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Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 12:15 am
by Captrichc
Looks amazing. Shrink wrapping the boat this weekend and ill be starting the demo work this week. 1 question for you. Your keeping the original tanks?

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:10 am
by BradZ
I've been over every inch of these tanks and they look and feel solid so for now I'm sticking with them. I am making the hatch bigger so the tanks can come out when needed. But with that said I have a fabrication shop pricing new aluminum tanks. But from what I have read aluminum tanks can go bad pretty fast. Why do you ask?

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 4:40 pm
by Captrichc
BradZ wrote: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:10 am I've been over every inch of these tanks and they look and feel solid so for now I'm sticking with them. I am making the hatch bigger so the tanks can come out when needed. But with that said I have a fabrication shop pricing new aluminum tanks. But from what I have read aluminum tanks can go bad pretty fast. Why do you ask?
I am redoing my deck and i am replacing my tanks. But they are dry right now.. i want to make my hatch larger as well. Do you habe any sketches on how your going to make the hatch?

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 6:17 pm
by BradZ
No sketches Captrichc, I work things out in my head mostly. Basically I'm extending the existing hatch opening towards the sliding doors. the tanks measure 48" long so I'm going to make the opening about 50". I haven't remembered to measure the height clearance yet because I keep forgetting to when I'm at the boat. But there should be enough clearance to roll the tanks over the inboard stringer without hitting the underside of the deck framing. I was looking for the same aluminum trim so I could extend it for the new hatch but so far no luck. I have found some 3/4" aluminum teardrop t-molding that will work just fine to. I will have to frame the hatch opening like the engine hatches so the molding doesn't need to be structural.

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2018 12:45 am
by Captrichc
BradZ wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 6:17 pm No sketches Captrichc, I work things out in my head mostly. Basically I'm extending the existing hatch opening towards the sliding doors. the tanks measure 48" long so I'm going to make the opening about 50". I haven't remembered to measure the height clearance yet because I keep forgetting to when I'm at the boat. But there should be enough clearance to roll the tanks over the inboard stringer without hitting the underside of the deck framing. I was looking for the same aluminum trim so I could extend it for the new hatch but so far no luck. I have found some 3/4" aluminum teardrop t-molding that will work just fine to. I will have to frame the hatch opening like the engine hatches so the molding doesn't need to be structural.
Are you going to miter the corners and weld them? For the new hatch. Amd i think i am going to do the same as well when i redo my deck. Ill be taking pictires and video as well

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2018 9:52 am
by BradZ
Haven't given it much thought to be honest. I do have a fabricator who would do it for me though. So yes that would be a good idea. As long as they are tig welded so the look nice. Then I think I'll round the sharp tip over slightly. I was thinking of hinging it by the transom so if I added gas struts you could pull it up and have access without worrying about where to put the hatch. I just have to work out a trough system to drain the hatch seems back to the scupper holes in the transom.

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2018 2:55 pm
by Captrichc
I am not going back with teak. I am doing fiberglass. And will glass right into the skupers. Get rid of the trough.

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2018 6:09 pm
by BradZ
That's the plan Captrich. Im adding 5/8" ply above the framing that will create a deeper gutter along the transom. And if I hold the 1/2" ply decking away from the sides I can create gutters along the sides that empty into the transom gutter. If that makes sense.

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2018 6:15 pm
by BradZ
Just finished the fiberglass tabbing on the new bulkhead. Used two layers of 24 oz woven roven for each tab. I cut the second layer so the fibers were running at a 45 degree angle to the first layer. The first layer the fibers run horizontal and vertical. Of coarse sanded the existing fiberglass and using epoxy resin. Tabs on the cockpit side and on the engine side. Should be stronger than factory. Next cut out the rot above the bulkhead on each side and add new plywood.

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 5:42 pm
by Captrichc
Looks awesome. I found a new issue with my sliding doors. I have almost a 1 inch gap between my sliding door frame and the gunnel wall on the port side. Seems like the screws pulled. And the wall bowed a little. I will post pictures this week.

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2018 7:11 pm
by BradZ
Finally all the work on the bulkhead is done. And if you don't now what it looked like from the factory you would be hard pressed to find the new work... Fresh coat of paint on all and now I can finish the deck and cover it all up...

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2019 1:15 pm
by Captrichc
Really nice job. What paint did you use?

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2019 2:16 pm
by BradZ
Plain old Rustoleum high gloss enamel (smoke gray). I painted all the vertical surfaces with out adding hardner. But when I do the bilge floor I will add hardner. I want to wash down the floor of the bilge and degrease it before I paint it. I can't do that till the boat is moved outside of the storage building. Using an enamel paint gives the best adhesion and coverage on both fiberglass and wood. What you see is one coat of paint. The wood parts soak it up but all I'm looking for is a good protective coating. Trojan only painted the bulkheads but not he framing or underside of the flooring and it lasted 42 years so I think mine will last at least that long.

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 3:06 pm
by BradZ
Finally A little more progress. I installed the two starboard and portside deck beams that had rotted out pretty bad. Does anyone know how the aft ends of these were supported? I can't figure out if the attach to the vent box or the transom. Next will be laying the decking with 3/4" marine plywood

Re: Refitting a 1976 F-32 Journal

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 9:24 pm
by BradZ
Looking for the original Light mast that comes off the lower front of the flybridge. Anyone interested in changing there light out or has one they took off I am interested in buying it...