Contemporizing 1976 Argosy D - opinions please

[3Ms75Argosy]

I'm sure your custom bannana wraps fit better than plastic ones Sergei! Can't wait to see the paint. Is it still warm where you are?
Marc

[SmokelessJoe]

Marc:

We’ve had an unseasonably warm October. I was back in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, renovating a deck, and it was 32 Celsius, 90F!

The weather returned to normal this week however and I had to erect a roll up door on my work shed. Once we’ve finished the lighting at the rear, we’ll snug up the tarp.



We also winterized the trailer this week, something I hadn’t thought I would be doing this year. This will be my THIRD winter in Port Bruce!

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

All aluminum lined, weather protected stainless steel piano hinge, 1/8” aluminum lid - which will have fastening devices added after we paint the trailer.





The trailer body will be BLACK below the belt line but I like the cool, natural look of the aluminum box and it will remain unpainted.

The bumper will be polished and then coated (as will the lid) with the POR 15 clear-coat product GLISTEN.


Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

While DavidsonOverlander’s furniture worked perfectly when we did a dry fit last summer, the under-bed drawers wouldn’t fit when it came to the final install this week.

Somehow the frames had warped in storage.

On a couple days notice, Grant took a day off his school teaching job, drove two hours each way and stayed here all day Friday until we overcame the problem.



I want to publicly thank Grant; not only for the beautiful furniture he built but also for all the help he’s been since day one of this project.



This is the mid ship gaucho ready for the all-new upholstery which will be made in the next few weeks.



The whole experience put me in mind of the late Frank Wiltsie.

When Frank started what would become a significant local enterprise, WILTSIE TRUCK BODIES, almost 60 years ago, it was a wood windows shop - opened just as aluminum windows hit the market.

In his Elgin County manner Frank puffed “them’s just a fad” but got lucky when the local Carnation Milk plant came along asking him to build a couple of truck bodies. The rest is history, as they say.

Later, Frank was overheard telling his friend, the lumber merchant Milt Craig, “Don’t mind buildin’ in aluminum and steel. She don’t shrink none”.

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

If everything goes as well as its been going we should have the new exterior lighting finished tomorrow.

Two of the original 30 years old pigtails had breaks in the insulation RIGHT AT THE ALUMINUM SHELL.



By chance I stumbled upon Liquid Electrical Tape at an auto supply store last week. It saved the day.



In addition to the 12 new LED clearance lights we are installing LED tail and turn lamps.


I learned here on the forum that you could modify commonly available LED sets, sold as Submersible Boat Trailer Lamps, to fit the 4 1/2” vintage Monarch lamps on our trailers.

It was easy to trim down the guts of the LED set to fit our housing.






Later,

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

One of the many things I like about the iconic shape of the ARGOSY is the cast aluminum pieces that hold some of the running lights and reflectors.

This week, 15 months after removing them to strip the paint off the shell, it was good to remount the castings.



Note how wonderfully they hug the body. Classic original design and engineering.



I’m looking forward to the final paint job now.

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

This is the control panel and LG lcd TV, on the wall to your left as you enter. Galley in front of you. Front lounge to the right.

The LG fridge will go in the space between the wall and the pull out cupboard.



Turn left to mid-ship space; gaucho on one side, wardrobe and pull out desk behind sliding doors on the other. Bath at rear.



The Control Panel left to right: Micro Pulse Systems Monitor (with water pump switch), toggle switches for door and step lights, yard light, power to diesel fuel gauge. AC and DC voltage meters.

Toggles for the three heat circulation fans in the trailer. Large black toggle switch is ON/OFF for the Webasto Diesel Furnace. Fuel gauge for under floor diesel tank.



I’m going to Toronto for a few days to work on a simpler renovation, a deck. When I come back I’ll wire the control panel so that we can heat the trailer while working on more final details.



Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

This is the slide-out desk idea I borrowed, with permission, from Zeppelinium.



