Convincer project

[dfarina]

I just started cutting into my 1978 Convincer and thought I would try to put up a few pictures of it. I forgot to take pictures of the interior and floor before I tore it all out so all I have for now are the pictures of how it looks after taking the original floor out. The boat sits now at my parents house and I only have weekends to work on it as I am away getting and education at college. I've got most all the materials I think I'll need including marine grade plywood, fiberglass cloth and mat, resin and hardener. Everything except some replacement stringers. My brother is in charge of supply as he is the one with the good paying job. The funny looking bar across the front is a home-made wake tower. I know it makes some of you die-hards cringe thinking about some kids drilling up a classic boat like that but we've built it for what we want and if that upsets anybody I'm sorry.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/005d22ce.jpg

[dfarina]

Here is what it looked like after I got the old floor and most of the foam out of the way. Like I said before, it slipped my mind to take any pictures before cutting out plywood.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/8d4c9545.jpg

[dfarina]

I took this picture after undressing the original stringer. You can tell even in these low quality pictures it is pretty well hashed.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/4717145b.jpg

[dfarina]

One thing I wasn't too happy about after I got the old fiberglass off the stringer is finding out it was scabbed together at the factory.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/de1bba62.jpg

[dfarina]

Here is how it currently sits. You can see the outline of where the original sit boxes once stood. Since I took this picture I have continued to clean out the old putty and just been grinding everything down smooth. In the coming weekends I hope to get the edegs of the old floor right where I want it and start laying and glassing in a stringer and supports. Being in the middle of Ohio has its advantages as from where the boat sits to the factory is only a 15 minute drive. I was able to stop at the factory and get some ideas of whether or not to foam and how to set up a new stringer system from looking at some of the new boats. I also got some tips and pointers, so haftoo55 if you are looking, these are the pics from the kid who was over asking about an old Convincer. I am aiming to have this done by mid June which will still give me some time on the water. I'll have more pics as I get the work done.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/ffae0b32.jpg

[dfarina]

Just thought I'd include a picture of the motivation for the boat. Its Ford 302 H.O. and its supposed to be putting out 225 hp but after almost 30 years, who knows. In the works right now after the floor is done is the addition of a throttle body efi system as being born in the computer generation my brother and I are no good at tuning carbs.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/479507e4.jpg

[dfarina]

This happens to be my favorite part about the boat and I thought I would just share it with everyone. Being the young guy that I am, I have never seen anything else with a sticker like this and I have no idea the last time leaded gasoline was sold.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/3e531b75.jpg

[Boston Predictor]

:eek: my camaro has a 60's style small block and it takes leaded gas. they sell the additive in any auto parts store
cool boat good luck with your project, youll find all the answers on this site

[cooperider]

This happens to be my favorite part about the boat and I thought I would just share it with everyone. Being the young guy that I am, I have never seen anything else with a sticker like this and I have no idea the last time leaded gasoline was sold.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/3e531b75.jpgThe last I remember buying it was back in the 80's.

[cooperider]

One thing I wasn't too happy about after I got the old fiberglass off the stringer is finding out it was scabbed together at the factory.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/de1bba62.jpgWht do you mean by scabbed together, can you explain what you found?

[cooperider]

Oh, and if you have the plywood, then you have a new stringer.

[Wildman78]

Reminds me of my 78 skimate 3 weeks ago! Looks good though. I never refoamed under my floor, added some extra support and resined the hell outta it! It's like a rock now. Good luck with that floor and post more pics when you get them :thumb:

[haftoo55]

Like I told you just post on this site and these guys will help you with any problems you may come up with. Boat is looking good so far Alan H. carpenter Checkmate Boats

[dfarina]

When I said the stringer was scabbed together I meant that the stringer was actually two different pieces and it was stitched together by a short piece of 1/2" plywood and some staples. Where they did this there was actually foam underneath the fiberglass.

[cooperider]

When I said the stringer was scabbed together I meant that the stringer was actually two different pieces and it was stitched together by a short piece of 1/2" plywood and some staples. Where they did this there was actually foam underneath the fiberglass.Thats how they make a stringer that long, all of them should be that way. As far as the foam underneath the glass that stuff gets into lots of places when it expands.

