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Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 23rd, '13, 21:27
by Stephan
I’m thinking about all the perfection and superlative work done by Capt. Pat and Bruce and Bob and JP and Bob and Gert and etc. The board needs a project where everybody knows they could have done better…
I had an Avon inflatable with a rotted transom and 8 yr old sons who could put it to good use. SO:
I cut the inside of the transom and the plywood core was so rotted I was able to remove a lot of it with the shop vac.
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Very little chisel work and some grinding and more shop vac and it was cleaned out.
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I used some scrap and a glue gun to make a template then transferred that to a solid sheet that was sectioned so I could slide it in to the open transom. Then I used plain old plywood because it was cheap and I was doing a small job poorly.
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I did get fancy and set up a table to epoxy on with some poor man’s peel n ply (wax paper) to soak the plywood. I cut the new plywood core on a high angle to facilitate sliding it into the void and prevent having a seam where the drain plug hole would be drilled.
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I painted everything with straight epoxy and then gooped the hell out of everything with cabosil and West System and jammed/clamped it all together. After it set up I ground the seams where the inner liner was cut and bridged it with West System and matt. More wax paper, thickened epoxy where screws would go and chopped mat over straight epoxy for the drain hole.
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Cosmetically challenged, questionably executed but strong - there were no complaints on the test runs.
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Now they just need to eat their Wheaties or make a friend to yank the pull start.
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You can revoke my B31 card for a substandard performance but it was an old Avon and my boys don’t care!

Re: Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 23rd, '13, 21:43
by Harry Babb
Hey Stephan.....where is the "LIKE IT A LOT" button.......the smile on little Jr's face says it all.

Thanks for sharing.....great end product...this is the kind of success storys we need to hear about! ! ! !


hb

Re: Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 24th, '13, 05:41
by Carl
Perfection is overrated if it don't get done.

What is important is to get out on the water...and be safe. I didn't see any corners cut there.

Very nice!

Carl

Re: Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 24th, '13, 05:58
by John F.
NIce. The kids' faces say it all

Re: Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 24th, '13, 06:40
by ianupton
Fantastic. I am getting very excited to have my son at the tiller or wheel this summer for a few weeks. No Bertram ready yet, but he'll get to knock around in some welded plate aluminum boats this summer.

Ian.

Re: Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 24th, '13, 06:55
by bob lico
Wish I was there to help.all worth it for the little guy. Nice job!

Re: Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 24th, '13, 10:11
by MarkS
Good Stuff!

Re: Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 24th, '13, 10:27
by Rawleigh
It works and is sufficiently strong to perform as needed. The boys don't seem to mind! To them it is the Queen Mary!!

To quote Uncle Vic "Better is the enemy of good". i have lots of projects that never got done because I wanted to do them "right". I should have done them good enough and used them instead of never doing them at all!!!

Re: Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 24th, '13, 15:32
by Gert van Leest
everthing for those happy snouts !!

Nice job , cool dad !!

Gert

Re: Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 24th, '13, 19:09
by Bob H.
Great job..a summer your kids will enjoy..BH

Re: Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 24th, '13, 19:22
by Capt.Frank
Stephen,
Brings back memories from 2 years ago my brother gave my son 8 at the time a 14' MFG w/9.9 for free just needed a new transom and some cleaning up. Both of my boy drove me crazey untile I fixed it. I will say it turned out to be my best fiberglass job I have done. Boy they love that little boat. Smiles say it all.
My boys want me to build them a boat like Gert did. No Way. Good Job.

Re: Small Job – Poorly Done – No Complaints

Posted: Jun 26th, '13, 21:46
by scot
The corporate definition of "quality" in today's market is understanding the customers needs, and meeting that need. You did exactly that! Those kids needed a functional boat, which you provided...Therefore that is a text book example of a "quality" job you did on that little RIB!

Nice :-)