Another Bravo conversion w/pics

[crapr6]

Just started on pulling everything out of my 1984 Wellcraft Excalibur to get it ready for some transome work and a bravo.
Here are a few pics, this will be a winter project so bare with me with the updates.
Erik

[crapr6]

Got all the wood out and sanded the fiberglass down flat. Now its time for some plywood and fiberglass.












This is just the start and the boat is a mess already!

[Davidmnc]

Great project. Keep posting pics.

[crapr6]

Great project. Keep posting pics.

Will do! It may be a bit slow on updates but i'll keep them coming as soon as I make way.
Oh and if iam doing anything wrong and if anybody has a better way of doing this please let me know since iam new at doing this!!

[jeffswav]

Looks good. I will be tearing into mine in a few weeks. I am still working on my hoist system in my shop to pull the engine. Keep the posting the pics.

[insanity]

Holy smokes how thick is the outer skin of glass?! It looks like its over a half inch thick!!!

[old377guy]

good job, love seeing this stuff

[Offshore Ginger]

Erik your doing fine i see that you scored the transom which is a very good idea because sometimes it can be a real pain trying to get all that plywood out and by your pics it looks like the wood was pretty well shot . Erik how are your stringers ?

[crapr6]

Erik your doing fine i see that you scored the transom which is a very good idea because sometimes it can be a real pain trying to get all that plywood out and by your pics it looks like the wood was pretty well shot . Erik how are your stringers ?

The wood almost fell out! It was wet on the bottom, but the top wasnt that bad. As you can see how I notched out the stringers that help me to inspect the wood in the stringers. The stringers look ok and iam happy they are because that is one less thing to worry about on this old boat.
As for the thickness of the hull it is about 1/2in thick! Iam guessing that is a good thing its thick, what is the average thickness on a boat hull?
All the materal is on order and hopefully will be hacking away at this in a few weeks! Will update with pics!
Erik

[insanity]

Well for comparison the outer glass on my Baja transom was 1/8 inch thick in the center and about 1/4 inch thick around the edges from overlap from the bottom/sides.

[crapr6]

Well for comparison the outer glass on my Baja transom was 1/8 inch thick in the center and about 1/4 inch thick around the edges from overlap from the bottom/sides.

So dont take this the wrong way since iam deff not on here to bash people or there boats...but i guess my old junk wellcraft hull is a nice peice?
I mean iam sure its heavier then other same size boat's since its a thicker hull but I guess its stronger at the same time?
Erik

[Scarab KV]

Nice job so far

[Trim'd Up]

So dont take this the wrong way since iam deff not on here to bash people or there boats...but i guess my old junk wellcraft hull is a nice peice?
I mean iam sure its heavier then other same size boat's since its a thicker hull but I guess its stronger at the same time?
Erik

Not that I am defending Baja's, or any other boat for that matter, but there is a lot more to the ultimate strength of a boat than the thickness of the outer skin. I do think the older Wellcrafts were better built than the older Baja's though.

[crapr6]

I got all the material today but i dont think this weekend is looking to good. Rain all weekend....

[crapr6]

Well little update..
Was able to cut both sheets of 3/4 plywood to fit in the boat nice and tight today. Then expoxy both sheets togeather outside the boat. They are drying tonight and maybe tomm will get it set in the boat and drill some holes to hold it tight to the back of the transom.
Oh big thanks to my buddy John "johnlx302" for helping me out today!
Erik





It maybe hard to read but John wrote a little note for the new transom..(perpare for an asskickin)

[Offshore Ginger]

Just curious and not trying to be rude but i hoped you used a good marine grade plywood ?

[crapr6]

Just curious and not trying to be rude but i hoped you used a good marine grade plywood ?

I just picked up a $40 sheet from home depot. I was told that I could us marine grade but can also us a good qualty exterior sheet. Also I was told that if its marine or just exterior grade if it gets wet they will both rot in time. Is there a strength deffrance between the two?
Erik

[Buoy]

Is there a strength deffrance between the two?
Erik

Yes, there is.
A regular sheet of construction grade B/C will have voids in it from knot holes.
(B is one finished side, C is the other). You will notice more knot holes, imperfections on the C side.
Marine does not have the voids in the sandwiched material - the layers in between the finish layers.
There may be other differences as well.

[Offshore Ginger]

Along with what BOUY has just stated marine grade plywood in 3/4 inch will have seven layers of laminated ply wood with a different type of glue for marine use so X that by 2 you now have 14 layers of laminated wood with no knots opposed to eight on cheap stuff that you purchased at home depot with all those knot's and voids and besides your transom will only be as strong as your weakest link which in your case will be the wood you have chosen to use with all those knots . I would like to mention that Home Depot does not know anything that should be used for marine applacations except HOMES and to tell you the truth 3/4 inch marine grade plywood will run around $ 90 a sheet and worth every penny .

[crapr6]

So Iam not going to BS you guys but iam going to use what I have. I understand it may not be the best choice but I think it will be ok..
Erik