Posted: 08/08/2007 at 3:51pm | IP Logged

Robbie,

That console is awesome. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the AZEK? I live in Pacific, and I have to run over to Bass Pro Shop soon anyway. I would like top pick up some of that stuff.

Thanks,

Joe

Posted: 08/10/2007 at 7:42pm | IP Logged

Got my baby in the shop getting a once over after all my repairs and addon's (planning to do some night fishing soon). Can't wait  , I'll have to ask if my shop will do that for me later this year. I had just started work on buffing the toons (lot more work needed but been past 100 this week), so figured may as well let the shop do their work when I can't.

I love this site and great people. Got a lot of ideas from you guys on how to make my boat better. I may have to make a pic of my handicapped accessible porta potty area  , course wife had to help finding the right implement for arm rails and it was cheap and adjustable. I only had to make a riser for the potti to sit on (and secured), also put night lights in it (white led's). Going to rig it to so it'll pump out at the dock with thru hull fittings (past the fuel tank), hadn't thought of a way to cycle the gas I produce

Posted: 08/13/2007 at 3:04pm | IP Logged

Hello Arby and Cav. Welcome aboard! I put the AZEK together with a Kreg pocket screw jig but used the PVC glue for the sheet stock too on every joint. After the glue sets I think the screws are just 'extra' but they wont hurt anything. I believe the weight of the plastic is just a tad heavier than 3/4 ply but it won't absorb any moisture so it will remain the same weight. the old deck sheets I took off were MUCH heavier then the new ones for sure. Also I don't need any additional paint or upholstery on it so weight wise I feel it is a wash over wood. I found the railing and horseshoes on line, got lucky to find exactly what I was wanting too.

No idea where to find a changing room. You might start your own post on the main forum so more will see it and possibly be able to help you. Sorry I can't.

This weekend I got some little stuff done. Put the fence braces on at the gates, installed some speakers and hooked up the steering cable. I also started cleaning and sanding on the outboard motor to get it ready for paint later this week. More pics when I get them!

Posted: 08/16/2007 at 7:47am | IP Logged

Hey scbadiver the vents look great.

You make me feel bad the heat around my house this past week is in the low 100's with the heat index around 110 to 115.

I have been just sitting in the house in my spare time looking out the window.

Everything is lookin good.

Posted: 08/16/2007 at 2:37pm | IP Logged

Hi Sdiver you have done a fantastic job. I'm working on a 28 footer too and have had it to the lake a couple of times and I think you are gonna love yours being 28ft. I was looking for a 20 or 22 to keep the weight down but ran accross this one so cheap I just bought it thinking it would be a good one to learn on. I wouldn't dream of going shorter now. As it shows in my pics I won't have any furniture on mine as it is a floating campspot and that makes it a bit lighter. It was running pretty fast with only 3 cylinders firing and I just got it out of the shop after a tuneup so have high expectations. It floats high in the water and with only two logs splitting the water it doesn't seem to have much drag. I'm going to test it pretty thoroughly and then put a FRP underliner on it and see if that helps any.

Mine is a 1975 Plaz 28 ft and looks to be built almost exactly like yours including the old console. I have to think that they may have been built in the same factory. The only difference I have noted is that my floor joist/crossmembers are on 12 inch centers which could have been a custom feature. Look at these pics and see what you think. http://picasaweb.google.com/shootmor

Again a great job. I am planning on doing about the same with mine except the furniture.

Posted: 08/16/2007 at 9:59pm | IP Logged

I have been working on my light cover situation in the coolnest of my mind and living room.

checked out the azek and a few other options, i still have time as i have not put the deck back yet.

someone told me about some product called alvins aluminum sealer, what it is is a type of bondo for aluminum. it came in today and i got home to late from work to try it out.

ok to the main question for you scbadiver. what did you do with the 70 horse evinrude that was on your toon?

are you going to rebuild or buy something else.

i have a 1992 75 horse evinrude on my toon that i'm thinking about total rebuild.

my motor has been a good motor and never let me down, but it's old and tired like me. 

i also will be looking at a new yamaha, 60 - 70horse.

Posted: 08/17/2007 at 10:19am | IP Logged

Hey Joe, thanks for the compliments! Yours looks HUGE behind that little Toyo!  I love the big deck, looks like a floating dance floor! I'm really anxious to get mine wet. Looks like your is in real good shape. I didn't have quite as much to start with. 12 inch centers would be nice, I notice a little 'spring' to the deck between the 16's. It's not bad and certainly not a problem but I notice it.  Keep up the good work Joe!

Cuzzx, I'm going to use the 70 'rude. I had a buddy of mine repaint the cover and he did a GREAT job! He matched the colors of the seats and made it look fantastic. I've sanded down the lower unit and painted it so it looks pretty and new. Best of all, I took it in and had it tuned up and the watepump replaced anf the mechanic told me it was in real good shape and seemd like it had low hours due to how strong it ran on the dyno. I hope he knows what he's talking about. I'm sure this old barge isn't going to set the lake on fire with speed but as long as it will puch it we'll be happy. I always enjoy a nice slow sunset booze cruise!

Let me know how that aluminum filler works too. That seems like an interesting product and great if it works too.

Weather is supposed to cool off a little this weekend so hopefully I'll get a lot done. Going to hook up the speakers so I have some tunes while I do the finishing trim work too.

Posted: 09/10/2007 at 10:29am | IP Logged

Welcome aboard Stacie and Mysterytooner! Glad to have you here. This site is a great source of infomation and parts. If you have any questions, post a thread and somebody, or everybody, will try to help you.

