Viper resto-mod

[texasvector]

You just need to get that on a T-Shirt now.
Nice Job.

[Da Bull]

I love the bolts, blocks and everything but the kitchen sink idea. Good thinking.

DB

[proprider]

Finished all the stringer and inner core area. After glassing in the inner core, a laminate of 6mm - 5ply Ocume plywood was laid down as a flooring. Since the boat is going to be used for hot rodding only, the stringer will be left open. The Ocume will be finished with a natural finish. Sturdy with a beautiful grain.

The outer core area got all ground clean wth a 24 grit longboard. Should get an awesome mechanical bond.

[proprider]

Pulled the decking into the shop to work on between cure times with the hull. The dash area has become swiss cheese so some 3/4inch plugs were installed to try to gain some integrety back into the dash.

There is some type of core attached to the underside of the decking. To look at it through the glass, it has the appearance of domino's. Is it some type of foam core? It may be about 1/2inch thick.

[proprider]

Since the splashwell will remain, the previous hardware holes were deleated. Duct tape was used on the backside to cover the holes. The voids were then filled with resin and matting. The entire inner splashwell area was glassed over and a gusset was added to help give additional strength to the transom and motorboard.

[proprider]

All the outer core is now bedded in. Getting it all glassed in will be the next step. Once that is done, the decking is going to be set back on for mock-up of seat mounts, gussets, hardware mounts, ect...

Since just getting started this past fall, the pace seems to be going well. Would be very cool to see water time this summer with this Viper.

[proprider]

All the outer core is now glassed in. Starting to look like a new boat...

[proprider]

Since the steering wheel is often used as a device to get your butt out of your seat, thought a couple of gussets would help support the dash. There is also going to be an aluminum backing plate for the Sea Star helm mounting bolts.

[Murph]

That would be one Solid Looking Boat.
Ready for some Torque.

[proprider]

Starting out with a 2.0 liter 150hp Merc to learn how to drive the boat. Once I get comfortable, who knows what could evolve from there........

That would be one Solid Looking Boat.
Ready for some Torque.

[XstreamVking]

Smart move on the 150. Always go bigger later. Excellent build on the Viper. Should last a lifetime... Neat, exposed glasswork and woodgrain will be sharp on the interior.

[Da Bull]

This boat is being done right. Good for you proprider.

DB

[Fast Viper]

Gotta say you have done an awesome job, looks super strong and extremely well done. Have you done this before ? Any idea how many hrs you have into it ? When I redo mine I will use this as my guide ,thanks for sharing it with us .

[proprider]

Thank you for the encouragement. I have never done this type work with a fiberglass boat, although I have messed around with smaller wooden hydros. I have not kept a log book of hours as I work on it whenever I can, even if it's only for a hour. I do try to think things out ahead of time so I reduce the amount of wasted effort. If it wasn't for all the previous rebuild threads to learn from, I probably would have never attempted doing this. It also helps to be extremely STOKED to get it right the first time around.......but that's just me

Thanks again!
Joe

[proprider]

I was fortunate that the hull is not loaded with stress cracks. When i got the boat, it had a Johnson 88 Special with no power trim and the cav plate was even with the bottom. Pretty sure it didn't get drove too hard....lol Since it will be getting driven a bit harder in the future, the entire under deck recieved an additional layer of glass.

While glassing the underside, looms were glassed in for wires, cables and hoses. They can also be used to attach other things. Made the larger ones from a cardboard shrinkwrap tube and the smaller ones with pvc pipe.