1996 astro 17b restore/recarpet/deck extension

[nickyp]

SO the rough part is over. 22+ hours of prep.

Check list
Uninstalled all hardware from boat ( 798si', lids, rivets, cleats, gas vents, floor drain, rod straps, etc)
Wet sand entire top cap with 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit
Compound for what seemed like hours
Wax
Wash n wax the hull
Re-black all the plastic/trim with 3m black refurbishing compound
Vacuuming. Lots and lots of it.
Prep/scrape boat
Prep/scrape every friggin lid :(
Patch a ton of holes in the decks from previous owners obsession with drilling holes? He had 4 rod holders and a few gps/fishfinder holes cut.
Patch holes where locks used to be on every lid.
Buy all new hardware for lids. Everything is rusted.
Carpet decks
Carpet lids
Re-install lids
Rebuild bearings on trailer

To do list
Make a deck extension, seal it, and carpet it.
Dry run all electronics and make sure everything still works
Reload tackle
Buy new spare
Buy/install new windshield :( $149 on ebay :*(
FISH!

I think thats it. Here's some post wet sand/wax photos.







Pretty happy with the wet sand results, I compounded/waxed when I got the boat last late spring/early summer and I wasn't impressed when the oxidation returned in 30 days... The guy who sold me the boat wound up being a real scum bag. Everything was half-assed. The carpet was "1 year old" and looked like trash, the seats were glued to the fiberglass and popped off with the slightest pressure, everything looked like it would fall apart if you went over 10mph. But the motor was in primo condition and the glass in the transom looked to good to be true.

Turns out it was. Upon removing the carpet, I discovered the whole boat has been re glassed. The floor has been replaced after someone removed the top cap and I'm sure all the stringer are new, they look perfect. Whoever did it, did a great job, but I wish the seller was honest with me when I asked about any rot or the like....



So far its won me a few t's and 49-51mph is the norm'. Biggest fish out of it was a 5.07 largemouth and a 17 and 15lb bag for memorable wins.


Modified by nickyp at 11:44 AM 2/26/2012

[gcopple]

so far so good...lookin' like a new boat! good job.

[ShawnD]

Can't wait to see the result !

[rockitsauce]

Got good stringers and transom and you are golden Cap looks good!

[keefus]

Nice work

[bassassn]

Nice job

[nickyp]

Carpet came in today, I only had 2 hours of light by the time I got home but I managed to get the boat swapped with a tin boat in the heated garage+ carpet measured and cut for all lids + a few miscellaneous pieces here and there. Got to go buy a gallon of indoor/outdoor carpet glue and get to work! Should be done/reassembled by sunday night if all goes well. I should only be missing a windshield and the deck extension at that point. Il get to the deck extension the next weekend most likely, il have more then enough carpet considering I only used 8 ft x 6ft of my 33ft roll. Bought it from that ebay store -20oz. Not to impressed. Backing is nice and thick but the carpet is 5/16in tall maybe. Not what id call 20oz.

[nickyp]

Took the day off hoping to get alot of the boat done. Ran into another problem. I went out and grabbed a gallon of glue and my hardware for the lids last night. We got a freak/out of no where snowstorm and my plan of cutting out the 3 deck pieces in the driveway went to shit. I have the old carpet to use as templates but now it looks like Im stuck until this drys or I borrow someones dry garage floor. Got the glue on all the lid tops, all of them have 40lb bags of pellets on the lid while they dry. Il drive over to my grandparents house and cut out the pieces after lunch.

[nickyp]

Im done. For now at least. Important thing to do is buy the spare this friday. Bearings are done. Carpet done. Not perfect but the best I could do after covering up the botch job of the first guy. Reinstalled the lids- very happy.

The deck extension will likely be put off for a week or three. Lol.

As soon as I get pissed off with not catching any 40degree fish.


Need to vaccum again and load her up!