It is actually an adapted IKEA wardrobe unit that stands floor to ceiling between the galley and the bath at mid-ship.

Slide doors to the right for the wardrobe, left for the office area complete with desk, lamp and window. The sliding doors can close over both areas when desired, as in travel.

A laser printer will ride in the pull-out drawer under the desk.

Sergei

[malconium]

Sergei,

It is looking very nice. I can well imagine that you are looking forward to finishing the renovations so you can go on your first cruise.

Malcolm

[kontiki]

Sergei,
I like the new lights. I looked at Ikea on line and found one called Lock. Is that the same one ?
Jim

[SmokelessJoe]

Jim, that’s the one.

My bath is floor to ceiling epoxy WHITE with frosted glass shower stall splash back, window and cabinet fronts so this lamp really looks cool in that setting.

See above for how I changed out the 110v innards using the old 12v ones from the Argosy.


Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

Like so many parts of the ARGOSY renewal the deck job in Toronto turned out to be more than I bargained for.

A roof was rotten under the old deck. I had to tarp it up in the rain, probably until warmer weather returns this spring.

Back in Port Bruce, the trailer is finished on the outside, ready for painting.

I don’t think I will do that for several weeks however. My tarpaulin work shed is semi permanent and I’d have to dismantle part of it to get the trailer out.

Still to go on the inside: giving the final go ahead for the upholstery, installing the front lounge furniture, a shelf and extractor fan over the galley counter, wiring the instrument panel.

And small details: a trim piece here, a baseboard there, putting the fridge in place, that kind of thing.

I’ll start with the panel wiring once I get back, probably tomorrow.


Sergei

[Happycampers]

Looks good Sergei, I wanted to get finished before winter this year but it just isn't going to happen. The small things really take a lot of time. Good luck. Maybe if we finish around the same time next spring we can get together for a weekend.

Marvin

[SmokelessJoe]

For sure, Marvin.

Come spring, I’ll stop off in Peterborough on the way to Newfoundland. But at the pace you’ve been keeping, you may have already decamped!


Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

This is the easily modified LED tail light set referred to in #345 above.



I recycled all the parts of the set, such as the license and side marker LED, to give me: 2 STOP/TURN lamps, 2 yellow side markers, an overhead door lamp and step lights.

Canadian members can find these at Princess Auto, on sale for $54.00.

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

I’d like to know how many ARGOSY owners have installed Rock Guards (for the curved front windows) and/or Segment Protectors ( for the lower front body) and how many haven’t.

Anybody care to chime in? Or show us how to set up a Poll??

Curious,

Sergei

[whitelight]

We installed window rock guards on our '75 Argy - we figured that this would be more economical than replacing the glass (even though the original owners manual suggests that the glass is break resistant ) As well, we always seem to have bad glass karma as we always seem to take a rock . . .

[mistral blue]

"No" on both type of guards.

"Yes" as to mud flaps on TV.

[3Ms75Argosy]

Well, I SHOULD put rock protectors on the front, but have not. I really like being able to see through the trailer, but do worry about getting a rock. I'm hoping the width of my van and the short rear overhang help protect it. I have gotten dings on the lower parts, but am not worrying about it. My Argy came with cam twists to put a vinyl window protector on.... seems stock to me. I want to make a padded one out of Sunbrella fabric, with a clear vinyl window in the center so that I'm both protected and can see. I think a sail maker should be able to help me out... or I might just do it myself.
Marc

[Janets Husband]

Originally Posted by SmokelessJoe

I’d like to know how many ARGOSY owners have installed Rock Guards (for the curved front windows) and/or Segment Protectors ( for the lower front body) and how many haven’t.

Anybody care to chime in? Or show us how to set up a Poll??

Curious,

Sergei

We installed Rock Guards because they are about $200 less than 1 curved glass replacement. The last one I saw went for $550 and that is if you can find the glass. I want to put Segment Protectors on, but the curve on the segments is different on a Minuet. I will be putting them on the 24' Rear Door.