"Blackbird" 23' Billfisher

[Blackbird]

Hello All,

My name is Jay. Been cruising around the board for awhile and Mike just got me dialed in. Thanks Mike! Look forward to hangin' around.

Picked up "Secret Spot", a 1983 23' Billfisher from Larry back in November and have spent my few spare minutes each week doing some clean up work. Nothing major yet, still putting plans together and didnt want to tear too much up right before the season. Decided to change her name to "Blackbird". Larry lives just around the corner from me and names all of his boats "Secret Spot". I couln't have the neighbors thinking he owns every boat up and down the block. Really, the name just kinda came to me as I've been working on her. I'll be sure to have the proper re-naming ceremonies upon first launch. Also, I found while working over the gelcoat her first name was "Mi Amigo". Just wondering if anybody had any old pics or know any history.

Started a thread on B.D. a while back asking for tips to remove the epoxy bottom coat that needed help. I'll post some of the shots from the thread and continue with the rest of my progress here as I go.

This is what it looked like:

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4020/dscn3542.jpg (http://img405.imageshack.us/i/dscn3542.jpg/)

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/1880/dscn3543b.jpg (http://img256.imageshack.us/i/dscn3543b.jpg/)

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7114/dscn3546.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/i/dscn3546.jpg/)

I tried the Back to Nature paint remover with no results. I left it on waaay longer than I should have and it didnt do a thing. Next, I tried the Interlux 299E marine paint stripper. After 8 hours the gel coat looked like it was beginning to tack up and the epoxy didnt budge.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/5889/dscn3547.jpg (http://img40.imageshack.us/i/dscn3547.jpg/)

More pics to follow

[NoSlack]

Welcome aboard Jay. It's nice to have another 23' owner on the board.

Mike

[Blackbird]

Figured out I was going to have to sand off the epoxy. First off I pulled all the through hull fittings, brackets, and trim tabs. Most came easy, but the bait tank drain on the transom would not budge. After more time than I will admit f-ing with it, I took a diegrinder and punch to it and had it off in 5 minutes.

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/8672/dscn3556n.jpg (http://img294.imageshack.us/i/dscn3556n.jpg/)

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/3559/dscn3557.jpg (http://img707.imageshack.us/i/dscn3557.jpg/)

I spent mucho time researching sand paper and found the right one. 3M makes good stuff and along with the 3 gazillion other things, they make these:

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/5638/dscn3691.jpg (http://img706.imageshack.us/i/dscn3691.jpg/)

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2401/dscn3692z.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/i/dscn3692z.jpg/)

3M calls them Clean Sanding Discs for Composite Finishing 360L. They work! I went with P500 for the epoxy and P1000 to knock down the scratches on the entire hull. Picked up a new Bosch 5" DA sander with the hook and loop pad. This sander comes with an attachment to hook up a vacuum and it plugged into the Shop Vac just right. This system works good. I wore a mask when sanding but you could get by without one. It is that clean. The pads dont load up fast either.

Working from left to right, here is the epoxy coming off:

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/369/dscn3569.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/i/dscn3569.jpg/)

Followed up sanding with Marikate On/Off hull cleaner to take off the staining.

[Blackbird]

Thanks for the Welcome Mike. I'll have to check out No Slack one of these days. Larry tells me you keep her in top shape. I'm sure I could learn a thing or two from you.

Here are a couple more pics of the progress.

The next shot is with the P1000 done. Some of the shine is starting to come back. Blue tape where the gelcoat needed to be filled. The deep scratches and a few dings that went through to the glass were v'd out, filled with gelcoat, then covered with wax paper to smooth. When cured P1000 again.

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/4246/dscn3659z.jpg (http://img175.imageshack.us/i/dscn3659z.jpg/)

Most of the work from here I tried to do at night. The work lights with 100W bulbs set at an angle catch everything and show what needs to be worked over.

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/8106/dscn3658.jpg (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/dscn3658.jpg/)

After it was smooth, 3M Super Duty Compound on a Wool Pad at low speed took out the fine scratches followed by 3M Finesse It II on a finish foam pad at high speed brought the shine back.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4125/dscn3675e.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/i/dscn3675e.jpg/)

Its better than it used to be:

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/3013/dscn3550p.jpg (http://img63.imageshack.us/i/dscn3550p.jpg/)

[Blackbird]

Time to put the stripes back on. Working with the lights at night, I could just make out the ghost image of the old stripes. Made pencil marks about every 6" for a guide. Went with Cal-Stripes 3 part stripe tape from Jamestown Dist. This tape has a paper backer, thick stripe material, then a thin clear cover film. After the tape is down and the bubbles out, the cover film strips off. First a 1/2" line went on. Then a second 1/2" line right next to it. Then the 2" line below that. Went back and pulled the 1/2" line in the middle off to leave an even white stripe.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5812/dscn3676.jpg (http://img169.imageshack.us/i/dscn3676.jpg/)

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7523/dscn3679s.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/dscn3679s.jpg/)

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/6934/dscn3680j.jpg (http://img697.imageshack.us/i/dscn3680j.jpg/)

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8486/dscn3683.jpg (http://img291.imageshack.us/i/dscn3683.jpg/)

One side down, one to go!

