with these repairs and the mat/cloth is what adds the strength overall, however, I just wanted to try something a little different. There is only one downside that I see to using the adhesive..........the cost. That's why I chose to do the other two with the resin combination. I am going to do some more on the project with the adhesives and I will detail my use in those applications with pics.

Kirk.
You sure made lots of progress in one day. Keep it up!!

Greg asked about the inner keel towards the bow. I too am curious if you took a core sample from it. Greg's, as mentioned was a mess!

To borrow from Donovan (Nautiless) You are going to have to give it horns to get even remotely close by the end of Feb. I just added up my hours on the Mustang last night and have just broken 200 hours. Being the first time I have done anything like this probably attributes to a few of the hours. However this also does not include time spent researching and ordering parts. Time spent running to West or Home Depot or the hardware store, etc. I started at the very beginning of Nov and still am a ways away. I am at it at least parts of 4 nights a week and both days on the weekends as my wife will allow me.
If it weren't her boat I would probably be........
It is a sickness.

I had an efficient weekend on the BF. The two big obstacles I've been putting off were the engine cradle and removing the primary stringers. The cradle is done with the exception of the U-bolts for the pylon. It is a little different, in regards to it only tying into the motor mounts and not the transmission mounts as well. I was a little concerned with the change in the angle from the motor mounts to the trans. mounts not to mention the curvature in the stringer. After thinking about this for the last two months, I reminded myself that the only reason I wanted to add a cradle was to take some stress off of the floor. It should work just fine.

not so sure your craddle is finished, as I think your going to run into a big oh *************** it shortly.

well maybe it is different on the BFN but your picture doesn't look right either. From what I remember and maybe the BFN's are not the same, but the angle sat on top of the stringers then the c-channels where below and tucked under the deck.

Yours looks like it is sitting on the hull and some extra material was added. This is not like the design I have seen for the 80-81 SN, so being a BF maybe it's ok it just doesn't look right to me.

Check out how clean this stringer came out.



I was able to get the secondary stringer dry fit along with the lateral supports that brace it. Started laminating. The shop is averaging about 36degrees unless I'm there with the heater running. I should be able to get back on the other side of these by Wed. night and get one of the primary stringers laminated on one side.

for a keel board a built last night, i used 1x3's staggard, board glass board glass board...very strong, i wound up right over the 2 inch mark on the width

Grinch, really tight work you've pulled here!!!

My question is why would you put those pieces where the vent tubes go through before the stringers?

I really wish I had gone with the faster epoxy now. I bought the medium, and with the shop temps kind of low, it's taking forever for it to dry. I'm talking 2 days! I could have made alot of progress this week.
If anyone has figured out a way to laminate both sides of a board at once, let me know.

I'm glad someone is finally restoring this boat! The pictures look great, what are your plans with the engine, doesn't it have at least one sleeve?