1986 Formula 311 SR-1

[poncho]

Excellent thread, you guy's make a great team.
Looking forward to seeing the updates as you go.

 

[rush1]

Great project , looks fantastic.

 

[Cooter01]

Making great progress! Keep it up!

 

[Thomas K]

In an attempt at not creating more work for myself....I decided to just use some 3/4" plywood for our new table. The table needed some more character so I tried my hand at burning the top. What the heck? I have watched it on Youtube!

The plan is to seal it up with epoxy and have a glossy top. Yesterday we picked up some silver metal leaf that we are going to created the Formula bird logo with and ad it to the top for a little extra pop!

 

[Thomas K]

After ordering multiple items and sending them back, a suitable fuel return line adapter has been found! This will be spliced into the fuel filler hose since there are no locations on the tank for a return.

 

[Thomas K]

Here are the two side valences that go between the v berth and couch area. I used an led strip light instead of the old incandescent bulbs to illuminate the clear panel. All of the plastic had a bunch of tiny scratches and swirl marks in them. I grabbed a foam buffer and some compound to polish them up. They are ready for install.

 

[Thomas K]

It finally feels like we are making some real progress. 1/2" foam backing for the headliner and walls.

We got the port side wall vinyl installed and I brought in the sink wall to see how everything was fitting. Hopefully with the headliner and carpet in, the walls will still fit and I won't have to trim them any.

 

[Thomas K]

The new trim tab cables are installed. The old cables had a quick release end on them that was stuck closed. I had to cut the end off to replace them. The ball part of the joint on the port side sheared off inside the tab, the starboard side stripped out when trying to remove it. You can still see it on the tab in the photo. I relocated the mounting position to the pin for the ram. That was the first time I have ever drilled and tapped anything. Its not perfect but I think the location is better. The cables seem to have less flexing stress on them now.

 

[hallett21]

Awesome thread!

 

[DaveH]

this will make an excellent boat for powell camping.

i too camp at powell on my Hallett a bunch. couple suggestions while you have it all torn apart.

add plenty of interior LED lighting.

i would add a hot water connection at the swim step for outdoor shower purposes.

add some fans or other ventilation mechanism to get some outside air in the cabin.

 

[Cooter01]

Keep up the great work!

 

[Instigator]

Thanks man. AC is something that might be on our to do list in the future! It currently does not have any. I did pick up a new shore power converter that I will install, so I will have ability to run it. What system did you install?

Dometic

Dometic ECD

Dometic ECD - EnviroComfort Series, self-contained

www.dometic.com

 

[Thomas K]

this will make an excellent boat for powell camping.

i too camp at powell on my Hallett a bunch. couple suggestions while you have it all torn apart.

add plenty of interior LED lighting.

i would add a hot water connection at the swim step for outdoor shower purposes.

add some fans or other ventilation mechanism to get some outside air in the cabin.

I ordered a new fart fan for the head off eBay. What I received was one that was previously installed and the mounting tabs on the fan are busted.
I did get a full refund on the fan and they didn't want it back so I'm thinking I might try to use it for some cabin air flow. I'm not using the floor light switch on my panel, so it would be pretty easy to use that power and switch for a fan instead.
How are you heating water for showers? I do have a small generator but I would kinda like to camp without one.

 

[Instigator]

I ordered a new fart fan for the head off eBay. What I received was one that was previously installed and the mounting tabs on the fan are busted.
View attachment 1353260 I did get a full refund on the fan and they didn't want it back so I'm thinking I might try to use it for some cabin air flow. I'm not using the floor light switch on my panel, so it would be pretty easy to use that power and switch for a fan instead.
How are you heating water for showers? I do have a small generator but I would kinda like to camp without one.

