Reel Loco Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Upon recommendation of two captain freinds I coated the fuel tank with Kevlar Bed Armor to protect it. I had cleaned the entire outside of the tank with a power brush prior to coating it. [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1315427071-P1050319.JPG[/lightbox] This photo shows the fuel tank fastened to the rear fuel tank support. Remember I had embedded 1/4" aluminum diamond plate in both the forward and rear tank supports. I drilled , tapped and installed 1/4" SS bolts to hold it down. I also foamed in the sides of the tank(not shown in photos). [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1315427328-P1050320.JPG[/lightbox] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Well this just about brings us up to date. This photo is of the floor laying up side down. I have to remove the old floor stiffeners as you can see they are disintegating. Once they are rebuilt I will start the reinstallation of the floor. [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1315428323-P1050327.JPG[/lightbox] These last photos were taken in July when I covered the boat up for the summer. It'sWaaaaaaay to hot in the summer to do fibergl*** work outside. I just took these photos of my new console seat cushions. Since I could not work outside during the heat of the summer I decided to try my hand at uhpolstry. This is the result of alot of research on the net and driving my wife (and the ladies in JoAnn's Fabrics) nuts asking questions about sewing. [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1315430284-P1060089.JPG[/lightbox] [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1315430292-P1060091.JPG[/lightbox] [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1315430302-P1060095.JPG[/lightbox] As soon as the weather cooperates I'll be back outside working on the LT. Until then I'll just have to keep up with you alls posts. Reel Loco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsalt Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Gary, I'd almost bet that that boat hit a bar at speed. The damage and seperation would make sense. The seperation in the battery compartment would indicate either the stern came down abruptly or the bow stopped and the motor and forward motion pulled it apart. By the way, great idea gel coating in the bilge and bow. Much easier to clean them later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RipTide Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 By the time he's finished with the inside of the hull skiffin is going to be jealous. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsalt Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 So are all of us :content: Gary...it would be a good time to build a new bilge pad and attech the base, too. I mean before the cap goes on...not tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Gary,I'd almost bet that that boat hit a bar at speed. The damage and seperation would make sense. The seperation in the battery compartment would indicate either the stern came down abruptly or the bow stopped and the motor and forward motion pulled it apart. By the way, great idea gel coating in the bilge and bow. Much easier to clean them later. I'd love to know exactly what happened but a scenario such as that makes sense. Hopefully it will never look like that again. Loco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 By the time he's finished with the inside of the hull skiffin is going to be jealous. LOL I'll just be happy if when I splash it it doesn't leak too much!!! I'm splashing it before I hang a motor on it just in case! Loco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 So are all of us :content: Gary...it would be a good time to build a new bilge pad and attech the base, too. I mean before the cap goes on...not tomorrow Oldsalt, Okay, what's a bilge pad? Is the base for the bilge pump? :confused: Unfortunately the cap went back on in the beginning of June before hurricane season. It's not fastened yet. I have a nice size bilge hatch to work thru though. Fill me in on the bilge pad. Loco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsalt Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 When MBC installed original bilges, they screwed them on to a piece of waste material. Mine looks like a piece from a cut out on my console. They screw the base into the 1/2" + or - piece and 5200 it the hull. It raises it up just a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted September 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 When MBC installed original bilges, they screwed them on to a piece of waste material. Mine looks like a piece from a cut out on my console. They screw the base into the 1/2" + or - piece and 5200 it the hull. It raises it up just a little. Now it makes sense. :content: Thanks for clarifying that. I forget if I screwed the base for the bilge pump back down but now that I'm thinkig about it I know I did as I also installed the bilge pump and hose. Just has to be wired when I install the wiring harness. I did'nt remove the original bilge pad. Thanks again for all your input. Loco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Secret Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 Reel Loco- thanks very much for the pictures and details of your project. They have been very helpful for me. I have the same year LT. Recently after filling up with gas and dropping in the water I noticed a puddle of gas in the bilge. I immediatly went home only to find out that there appears to be a gas leak in the tank. After a more thorough inspection with a new access panel I installed in the front hatch I found that my gas tank is loose in the bilge and well I can actually move it around (up/down-Left/right). I am taking into consideration to either 1 pull the cap or 2 cut the deck out to replace the tank. I have inspected the stringers and I do not appear to have such extensive damage as you. I was wondering if you had any recommendations as to pulling the cap or cutting the deck? Also if you have any other recommendations before I pursue this project I would greatly appreciate your insight. thanks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted October 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 Top Secret, Glad to hear my rehab post has been helpful. I am more than happy to give you my thoughts on what I would do in your case but please keep in mind this is my first boat project and am learning this as I go. A couple of weeks ago I was thinking that if I ever had fuel tank problems I would rather cut out just enough of the floor to remove the tank and re-install the new one. Removing the cap was quite the project. If i had a garage with high ceilings and beams to lift off of it would have definitely been easier. Either way you are going to have to de-rig your center console so you can remove it. Take before photos so you know how it all goes back together. After removing the center console I would only cut the floor a couple of inches on either side of the tank to give me access to get it out. When re-nstalling the floor I would use either aluminum angle(or flat fibergl*** strips) screwed to the bottom of the existing deck, bevel the edges of the entire cut and epoxy the floor back together. I'm beginning to think this is where seadeck might come in handy if you don't know how to finish off the gelcoat. If the fuel tank is leaking I would highly recommend that you siphon as much fuel as possible and flush the tank with water until all traces of gasoline are gone. Open all hatches to allow gas fumes to be expelled. I would put a water hose in the anchor storage locker and flush the entire bilge from there. Only them would I attempt any work on the vessel. If you decide to go thru with your project I would be more than happy to supply you with width of tank, etc. Reel Loco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RipTide Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 *** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Secret Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Reel Loco and Crawfish, thanks for the insgiht! before and after photos are a great idea as well as making radius cuts. After taking into consideration of this post I think I am going to just have the deck cut a few inches larger then the gas tank. If you could please give me the dimension of the tank that would be great! do you know if the tank is something that has to be custom fabricated? Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted October 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Will try to get the tank dimensions & tank manufactuer name tomorrow. RL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted October 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 TS, My tank info is as follows: 42 Gallon Aluminum Model MB Manufacturer: T-N-T Custom Boat Works Detailed Info: Phone(s): (772)464-5989 Fax: (772)464-6710 Address: 3207 Industrial 25th St Fort Pierce, FL 34946 Category: Tanks (Manufacturers) Tank Dimensions: 23" wide x 62" long x 7" deep Length does not include support angles at ends. Bow end does taper for approx first foot of tank. There are floor supports that run bow to stern on either side of the fuel tank. The dimension in between the supports = 32". The aft end of the tank starts approx 7'5" from the stern. Good luck with the tank replacement and maybe some others on the forum may point you towards the best place to purchase a replacement tank. Don't forget pics and to post them. Reel Loco :content: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Secret Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Reel Loco- Thanks very much. I am meeting with two fibergl*** repair companys in the next week so I will post the cost and also pictures for others to view. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidmotion Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 !st photo was taken just after prying the cap loose. [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1315053766-P1050034.JPG[/lightbox] holy cow..... you guys are doing some good work... that takes a commitment, it does. good luck. it's gonna be that much sweeter when you put that first good fish over the side! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted October 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Thanks Squid. I'm starting to get an itch to get her on the water. We're lucky to have Oldsalt take us out on his Master Angler. We were out with him about 5-6 wks ago and I loved that boat. I could not believe what a stable platform it was. He treated Crawfish and I like long lost freinds! RL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RipTide Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 *** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidmotion Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 that's nice to hear... i've made a few good freinds on this side of the pond as well... it's a good club... i poled around a mav all day sunday... starting to really get a bug for one of those... gosh, i hope to see these things on the water in the near future! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted October 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 gosh, i hope to see these things on the water in the near future! That makes 2 of us. Patience Gr***hopper, patience. There getting there slowly. As soon as RL get finished with the prep work on his console I'm gonna shoot it for him with new gelcoat. He gets to wet sand and polish though. :content: Update on the center console: I thought I had finished readying the cc for Crawfish to shoot it with gelcoat. Wrong! After chasing some hairline cracks in the helm mounting area Crawfish and I discovered that the hair line cracks extended thru the fibergl***. Since the cc is only 1/4" thk at that area Crawfish suggested reinforcing it and adding a backing plate. Before I could say shazaam I recieved a pm from crawfish with the following pics. [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1320070968-ConsoleBefore2.jpg [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1320070977-ConsoleInteriorBefore1.jpg [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1320071010-HelmBackingPlate2.jpg [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1320071021-ConsoleInteriorBeforePrepped1.jpg [lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1320071037-ConsoleInterior2ndLayerofGl***.jpg Never a dull moment where Crawfish is involved. Gotta love him! More to come. Reel Loco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted November 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 While Crawfish has my console I figured I would attack the floor stiffners. The first two pics are of the underneath side of the floor shortly after I removed it. The stiffners had deteiorated. Next three pics were taken today while removing them with my grinder. What a mess that made! Glad I don't have neighbors on either side! I got one side all cleaned up and about a quarter of the other side. Enough of that for today. I'm going to measure all my wiring this evening and see what it's going to cost to completely rewire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted November 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 Never did get that wiring list together. Every time I look At the wiring diagrams I come up with more questions concerning wire sizes,etc. Worked on the floor stiffners when I got a chance over the last couple of days. Crawfish has my center consloe. He beefed up the sides to stiffen it. I'll have pics to post of that. He's doing one hech of a job on that. I'll be known on the Charlotte Harbor by my center console!!! {/lightbox} http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1320710649-P1060143.JPG[/lightbox] Took measurements from the bottom of the floor to the top of the stringers on port & starboard sides fore and aft. Built a form to the largest measurements and clamped to the underneath side of floor. {/lightbox] http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1320711137-P1060148.JPG[/lightbox] Next I leveled the form, mixed the 4lb two part foam and poured away. [/lightbox]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1320711308-P1060144.JPG[/lightbox] Stiffner after trimming foam with saw. [/lightbox] http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1320711454-P1060147.JPG[/lightbox] Form Removed [/lightbox http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1320711576-P1060151.JPG[/lightbox] Starboard stiffner trimmed and edges rolled over. [/lightbox] http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/med_1320711729-P1060154.JPG[/lightbox] Both stiffners trimmed and ready to gl***. Need to pick up some additional 7018 and resin. I'm going to apply three layers of gl***. Notice the 3/4" PVC pipe at the center of each stiffner. I installed those so I have a way of getting the courtesy light wiring from under the gunnels to the center console. I also made each stiffner approx. 1/2" short in height. When I install the floor I plan on setting the stiffners in putty on top the stringers so the stiffners are attatched to the stringers. Well I really screwed up this post. Thought I had it figured out but I keep getting the pics in the first part of the post and between the text where I really want it.HELP!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel Loco Posted November 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 RL, Get your butt up to the house and we can go over the wiring together. It's not rocket sience. Sience, sience? oh boy, we're in trouble here!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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