Our project boat- 1977 Blue Fin Sea Hawk

[daschmetterling]

Great pictues- thanks for posting them! It looks like the floor (at least in the bow portion is at the same height as where we are going to set it. I look forward to seeing how you modify it, and hopefully we can help with our build.

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[daschmetterling]

It's been a little while since I've posted anything, but we have slowly been making progress.
We framed the flooring using 1 1/4" x 1/8" aluminum angle.
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And although we planned on using pour foam, we ended up just going with rigid insulation. The price was about the same, and we could just get the rigid insulation locally. Plus it seemed like it would be easier to work with. In retrospect, I don't know if it saved any time.
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We are keeping a channel down the center open to run wires through conduit, and to run the steering cables.
The next step is to make a floor template and order the aluminum sheet. After a lot of research and debate, we are going with 0.10 aluminum tread plate (diamond plate).

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[daschmetterling]

We made some progress this weekend- we finished adding flotation, finalized the center console location and installed the floor.

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After a lot of research and debate, we went with 0.100 aluminum floor plate (diamond plate) for the flooring. Although it is a little more expensive than aluminum sheet, with the texture already there, we wouldn't have to add traction. Our goal for this boat is something that is durable and easily maintained. Hopefully though the aluminum will get scuffed and dirty! After riveting the floor about every 8" it feels really solid.
The 0.100 flooring does flex a little if you stand between the joists, but not enough to feel spongy. I think this is a good compromise in thickness/ weight.
Next up- install the center console, build the front deck (we haven't figured that part out yet), and maybe start rigging and wiring the motor.

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[shockr]

Nice to see other BLUEFINS getting restored. I have a 16' DREAMCATCHER I rescued a few years back from the scrap heap. Bought it for $700.00 with a piece of junk trailer & DOA FORCE 35 which I tried to revive.

The first year I tore it down to the ribs & replaced the floor & returned to same configuration as when I purchase with a side console.
Since the FORCE was not savable & most of the waters I fish are electric only I jettisoned the FORCE (GOOD RIDDANCE). It has been replaced by a 10 HP tiller & I did away with the console & any unneeded weight...lite is right.

Over the next few years I made refinements to better suit my use & it is still a work in progress. This year I a added a front casting deck, moved the front trolling motor battery to the rear to offset the weight of the casting deck. I used an aluminum extension ladder to make a frame an used 3/4" hardwood plywood with 2 coats of deck sealant & two coats of SPAR urethane. This set allows me to have all of that area beneath the deck for storage & a place for my dog to get out of the sun. Plus I finally have a place to put the giant *** Musky net with tripping over it. It also fits the pedestal seat & post with room for a cooler too.

BLUEFINS may be slow & heavy but they are extremely strong & stable. A lot times when the water is rough & the wind blows I see other tinboats getting rocked out there but my baby is stable.

I plan on adding a new post with more pictures detailing the trilogy of my BLUEFIN restoration once I am done.

 

[shockr]

Duh, what good is a post without pictures.

Love what you are doing on your boat. Especially that aluminum floor...I would love to see your bending brake. nice touch the way that that you bent the side up to meet the contour of the floor to transition in the freeboard...very sweet. I did the same thing with wood on my boat. Some serious fabrication skills on this build of yours, nice job!

 

[thatkidhugo]

Nice boat.

Is this the same BlueFin that built spectrum boats in the 80s/90s? I pick this up next month.

 

[daschmetterling]

Duh, what good is a post without pictures.

Love what you are doing on your boat. Especially that aluminum floor...I would love to see your bending brake. nice touch the way that that you bent the side up to meet the contour of the floor to transition in the freeboard...very sweet. I did the same thing with wood on my boat. Some serious fabrication skills on this build of yours, nice job!

Nice looking boat! I like what you have done with it. Great layout and finishes.

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[daschmetterling]

Nice to see other BLUEFINS getting restored. I have a 16' DREAMCATCHER I rescued a few years back from the scrap heap. Bought it for $700.00 with a piece of junk trailer & DOA FORCE 35 which I tried to revive.

The first year I tore it down to the ribs & replaced the floor & returned to same configuration as when I purchase with a side console.
Since the FORCE was not savable & most of the waters I fish are electric only I jettisoned the FORCE (GOOD RIDDANCE). It has been replaced by a 10 HP tiller & I did away with the console & any unneeded weight...lite is right.

Over the next few years I made refinements to better suit my use & it is still a work in progress. This year I a added a front casting deck, moved the front trolling motor battery to the rear to offset the weight of the casting deck. I used an aluminum extension ladder to make a frame an used 3/4" hardwood plywood with 2 coats of deck sealant & two coats of SPAR urethane. This set allows me to have all of that area beneath the deck for storage & a place for my dog to get out of the sun. Plus I finally have a place to put the giant *** Musky net with tripping over it. It also fits the pedestal seat & post with room for a cooler too.

BLUEFINS may be slow & heavy but they are extremely strong & stable. A lot times when the water is rough & the wind blows I see other tinboats getting rocked out there but my baby is stable.

I plan on adding a new post with more pictures detailing the trilogy of my BLUEFIN restoration once I am done.

Good to know Bluefins are good and durable. I haven't been able to find out much about them. Thanks for the compliments- hopefully the build goes well and the boat works for us!

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[daschmetterling]

Nice boat.

Is this the same BlueFin that built spectrum boats in the 80s/90s? I pick this up next month.

Thank you! Yes, I think it is the same company.

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[daschmetterling]

The boat is starting to come together now, or at least it looks like it is. We still have a long way to go, but with the floor and center console installed now, it seems as though using the boat is not far off. This weekend our goal is to frame the front deck, maybe install the flooring on it, and maybe install the outboard. View attachment 1View attachment 2View attachment 3

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[g0nef1sshn]

Nice work yall are doing. looks real similiar to my starcraft.

 

[daschmetterling]

It finally seems like the boat is coming together. There is still a lot left to do before we get it on the water, but it is really taking shape. We put the motor on and rigged it up, and we finally got the bow sub floor framed and deck framed and decking installed.
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We even made a skeg/ prop guard. We would really like a jet, but it is out of our price range, so hopefully between this and the power trim, we can run in some water we probably shouldn't be with a prop!
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This prop guard was from this guy's blog https://archeryrob.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/the-free-rock-guard/
We'll see how it all works.
Next up is wiring the switches, accessories, fuse panel and framing up the fuel tank, oil tank, and battery area.

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