We had a solar water bag that my wife used. I just used the transom shower.
suvast Solar Showers,3rd Generation Outdoor Shower Bag,A Model of Durability,4 Gallon/15L- Portable Shower for Camping,Camp Shower kit with hot Water. https://a.co/d/4853Gks

 

[Thomas K]

Just under the windshield is this huge bundle of wires. I was hoping that with the new foam up for the headliner that this would disappear. Nope. It was really driving me nuts. I really didn't want a huge lumpy mess in the headliner right as you step into the cabin.

I cut the foam from around the wires and then built up the area with two more layers of foam to smooth it out.

I grabbed my angle grinder with a flap disc and shaped the foam to smooth it out. What a mess.

It smoothed out pretty good. That is something I can live with now.

 

[Thomas K]

I need to trim the edges and make sure they are all glued and tucked in. Flooring and carpet next!

 

[Boat211]

Awesome thread!

Agreed

 

[sonicss31]

Nice job on the headliner. You saved yourself a couple of thousand dollars and that’s if you could even find someone to do it. I did my ‘31 Sonic years ago so I felt your pain all over again.

 

[rush1]

Really great thread , I love doing this kind of stuff and you're doing a great job.

 

[Thomas K]

Nice job on the headliner. You saved yourself a couple of thousand dollars and that’s if you could even find someone to do it. I did my ‘31 Sonic years ago so I felt your pain all over again.

Yeah it was a ton of work but its looking good. The worst part was getting the hull and deck cleaned off. I tried all sorts of ways to get it clean, but settled on a wire brush on a variable speed grinder.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

I cant believe you went with gray fabric, the pink shade was looking so good.

Different strokes for different folks i guess...

Looks great Thomas keep up the good work!

 

[DB / HAV]

You two have some amazing skills!! Love this thread and can’t wait to see the finished product!!

 

[Riverbound]

great thread. awesome work!!!!

 

[Thomas K]

Got the headliner trimmed up, vinyl flooring in, and the carpet. My wife reupholstered the back rest and we are super happy with how it came out... not easy.

Daaaguummm! Running into a problem. The placement on the new shore power converter is in conflict with the backrest... I'm thinking I will have to rebuild the wall and move the converter and outlet over so there will be clearance. The converter might run into the sink now.....grrrrr. I have some head scratching to do.

 

[Thomas K]

After debating and trying to find another location for the shore power converter, I settled on the same location just lowered by an 1-1/2. It seems to be working out great now. The shelf above the sink has evolved into a phone charging catch all shelf. I added a usb charging port and lined the shelf with headliner for cushion. Granite, faucet, sink, under cabinet lights, all installed. The toilet is plumbed, shelf is in and wired up for the fan. The cabin lights are wired but I need some spacers to hold them off the headliner a little. I have the mess going on. Tools and parts everywhere. The next thing is to add led lights to the back of the pull out shelves and install them, put the head wall together, and start making some trim for the corners.

 

[Thomas K]

Made some good progress yesterday. Lights installed with spacers to hold them off the headliner a little.

This is the skeleton frame that I built for the shelves. I didn't want a solid wall back there so I still have access to all the wiring.

Pull out drawers installed! We have a ton of storage now. This was the former location of the the mini fridge that didn't work.

 

[Thomas K]

Almost have all of the trim done and the doors back on. I had to cut down the wood for the step by an inch to get it to fit with the trim installed.

When we had decided to tear the inside of the cabin out and redo it, we did not imagine how nice it would turn out. Do we really want to camp in this, and get it dirty?

 

[Thomas K]

We are using the couch to sleep on instead of the v berth area. We got new foam for the cushions. Used an old butcher knife to cut the foam to shape. My wife is patterning the material and making the covers for them.

 

[Cooter01]

This build is coming out amazing!!

 

[Thomas K]

This build is coming out amazing!!

Thanks. We sit in it at the end of the day with some cocktails in shock.

 

[Singleton]

Turning out awesome.
These are the threads that keep me on RDP.

