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Heres where I want to go with the floor.
Not sure if want a small gap or tight between them.
Has a nice clean, maintainable look...and could use treated wood.
I like that! I'm planning on Maple for my transom and dash... WAs thinking about cedar for the floor, sealed all the heck (just because I can get thin stuff and laminate it to a piece of ply). I'm no where near there yet, though! ha!
Here's some pics of the trailer all disassembled. I think I'm gonna end up blasting it at a friend's shop, IF I can find the time. All the individual pieces are quite manageable.
Heres where I want to go with the floor.
Not sure if want a small gap or tight between them.
Has a nice clean, maintainable look...and could use treated wood.
How about steering?
Are y'all using direct? or reduction leverage?
Direct
I like the look, too. It would be pricier, but it’s a small area...teak or mahogany would really be appropriate in a boat. Both are naturally rot resistant and have a long marine heritage.
I have never wanted a powerboat in my life, but you have even me lusting for one.
The GOOD news is I can see the light at the end of the tunnel (for the polishing while upside down phase, at least). I really worked over the seam where the sides meet the bottom on both sides. I'm really happy with the finish (for now, anyway) Polished aluminum, especially in a shop just never photographs right! At any rate, I'd give it an 8 out of 10, as it does need a final pass with a Cyclo or something to remove the last bits of black crap and swirl marks. Next up for the bottom, I need to get the rest of the junk (as much of it as I can, anyway) out of the seam, then pressure wash the bottom and the seams, before resealing with Alcoa Gutter Seal. That stuff is GREAT on my trailers, I'm sure it'll be the same in this application. When I flip the boat, I'll seal the insides as well.
Speaking of flipping the boat, as soon as I get the upper starboard bow polished, It's flippin' time! It'll be nice to have something that looks like a BOAT again. Feathercraft Vagabonds are beautiful boats... but upside down, they just look like any aluminum thing...
I also just won another set of vintage controls on eBay! These have the ribs in the side, So I have 2 sets now... I might try polishing the smooth set to make sure it'll work before I monkey around with the new set coming.
Wow...your is shinny!
I'm not going to outbright you for sure.
No photos today, went by so fast, and dark starts almost after lunch.
(We're on the far east side of CST)
Took out all the floor and seats.
Looks just right for planks...
A front to rear I-rib 4" c/c.
A slight curve, so will use thin boards.
My seats were plywood with laminated flooring glued on top.
After removing, could see that there must have been an aluminum panel there way back.
Plan to put some styrofoam under there, and seal up with a aluminum riveted seat bottom.
Too expensive to galvanize trailer?
A sailboat I bought in 1977 came with one, and it still looks like last years model.
__________________ Your opinion is valued, please not your opinion of someones else's opinion.
I figured if I don't polish that bottom belt now, I never will! Once the motor's in it I'll never flip it over again!
As for the trailer, I really like the idea of a creme trailer that batches the motor, with gold fenders and springs (again to match the motor). Should look really cool!
I tell ya what, If I was heading out west anytime in the next few months, I'd scrap my trailer and buy this one!
I'm using my polisher with an adapter to run a 4 inch buffer wheel, and bars of rouge. Everyone has their favorite polishing method. This is mine. It cuts through corroded aluminum like butter! You can see it on top of the boat in this pic. The bow sides probably took 20 minutes each.
I usually follow up with NuVite for a more finished look, though. The buffing wheels put a good bling on her, but to get that deeper shine, you really need to use something else. I haven't ponied up the cash for the Cyclo yet...
ha! yeah! I didn't even notice that. Funny how much they changed through the years. This one's an early one, like yours so the bow deck ends at the dash, rather than extend past the drivers compartment as an arm rest.
Sure looks like a clean, straight boat! Mine's got more than its share of "character" on the starboard side.
I haven't had a chance to get back down stairs and finish that ONE section left,,, darnit! It should only take me a good, long evening to get it polished, and another evening to get things cleaned out and sealed, then it's flippin' time again! I can't wait to see it upright. It's so UGLY upside down!
no progress on the trailer yet, either... hopefully soon, though!
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