[haftoo55]

dfarina that piece is a scabboard it is put in when a stringer is over 8 ' in length. As we can only get plywood in 8' lengths. Stringers now are 2"x distance from hull to floor(width) x the length of the floor(most are 16' lengths). They are made of pine and coated with resin be for they are installed in boat. They are then puttied in the boat All out side pieces and bulkheads are also puttied in at this time. And then the boat is set aside to dry. And then the whole stringer system is glassed in the boat. This is all done before the floor is ever installed.Alan H

[dfarina]

Sorry I haven't been keeping up on this project, time and money are at a premium right now. Anyways, I don't have any new pictures but I have had to cut out a section of the hull that was rotted away on the passenger side. I haven't quite got it all out yet but its about 1' x 3' section. But now I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get some balsa wood to replace the rotted section. I was hoping the factory had some as it is only a few minutes from where I have the boat but after contacting them, they don't have any available for purchase. So if anyone knows of a place in north central Ohio that can supply me the balsa wood I need it would be greatly appreciated.

[cooperider]

Contact www.fibreglast.com (http://www.fibreglast.com) they should be able to fix you up.

[Reed]

Great lookin boat I wish you well with your project, restoreing is fun cause you see the results as you re-work the great older boats

[c_deezy]

That boat is a piece of junk, you should just sink it and buy a new one.


j/k this is dfarina's bro.

[dfarina]

Its been a real long time since I've gotten a chance to post anything. Money and free time are still in short supply but hopefully I'll take the next couple weekends and get the hull all patched and start laying stringers in. If anyone wants to weigh in on the foam/no foam debate I'd like to hear some input. At this rate I might be able to get on the water before it freezes.

[dfarina]

Well I've at least got the spongy spots in the hull replaced. Now I need to start laying and glassing in some stringers to give it some real strength. Here is what it was looking like...
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/6779cac3.jpg

And this is what it looks like now...

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/0722061605a.jpg

[dfarina]

Well, I got a new stringer in and glassed, currently working on seat boxes and battery and tank trays as its too cold outside. Looking to get opinions on how many bulkhead supports I should put in. Its about a 6 foot opening. Once I finally get a deck on, I think I'm gonna fore go carpet and put down some of this stuff.
http://www.grizzlygrip.com/
Comes in a lot of different colors and I will never have to worry about wet carpet again.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/0904061943.jpghttp://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/0904061942.jpg

[dfarina]

Oh yeah, while I was fooling with this all summer, my brother went out a bought a Baja 240 sport w/ a 454. Not a bad boat, built before the takeover. Love the sound of a big block with thru hull. Makes me want to put thru hull on this to hear that little 302 roar.

[ckm8trimate]

I would just go ahead and foam under the floor. I used "The Great Stuff" foam. You can get it at any local hardware. Then I sanded the foam even with the bottom of the floor. Very easily upgrade to add extra support.

[dfarina]

I hope to get the new floor in by the end of next week, I should have a few pics up around monday or so of the stringer system I laid in. Its probably a little overkill but hopefully it won't fall apart. I have high hopes of a splash by July but I still have a lot to do even after the floor is in. The battery and gas tank trays are built as well as the seat boxes but everything will have to be cut to fit and glassed in. My brother is stitching together a new interior and I still have unused christmas gift bucket seats that have never seen action. I just hope it doesn't sink when I'm done. Of course you are never really done with a boat...

[Big Dave]

Good luck with it!
We had a 18' tri hull with the 225s in it in 1973. dad had to go direct to the factory to get that motor installed. the dealer would only put the 888 2bbl in them. we were running @60 on aluminum props. I guess we had 17 props, dad was always taking one by the prop shop to get one turned or just a little more cup put in. We pulled 8 adults up on skis to make a pyramid with it with a 15 p prop. what a great motor that was!

[dfarina]

So here is what it looks like so far under the the floor with the string and bulkhead setup. Hopefully its plenty strong and lasts for a while. I'll probably lay down another layer or two of glass as it is 10 oz cloth. I really hope to get the floor glued down and glassed in by the end of this week, I've got two layers on the bottom side of the floor and will probably add another but I'm out of resin, again. http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/0529071605.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/0529071603.jpg

[dfarina]

Finally, I am seeing some progress. All those sleepless nights because of itching are starting to pay off. Tomorrow all the gaps get filler and then some more layers of glass on the top. I knew I had that weight set for some reason...
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/0621072035a.jpg

[83PREDICTOR]

Lookin good

[sawcat]

I can tell your a young man,working out & working on your boat at the same time :)

Getting past that stage is a big boost isn't it.