 

[Thomas K]

A few set backs.
I did not think about the outlet height of the toilet vs the inlet for the holding tank. We all know what flows down hill. Daaagummm! I need to raise the height of the toilet by about 2". Of course all of the walls are screwed together and trimmed out. I'm trying to figure out a way to raise it up and not have to dismantle the walls.

I did a test on the new fresh water system and the supply hose leaked at the tank connection. I should have used a different hose to begin with but I ended up getting a different hose that would seal better.
I forgot to add a accumulator tank to the water lines. The pump worked great but was making a ton of noise. Adding a tank was very easy. I have yet to test it again. I'm waiting to test the system until I get the toilet fixed.

In the engine bay I have been looking over all of the hoses on the motors and water supply. I don't like what I see. Going to replace all the water lines and get new belts as well.

Daaaguuumm! The captains chairs have to come out. The flange on the legs that gets screwed to the deck have busted off the legs. Have to take the chairs out and weld the flange back on. It doesn't look like it should be that difficult, but that was not on the list of things to do! It will make tearing out the nasty imitation seadek flooring a lot easier without the chairs in the way. Luckily we do have the snap in carpet for the boat which is in pretty good shape.

All of the electrical for the EFI is ready to go! I ran the wizards for the motors and entered in the parameters for the motors. I'm looking forward to starting them up!
All of the indicator cables are installed and adjusted for the drives and tabs.
Now that the drives have been adjusted and the reservoirs filled to the correct level, they actually raise up all the way. I cut the exhaust tips back months ago thinking I was good for clearance. Nope. Need to cut them back some more so the tie bar for the drives does not smash into them when raised all the way up. Daaaguuumm!

 

[Thomas K]

The interior upholstery is done! My wife did such a good job. Super proud of her.

 

[Cooter01]

Can you built a pedestal or base to raise the toilet the 2"?

 

[Thomas K]

Can you built a pedestal or base to raise the toilet the 2"?

Yeah I'm thinking something like that. I need to take the toilet out and trace the bottom shape out for a base. I'm thinking I will use some plywood with epoxy and some gel coat. The main problem is how to modify the wall where the hose goes through to the tank. The wall is wrapped in vinyl, glued and stapled around the edges. I'm not sure how to get that fixed and still have it look nice.

 

[Thomas K]

I was able to get the bathroom walls apart with minimal damage and raise toilet and the outlet hole in the wall for the waste line. I used three layers of plywood for a base for the toilet to get it up 2-1/4 inches. It flows now and so far I don't have any leaks! Whew.

 

[Thomas K]

What do ya think? Can I get another season out of this impeller?

Port motor impeller.

 

[HNL2LHC]

What do ya think? Can I get another season out of this impeller?

Port motor impeller. View attachment 1376018

Looks about broke in a seated properly. Should be good for two more seasons. Once you get the two years out of it pick up a new heat exchange when you swap out the impeller.

 

[Thomas K]

Looks about broke in a seated properly. Should be good for two more seasons. Once you get the two years out of it pick up a new heat exchange when you swap out the impeller.

It's nice that it is installed for either a right or lefthand rotation. Ya never know

 

[Thomas K]

Warning............... The following post's contain redneck behavior which is know to be contagious and can cause irrational thoughts like, " I can do that ", " Thats easy", or "only a couple days".
Viewer discretion advised.

The bottom of the hull has a few gouges and scratches that were not fixed properly, just painted over with more bottom paint. I needed to strip off the bottom paint to get at the repairs so we decided to do the entire hull. Wow! What a mess and a huge job. We tried a few different paint strippers, testing smaller area's to make sure it was not damaging the gel coat.

I found that using a dulled razor blade did a fine job as scraper without digging into the gelcoat.

Overall I'm very happy with the condition of the hull.

Now I can get at fixing the dings.

