Project: Trojan 10 Meter Express

todd brinkerhoff · Post by **todd brinkerhoff** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:40 am

Mark,

You're doing an incredible job. You're certainly inspring to the fellow international owners who want a $300,000 boat without spending $300,000. I'm watching your posts closely, as I will be painting my 10.8 in the next year or 2.

Keep up the good work!

Todd

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:52 am

Mark,

you are doing a great job on your boat, it looks great !

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:10 pm

Big D wrote:Jeff, I think you're too used to spray painting in a controlled environment. Try spraying out in the open, changing temps, in the wind with bugs using your work as a runway, in the sun, less than perfect lighting, rain, etc etc. Thatâ€™s boat painting for an average guy in his back yard for ya

D!! im really surprised you said this to me! Im a painter! try spraying out in the elements?????

wow. side jobs suck. Only because we are out of our element! dOING WORK AT HOME IS HARD! If you had a 1968 camreo I would rather paint it in 65 degree weather, rather than a controlled 85 degree booth, do you know why? I dont do all my work in a controlled envioroment. my job yes! my projects and side jobs no , lol. D i love you to death but you got ahead of your self on this one! Enviroment in a spraying situation is one thing that I do know!

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:13 pm

mark im sorry for speaking or barking in your tree, if you ever need help just ask.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Sun May 13, 2012 8:19 am

if it looks like a dog,

smells like a dog,

acts like a dog,

and barks like a dog.......

jeez, sometimes I just crack myself up !

Mark,

I have also done a great deal of automotive painting both vocationally and personally. It's part of what got me through college. Anyhow I can commensurate with you on the project and your paint issues, most of which has already been covered here.

regarding your design on the aluminum top, you might consider attaching the forward supports on the OUTSIDE of the windshield, rather than the inside.

Resason?

Running that leading edge of the "top" forward of the windsheld top will make for a far better and more effective sun visor.

This will also make it easier to do some zip in eisenglass to keep out the rain.

Also, consider the height you will need to be able to stand at the helm while underway.

Still I love my radar arch and canvas as I have a true "convertible".

You will have a FABULOUS vessel when you are done, but in myu own experience, it's never really DONE !

RWS

EM63 · Post by **EM63** » Sun May 13, 2012 3:52 pm

@ Mark: tonight I was a little boring and spend some hours to read your whole thread again

In the past I was too focussed on F-32'er statements - but in reality we've all the same problems.

YOU HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB - don't you

Some examples (gen, exhaust, bilge, cockpit, arch, engines, painting etc.)
are still breathtaking for me (and also this 1977'er Porsche).

I'm glad to be able to share your project and wish you all the best in advance !

Your vessel reminds me very to a Sea Ray 300 Weekender - are there some great differences ? (cause I had a great run last week in one of theese)
--
Greetings - Heiner

Natchamp · Post by **Natchamp** » Mon May 21, 2012 9:19 am

Happy to repot I had a pretty productive weekend. I found and acquired the new slip for my boat, painted the boot-stripe, applied all of the topside non-skid, and finally removed all the old cutlass bearings.

Because of my 13â€™ beam, finding a slip wasnâ€™t as easy as I had thought it would be. But I ended up with a perfect (for me) side-tie slip. I went to several and called several marinas and most of them had waiting lists and not too many side-tie options. I could have gone to a 45â€™ slip to get the required width but that isnâ€™t in the budget right now. I ended up at the same marina that I bought the boat from. They are great people to deal with there too, laid back and not too formal! I got a perfect side-tie on an outside corner with excellent access and a lot of room for maneuverability.

My new slip:

Here is a wide view thanks to google (see red arrow):

Here is a closer satellite view. This is a funny one because if you look to the right of where my slip is you will actually see my boat. Remember this is the same marina where I bought the boat and the satellite pictures was from a couple years ago when my boat was still there. Pretty cool huh? You can also see how good my new slip is for getting in and out maneuverability.

Hereâ€™s the new boot-stripe:

Hereâ€™s the top-side with all the new non-skid. I used Kiwigrip.

I donâ€™t have any pics of the cutlass bearings I removed. It was a real pita though I can tell you. I had to use a sawsall to â€œpieâ€ them out. Now I can order my new shafts, bearings, flanges, etc.

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Mon May 21, 2012 11:25 pm

Mark,
It turned out great!!! The SAT veiws of the marina are awsome!!! Im happy for you!!! Great work man!!!

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:50 am

The boat is looking great! Nice work! I know you will be glad to have it out of your driveway and in the water where you can enjoy it better!

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Tue May 22, 2012 9:22 am

You're looking good, Mark !

Any changes or upgrades coming on the hatches?

You mentioned new shafts....

Why is this necessary?

RWS

Natchamp · Post by **Natchamp** » Tue May 22, 2012 10:23 am

Thanks guys,

For right now, hatches are fine. I can upgrade those when its in the water and budget permits. The old shafts were pitted pretty bad so I'm putting new ones in along with new bearings and re-doing the stuffing boxes. This boat was in pretty rough shape.

I need to order some anodes pretty soon so you'll be seeing a post asking questions about what I need, etc!

todd brinkerhoff · Post by **todd brinkerhoff** » Tue May 22, 2012 11:28 am

Looks great Mark! If you ever get a chance, can you post a pic of your stern. I wanted to do a side by side with the 10.8.

Todd

Mike Kulp · Post by **Mike Kulp** » Tue May 22, 2012 12:32 pm

Great job Mark, I like the boot stripe.

BarryL · Post by **BarryL** » Tue May 22, 2012 9:13 pm

Mark,

Simply INSPIRATIONAL.

The work you have done to bring your Vessel to her present condition. It's great to see your dedication and attention to detail payoff. You have done such a great job.

I think I speak for all of us on the forum when I say BRAVO and we are all looking forward to your next magic act bringing the old gal one step closer to perfection.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Wed May 23, 2012 8:02 am

A nice addition to these boats would be:

a hydraulic or pneumaticly controlled means to raise and lower the helm seat and the dinette table.

The factory seats are GREAT and there is a factory adjustment to slide aft/fwd but it's the up and down that would be the best addition

As for the dinette table, it's just a real pain to raise & lower.

I have added a removable 30 gallon live bait well.

It attaches to the deck the same as a cooler with stainless steel fittings.

The electrical run , switch, raw water plumbing is already there, all I had to do was to upgrade the line and pump size. A couple of quick disconnects and the tank has water going in.

When it fills up, there is a 1.5" hose outlet that attaches to a hose that simply goes out one of the scuppers.

A removable fuse adds a level of safety such that that pump will never be turned on by "mistake" Hey, what happens when I push this?

Take out the aft bench seat, plug in the livewell add your gear and an ice chest and off you go for fishing.

The previous owner added outriggers and a downrigger AND a freezer that was kept on the aft deck.

Take all this stuff away, put the bench seat back, take a shower, turn on the (added) under gunnel red rope lights, flip on the A/C, a bit of romantic music and a bottle of champagne and you can find all sorts of versatle uses for this ergonomically well designed boat.....

RWS