Recent content by Rph1225

For my tank in my 209, I took a bit from the aviation field. I used zinc chromate from a Pilot supply house, then epoxy coated the entire tank. I even added some glass to the edges for extra protection. Then I epoxied plastic strips to the bottom and ends of the tank for air to circulate around...

This might have been asked many times before, but I cannot find an answer. I am restoring a 1997 Grady White 209 Escape with T-Top. It will have a Mercury 225hp on it to start with until I can repower later down the road. The boat came with no prop. Anyone out there with a similar setup to let...

I just did it about a year ago and used just razor blades. I rounded over the corners of the blades with a file and they never dug into the gelcoat. After I used Acetone with a scotchbrite pad to clean the surface.

I was able to sneak in some no skid on the deck and then front seats. I am using Kiwi Grip for the floor and Total Tread on the upper surfaces.

Final painting for the year is near complete. Non skid might have to wait till the spring. Now time to start putting it all back together.

Getting in the last few days of good weather here in MD, I was able to get some painting done. Also, finally after about 2 years, the console and t-top went back on. Hopefully, I can get the remaining painting complete, so wiring and plumbing can begin.

Finally it is moving into a finish stage. I was able to get all the filler on the floor and moving into primer. Here is a pic of a tool I had to make the sand the interior radiuses. It uses a oscillating tool and 1-1/2" PVC. It worked great and sanded fast.

Over the past few days, I finally got to a milestone. All the glasswork on the inside of the hull has been done and now on to fairing, primer and paint. It still looks rough, but all the itching should be subsiding soon.

I have been using Total Boats top side paint for a few years over gelcoat with great results. Make sure to use an epoxy primer for anything on the hull sides or the decking. However, you can use the Total Boat single primer for all else. Here is a T-top box I painted with it. I have used it many...

I have a 97 209 and the bolts used were 1/4-20, but best to get new ones. It is easier to replace with new than use older bolts. I also am adding some cleats and using 4" port access hatches for those so I can access the backside. It might be easier to just add that if you can't reach the backside.

Here are some new pics of the fuel tank set in place, decking installed and seamed and the first coat of glass down. In the process I molded a new hatch recess in the floor which sits directly under the leaning post. The hope is to use some of the space that Grady covered up on the original...

I have had boats on the Chesapeake much of my life, but solidly for the past 10 years. They have all stayed in the water all year and the only time that there are any issues is when the storm comes to land either directly at the mouth of the bay or just south of it. That happened with Isabelle...

Here are a couple of new pics of the floor decking going in. I used 3/4" marine ply throughout, but used multiple layers of 1/4" marine ply with 1708 between the layers to blend the 3/4" decking to the existing 1/2" decking. I also had a bid of time to quickly do a mold for the corner of the pan...

Now to where I am close to today. I have the floor structure all ripped out up to good wood on the stringers, the new stringers back in and the decking going on.

Over the spring I was able to draw up and create a t-top box for all my electronics. It is all out of Divinycell, so the box is about 35lbs fully loaded.