SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Projects => Topic started by: SoCalPSD on February 10, 2012, 10:20:16 AM

Title: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 10, 2012, 10:20:16 AM
Well here's my project thread, gonna be a slow build and keeping it on a budget. Trying to keep it under 1200 not including the cost of interior and so far I think i might make it. I picked up a unknown hull that was fully rigged for next to nothin and stripped it of everything useful. Then i ended up with this challenger hull with jet which is in much better shape in exchange for the jacuzzi jet I had no use for. So i cut up the old trailer because it was rotted to hell and saved one of the axles and tongue because they were still good just in case I wanted to put surge brakes on the next trailer. So I scrapped the old trailer and picked up a tandem trailer this last weekend and the money from the scrap damn near paid for the trailer. So im gonna spend the next 2 weeks cleaning up the new trailer before I bring the hull and parts from my uncles where im storing them. My hoa is kinda picky about boats not to mention cutting one up and putting one together in my drive way.

Fat fingered from the phone-Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 10, 2012, 10:56:38 AM


Fat fingered from the phone-Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: ka0tyk on February 10, 2012, 11:06:14 AM
nice lookin tandem trailer and hull.  how u gonna strip the trailer?  wire wheel?  im about 2 seconds from lifting my boat off and doing mine...
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 10, 2012, 11:20:21 AM
Im using sanding discs and a 4 1/2 angle grinder and if I see something I don't like, like pitting from old rust, new rust or something else I hit it with the wire wheel. On the inside of the c channel im using a wire wheel that's shaped like a cup. Works perfect. Ill snap some pics when I get home.

Fat fingered from the phone-Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: 88CARRERA on February 10, 2012, 11:25:02 AM
but a needle scaler it works bitchen less work!


chris
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: ka0tyk on February 10, 2012, 11:52:09 AM
but a needle scaler it works bitchen less work!


chris

i was thinking about just painting it with aircraft stripper and hosing it off... that stuff works wonders.  hit up any of the rusty spots with the wire wheel.  maybe im trying to take the easy way out.
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 12, 2012, 06:26:26 PM
Well got something done between today and yesterday and still not done yet, the weather rolled in and shut me down.

Fat fingered from the phone-Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 12, 2012, 06:53:52 PM
I sanded most of the trailer with a few 80 grit sanding discs w/ a 4 1/2" angle grinder. I used a cupped wire wheel to get inside the c channel and around the welds. I used rustoleum reformer in a rattle can and then some rustoleum sealer and rust preventer. Still undecided on just spraying the trailer with rustoleum or using the appliance epoxy.

Fat fingered from the phone-Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: Havasukona455 on February 14, 2012, 10:06:45 AM
I'm picking up a new to me tandem trailer today. It needs to be sanded and cleaned up. What's the best way to hit the rust spots ?
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 14, 2012, 10:45:02 AM
The discs or a wire wheel depending on how easy it is to get to. Then Id just spray the hell out of it with the rust reformer.

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Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: 88CARRERA on February 14, 2012, 11:54:08 AM
SO CAL,
if you ever need help let me know Im not far from you!


chris
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 14, 2012, 01:39:57 PM
Ill keep it in mind, in the next month or so I am gonna be soon some glass work and have no idea what the hell im doin.

Fat fingered from the phone-  Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: Havasukona455 on February 15, 2012, 08:40:10 AM
can you get the rust reformer from autozone or pepboys ? should i primer first then paint ?
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 15, 2012, 09:48:14 AM
The stuff I got in the picture was from home depot but I think I have gotten stuff from auto zone begot that was a rust reformer primer. And yes you always want to primer metal and fillers (bondo, glass, etc)before paint. That is unless your using paint that can be applied straight to bare metal or your painting over existing paint. In the case of painting over existing paint just sand the paint that's there and spray over it. Not saying that's the right way but I have done it that way and not had bad results. And before you paint its better to wash it down, auto shops use soap and water with some chemical but I usually use a few rags and paint thinner and wipe everything down. That way I can clean everything up and give it a once over begot painting.

Fat fingered from the phone-  Corey
Title: 77 Challenger
Post by: More2LifeThanMPG on February 15, 2012, 01:20:52 PM
D@mn seeing all you guys work on your trailers makes me really want to get my sh!t done. Haha.


Sent while on the run, or sitting at work bored
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: Havasukona455 on February 16, 2012, 06:54:14 PM
Oh okay cool. Thanks for the info. I'm gonna start sanding a little tomorrow and finish it up on Sunday. Just need to decide on a color now. Should I match the truck or boat  :screwy:
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 18, 2012, 05:08:09 PM
Did a little trading today an came home with some stuff.

