1648 alumacraft build by hardwoodcd

[hardwoodcd]

Trolling motor mount all welded up and ground out!

 

[hardwoodcd]

Well I'm cleaning the shop up today. Lots of aluminum shavings/ dust! And it'll be a few days till the rest of the welding is done on the boat, so I threw some things in to boat to show purpose and layout. Also, I just wanted to see it like this! What's everyone's thoughts?

 

[hardwoodcd]

Unfortunately while my buddy was on vacation, his kids talked him into a trampoline park and he's nursing a hurt back now! Being a hardwood flooring guy for over two decades I know what he is going through! Not sure when he'll get back over to stitch up the last few pieces. On the back burner for a minute. I'll post a new update asap as the lake I fish has been open for weeks here in northern IL!

 

[chumps1]

Looking Good!! Can't wait to fish out of it!! :LOL2:

 

[hardwoodcd]

Boat is all welded up! Took it off the trailer and set it on some horses to start prepping for paint!

 

[hardwoodcd]

Looking Good!! Can't wait to fish out of it!! :LOL2:

Soon!

 

[Jim]

Fantastic progress!

 

[hardwoodcd]

Fantastic progress!

Thank you!

 

[hardwoodcd]

I'm not going to post a pic of todays progress but put about 3 hours in with the DA and I'm pretty well prepped for topside primer and paint!

 

[hardwoodcd]

Been a while guys! I've had a hiccup with the painting process! Although I think I'm going to be ok, it wasn't an ideal situation. As most of you know this project is out of my norm. I thought I had done the proper research for my painting. I had decided on a topside product from a company called Total Boat and a self etching primer. Primer process was quick and easy once I had my prep work done. Rubbed the primer down and did my tack process and continued onto the topside paint. Shot 1st coat and thought I was looking good. Was trying to get the whole boat painted before I left out of town in four days so my guy could start the rigging process while I was gone. Went to the shop the next day and the paint was still sticky! 16 hour dry time it said! Called the company and guess what? Oh, our paint doesn't work with self etching primer! Trust me when I tell you they're website isn't clear on this point at all! How frustrating! I'm being told that I have to strip the entire boat now! So I drop it and head out of town. Get back about a week later and it's 90% dry. Call a auto body friend of mine and tell him my situation and the products I'm using and since it dried he thinks I'm good to proceed but he thinks every coat will take that long to dry! I'm no stranger to spraying finishes and my rub down between coats powdered up nice and wasn't gummy so I'm hoping for the best! I should be good to flip it over for bottom side paint in a couple weeks!

 

[mbweimar]

Maybe try spraying as thin as you can get away with. That way the solvents can evaporate faster. I learned the hard way with my paint. So it too thick in a few places and it''s taken about 10 weeks to finally cure. Luckily I'm not in a hurry with the project, so it worked out.

 

[hardwoodcd]

Maybe try spraying as thin as you can get away with. That way the solvents can evaporate faster. I learned the hard way with my paint. So it too thick in a few places and it''s taken about 10 weeks to finally cure. Luckily I'm not in a hurry with the project, so it worked out.

I did this exact thing! Thanks for the input!

 

[hardwoodcd]

Got the bottom side prepped, primed, and painted

 

[hardwoodcd]

This pic may not seem like much but with all the weight I added to this boat it was becoming a pain to move around and flip over. So glad that's all done and back on the trailer! On to rigging and decks!

 

[hardwoodcd]

Got started on the deck today! 1st pic is of my jig after I hot glued it up on the boat. 2nd pic is after I had it laid out in the plywood and simply shot a little spray paint over it to transfer the shape to the deck material. 3rd pic is perfect fit!

 

[hardwoodcd]

I'm not a tiny guy, 6'1" and about 245. So squeezing under my framing to trace out the hatches was tight! I told my buddy if anyone would've been watching it probably looked like a fat drunk caterpillar scooting under there!

 

[-CN-]

Makes me want a red boat. That's awesome!

 

[hardwoodcd]

Makes me want a red boat. That's awesome!

I really don't have a reason for the red, just an impulse choice. But thanks!

 

[hardwoodcd]

Couple more jigs made. And the rear deck is in place.

 

[hardwoodcd]

Got another section of deck cut out. And two more jigs made.