A Florida based 1987 390 Express Restoration

[Dr MicroChip]

ahhh
the Fiat 500

Al the boat looks amazing i can look at these pics all day!!!!!!!!

Did you paint the cockpit floor also?

the dash and teak look incredable!!!

Saverio

I painted the cockpit floor to match the rest of the boat - after I fixed all the cracks, holes, gouges etc. The teal is coated with several layers of epoxy and then two coats of automotive 2K poly

 

[Saverio]

Al

Did you spray the floor or roll it?

Saverio

 

[Dr MicroChip]

Al

Did you spray the floor or roll it?

Saverio

Brush & roll with anti skid. Marine Imron

 

[electricaldoctor]

and wife linda who took the photo. We had to fold her in half to get her in the back seat.

lol :smt038 :smt043

 

[Dr MicroChip]

From the "other 390 EC" thread:

Originally Posted by scotter12

I'm looking for some advice from all you experienced 390 EC owners. Over the weekend I was changing out my 2 starboard batteries, when I noticed that my battery box was falling apart. I decided to take the time to build a new box and install it. When I removed the old box and the L-brackets that secure it to the deck, I found that there is water in the screw hole. When I put weight on the deck around the area where box was, water comes out of the holes. I know this is bad. I'm wondering how bad, and if I need to pull the boat out of the water right now and have it looked at? Forgot to mention, my 390 is a 88' with 3208t's.:smt100:huh:

Answer:
The foam filled space below the battery box is filled with water. Maybe from a hole in the hull but probably from leaks from above like the stringer weep holes, bilge pump areas and along the sides of the stringers where they meet the floor. My 87 EC had them all. In freshwater this can be a big problem as freshwater will rot any wood it touches. Salt water pickles the wood and it generally does not rot. I cut out a 18" x 18" hatch in the floor under the battery boxes and removed as much foam as possible. I also installed a 6" round port just forward of the aft bilge pump well and removed the foam there too. That way you can always open the hatch and pump out the water. Since you are in fresh water I would strongly suggest that you periodically flood the compartment with a 5:1 solution of Boracare (google it). This is a rot preventive/killer Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate salt. It soaks in to the wood and prevents rot. Non toxic too.
See: http://www.abatron.com/images/stories/BoraCare.pdf

Here is a photo of my hatch:
http://www.stroboflash.com/searaypro.../DSC_9303.html

Here is the battery box that I made. Hold 3 8D AGM batteries
http://www.stroboflash.com/searaypro.../DSC_7909.html

At the very least install a 6" port by the rear bilge pumps so you can get the water out, then pump in the boracare solution to pickle the wood and avoid further rot. It also kills fungus and mildew on fabric etc. The compartment is filled with foam so you will have to be creative to get as much of it out as possible.

Dr. Microchip

 

[Dr MicroChip]

Re: A Florida based 1987 390 Express Restoration - Dinghy davits

Built some new dinghy davits this week. Saved over a $1000 bucks. Thanks to Dale (MasterFab) for the inspiration and design ideas. The welds may not be as pretty but I used what was around the shop. Who would think I would have some stainless angle iron laying around - thanks Dad! Got to use my TIG welder and plasma torch too!

They are attached square and straight. The wide angle lens makes them look cocked. The platform is solid glass where the bolts screw in to the SS backing plates so flooding the core is not an issue.

 

[Saverio]

Re: A Florida based 1987 390 Express Restoration - Dinghy davits

Doc

you should be putting all this info on a dvd and start selling them lol

your a true craftsman.

good luck with your launch

Saverio

 

[MasterFab]

Al,

I have a suggestion. Since you're down in Florida in that beautiful warm salt water, I strongly recommend that you pull the visible stainless components for the davits, and send them to an electropolisher in your neck of the woods. All that cutting, welding, and grinding have left imbedded surface contaminants in your stainless, and they will develop surface rust once the salt and moisture get to them. The electropolishing step will enhance the surface finish, and prevent that from happening. I have been doing it on all my fabricated stainless for the last couple years, and the difference is really amazing. On another note, have you put me in the schedule for a ride yet?

