Formula Jr. project
- Thread starter Woobs
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Woobs
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Rescue: stage 1. Removed the project from it's long time Key Largo, FLA "home" to a safe enclosure awaiting pick-up and transportation to Canada... Of course this was done with help from a friend (and kindred spirit).
Okay, so the project still looks like a big POS and a $$$ sponge... But, at least it's moving! And, if you have a few drinks, squint just the right way and use your imagination, it's starting to look cool-er...ish
.
Okay, so the project still looks like a big POS and a $$$ sponge... But, at least it's moving! And, if you have a few drinks, squint just the right way and use your imagination, it's starting to look cool-er...ish
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Woobs
New member
So we just got back from our 6000 km trip to bring the Jr. home to Toronto from Miami. We played hide and seek with hurricane HERMINE the whole trip but, we managed to get in a little R&R too.
Once home I started to clean the dirt out of the boat. I scooped out six 5 gallon pales of soil, leaves, beer cans, seashells, bones, old rusted parts and other miscellaneous crap. At this point it was just too easy (but also messy) to start pulling away the rotted floor panels and wood debris... another four 5 gallon pales of rotten, near sawdust material, plus some plywood/fiberglass remnants.
I removed the cockpit tub as the lounge seating was going to go anyways and the tub was also rotten. By yesterday the bilge was clean enough to vacuum. Unfortunately, the boat must go away for a few days as I clear space in the garage and build a dolly to ease work on the project.
Clearly, this is a mammoth project!
Once home I started to clean the dirt out of the boat. I scooped out six 5 gallon pales of soil, leaves, beer cans, seashells, bones, old rusted parts and other miscellaneous crap. At this point it was just too easy (but also messy) to start pulling away the rotted floor panels and wood debris... another four 5 gallon pales of rotten, near sawdust material, plus some plywood/fiberglass remnants.
I removed the cockpit tub as the lounge seating was going to go anyways and the tub was also rotten. By yesterday the bilge was clean enough to vacuum. Unfortunately, the boat must go away for a few days as I clear space in the garage and build a dolly to ease work on the project.
Clearly, this is a mammoth project!
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afratki
Member
Understatement of the year but my hats off to you for tackling this project and keeping the old 'Bird alive. I'm really intrigued by the use of a SBF (I'm a Ford guy), was this the factory power plant?
formula280ss
New member
Like I mentioned time and time again I love working on my boat BUT a project like that would put me in the nut-house LOL, people like you always have the cool boats (classics) that we all would dream of, I have to stick to store bout boats, if I took on a project like that….. Well let’s just say there would nothing but toothpicks left LOL, Good luck my friend
Woobs
New member
I believe there was a V8 with an OMC drive.... but which manufacturers V8, I really don't know . I chose the Ford because it is narrower/lighter than the Chev and the cool motors back in the day were Holman Moody Fords!
A project like this is as much about therapy as anything else. It took me 5 years to restore my woody boat. It keeps the little kid in me dreaming and the old man I am busy. Truth is, it's really not so bad when you already have a boat that works.
Here's my woody (Greavette)
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formula280ss
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That boat is beautiful very very nice, like sed before people like you always have the cool boats (classics) that we all would dream of, and no never had the patience for a project like that if it takes more than a month it not for me, and because of that I will never be one of the cool guy with a cool classics……LOL
Woobs
New member
Since returning with the boat from Florida, I had to completely clean out the garage as there was barely a path big enough to walk through. Next, I had to build a dolly to support the hull during the restoration. Mission accomplished on both accounts.
This deal started about Mat 17, and was confirmed May 28. Today Oct 1, the Formula Jr has finally made it home and in the garage. Tomorrow the deck comes off!
Now we are really starting
This deal started about Mat 17, and was confirmed May 28. Today Oct 1, the Formula Jr has finally made it home and in the garage. Tomorrow the deck comes off!
Now we are really starting
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Woobs
New member
Well, the deck is OFF. Not too difficult really. As the cockpit tub had already been cut out and all the wood coring has long since filtered itself out as dust (it really is hollow) it didn't weigh much at all. So, we just lifted it off by hand and stood it on the wall.
Somewhat disconcerting though, is the transom. It sure ain't flat! In fact, it's far from it. The top is curved over in parts and I have seen less waves with a tide coming in.... I'll have to think about this.
Also, the gunwale joint has no re-enforcement, bends or other strengthening features. It was just riveted to the deck lip with a lap-joint. More sleepless nights?
My attitude at this moment is one of "How do you eat an Elephant?"
Of course the answer is one bite at a time. So, let's remove more of the old crap still in there and get to cleaning this hull up to a point where it becomes a good base to start from!
Somewhat disconcerting though, is the transom. It sure ain't flat! In fact, it's far from it. The top is curved over in parts and I have seen less waves with a tide coming in.... I'll have to think about this.
Also, the gunwale joint has no re-enforcement, bends or other strengthening features. It was just riveted to the deck lip with a lap-joint. More sleepless nights?
My attitude at this moment is one of "How do you eat an Elephant?"
Of course the answer is one bite at a time. So, let's remove more of the old crap still in there and get to cleaning this hull up to a point where it becomes a good base to start from!
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Woobs
New member
It's fall here in Southern Ontario. today 13*C and heading for single digits quickly. This means no fiberglassing until spring. So, I'll be spending the few decent days left just cleaning out the hull, grinding, sanding and doing general preparation.
I have decided not to cut out my transom until spring as the hull would be in an unstable condition that could affect its shape over time. So I will have nothing glamourous to report for a while.
I am researching epoxy resins though. If anyone has a thought on their favourite please let me know which one and why you like it.
I have decided not to cut out my transom until spring as the hull would be in an unstable condition that could affect its shape over time. So I will have nothing glamourous to report for a while.
I am researching epoxy resins though. If anyone has a thought on their favourite please let me know which one and why you like it.
Woobs
New member
Well, it may be too cold to fiberglass.... but, I scored a donor motor today! FORD baby, YA!
Couldn't say no at the price. I was planning on building from scratch anyways, now I have motor mounts, brackets, plates and all manner of hardware sorted.
I'll guess I'll be busy this winter anyways.
Couldn't say no at the price. I was planning on building from scratch anyways, now I have motor mounts, brackets, plates and all manner of hardware sorted
.I'll guess I'll be busy this winter anyways.
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Woobs
New member
It was a nice day today for working in the garage... and since I finally have the Woody boat winterized, and all the little jobs done, I treated myself to a day of quality time with the Formula Jr.
We're still in destruction mode as I removed the front part of the floor and pulled the old fuel tank. Still lots to do that I can get done before it's too cold. There was (and still is) a great mess of some white silicone around the fuel tank and its supports. This crap is actually gooey like soft chewing gum but, has even less strength. . I have to scrape it off and it stinks! Looks like a few more buckets to go to the dump.
With the floor removed, I can really see the hull deflect when pressure is applied. I might have to rethink my dolly and move to a custom cradle.
We're still in destruction mode as I removed the front part of the floor and pulled the old fuel tank. Still lots to do that I can get done before it's too cold. There was (and still is) a great mess of some white silicone around the fuel tank and its supports. This crap is actually gooey like soft chewing gum but, has even less strength. . I have to scrape it off and it stinks! Looks like a few more buckets to go to the dump.
With the floor removed, I can really see the hull deflect when pressure is applied. I might have to rethink my dolly and move to a custom cradle.
