1961 F25 Trojan Restoration Begins!

[PastRust]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53661&id=501900749

Well, the CICADA arrived at her new home this week! Restoration has started and i am glad to be part of this group. The first question of many to come is what to use to strip the bottom. 36 years of paint and water etc need to come off. Any suggestions on what to use will be carefully considered. Thanks...

By the way, you can click through the rest of the photos while you at our facebook site.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53657&id=501900749

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53665&id=501900749

[donald branscom]

I cannot see the photos with FACEBOOK whatever that is.

Can't you just post some JPG's ?

We cannot all afford the most modern operating systems but EVERYONE CAN SEE JPG's.

Thanks

[Lew Barrett]

I can't see the pictures either, but a Tyvek suit, respirator, eye protection and sharp scraper are standard bottom prep fare.

[brad9798]

I have my doubts about this post ... I will NOT sign in to see some 36 year-old, lightly built Trojan ...

What gives?

[Bob Adams]

I have my doubts about this post ... I will NOT sign in to see some 36 year-old, lightly built Trojan ...

What gives?
Maybe, but as a production boat owner, I've felt this prejudice before.

[brad9798]

Me too, Bob ... don't forget my 1964 PLYWOOD Chris Craft Cavalier ... :D

[PastRust]

Perhaps it is not so much the lightly built Trojan that matters, but the old timer who thought that i might enjoy the time on the water with my family the same way he did. Lightly built or not, the mahogany is real, the work is hard, and the relationships built while restoring it with my family are the reward. Thanks though, for your post.

[JimD]

PastRust, welcome to the forum! Sorry to see you getting this negative response. Its not really about your boat, its about joining facebook. A lot of folks are really tired of having to join yet another new internet club. My wife has an account. Maybe she'll tell me her password (;))and I can have a look at your pics?

[Lew Barrett]

Pictures don't really matter that much anyway. Bottom prep for paint is pretty straight forward, if horrible. Unless you feel compelled to get back to clear, virgin wood, there's no real need to pretend you're clearing it for varnish, especially for a power boat. The idea is to scrape off all the stuff that has been built up over the years and to get back to a reasonably clean, chip free base. It's no fun, but a couple of guys with good sharp scrapers, eye and breathing protection and disposable hazmat suits should be able to clear the bottom of a 25 foot boat in a day or two. A creeper can be a nice aid too, as well as knee pads and plenty of bottled water. A masseuse at the end is optional, but a highly desireable accessory.

[schlaboatnic]

Having spent a good deal of time on Trojans as a child, both on our 1967 31' woodie and my uncles 1968 38' wood aft cabin, which still seems to me the biggest boat ever shoved into 38', I admire and appreciate your endeavour. I will second Lew on this, a creeper is the only way to go. Last spring I prepped the bottom of our 38' for paint. Having spent one day lying on my back on concrete, I took a trip to Harbor Freight and got a creeper and also a rolling adjustable stool. Easily the best $100 spent on this project. Also, a top notch respirator. Keep us updated.

[brad9798]

Have you made any further progress? I apologize, since you are obviously a real person and not a troll, for my rudeness four months ago.

Brad

[Lew Barrett]

I'd guess Past Rust's past dust on the bottom project.

Don't let one bad experience sour you on the concept of the forum. It was clear from the first you were asking for real advice and that you came here seeking information for a worthy project. This joint's got it's off moments, and it's great moments, and we're all subject to them. Please feel free to return with any sort of question, friend.
You're a Brother of the Splinter and your fresh input isn't only welcomed, it's needed. We were all new here at one point or another. My join date was Christmas, 2005. My name is Lew and I'm a Post-a-holic.

[sdowney717]

I sanded off the bottom paint with a random orbit porter cable and stickon 24 grit paper. I made my own sanding disks cut from flat sheets used for floor sanders. That went pretty fast and made a huge blue mess all over me. I did not get sick, sensitized, itchy or any such thing, just very blue.

[Lew Barrett]

In these parts ee call the guys who attack the blue bottoms with 24 grit "Smurfs!"

[PastRust]

Thanks guys for your kind replies...i will try to post pics when i learn how. Mahogany weather decks are 1/3 done. The transom is ready for the new name...yet to be determined. The hull is 1/2 done. Keel is the next thing to tackle (after our Canadian winter). The metal work is now 1/s done and that leaves teak decks, inner cabin and the cockpit to do! I will post soon...

[brad9798]

good stuff ... keep it up!