My first build: 1964 Galaxy Spartan 14ST

[Bottombouncer]

First off my name is Ryan. I live in central Ohio. I recently put an ad on Craigslist wanting to trade "man item" for a 14' v Jon boat/motor/trailer.
It didn't take long and the hits started coming.
I traded for a 1964 Galaxy Spartan 14ST with a practically brand new Johnson 3.5hp 2 stroke and trailer with pretty new tires and lights and in overall great shape.
The boat isn't bad for being 49 years old. The transom wood is trash. I was able to get it out in one piece and use it as a template.


Here's the old transom wood:

Here is the boat with old transom, motor and the metal cap the goes over the top:

Here is the boat with the new transom. It is held in place with clamps for now.


The next step will be to flip the boat and apply several coats of Gluvit. It is more of a precautionary step. I will also Gluvit all of the wood that I install and put a coat of primer over wood that will be carpeted. The transom will be primed and painted after the Gluvit.
When I peeled off the old reg numbers I could tell the boat had a bluish/gray color topside. I plan to paint that area a blue color like many offshore boats, an aqua blue with white bottom paint.
Accessories will include motor guide trolling motor, humminbird DI/GPS, onboard charger and bilge pump. I will also need to install lights and will put an anchormate up front. Six rod holders, two at the rear and two on each side. I read another build on here that used strong magnets to mount the horizontal rod holders. That is an awesome idea! I will definitely be using that one.

I'll keep the updates coming and look forward to reading other builds!

 

[Bottombouncer]

I also have a question... Can anyone give me an idea of the weight capacity for this boat?
It had no hp/capacity tag. After googling I was able to find some specs, it listed everything except weight capacity. It is rated to 18hp.

Any ideas???

I had ideas to apply a two part foam to the bottom, on both sides of the center with a channel through the center to allow drainage. Will I gain any capacity or benefit from the foam?

Thanks guys for any help or suggestions. I do plan to use a company I read about on another forum that makes replacement capacity tags.

 

[Bottombouncer]

I got my hardware for the transom. Stepping up from 1/4 x 20 to 5/16 x 18 socket heads with large stainless fender washers and extra wide stainless nylocks.

I also found some bolts with angled heads that should fit the holes and angles of my stern corner brackets!!!
I junked the beat up aluminum cap that went over the transom and had my step dad make me one out of stainless.
It should look nice!!! Definitely more solid.
Made a call to aero marine products and got all the info I need about their two part foam.
This build is getting addictive!

 

[Kismet]

I think you are doing good work.

It is fun when the pieces start falling into place and transforming the craft from "the" boat, to "my" boat, isn't it?

Only caution I have is to watch your expenditures. It is easy to lose sight of the total cost when you are caught in the momentum of everything coming together.

That, and try and take it out on the water before you invest in major carpentry/cabinet building. New boat owners sometimes "see the dream" before they "experience the reality."

Have fun, be safe.

=D>

 

[Bottombouncer]

Not so much luck with the new hardware. For some reason the nylocks would not tighten all the way down? They are fully threaded screws? I'm going to switch to serated flanged nuts. The angled bolts I found also were not long enough I'll go with angled spacers I found at McMaster-Carr. It would look at nice. My only other option would be to cut the head off a bolt at an angle and weld a washer to the top. I think I might go with this option rather than have a piece of hardware sticking out that my catch a fishing line or net.

That's about all I accomplished today. The big step will be this weekend. I need to take the trailer to get weighed and get tags. Flip the boat and start surface prep. With any luck, this time next week I'll be well on my to painting the outside. Once the outside is painted and cured and the transom is finished I'll take it out for a wet test to make sure everything to high and dry. After that I'll frame the floor, pour the 2-part foam and get it into shape and set the floor in place.

 

[Bottombouncer]

No pictures this time...

Took the trailer to get weighed and came back, flipped the boat and began surface prep. I found some damage that required a little Marine R/X. There are some questionable areas that I might go ahead a fill as well.