[Blackbird]

My window frames leak like a big dog everytime it rains. Even the dew finds it way through. The caulking is weathered and the paint that was applied to the frames had seen better days. I wanted to reseal, but not till fresh paint could be put down.

First was to remove the caulking and old paint. A razor blade and a couple different removers made quick work of it. I made a trip to harbor freight and picked up a gravity feed spot blaster, on sale of course. This is the one:

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95793)

Next stop, Home depot for 3 50# bags of 30 grit sand. 3 bags turned out to be just right. If I had to do it again, I would buy one of the blasters with a canister and feed tube. Had to refill waaay to many times, but I thought the old paint would come off easier. Some of the hard spots I soaked with Jasco to lift it. When dry, it blasted right off.

Before:

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/2051/dscn3695.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/dscn3695.jpg/)

Start sand blast:

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/8265/dscn3696t.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/dscn3696t.jpg/)

Done with sand blast, removed all the tape. Blew out windows really good to remove all sand and re-taped. Ready for paint:

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/4662/dscn3699u.jpg (http://img251.imageshack.us/i/dscn3699u.jpg/)

For paint, I went with Matthews Acrylic Polyurethane. A Painter friend of mine recommended it for weather / sun and for sticking to the aluminum. Put some on a beer can without any primer and a day later I could not scratch it off, this stuff is nails. Here is more info:

https://corporateportal.ppg.com/NR/rdonlyres/E4CEA83B-22D7-4699-A7DA-9CC1C06AB1EB/0/MPC102SMAP.pdf

It uses a special primer that bites into the aluminum and the top coat bites into it. Tried reducing it down to spray through an airbrush, but I could not get it to go well. Ended up pulling out an old mini spray gun that was collecting dust. This gravity feed gun worked like magic:

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7162/dscn3709e.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/i/dscn3709e.jpg/)

[Blackbird]

Primer going on. Layed down 2 coats of primer 20 min. apart:

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/5076/dscn3700.jpg (http://img715.imageshack.us/i/dscn3700.jpg/)

Top coat going on. Layed down 3 coats 20 min. apart:

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/7830/dscn3701.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/dscn3701.jpg/)

Couldnt resist painting some mean looking eyes on it:

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/88/dscn3702g.jpg (http://img121.imageshack.us/i/dscn3702g.jpg/)

It came out o.k. for outside spray work. Couple dingle balls here and there. Will squeeze in some Black 3M 5200 next weekend. Should look better when the windows are tinted.

After:

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/4555/dscn3706.jpg (http://img169.imageshack.us/i/dscn3706.jpg/)

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2002/dscn3704z.jpg (http://img97.imageshack.us/i/dscn3704z.jpg/)

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4448/dscn3703.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/i/dscn3703.jpg/)

[Blackbird]

That wraps up the last few months of weekends. I just finished the port side this past weekend and pulled the stripes. Here is where I am now.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3341/dscn3739.jpg (http://img85.imageshack.us/i/dscn3739.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

My next plans are to change out the bait tank. Already pulled the stock tank and have a Offshore 65 oval to put in. Might be a couple more weeks for that.

See ya, J

[NoSlack]

Can I get your address? I'd like to drop the boat off for a quick makeover.

You're doing miracles on that 27 year old hull.

Mike

[Freespool]

Welcome to BOCA Jay. WOW the boat turned out killer. That makes my arms sore just looking at the pictures. I have done many custom paint jobs on various things (cars, motorcycles, fishing rods, gaffs, etc.) and I know how much buffing sucks. I know it is too late now but if there is a next time try following the 1000 with 1500 then 2500 and then if your wallet can take it 3000. I know the sand paper is pricey but believe me it makes the job go a lot faster and your arms will thank you.

Pat

[DOGHOUSE26]

Welcome to the club Jay, your boat looks outstanding!

[Zarco]

love seeing these older models brought back!

[yellowfin1]

Wow Jay,

That looks excellent!

[Blackbird]

Thanks for the Compliments and Welcomes guys!

