Project: Liberator Gets A New Transom

[Liberator*21]

My buddy and I kicked some serious "AZZ" today on this project, let me just tell you, two guy's in this boat with Glass, Resin, Rollers, Paint Tray full of Resin is a damm tight fit.............

Radius cut the Knees in prep for glassing Sunday:




And so the journey begins:

Resin by the 5 gallon buckets:




Work table set up before the mess begins:



Hard to take pics when your hands are sticker than flypaper but.....

IT's finally in !!!!!!!!










My butt is seriously dragging right now so it's a wrap for the day. Sunday Knee's go in and then we're heading down the home stretch...........almost home.

[Dave Strong]

Damb Gary looks like your adding alot of weight. Looks great

Dave

[Liberator*21]

Damb Gary looks like your adding alot of weight. Looks great

Dave

The 2" Coosa Board is lighter than an 1 1/2" of wooden Ply by 20% and it's 30% stronger.....

[Dave Strong]

I know just had to yank your chain.

Dave

[karman 2]

FYI, I cut a hole for my stereo remote, it was indeed 2". Looks great so far.

[Liberator*21]

Ok, its Monday morning and I feel like I've been beat up in a street fight......., pretty darn sore to say the least.

The Knee's are in:

[vw-nut]

Wow gary I know I can walk outside and take a look at it but its so much easier to sit here and check it out, dang this thing looks good what a transformation.....
this has been a walk in the park for me, I get to do all the fun stuff (laying glass) as with every project worth doing the preparation is 90% of the project and Gary you have done everything to the letter. I let you know what needs to be done and you execute to perfection, your a great friend a brilliant engineer and a true craftsman. Ps love these posts you do the attention to detail and information contained is amazing.
Great job!!!

[Pmj341]

The work looks awesome, you must be going to keep this for the rest of your life.
If all manufacturers built stuff like you do they would not be selling any new boats

[Dave Strong]

Looks great Gary.


Dave

[Liberator*21]

Wow gary I know I can walk outside and take a look at it but its so much easier to sit here and check it out, dang this thing looks good what a transformation.....
this has been a walk in the park for me, I get to do all the fun stuff (laying glass) as with every project worth doing the preparation is 90% of the project and Gary you have done everything to the letter. I let you know what needs to be done and you execute to perfection, your a great friend a brilliant engineer and a true craftsman. Ps love these posts you do the attention to detail and information contained is amazing.
Great job!!!

Glenn (VW-NUT)
You are truly a great friend to have. I can't say nor give enough thank you's for your help and guidance as well as the use of your shop during this very messy project......Couldn't have done it without cha...........

[Liberator*21]

Status update, boat is going home today..............yippy !!!!!!!

Then the rewiring project begins.............

Body work in progress, Marine Tex for basic filler:





First 2 coats of primer, (decided to match color and just paint instead of GelCoat) then level wet sand w/400 wet or dry:



Finish coat of primer and skuff:



Base coat applied:



Finished w 3 coats of clear:

[Dave Strong]

Looking good ! what no Gel wasn't into a major sanding project.

Dave

[Liberator*21]

Looking good ! what no Gel wasn't into a major sanding project.

Dave

Thanks Dave, No more major sanding.....I'm worn out. I think my sanding arm is well do for a break.

[Liberator*21]

Moving right along, bilge has been painted 2 coats in white epoxy bilge paint, so I started working on the side that dried first, let the rigging begin............. I made up some billet rings that go into the holes in the knees for all the rigging to pass thru (wires cables etc.), I'll post those up in a few days, strictly for cosmetics/bling.......

In order to make life easier when it comes to checking the transom thru motor bolts for tightness since they are totally blocked inside by the gas tank, I took some stainless steel flat stock and drilled the B.I.A. bolt pattern for the top holes and again on another piece for the bottom holes, the 4 stainless steel transom bolt heads were then welded onto these plates keeping them from rotating. Tightness can now be checked from the outside with no need for a second person to hold the bolt heads inside, photos are coming for this also in a few days.

[Gorilla0178]

http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...n-25-Liberator

dont feel bad, check out this 2007 liberator 25, none of it is marine or exterior ply. I called Dave and he assured me that they knew what they were doing now.