I'm not sure what they use as a filler before, but it was some gummy green stuff. Had to use a wire wheel to get it all out of the crack. I had planned to do a two tone white/yellow paint job. But given some of the imperfections I'm finding I think a dark camo type green like a Tracker.

*note to self: inspect next boat much better*

 

[Mojo]

That's a nice boat dude. I don't think anyone answered your foam question, putting foam in that boat won't do anything to increase your weight capacity or where it sits in the water.. HOWEVER it will hopefully keep it from sinking to the bottom of the lake if for some reason you take on alot of water or get swamped somehow. It can't hurt you to put foam under any type of floor your putting in.

Also If I were you I wouldn't just paint that pretty new transom wood you just installed. Pull it back out of the boat and coat it both sides with some spar varnish or better yet a couple of coats of fiberglass resin to make it last.

Good Luck with your build.

 

[Bottombouncer]

I plan to coat the transom in gluvit and then prime and paint it. I just wanted to get the wood in place and drill all my holes first. That way I could coat everything, including the newly exposed wood in the holes.

Thanks for the tips

 

[Bottombouncer]

Heat guns make decal removal so much easier!

Finished surface prep and applied the Gluvit to all seams and rivets as well as the transom wood. For any one that might doubt that a quart of Gluvit is enough for a 14' boat it is more than enough. Two coats will not be necessary.

First coat of paint will go on Thursday evening! Second coat Friday.

 

[Bottombouncer]

The paint is finished on the outside. Took it got inspection this morning. In Ohio boats under 14' do not need a title. Well mine had a title because the previous owners thought that since the model is 14ST that the boat was actually 14', well it is 13'8". So hopefully I'll get my corrected paperwork this week and be able to get my registration.
Here is the new transom with all stainless hardware, inside wood has been sealed with Gluvit and painted with flat black. The metal cap over the transom is 14ga stainless.

Well...so much for pics. Why is the forum not allowing me to post photos from Tapatalk???? This is the easiest way to do it!

 

[Bottombouncer]

Okay, here are some pics...


New transom with super solid 14ga stainless cap!

Bilge pump installed

The board was used to make sure the piece of angle was mounted even with the bench. This will support the rear deck..,

I took it out for a wet test and it passed. Motor fired right up too! Picked up my new papers from the watercraft folks. I'll be picking up my registration later today. Hopefully I'll be able to take it out this weekend for some fishing.

 

[Bottombouncer]

I finished wiring the lights and bilge pump and installed a new lowrance sonar/gps. I made a little panel for my switches. Added two Scotty rod holders and a ram mount for the lowrance.

Also mounted the battery up front. I'm still waiting on my new stainless nose piece. When I get it ill finish the decking and carpet.

 

[Bottombouncer]

Here's a shot with the new seat...

 

[Bottombouncer]

Been a while since I've posted any updates. Pretty busy with work and school....this rediculous winter hasn't helped either :evil:

My new Minn Kota Power Drive arrived yesterday. Mom bought me a stainless Worth anchormate for Christmas and my stepdad fabed my stainless nose piece. I bought these guide ons for the trailer https://www.basspro.com/C-E-Smith-LED-Lighted-Post-GuideOns/product/104356/

Once this weather turns to the 50's - 60's I'll be back out in the garage finishing it up. I took it out early last September and put a couple fish in the boat. Shortly after school began, so she's been in the garage collecting dust.

 

[livetoride21]

looks great so far! But you may want to think about moving your battery a bit lower in the boat. Right now its looking like she will be quite top heavy. just my 2 cents.

Kevin

 

[Bottombouncer]

I took a few pics today. Not a lot of progress. I laid out the nose piece, just need to trim to fit.

Here's a different view of my command center

 

[Bottombouncer]

Well, the project is just about done. Trolling motor installed, anchormate and front seat are in place. Also installed storage in the rear deck.