I have been really busy the last few weeks. I'll have more pics later this week. I got the outboard hung on the transom and the stripes on and most of the wiring completed now. Man there is a LOT of wiring on this pig too it seems. I'm shooting to get it wet the weekend of 22nd &23rd, this month.

Posted: 09/26/2007 at 3:29pm | IP Logged

Ok time to update and add some pictures! The boat is all done now and it does float and runs out great! Before I get too far ahead of myself though, here are pics of the engine clean up, the console with the gauge cluster installed, and the pics of the fuel lines hooked up. They are all double clamped and grounded too. A friend of mine redid the engine cover and painted it up to match the colors of the boat. He did an excellent job I thought. I sanded and painted the rest myself. The gauge cluster is put together with a removable face and has a blank for future add-ons. Currently it has the tach, 2 fuel level gauges and a water pressure gauge installed.

Posted: 09/26/2007 at 3:54pm | IP Logged

More;

Posted: 09/28/2007 at 4:57pm | IP Logged

Ok, a few more of last part of the build. These twoare the sundeck we had made. I cut the 3/4 plywood to the exact size ans shape we needed and used some leftover deck carpet to cover the bottom side. That did two things for me, it insulated it from rattling on the rails and engine noise and, it made it look nice when it was open. I'm still planing on putting some gas support struts on it but that will be a few weeks down the road. They guy did nice job on the upholstery work for us. The space underneath was perfect for storing the bumpers too.

Posted: 09/28/2007 at 8:41pm | IP Logged

We took the boat to Bull Shoals and lunched it last weekend. Friday night I had little mishap. I didn't have the boat far enough forward on the trailer and as I pulled out of the sloped driveway the rear of the starboard toon tapped/drug the driveway about 2 inches. That was all it took to rip the seam open at the bottom, just below the plug. Fortunately we found a guy at the lake, Shockey's. that was will to weld it up on Saturday aftenoon. He also rigged the motor for us since it was getting so late. It was about an 8 hour drive there with break and driving a speedy 55MPH or slower most of the trip. Anyway, it all ended well. These are the pics of the launch.

Posted: 09/28/2007 at 8:50pm | IP Logged

Sunday we cleaned and detailed and then took a short cruise. Everything turned out great. I had lots of help for my sister, Kathy, my brother-in-law, Jerry, my 'bride' Susan, my friends, Jeff and Greg, and especiallyAndy who came over frequently and kept me going even when I wanted to quit. It was a good project but it is good to done. I have several small things I want to finish up and add to the boat but it's floating and running so we can have still have a little fun on it this year. 

Posted: 09/28/2007 at 11:08pm | IP Logged

Eric,

Sorry for the loss of the pontoon  but you have been a wonderful member of this forum and you knowledge has helped many members. I would be happy if you do stick around for as long as you can stand us.

Posted: 09/28/2007 at 11:13pm | IP Logged

Scbadiver,

You boat looks better than a lot of the new models.   Your picture with a big smile on you face and a beer on hand says it all. Looks like the cat that swallowed a canary. Congradulations on a job well done!

Posted: 09/30/2007 at 6:47pm | IP Logged

Hi Scbadiver

Was wonder if we could use your story in our Re-Deck Revolution section on the site and in our new Re-Deck Guide.  That is one of the coolest rebuilds I've ever seen, thank you so much for posting!

Posted: 10/01/2007 at 9:20am | IP Logged

Hi Jim. Certainly you may use the story and pics. I would be honoured. Like I said originally, most of the stuff is from you!  The seats, the armrests, the glove box, steering wheel, radio cover, carpet and glue, gate hinges, sundeck hinges, our ladder, the stripes, the deluxe bimini, the list goes on. So, go ahead and show folks what they can do with your 'Pontoonstuff'!

Greg, I used HVAC coil cleaner (acid) first. I went over it twice. Then I used a palm sander with 320 then wet sanded by hand with 400 grit. After that it was just a lot of buffing and elbow grease. You can do it but it's almost like work.  Good luck with it and let me know if I can give you any guidance, I'll be glad to.

Eric, sorry to hear you got rid of the Toon but I do hope you'll still hang out with us. Perhaps you'll get another someday. It is like a sickness once you have boating in your blood.

Thanks to everybody for all the nice compliments!

Posted: 10/02/2007 at 10:23am | IP Logged

Robbie,

Congratulations, your boat is a testimonial to what can be done with an old boat. Your work is outstanding, and should be an inspiration to professional boat builders. I'm sure you and your family will enjoy your efforts for many years.

Joe

Posted: 10/14/2007 at 3:33pm | IP Logged

Ive got some of the same tape you have on your fencing.Did you put it on all 3 stripes at once? One stripe at a time? How did it workfor you putting it on .Was it a pain?Ill be putting mine on sometime before next spring.BTW your boat looks great.Ive been following your rebuild. If I can ever figure out how to make my pics the right size ive got a bunch to post.  Thanks Walt

Posted: 10/14/2007 at 6:28pm | IP Logged

You can resize one of two ways. If you have Microsoft Office 2003, one of the tools called Microsoft Office Picture Manager will let you resize, crop, etc and the other way is to just use the upload feature here. Once here, you'll see it outlined with 6 (for lack of a better word) lines, 4 corners and two sides, just move your mouse to grab a side and condense it down or expand it out to fit to your desire. If you post another pic, it'll either put it right next to it (depending on size) or below it. Hope that helps.

Also look at OpenOffice.org http://download.openoffice.org/2.3.0/index.html?focus=downlo ad as that office suite is Microsoft Office compatible and its free and if I remember right, also has photo editing tools (but don't hold me to it). There are other free photo editing tools out there, here's a google result of free photo editing tools http://www.google.com/search?q=free+photo+editing+tools& rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startI ndex=&startPage=1