Sorry for my absence but I have been busier than a dog eat'n cat poop!
My last post showed the hinge install and filling the seams before priming and painting.We used 10-32 flat head phillips machine screws to anchor the decking around the hatch openings and in strategic areas next to the seams. (FROM THE TOPSIDE !!)We used an aluminum metal filler and sanded smooth over them as well as seams.We d/a sanded the entire surface and solvent cleaned.Then we primed with a 2 part epoxy primer two coats and finished it off with two coats of a super paint called Pitthane Ultra another 2 part paint.We added ground pumice to the paint and fashioned a big salt shaker to add more as we went.This made for a good anti skid surface.The next step after letting the paint cure a week was to replace the side panels with fiberglass and add two new courtesy lights .One under each stepdown.These lights each have 9 blue and 9 white led/s which enables you to have either a blue glow or a white glow depending on which way you throw the switch.(on -off-on) switch.We are VERY pleased with the results and I will keep you posted on how well the paint holds up!
I want to give a BIG thank you to JW who was the chief engineer and welder on this project.THANK YOU JW. Your detail to your craftmanship speaks volumes for the talent you possess!
I, like many of you guys have constantly worked on refurbishing our boat to keep it in good shape for our adventures on the big lake.I will post at a later date all the many improvements we have done in the 8 years we have owned it.From re-powering it to re-decking it.Attached are the photos of the finished project.I also will add up my cost of materials and post for those interested.Happy and safe boating !!
Steev

PS,
notice the access panels for engines outer plugs and port engine water pump impeller.

Makes me miss my old 28', now long gone. Of course, it NEVER looked that good!

Makes mine look shabby. Great job.

Jeff

Too nice to walk on!
Make them take their shoes off on the dock.

Better than factory..........nice work

What product did you use for the side panels in the deck area? I'm curious because I've been made aware of the "lexan" "fiberglass" and plexiglass. Can you let me know what product you've used and your reasoning to use that instead of other products.

Thanks,

MOtorboatin

Superb workmanship looks totally awesome

Norm

Big s Live On

It is available from Home Depot in the panel section comes in white 4'X8' sheet @ $25 a sheet
Bill

Thank you Rob and everyone else for all the compliments.
Rob, The panels are fiberglass sheets I purchased at Menards.They are 1/8" thick.The boat had the same material on it only it was probably 15 years old quite weathered , faded and grey looking.
The fellow that owned her previously was a very active and successful charter captain and had rinsed many a fish gut, bait ,and probably customer vomit(from sea sick greenhorns) off from it.So I give him credit for the idea and figured if it lasted that long under those extreme conditions it would fit my needs.I removed the old sidewalls and used it for a pattern then glued it on the back side of the new panels I cut to give it the needed thickness of 1/4" to attach it to the aluminum frame work.It would be too flimsy otherwise.The old sheeting had a veneer type plywood as a backer and was all rotted .Thus my reason for using the old fiberglass sidewalls for a backer. I used a 100 percent silicone caulk to stick the panels to the aluminum framework. Once the trim is installed on top and at bottom it holds the panels into place very secure.The cost of the sheeting last year was 19.99 ea.on sale.

about the access panels for the port side water pump and the port side spark plugs.The first field modification I did when we purchased our boat was to cut in an access to the water pump.I cut the old nautalex covered plywood and piano hinged a panel.It made a 2 hour job of changing out the impeller into a 30 minute one .One of the best improvements I made that year.What the heck were they thinking when they designed that blunder?The same goes for the plugs .I hand to stand on my head with my short arm twisted like a piece of licorice and my mouth turned to the left in order to feel the tip of the plug and then turn it out without breaking it off! WTF were they thinking!!!! USER FRIENDLY now. :>)