Looks really good. Love the pics :thumb:

[DGGM-SS]

Hope you used marine or outside exposure plywood. I didn’t. Wished I would have marine spar varnished or glassed the bottom of the deck and edges. Yes, I glassed the surface, everywhere, with many layers, but a few years later rot came back, and the Mate is covered. Did the exact same thing to my Convincer as you are doing, don’t do it twice.
’78 w/ 351.

[dfarina]

Well its finally in. Over a year later I once again have a floor in the boat. I did go with exterior grade plywood and I put two layers of 'glass on the bottom side, lots of glass and lots of resin for everything, I'm on my fifth gallon I think. Got one layer on top and gonna put at least another, maybe two. Yeah, I'm just a young pup, just graduated college and still looking for that first real job. Now I need to get the battery and gas tank trays put back in (glassed top and bottom) as well as all the seat mounts. Once its all done I pray the engine starts again.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/0622071641a.jpg

[dfarina]

Its Alive!!! Two summers later, new oil, new gas, a carb rebuild and a little tuning and it lives again! And before the water freezes! The bucket seat boxes are in and all the interior panels are cut and glassed and I think its just gonna stay that way for the rest of the summer. How many seats do you really need anyways? I'll spend the off-season re-doing all the vinyl and building some more seats, I just want to enjoy all the work for a few weeks.

http://s52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/?action=view&current=0f784e6e.flv

http://s52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/?action=view&current=f6b7ebaf.flv

[Eaglenva]

late night posting - the floor is looking great. any recent pics of that? do you have to allow treated wood dry any before glassing? i am about to build my transom, stringers and floor and have not gotten a response from prev posts. i was amazed at the bulkhead set up.

looks like a rock solid job.

[dfarina]

I didn't use treated wood, just exterior grade and 'glassed the hell out of it, top and bottom. I'm working on getting some more pics, might have borrow a digital camera cause the ol' cell phone cam just isn't cutting it.

[Big Dave]

Where is the thru hull exhaust?????????????
Much too quiet

[dfarina]

Dang, I wish, that is another project that I would like to do sometime in the near future. Of course if I really want it to sound good I will have to build the engine a little bit...

[Big Dave]

Maybe when you find those perfect manifolds.......
btw, I did my thru hull exh for less than 100.00
Your boat looks so hot, It should sound it too.
I have thought of making some silencers from old green bean cans just to cut mine back to a mind numbing roar

[dfarina]

So as it stands I've got the floor put in and 'glassed over with seat boxes in...
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/DSCN2281.jpg
And I think that is the way its going to stay for the next month or so...

[dfarina]

I put the two bucket seats in today, how many seats do you need anyways? And I took it down to the local lake to take a test run... IT FLOATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so damn happy right now, 49 mph GPS on a 33 year old motor that has never had more than ONE head replaced. It was running 49 at right around 4400 rpm with a 14x19 aluminum prop, which is right where it should be. All I care about is that the damn thing stayed above water and ran half ways decent. Oh, and dummy me forgot the camera, good move.

[Big Dave]

fantastic.......
must be a decent prop, only 7% slip

[dfarina]

Well this Seasonal Affective Disorder is getting the best of me so I thought I'd update the old project. Before I had to put it away for the winter i was able to sneak out 53 mph on the gps running at 4600 rpm. Don't get too excited about prop slip, did some research and I'm pretty sure I have a 1.32 ratio outdrive. Looking into finding a 21 pitch and maybe breaking 55 before I blow the motor up for good. Right now I'm working on getting a full interior put together but I've only gotten as far as fiberglassing all the wood. Anyone know a good place to get foam and vinyl? Gotta get cracking. Anyway, here is the best picture I have and it still isn't very good. Stupid dock.http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/dock2.jpg

[dfarina]

Well its done. Or as done as its gonna get this year until something breaks. Finally got it on water, halfway through July, just like every year. I swear one of these days I'll get on water before July. With a full interior, 2 people, half a tank of gas, ran 50 mph on GPS at 4500 rpm with 14x19 aluminum prop. Thought I'd throw in some pictures for fun, I was finally able to get it to shine a little bit. Too bad all the color is gone on the top. Next time out I'll work on my photography skills as well.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/DSCN0081.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/DSCN0083.jpghttp://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/dfarina/DSCN0084.jpg