Va Beach v20 project

[Kracker Jack]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Proper primer for aluminum is zinc chromate. Two coats, first coat up and down, second coat side to side..that way there are no highlights. There are several other types also, including epoxies, but the US Navy uses zinc chromate ... and most of their equipment seems to get a lot of salt usage for some reason.

Good info. Thanks Destroyer.

[Kracker Jack]

I almost have the cap foundation complete and ready for fabbing the cap. here are some pics of the stern pieces i glued on lastnight and finished up tonight. I also included a picture of a piece of mocked up scrap plywood cap that i have been using to get all angles and dangles right. And notice the picture of my console with the free 27 gallon clear Moeller tank!!!!!! just got it yesterday for free from a buddy at work ,it was on his carolina skiff it has a sending unit and aluminum fittings Im stoked!!!! Its 3 inches narrower than the red 30 gallon tempo tank I bought 3 weeks ago. You will notice that the pic with the t-top that the bases on the top I bought are angle brackets!!! poor design!! alot of pressure in a very small area. Im gonna be putting new bases on it to fix that issue.

I also just wanted to pause for a minute a thank each and everyone of you on this site. All you guys have given me some great ideas and solid advice thru-out this build so far. This web site is awesome!!!!!

[Kracker Jack]

Grind,grind,sand,glass Grind, grind ,sand ,glass. Uh!!!!!! I'm gonna take s break this weekend and go taught fishing!

[Kracker Jack]

Here are some pics showing the way im glassing the rail before i fab and install the cap. The one pic of the transom shows some fairing and filling shaping and squaring up the transom lines.

[tartuffe]

Its looking sharp! Almost time to start talking paint?

[bradford]

Looking good, that thing is gonna be a tank!

[Kracker Jack]

Im trying to come up with a easy cover for my t-top. Of course canvas is the first option because it light weight. I personally want a hard top. I was thinking about making a mold a building my own hardtop but that is really expensive. So i had really good idea tonight, I logged on to craigslist and looked under auto parts and searched for fiberglass tonneau covers for pickup trucks. I found one for 50 bucks I plan on triming this tonneau cover so it fits my t-top and to also lose alot of weight.

[Kracker Jack]

Grind,grind,sand,glass Grind, grind ,sand ,glass. Uh!!!!!! I'm gonna take a break this weekend and go taug fishing!

[Kracker Jack]

Heres the cap supports I've been building. They are leveled up to the cap with a width of 8 1/2 inches. Another set goes up closer to the bow making a total of 3 per side. Give me your opinions on looks because it kinda looks wierd with the second one from the transom being high on the liner. They will all be glued, taped in and a progressive lap over the liner about 8 inches with 1708. Each support also gets 2, 4 inch stainless screws thru the rail also. Please tell me your opinions on design astheticly and structual. Thanks fellas

[tartuffe]

Since you asked about aesthetics I would nix the rod holder idea. Have the rod holders welded to your t-top. Structurally every one you add will be stronger than my 81 that has stood the test of time through some heavy seas (not by choice). I would think your strength is in the gunnel cap.

If I think about it too long I could argue not putting them in there at all but I of course am no expert. I think I could argue reinforcing the bow to where the flare ends with layers of glass for rigidity and relying on the cap and floor for gunnel support.