1978 Viking rebuild

[FUJIMO]

...i actually have some new, old stock, mercury lower mounting bolts, for the 1976 thru 1979 V-6's. mercury called them fittings. they were expensive before they became no longer available(NLA) many years ago.

[tnelsmn]

I think I still have the original engine bolts/hydraulic fittings, I'd have to look, but I'm keeping the three ram trim, so they will just gather dust on the shelf.

The new rub rail is on! I couldn't bring myself to put a black rubber rail on with this color combo. So this was all fabricated from 14ga aluminum sheet metal. It was formed into the basic shape with a press break. Then an Eastwood shrinker/stretcher was used to form it to the shape of hull. I did have to anneal the portion around the nose to get it to bend that tightly. I had to have to bottom edge formed 1/2" wider than the factory rail for it to function properly in the jaws of the shrinker. Once it was to the shape of the hull that was cut off.

Everything was then TIG welded into one continuous piece and all the welds ground and metal finished. Finally a part of the project I'm experienced with!

A bead of 4200 was used to secure it to the hull.

Deck supports got bolted to the outer stringers. So the hull work is completely finished at this point and I can truly begin rigging.

[LakeFever]

Wow. Tight work

[Hippie459MN]

Looks awesome! Great work. I still need to bring that fuel tank to ya. lol

[tnelsmn]

Fuel tank is mostly finished, just need to add filler neck and drill the mounts. The tank was formed from 1/8" 5052 aluminum and 100% TIG welded.

Drilled the dash and couldn't help but set the gauges in. I'm going to coat the exposed wood with some gel coat before I mount everything for good.

The SeaStar Pro/Tournament system is in, and most all the wiring is in. Things are starting to move quickly now.

[rjdubiel]

now that is a fuel tank!

[tnelsmn]

now that is a fuel tank!

Welding/metal fab is my trade and what I did for a living for the last decade. So this was part of the build where I actually knew what I was doing.

[LakeFever]

Speedglas! Winning lid there. You use the adflo stuff too?

[sonicss33]

Any thought of using angled bezels for gauges to help you see them easier?

[tnelsmn]

Lake Fever, been wearing a Speedglas helmet my entire career. adflo? Not familiar with that...

Sonic, the thought did cross my mind more for a looks aspect. The boat is so small I don't think I'll have trouble seeing the gauges. The bottom right is already blocked by the steering wheel. That is something that could easily be added later if need be.

[LakeFever]

Speedglas have the adflo attachments for papr clean air supply. They work great! Works a bit like air conditioning in the heat too.

anyways not to sidetrack here your rig is looking fantastic. We are inching very close to starting ours. Can hardly wait

[tnelsmn]

Speedglas have the adflo attachments for papr clean air supply. They work great! Works a bit like air conditioning in the heat too.

anyways not to sidetrack here your rig is looking fantastic. We are inching very close to starting ours. Can hardly wait

Oh I see. Nope never used one of those. I did 90% TIG at my last job and the shop had AC. So never really needed it.

[nitro_rat]

Speedglas! Winning lid there. You use the adflo stuff too?

Those auto dark hoods (yes, even speedglas and other high end ones) bother my eyes no matter how I adjust them. I'm a "nodder" anyway, old habits die hard...

[Da Bull]

I love this thread. Very informative and lots of pictures. Being the same color as my old 1981 Viking don`t hurt either.

[LakeFever]

tnelsmn can you tell me the outside to outside spacing of your trailer bunks? Sooner the better Im in the middle of trying to configure bunks with no boat to measure. Thanks a TON, i hope your near the boat today lol