1984 17’ hourston rebuild

[Fishin]

Got a little more done after work, going to be stripping it right down, my last pictures weren’t very good, but I definitely don’t plan on keeping anything to tab into will all be new, the boats in a 12x20 portable garage planning on having a little heater and a fan to circulate air around as I’ve seen other members do I also have a heated garage at home but need that to park vehicles in, will try to do as much as possible in there though.

 

[Fishin]

Little update over the last few weeks, trying to work on it as much as possible, only so much time in the day with work, Christmas coming, house work, ect ect lol. The 20gal aluminum tank in the bow was glassed to the bulk head and front of the hull on top of having 55L of fuel in it made for lots of fun, pumped out the old fuel filled with soapy water and cut it out with my multi tool took some time but got it done, removed the main stringers and most of the tranom just need to chip away the last little bit, still need to remove the secondary stringers and the keel stringer won’t take to much time so hopefully some decent weather comes so I can start glassing.

 

[Brando]

My bow tank is the same. Pita to replace

 

[Fishin]

My bow tank is the same. Pita to replace

That would be a factory option hey? I doubt it would be installed after since you’d have to cut the bulk head like I did. Interestingly I found a tag on the tank that states it was built in 1990 from the looks of it, the boat doesn’t look like a 90 to me but maybe it is? I was told 1984 but there’s no hull I’d number on the boat anywhere.

 

[Brando]

Ya It’s factory. possible the tank has been replaced. If mine goes I’ll put a belly tank in and reclaim the lost storage space in the bow. Doesn’t look like you have the room for that though.

 

[willydw]

That would be a factory option hey? I doubt it would be installed after since you’d have to cut the bulk head like I did. Interestingly I found a tag on the tank that states it was built in 1990 from the looks of it, the boat doesn’t look like a 90 to me but maybe it is? I was told 1984 but there’s no hull I’d number on the boat anywhere.

The serial number of the boat and year is usually on the back right corner on the outside.

 

[Fishin]

Ya It’s factory. possible the tank has been replaced. If mine goes I’ll put a belly tank in and reclaim the lost storage space in the bow. Doesn’t look like you have the room for that though.

I was wanting to put a tank under the floor, I’m getting rid of the middle stringer entirely and just running a beefed up keel stringer should have enough room to set the tank in there just Might be a little skinny, my other 17 doesn’t have a centre stringer. But we’ll see an other tank in the bow would probably be easiest but then I don’t know if it’ll balance out well with the pod.

 

[Fishin]

The serial number of the boat and year is usually on the back right corner on the outside.

Yeah my other 17’ hourston has it clearly stamped on, there is literally no numbers anywhere on the hull, trust me I’ve looked.

 

[InterMechanico]

Yeah my other 17’ hourston has it clearly stamped on, there is literally no numbers anywhere on the hull, trust me I’ve looked.

The engine model AQ171A was only produced in 1986-87, so it could be a 1990 with an engine from stock.

 

[Brando]

The belly tank will work just fine with the pod won’t be an issue. Do some math and find out what gives you more capacity and go with that. If your keeping the sleeper seats you could do dual tanks under those and use the bow for storage and a fish locker in the floor that drains to your bilge area.

 

[Fishin]

Just doing 2 pedestal seats up front to maximize room and maybe build a rear fold down bench in the back.

 

[Fishin]

Might be the Slowest build thread ever lol haven’t had anytime and don’t know if I’ll have much time for the next little while, wanting to get a bigger boat but still have the project and am chipping away at it dry fit the first layer of 1/2” marine fir and yes I still have lots of grinding/sanding to do.

 

[Fishin]

Hey guys, while in the process of cutting the floor out a little while ago I put a hole through the hull, just wanted to get a few suggestions on repairing it as I’m getting close to putting the stringers back in place and moving forward with the build. I ground out the hole bigger, and tapered it from both sides was planning on using a 1.5oz csm and 1708 sandwich building it up to the thickness I need then go over it in a structural filler or similar on the end to smooth it out? I’ve seen a few guys use thickend resin to fill the hole also and then build it up with csm and 1708 anyone do that before?

 

[Rayvon]

I would have hotglued a piece of arborite to the outside before grinding it, ground the inside at least 2" all round the hole,then glassed it up. Then move to the outside and do the same thing after removing the arborite.At least 2" all round minimum,glass till flush .After it is set and hard grind 4 mil. off surface to allow for gelcoat,then fill and finish gelcoat.My 2 cents.

 

[Fritz]

I would have hotglued a piece of arborite to the outside before grinding it, ground the inside at least 2" all round the hole,then glassed it up. Then move to the outside and do the same thing after removing the arborite.At least 2" all round minimum,glass till flush .After it is set and hard grind 4 mil. off surface to allow for gelcoat,then fill and finish gelcoat.My 2 cents.

Hey guys, while in the process of cutting the floor out a little while ago I put a hole through the hull, just wanted to get a few suggestions on repairing it as I’m getting close to putting the stringers back in place and moving forward with the build. I ground out the hole bigger, and tapered it from both sides was planning on using a 1.5oz csm and 1708 sandwich building it up to the thickness I need then go over it in a structural filler or similar on the end to smooth it out? I’ve seen a few guys use thickend resin to fill the hole also and then build it up with csm and 1708 anyone do that before?

I thoroughly agree with Rayvon’s recommendations!
My only follow up would be is to maybe pump the brakes and read. I can’t recommend enough the West Systems Boat repair manual which is specific to a product but has valuable information and it’s a free download! I got to several points in my build where I ran into “well how do I do this?” moments.
I was also very lucky to have a Shipwright to pick on as well.
Good luck with your project!