Dale

 

[Dr MicroChip]

Al,

I have a suggestion. Since you're down in Florida in that beautiful warm salt water, I strongly recommend that you pull the visible stainless components for the davits, and send them to an electropolisher in your neck of the woods. All that cutting, welding, and grinding have left imbedded surface contaminants in your stainless, and they will develop surface rust once the salt and moisture get to them. The electropolishing step will enhance the surface finish, and prevent that from happening. I have been doing it on all my fabricated stainless for the last couple years, and the difference is really amazing. On another note, have you put me in the schedule for a ride yet?

Dale

Hmmmm. I don't know what electropolishing is. And I thought I knew everything! :grin: I don't plan on keeping the inflatable all the time so the supports bolt in with just 4 3/8" bolts. That is what the SS blocks are in the photos.

Thanks Dale.

 

[Pietro]

Hmmmm. I don't know what electropolishing is. And I thought I knew everything! :grin: I don't plan on keeping the inflatable all the time so the supports bolt in with just 4 3/8" bolts. That is what the SS blocks are in the photos.

Thanks Dale.

..:grin::grin::grin: ..I knew electropolishing!!! ... It's the system we used for investment casting parts.

Nice set up for the dinghy. Did you get your inspiration from my Nautley davits?

 

[Dr MicroChip]

..:grin::grin::grin: ..I knew electropolishing!!! ... It's the system we used for investment casting parts.

Nice set up for the dinghy. Did you get your inspiration from my Nautley davits?

Yes! And how to build them from Dale.

Ciao!

 

[Dr MicroChip]

Hmmmm. I don't know what electropolishing is. And I thought I knew everything! :grin: I don't plan on keeping the inflatable all the time so the supports bolt in with just 4 3/8" bolts. That is what the SS blocks are in the photos.

Thanks Dale.

I got a quote from an electropolisher in Orlando. $1560 plus 7% hazmat fee!!!!!!!!!! Really???? For two 30" long angles?????

 

[MasterFab]

Al,

I don't know what's going on down there, but I typically have davit arms done for about $150.00 - and that includes return shipping. If you want, send me a PM, and I'll put you in touch with my guys.

Dale

 

[Dr MicroChip]

Al,

I don't know what's going on down there, but I typically have davit arms done for about $150.00 - and that includes return shipping. If you want, send me a PM, and I'll put you in touch with my guys.

Dale

After I responded to him that the price was $1500 more than I was willing to pay he replied:
"Sorry it should have been
$150.00
+ 7% environmental fee"

DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MasterFab]

Now I feel pretty good - hit that one right on the nose!

Dale

 

[Dr MicroChip]

Re: A Florida based 1987 390 Express Restoration - Dinghy davits

To the guy from Indiana that inquired via PM about the trailer the boat is sitting on in the photo below. It belongs to a commercial hauler from Stuart Florida - SkipperShipper.com. It is a hydraulic trailer that can pick the boat up without a crane. They will be here in about 4 weeks to move it to St Augustine. I will try to post a video of the process.

BTW: PLEASE do not private mail me unless it is TRULY private. I prefer completely open discussion!

Dr. MicroChip

 

[SMS]

Re: A Florida based 1987 390 Express Restoration - Dinghy davits

That should be an awesome video. Thanks for sharing all the work, your dedication and perseverance is quite commendable! I've really been enjoying this thread. New member here and can't get out of the 390 sections!

 

[JC80]

Re: A Florida based 1987 390 Express Restoration - Dinghy davits

That should be an awesome video. Thanks for sharing all the work, your dedication and perseverance is quite commendable! I've really been enjoying this thread. New member here and can't get out of the 390 sections!

Warning, this thread will make you want to redo everything on your boat. Dr. MC has done an amazing job restoring his and I can't wait to see it splash.

 

[Dr MicroChip]

Installed my carpet over the last two days. Who da thunk it would take 20 hours to install 250 sf of carpet squares. That was interesting...

 

[electricaldoctor]

Carpet squares look great. Is that a fish eye lens that you are using there?