BERTRAM 28 CENTER CONSOLE CONVERSION

I like the look of the first one better, but if you plan on getting a large radar, that gap would be better.

Got the VC Performance sprayed today. Sprayed it with a harbor freight hvlp. Sprayed out nice. Used 2 gallons. Wound up having to spray the inner portion first with three coats then went on to spray the outside portions. This stuff worked really nice.

DAYTRIP wrote:Got the VC Performance sprayed today. Sprayed it with a harbor freight hvlp. Sprayed out nice. Used 2 gallons. Wound up having to spray the inner portion first with three coats then went on to spray the outside portions. This stuff worked really nice.

It looks great. I bet your glad the bottom done

Shot of the overall bottom with the vc performance. I wet sanded a little and it definitely looks better. Does not get a luster but flattens out which makes it shine. That is the weekend project.  :help: .



I also put three more layers of 1708 on the bracket then put phenolic/epoxy putty on that and the transome. Still not exactly sure why I did that but felt better.   Typical engineer!  I think Joel got me thinking. I am looking forward to rolling it back over and finishing up!

Got the boat flipped back over today. Thanks again to my buddy David!

I need a buddy with a crane !

Benn a while since I updated! Been working on the exterior to get ready for paint. Finished fairing the bracket and got it primed. The entire hull is now primed and white! I had a spot on the port side bow that needed some post primer fill and fair. It was a large area that had spider cracking in the gel coat. I ground out all the cracking, added a ply of glass then filled it. Thinking I will get sanded out and paint the hull soon.






I also have had the fuel tanks fabricated and am getting ready to get them installed. Been prepping the area that the fuel tanks will sit in. This is the area that the engines were originally mounted. I had cut the top 3 inches off the stringers as they had several bolt holes in them and instead of filling them I just cut it all out just in case there was any rot, there was not. I added the little bulkhead between the stringers, just because .I fabricated a platform for the tanks to sit on which will sit on the stringers. I also coated the tanks with coal tar epoxy. Ready to get them installed and out of the garage.

Nice tanks! Your getting really close now. Bracket looks great.

I had a spot on the port side bow that needed some post primer fill and fair. It was a large area that had spider cracking in the gel coat. I ground out all the cracking, added a ply of glass then filled it. Thinking I will get sanded out and paint the hull soon.

Ouch, that's a hear breaker. Just when you think you have something finished !

Set the fuel tanks in the boat. As you can see they stick up about 8 " above the deck. The seating pod will cover them up. Plan to mount the fills on the pod. The vents will go overboard which has presented a minor issue. The vents should have positive drainage back to the tank which I will not have due to the fact that I have to go under the deck then back up the side of the boat. That creates a trap for fuel and moisture to collect. So I am going to use fuel filter bowl with the filter removed. That will give me a bowl for the liquid to collect and the vapor to flow thru. I then can drain it off as I see liquid.



Before I set the tanks I put a layer of 10oz glass down for a little added protection. Then I set 1-1/2" squares of 1/4" thick neoprene ever 12" so that the tanks would be elevated and allow water and air to pass by. I then glassed them down.

almost buttoned up

So I am going to use fuel filter bowl with the filter removed. That will give me a bowl for the liquid to collect and the vapor to flow thru. I then can drain it off as I see liquid.

sounds interesting, have not seen that before.

Holly cow it has been a while since I posted here! Getting closer to the end of the build and onto the fill fair paint stage inside.

Bait tank and covering boards built





Built the seating. Typically this would also serve as rocket launcher but I want the top to extend to back of seating so drink holders on top







Seating fit test in boat. Happy son!












Using the hatches that Joel sells here. Also liner for large rectangular hatch. Glassed 1.5" drain pipe on







Insulated the liners with 2" of foam





Put a insulated cooler in the seating



Glassed the hatches in place. Also glassed the rear cover panel and access hatches in place.

wow, thanks for posting an update, its come a long way. I really like those access hatches, and the insulated hatch liners are very nice.

The finished liners take all the sanding fun....I guess you dont like fairing inside hatches ?