Fat fingered from the phone-  Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: berkbryan on February 18, 2012, 05:18:41 PM
I can help you with the glass work it easy
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: 88CARRERA on February 18, 2012, 05:39:55 PM
Thanks again for the lever bro!
Title: Re: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 18, 2012, 09:12:15 PM
Thanks again for the lever bro!

No problem man, hope it works out.

Fat fingered from the phone-  Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 20, 2012, 12:09:32 PM
Getting rid of the rotted donor hull today. Can you say "open bow"

Fat fingered from the phone-  Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on March 05, 2012, 02:08:07 PM
So I have reached the first of many what the phuck am I doings. While rolling around under the trailer doing the bunk alignments I keep finding spider cracks and it seems I just keep finding more and more. There's a 3 foot long area on the side of the hull that I just noticed last night that pissed me off to the point I dropped everything and went inside for the night. Ill post pics tonight.

Fat fingered from the phone-  Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on March 05, 2012, 10:45:17 PM
Well got the hard part done now just gotta move the who outer bunks out then pull the boat off the trailer, weld everything and put the boat back on
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on March 05, 2012, 10:48:03 PM
And the cracking that set me over the top last night

Fat fingered from the phone-  Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: ka0tyk on March 05, 2012, 11:26:03 PM
thats pretty intense.  you didnt look at the hull when you picked it up?
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on March 05, 2012, 11:29:13 PM
Nope, it was dropped off and it was free. When I went and looked at it it didn't seem that bad but damn its just getting better. I don't know what im gonna do. I don't know if it can be repaired or if it even needs to be repaired. The entire hull feels pretty solid but the spot is huge.
Fat fingered from the phone-  Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: ka0tyk on March 06, 2012, 01:25:10 AM
run it.  deal with it later. 
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on March 06, 2012, 05:42:26 PM
Some better pics

Fat fingered from the phone-  Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: BIG JOHNSON on March 06, 2012, 08:26:37 PM
Gel coat is known to get crazy cracks in it without having effect on the structural fiberglass, isn't it?

Gel coat itself hasn't got a hairlike reinforcement like the layup has..

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Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: jetjunky101 on March 06, 2012, 10:16:06 PM
that dont look good............  :o
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: GT Jets on March 06, 2012, 10:35:15 PM
That is called impact crazing.

Some big and soft and squishy took it's best shot right in that area.

Really not a big deal, but ugly as hell.

As long as it is really firm when you press on it with a bit of force, it should be structurally sound.

Blacks and greys are the most brittle colors as far as gelcoat goes, so this is pretty common (I think it has to do with how hot it gets when in the sunlight).

Pretty straightforward fix. The entire surface needs to be ground down to good glass (the scary part) and then prepped to block it back straight after layering with new glass...This will be easier if planning on painting the entire boat (eliminates the need to match colors...)

If you just want to use the boat for now, I would recommend getting some polyester resin and some MEK and mix up a small batch and simply brush some thinned resin into the cracked area and sand it smooth. Maybe with some 400 grit and let her buck...

GT
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on April 21, 2012, 04:41:45 PM
Brought the motor home finally. Like the engine stand?

Fat fingered from the phone - Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SuperJet on April 21, 2012, 05:55:02 PM
Engine stand is cool, but if I didn't know any better I'd venture to say someone is missing an engine and not happy about it :sly: >:D
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on April 21, 2012, 09:38:39 PM
Lol, no nobody's missing an engine. that's the rest of my old boat on the front of the trailer. I loaned out my engine stand and they arnt done with it so I figured that was the best way to transport it and store it till I get my stand back

Fat fingered from the phone - Corey
Title: 77 Challenger
Post by: SuperJet on April 21, 2012, 10:15:17 PM
Lol, no nobody's missing an engine. that's the rest of my old boat on the front of the trailer. I loaned out my engine stand and they arnt done with it so I figured that was the best way to transport it and store it till I get my stand back

Fat fingered from the phone - Corey

I know it was legit just had to bust some balls lol


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Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on April 29, 2012, 06:25:55 PM
Well finished the trailer got the boat back on and drained about 20 gallons of water :o should covered it better I guess

Fat fingered from the phone - Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on April 29, 2012, 06:29:30 PM
Rinsed it out and now im just looking at it thinking what the hell have I gotten into

