1976 Bicentennial Restore

[77viper]

I supported my hull at the strakes and left the pad in the air.

[VultureNo2]

My block was way worse then that. It was completely rotted. I took it out and had a hell of a time getting the drain plug out. I replaced it all with new. Ended up using a piece of pipe to pound it out. Replaced the block and the tube and all is good. If in doubt. rip it out. Bill. Looks great. Keep up the good progress. Bill.

[ConFuseee]

i'm also restoring a bicentennial.
i would really like to see what yours looks like and how it is coming along! do you have any pics of it anywhere

[rjlehr13]

Confussee, I have been watching your thread as well. Keep it going-it's looking good! If you go back to the beginning of this thread, you will see a number of pics before I split the boat. Enjoy!

[rjlehr13]

Today, the stringers came out, the core between the stringers, and the drain plug block. All came of very easy (and rotten!) Now, all the core and any trace of wood has been removed and the grinding fun begins. I took some pics, however, they came out very blurry. Will try again tomorrow with the pics.
It's amazing how wet the core still was between the stringers. Regarding the stringers, it looks as if the stringers were put in first and the core around them, not sitting on top of the core. Is this correct for the Viper II hull? After seeing how the water just eats up the balsa core, it is going to take alot of convincing to put any type of wood back in the boat for the core. What a pain in the you know what, however, I will probably take better care of the boat than the prior owners did.
For the grinding, what grit should I use, 24 or 36? Thanks!

[ccrick]

I used 36 grit. Leaves a good surface. Build it the same way it came apart. I've heard of the vipers done both ways with the stringers. Bulsa is fine just as long as the layup is good. The original builds wern't the greatest. If you notice the wood for the old stringers was junk too. They didn't use the good stuff. Keep at it Ryan!

[HST4ME]

Stringers get bonded to the hull.. core after. Coosa and foam is the only way to fly, just a little more pricey.

[rjlehr13]

Began sanding and grinding today. Started at the bow and didn't get very far. I was using a belt sander, however, the belts kept tearing so I decided to scrap that idea. I do have a 4" grinder and see many posts in which they use a grinder. What so I need to get for the grinder to make it sand? Currently I have cutting wheels on it? What grit should I use?

This pic shows everything is out, including the stringers.

[Hippie459MN]

Umm, Is it just me or is all the core still in the boat? This is what it should look like when its all out...



You should have zero wood in there and be looking at nothing but fiberglass.

[77viper]

I can't find the picture of the disc but express composites sells a fiberglass grinding disc. It's a disc impregnated with diamonds that works great for doing exactly what you are doing. You can also use a flat flapper sandpaper disc but you will go through a bunch of them. The disc from express is about $50 but will last a lifetime wear you will spend about the same if not more with the flapper discs. 36 grit is what I use.

http://www.expresscomposites.com/