 

[Thomas K]

One of the "must haves" on the boat is a swim ladder. The former owners just climbed on the outdrives to get in the boat. Thats not good. With the modifications done to the boat, an original silent thunder exhaust/platform would not fit so it would need to be a custom fit platform.
A couple months ago, in a YouTube dive on building swim platforms I came across a video of a guy making a fiberglass plug for a motorcycle seat. He was shaping rigid foam for a core and then fiberglassing the outside with epoxy. Epoxy does not melt foam like polyester resin. Hmmmm. I had some epoxy laying around so I decided to give it a little experiment. I bought a small piece of ridged foam and sandwiched it with 1/4" plywood to see how strong it would be. I was very surprised at how strong it turned out. So in my mind I thought I could make a swim platform out of rigid foam, plywood and fiberglass.
So here it goes.
I used 1/4" plywood for the "skin" and multiple layers of 3/4" plywood in high stress area's to make the supports. I used epoxy to glue it all together. On the inside of the supports are 1/2" bolts that go through the transom. The purple stuff is the rigid foam which has not been sandwiched with plywood yet.

I used a small block to trace the shape of the hull onto the foam.

After I got the rough shape, I needed to add more plywood to certain area's for strength. Here is kinda a layout of the platform with the ladder, cup holders and tie down anchor spots.

Overall the platform is over 4" thick. 1/4" plywood, 2" foam, 1/4" plywood, 2" foam, and 1/4" plywood. Each layer laminated with epoxy, then the entire platform wrapped in fiberglass.

 

[Thomas K]

Prepped for gel coat

Did a dry fit to make sure everything was good before gel coat.

Whew! I think it's going to work!

 

[Cooter01]

Man that came out great!! When you launch the boat for the first time and stand back to enjoy all of your hard work it will be worth it!

 

[Lemons]

Awesome work!

 

[Ricks raft]

Wow. Nice work

 

[sonicss31]

Nice fabrication skills again. Why did you choose to have the platform above the rub rail? My concern would be the amount of water that rushes over the platform when coming to a stop or heavy following seas when going slow. Look up some “Haulover” videos. Water will rush up onto engine covers, maybe flood engines.

 

[Thomas K]

Nice fabrication skills again. Why did you choose to have the platform above the rub rail? My concern would be the amount of water that rushes over the platform when coming to a stop or heavy following seas when going slow. Look up some “Haulover” videos. Water will rush up onto engine covers, maybe flood engines.

Thanks man! I'm pretty happy with how it is coming out.
I have watched many Haulover and Point Pleasant videos and have learned a lot about nasty water.
I do get your point about following seas. All things being equal, what is there to keep the water from coming up the transom onto the engine cover now? Do you think the platform will act as a scoop?

This is the best photo I have to describe why it is so high. The drives and exhaust tips were raised when converted to bravos. You can kinda see in this photo that the flanges on the exhaust was cut at the top to fit under the rub rail. I cut the two tips in the middle back a little further because the tie bar was smashing into them when the drives were raised. All that to say that is why the platform is so high. I had to get over the top of all the stuff.

 

[FENDERFAB]

This thread is awesome, you have some skills!

 

[port austin pirate]

if you match your speed or are a little above following seas it should not be a problem for large waves cross or climb them at at an angle this will help,also when slowing down coming off plane make sure do do slowly so no sudden transom drop, and needless to say be sure not reverse into any kind of waves or turbulence, I would think unless very large immersion of the platform a small amount of water wouldn't be an issue, good luck and admire your skills

 

[Thomas K]

if you match your speed or are a little above following seas it should not be a problem for large waves cross or climb them at at an angle this will help,also when slowing down coming off plane make sure do do slowly so no sudden transom drop, and needless to say be sure not reverse into any kind of waves or turbulence, I would think unless very large immersion of the platform a small amount of water wouldn't be an issue, good luck and admire your skills

We were in a nasty storm at Powell last year in our 25' Kachina. Our friends boat broke down and we were towing them back to camp when we got hit. Luckily the wind was blowing behind us and we were able to motor just a little faster than the 3' waves that were following us. It was pretty hairy