Its been slow going. Most of the work should have been done quicker, but I have been taking my time and enjoying it. Always been one to try to figure out how to do things myself if I can. Some things dont turn out as planned, but I learn in the process. It will be good to get tips and opinions from you guys.

Pat, I think you're right about the sand paper. I was wondering if I should have picked up a third box of finer grit. At around $70 a box I ended up buying a rotary buffer instead. I had a orbital that really puts a shine to things, but dosnt have it to heavy cut. The rotary with wool worked good. The sander would have been a lot lighter to run too, my arms were spaghetti for a few weeks.

Almost forgot to thank Larry for setting me up with the boat and turning me on to BOCA. He speaks highly of everyone here. Thanks Larry!

See ya, J

[Al Gagnon]

You guys are killing me!! My boat was used as a commercial rock cod boat and my hull has so many dings from the cod hooks, I figured it is a lost cause to make it look pretty. I am sure Blackman would charge me a few grand to clean up the hull. Steve told me it could be buffed out to a high gloss. But I think that the dings would probably show more. I asked a fiberglass guy about some work and he kind of walked away and acted like he did not want to get into the project. Since then I cleaned up the back deck rails. Had the lower aluminum portion of the rails powder coated and installed new mahogany wood rails on top of the existing aluminum rails. Rigged it so I can raise a section, on both sides, to make it easier for persons to come aboard or bring in larger fish onto the deck. Seems like the only thing that I did was make the rest of the boat look bad. (half empty or half full) Looking at redoing the 3 deck hatches for my next project and changing the deck color from navy grey to light blue. I still need to post some pics, before and after. I feel better now! I need to thank God for what I have, instead of whinning.
Al

[Knot Now]

You guys are killing me!! My boat was used as a commercial rock cod boat and my hull has so many dings from the cod hooks,
Al

It can be done. My friend Allen's Stringari was a commercial Lobster boat with teak rub-rails on one side. We removed the rails and filled hundreds of screw holes...A little Proline LP paint and she looks like new.

[Blackbird]

Yup, I agree, it can be done. It just takes time.

I look at the work I've done in the past six months and figure a boat yard with a couple guys working on it could have done it in a week or so, but you make it your own in the process. As for all the dings, nothing wrong with a boat with some experience on it either.

Post some pics up Al, lets see what you got. I'd love to see more threads loaded heavy with resto pics.

For me, the last two weekends have been a wash with little work put in. I've got some good plans to take care of in the next few weeks. Will post more pics when I get there.

See ya, J

[Blackbird]

Back to work on the Blackbird. Trouble is I am working on at least 7 different projects at the same time so it seems like its going really slow. Spent last weekend installing the bait tank, re-finishing some of the interior woodwork, and installing new hull hardware.

The new tank going in is a Offshore 65. Prep work first. Was able to get all of the old sealant off the deck with the plastic bristle 3M roloc discs, green color. They would pull up the sealant without chewing up the deck finish. The tank is wider than the Blackman tank. The deck hatch rings had to be notched to fit. This tank going in is not new, just new to me. The previous must have had a crowned deck that the bottom of the tank was shaped to fit. I never noticed it when I picked it up, but there was a 1/2" gap in the center which made the tank rock back and forth. Doh! Marked 1/2" up all the way around and shaved it down with a grinder / flapper wheel. A little fine tuning when set back in and it was flush. Waiting on mounting hardware and 1 1/2" hose.

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/8153/dscn3849u.jpg (http://img24.imageshack.us/i/dscn3849u.jpg/)

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3507/dscn3850i.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/i/dscn3850i.jpg/)

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/7158/dscn3851.jpg (http://img62.imageshack.us/i/dscn3851.jpg/)

Because the plumbing leaves the tank on the opposite side than the Blackman tank, the hoses would have to make a hard 180 degree bend to get bellow deck, followed by a 90 degree bend to get around the fuel tank. If the tank did not have the window, it could be flipped around and would work fine. I wanted the window forward to view from inside. After thinking it over, decided to move the new thru hull to the opposite side of the transom, that would let the hoses make one long sweeping bend to the stern. A 1 1/2" ball valve/tail piece will be on the back side of the thru-hull. The old thru hull hole was filled with a new underwater light. This works out good as its on the same side as the swim step ladder to light it up for night dives. Hope to get the trim tabs on this weekend.

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/4274/dscn3858.jpg (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/dscn3858.jpg/)

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/6261/dscn3857j.jpg (http://img31.imageshack.us/i/dscn3857j.jpg/)

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/7311/dscn3861o.jpg (http://img43.imageshack.us/i/dscn3861o.jpg/)

[Royal Hook]

Jay
The boats really lookin good. That bait tank your installing is massive. Are you changing her name our will she still be Secret spot?
TKS for the reports.
Mike

[yellowfin1]

Jay,

Curious to know what brand of thru hull light you put in there. Is it the Dr. LED light? Do you like it? Does it put out alot of light?