Fat fingered from the phone - Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: Rogers Hopeful on April 29, 2012, 06:40:32 PM
looks like a fun project.  What are your plans?  Paint?
looks like you have a good power plant.
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on April 29, 2012, 06:47:54 PM
Plans are put it together and hope it floats lol. Just gonna get it together get some interior possibly. Rebuild the engine then decide if I wanna keep it if I do ill strip it and paint it the same scheme just flipped. Instead of all black with the blue striping it will be all blue with black striping.
Title: 77 Challenger
Post by: Rogers Hopeful on April 29, 2012, 06:55:45 PM
Floating is always a good first step!  Lol


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Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: GT Jets on April 29, 2012, 07:31:31 PM
Floating is always a good first step!  Lol


Sent from my iPhone 4S

LOL, reminds me of something I once heard at the river races "If it goes fast enough and runs consistently it don't have to float" he was talking about a boat that hit a huge rock that opened up the gunwale like a sardine can.   :screwy: They ran the boat with a foil backed duct tape patch and finished second in their class.  :thumbup: :thumbup:

GT
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: Rogers Hopeful on April 29, 2012, 08:28:07 PM
LOL, reminds me of something I once heard at the river races "If it goes fast enough and runs consistently it don't have to float" he was talking about a boat that hit a huge rock that opened up the gunwale like a sardine can.   :screwy: They ran the boat with a foil backed duct tape patch and finished second in their class.  :thumbup: :thumbup:

GT

Thats awesome!!
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on May 09, 2012, 10:58:09 AM
Got the engine in and every thing squared away over the last few days. Got the drive line off and flexplate bolted on now and gonna plumb it and fire it up and get it running right and hopefully make a trip or two to perris to dial it in before I take it all apart again to pretty it up

Fat fingered from the phone - Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on May 23, 2012, 11:35:02 AM
Well I pulled some strings with my friend at perris and he's gonna let me float the boat this weekend as long as I dont drive it. Works for me considering I am still waiting on paper work and my dowels for my steering nozzle. Plan on running it on the trailer for a while to tune the carb and make sure the jets not in need of a rebuild and the just let it sit while I enjoy some time with the family.

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: mobboss on May 23, 2012, 12:29:12 PM
good luck!  hope it all works.
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on May 24, 2012, 05:00:42 PM
Well found the little bastard.

Jacuzzi wanted 62.40 and I paid $10. But the company paid $25 in gas to pick it up8)

And now I have steering

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on May 24, 2012, 07:37:19 PM


Fat fingered from the phone- Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: 88CARRERA on May 24, 2012, 09:27:38 PM
Sweet

How's the boat coming

Title: Re: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on May 25, 2012, 08:02:55 AM
Sweet

How's the boat coming

Slowly but surely. Ain't in any hurry but it would be nice to put it on the water a few times before I either sell it or strip it and make it pretty.

How's your boat comin?

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on May 25, 2012, 07:19:41 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FatMPhudVX0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

1. No the jets not hooked up
2. Temps runnin 170's
3. Water pressure set at 13


But one weird question which may lead me to believe this motors junk.  With the water hose off and I fire it up it starts pissin water?

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: Squirrel Master on May 26, 2012, 02:07:59 AM
Rinsed it out and now im just looking at it thinking what the hell have I gotten into

Fat fingered from the phone - Corey

damn it i love red neck ingenuity  i need to do bottom repair and was wondering how to lift the boat freakin cherry picker both ends  :banghead: :banghead: thanks for the idea great pic  :sly:
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on May 28, 2012, 08:42:52 PM
Well she floats. And made one hell of a fishing dock.

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on June 26, 2012, 10:01:37 PM
Well I made the decision to sell it a couple weeks ago to put more into the savings but until its hooked on someone else's truck i figured id keep working on it.

Got the top half sanded and buffed and got most of the railing put on over the last few days

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: berkbryan on June 27, 2012, 12:39:02 AM
looks great
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: mobboss on June 27, 2012, 06:56:19 AM
wow nice job, looks really good
Title: 77 Challenger
Post by: JordanDangerfield on July 08, 2012, 02:12:12 PM
I thought the boat looked familiar last night!! Good seeing you. I dig the bagged golf cart/wagon.
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on July 08, 2012, 03:13:40 PM
What's up man didn't know you found this forum

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey
Title: 77 Challenger
Post by: JordanDangerfield on July 08, 2012, 03:21:28 PM
Been lurking for about a month now!
Title: Re: 77 Challenger
Post by: SoCalPSD on January 02, 2013, 11:46:30 PM
What's this, a thread on my knee knocker out front. Man its Been a while.
So im thinking im gonna part out what I got and save up for something that's complete or atleast a better platform. Kinda over this project, the more i read and look at projects on crags and see the down sides to this hull/jet combo I want something else, or I get all excited come home from.work see the boat then say screw it. I don't know what the hell im gonna do.

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey
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