Manky Monkey Motors

Not a car or bike, but this is what I've been up to.
Bought a half cabin boat 2 years ago, but due to working away and ill health, was unable to get any repairs done until recently. So hadd a bit of surgery to remove a kidney I didn't need anyway.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/20170606_120930_zpsnqsijwei.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/20170606_120930_zpsnqsijwei.jpg.html)
That slowed me down a bit, still does.
So first was to remove from trailer replace bearings, mudguards, repairs bunks and repaint.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/20171124_191709_zps9esbade4.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/20171124_191709_zps9esbade4.jpg.html)
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2017-12-05%2012.43.55_zpsl1b7d5zm.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2017-12-05%2012.43.55_zpsl1b7d5zm.jpg.html)

Trailer finished, it was time to start the soft floor repair.
First to rip up the fibreglass to see what was needed.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-02-17%2012.26.52_zpsfzh7nvxf.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-02-17%2012.26.52_zpsfzh7nvxf.jpg.html)
Floor as expected was rotten, so in typical monkey style, get a big wrecking bar and remove.
Even the stringers below were in bad shape.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-02-17%2018.15.37_zpsmnv1jkqt.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-02-17%2018.15.37_zpsmnv1jkqt.jpg.html)

Back with the wrecking bar and multi tool, everything out, and sanded smooth.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-02-24%2016.50.58_zpsvpfmkovm.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-02-24%2016.50.58_zpsvpfmkovm.jpg.html)
After a bit of wood work we had this, then 2 coats of fibreglass mat later,we were strong again.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-02%2018.17.54_zpsv50rlvdw.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-02%2018.17.54_zpsv50rlvdw.jpg.html)
All timber was coated in resin to waterproof it.

Floor was cut to shape from marine ply, painted in resin and given one coat of woven mat on the under side.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-03%2018.20.26_zpshopyu3nq.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-03%2018.20.26_zpshopyu3nq.jpg.html)
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-04%2013.28.33_zpsez8crr56.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-04%2013.28.33_zpsez8crr56.jpg.html)
The floor was then bonded into place with the ozzy equivalent of winscreen bond and given a coat of 300 gram matting, a second of woven matting, and a third coat of 450 gram matting.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-06%2018.41.10_zpsz5p0bf20.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-06%2018.41.10_zpsz5p0bf20.jpg.html)

that looks a lot of work, well done, bit of rehabilitation ? look after yourself  ;)

To save puttng holes in my new floor, two bases were glassed up and fitted to the floor.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-09%2011.32.50_zps1xpg583i.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-09%2011.32.50_zps1xpg583i.jpg.html)
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-09%2013.59.22_zpsbrxld5ro.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-09%2013.59.22_zpsbrxld5ro.jpg.html)
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-09%2015.51.50_zpsusreahqh.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-09%2015.51.50_zpsusreahqh.jpg.html)

Sanding down
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-09%2018.57.48_zpswpybxu89.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-09%2018.57.48_zpswpybxu89.jpg.html)
Primer
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-11%2018.51.33_zpsma4pghju.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-11%2018.51.33_zpsma4pghju.jpg.html)
And non slip paint
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-12%2018.06.47_zpsulcejxoo.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-12%2018.06.47_zpsulcejxoo.jpg.html)

All done it was time to fit seats
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-13%2014.44.22_zpsn9xnr6zr.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-13%2014.44.22_zpsn9xnr6zr.jpg.html)
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-03-13%2014.44.29_zpsiqueruse.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-03-13%2014.44.29_zpsiqueruse.jpg.html)

Then time to test
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-04-02%2015.38.09_zpsddlamg1w.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-04-02%2015.38.09_zpsddlamg1w.jpg.html)
Charlotte seamed to like it
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/2018-04-02%2015.38.29_zpsevecxh3t.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/2018-04-02%2015.38.29_zpsevecxh3t.jpg.html)
When refurbishing, the motor had a new water pump, thermostat and the oil changed in the gearbox.
So end result, I'm happy, her indoors is happy, and boat is back on trailer in yard, should have more than doubled the value of the boat, but no intension of selling just yet.

nice work there, are there no inspection hatches in floor?

That's a lovely looking thing -the boat, not Mrs Big -probably best not call her that :) I think I'll keep my kidnies then -that looks painful.
We don't get much call for boats here in Basingstoke. There's a local boating lake, but I think yours is a bit too big for that. Looks fabulous though mate. Very professional job.
Is that a metal hull?

That's a lot of work..bet you we're relieved it didn't sink ? :D and I'm sure you can grow/fabricate yourself one of those new kidney things ? ::)

There is one inspection hatch at the rear, mainly to gain access to the automatic bilge pump.

Full fibreglass hull, so a bit more weight which leaves it steadier in rough water.

I was pretty confident in my work, but as you said still was expecting to take on some water, I was surprised when bung was removed to have no water in the bilge.
Still working on a new kidney, not sure wether to weld one up or make from fibreglass, and then which filter to use inside it,lol.

just fill a balloon with some chopped fibreglass and use that as a kidney, a metal one might have sharp edges lol

Neat job. I'd swap one of my kidneys for a boat like that. Must be lovely fibre glassing out in the sun instead of inside, when it's raining, trying to keep the temperature up. :)
 Looks like you enjoy life. Good man. 8)

;D ;D ;D

Most of the time I had to work under a sun shade as sun was too strong, working in the temperatures here do have some disadvantages, constantly wet with sweat dripping into the resin, and resin with very little catalyst has a fine line between staying tacky or goes off in 5 mins inthe heat, but think I'll keep my weather and leave the beast from the east with you guys lol

Which part of OZ are you sir ?

Mandurah, an hour south of Perth, Western Australia, only here 5 years, originally from the wetland of UK lol

There's a coincidence - our next door neighbours moved to Mandurah years ago.  Best neighbours we'd ever had, we were so sorry to see them go, but they'd lived in Oz before and just couldn't hack the climate here any longer!

Have you been there five years already ?? It didn't seam that long

Yep Mike, landed here on 16th July 2013 so 5 in July, those years have flown, did our citizenship in January past, have an Ozzy passport now, so I guess they're stuck with us now, lol.
Weather here bikergran,  is definitely a lot better, even winter it can still hit 19 or 20 at midday most of the time, so a great spot for outdoor activities.

Took the boat out again today for a spot of dolphin spotting.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/received_10155612360504205_zpsuyulempv.jpeg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/received_10155612360504205_zpsuyulempv.jpeg.html)
Some of the local water ways near me.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/received_10155612360374205_zpsz3wq23z7.jpeg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/received_10155612360374205_zpsz3wq23z7.jpeg.html)
After a couple of hours on the water, it was time to outrun the sunset home again.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/received_10155612360644205_zpsl0m0zey7.jpeg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/received_10155612360644205_zpsl0m0zey7.jpeg.html)
A nice view of the new bridge in the dark.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/received_10155612360259205_zpsgnzl7qld.jpeg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/received_10155612360259205_zpsgnzl7qld.jpeg.html)
And back on the trailer again. Time for a cool beer, been 28*C most of today.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Boating/received_10155612359919205_zpskhdv7xvf.jpeg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Boating/received_10155612359919205_zpskhdv7xvf.jpeg.html)

That looks very nearly nicer than Basingstoke.

Yep but still miss not being able to build a snow man here, lol

I could live with that disappointment.

Bloody snowman,are you nuts ,the suns got to your head methinks ? :D