Scott

[Blackbird]

Thanks Mike,

Yeah it seems alot bigger because of its oval footprint, although I think its only 5 gallons larger than the Blackman tank. Nothing like a little bit of elbow room to keep the bait alive for a couple days and with the window it will be cool to have a "fish tank" onboard. I have heard of the window stressing the bait out so I may make a snap on cover to use during the day and remove it at night to keep an eye on em'. As for the name, She's called "Blackbird".

Good talking to you at the BBQ, post some pics of the Royal Hook, I wouldnt mind checking her out.

Scott,

Good eye! Yeah, thats the Dr. LED Neptune. I did a little research and it seemed to be a good buy. The two main reasons were that it was close to fitting the hole I had and it had enough threads to go through the transom. Don shure didn't skimp on material. The transom is over 2" thick. I did have to enlarge the hole about an inch in diameter. I used a die-grinder to go 1/4" deep to start a hole saw then ran the saw home. I like the idea of the aluminum hosing to conduct the heat quick too, just have to keep wax on it. Almost forgot to mention my buddy with the marine supply hook-up helped me out so it wasnt that bad. They claim the L.E.D.'s are made in the U.S.A., but I have a feeling that the housing was made in China. The box was stamped with those words and the instructions were stapled on the right side so they read back to front. Dont know on the light output. I was letting the 4200 set up all week before putting the heat to it. Might be a couple more weeks before it gets wet.

I would say that if I did not have the hole to plug anyway, I would have gone with a "Kman" light. Kurt (Kman) is a guy on B.D. that makes custom transom mount L.E.D.'s. He makes them with the latest/brightest L.E.D.'s available. If you are going for light output, his can't be beat, even by the big names in underwater lighting and he makes them for half the cost. He made his first set for my Century and they have been working just fine. Really easy to install, I made an install guide for him, you guys can check it out here:

The forth post down is the install, further down are the pics on the water.

http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/electronics/221128-transom-mount-led-lights-coming-along-4.html

See ya, J

[Blackbird]

Hey Fellas,

Been waaaaay too long since I came around and just wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays and New Year!

I was going through the pics of last months BBQ, looks like I missed the best one. Glad to see all having good times, I had to wipe the drool of my keyboard. What a feast! Sorry, couldn't make it. Hope to make plans for the Summer-kicker-off'r BBQ next year.

This year had to be the roughest one I can remember. Between having to take a second job, helping my g.f. that was involved in a serious car accident, and countless hours looking for the damn family pet Iguana that escaped, I am glad its almost over.

Finally, with some time off, I was going over the photos of the progress I have made on the Blackbird over the past months. Not too much action, but some is better than none.

The varnish on the teak trim had seen better days:

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/5360/dscn3852r.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/dscn3852r.jpg/)

Taped everything off and sanded smooth:

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/4914/dscn3951t.jpg (http://img251.imageshack.us/i/dscn3951t.jpg/)

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/6452/dscn3974a.jpg (http://img695.imageshack.us/i/dscn3974a.jpg/)

Ready for oil:

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2447/dscn3978k.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/i/dscn3978k.jpg/)

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1299/dscn3981l.jpg (http://img140.imageshack.us/i/dscn3981l.jpg/)

The money shot:

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8307/dscn3982p.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/i/dscn3982p.jpg/)

[Mac Attack]

Nice work!!!!!! It looks fantastic

[DOGHOUSE26]

Very Nice! It's on my to do list this year!

[Libre]

Looks great! Happy Holidays!

[LABRISA DEL MAR]

Nice Work!!!

[Blackbird]

Thanks fellas!

Here's a few more:

Hull had a small drain plug fitting with an extra large flange that no one seems to have anymore. The old one was shot. Some of the glass and wood around it needed attention. Opened up the hole all the way through to fit in a new Perko setup. Filled the gaps, lined the hole, blended in new gel coat.

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3045/dscn3886u.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/508/dscn3886u.jpg/)

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/2/dscn4027.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/dscn4027.jpg/)

Polished out the old trim tabs, cleaned out the joints. Replaced both rams with new. Anybody try these ping pong ball scuppers? They looked cool, the holes lined right up with the old flapper mounts.

http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/8564/dscn4031r.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/848/dscn4031r.jpg/)

[Zarco]

wow! nice work. makes me feel lazy... got minor stuff to do. and keep putting it off until recently.