32' Party Cruiser Rebuild 5-0Clock
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:22 am
Greetings all,
Starting my rebuild project with a 2002 32' Tracker Party Cruiser. Got a good deal on a boat with good bones and questionable weather exposure!
Full disclosure-I have another 32' Party Cruiser (2000) that is in pristine condition that we keep at the lake in the summer and inside storage in the winter (wow what a difference).
A couple goals on this project:
1) Put a bow to stern hard top on her. I am thinking 1x3x0.125 aluminum trusses on 32" center with 5/8" ply and EPDM RV roofing (ditching the AC). Was going to support this with 1x3x0.125 legs every 48" and 3x3 legs on the corners. I would like it to be resilent enough for the kids to camp up top. I looked at AridDek/LockDry and couldn't make the numbers work weightwise or costwise (came in at $10/sf shipped and 2.2lb/sf). I can go plywood/epdm at 1.8lb/sf and $3.70/sf. Add solar and a 12v whole house fan (RV style)
2) Expand the enclosed hard cab to the stern. Replace rotted walls. Thinking of going with Sign-board mated to 1" foam insulation or just 16 gauge aluminum mated to foam insulation (TBD). Will likely just rivet and auto-epoxy to the legs. Maybe wrap the boat after or just do a quick HVLP paint job for the summer. Need to source addition windows and a door for the back.
3) Build a retractable patio deck for the back. My lake keeps me under 33' so need to add a 4' deck onto this boat I can winch up when I am moored. But as soon as I park the deck will give room to BBQ, sit, drink, etc.
4) Complete recarpet, revinyl, and new kitchen-sort of a bummer this one was left outside so long. But creates a great opportunity to redo her with proper cabinets and flair!
5) Not miss the summer, need er done by June 1-but that being said we have the secondary boat which has served us well for 4 years!
Tried to find a welder who could take the project on, but frankly by the time I tried explaining it to 'em-I could just do it myself
Not the best Aluminum welder (I only have a spool gun setup for AL) but it'll do!
I included a quick photo of the starting point and a pdf of the truss/roof layout.
Also if anyone has feedback on the materials choice--please let me know! About ready to buy the aluminum and start on the roof next week.
cheers!
Starting my rebuild project with a 2002 32' Tracker Party Cruiser. Got a good deal on a boat with good bones and questionable weather exposure!
Full disclosure-I have another 32' Party Cruiser (2000) that is in pristine condition that we keep at the lake in the summer and inside storage in the winter (wow what a difference).
A couple goals on this project:
1) Put a bow to stern hard top on her. I am thinking 1x3x0.125 aluminum trusses on 32" center with 5/8" ply and EPDM RV roofing (ditching the AC). Was going to support this with 1x3x0.125 legs every 48" and 3x3 legs on the corners. I would like it to be resilent enough for the kids to camp up top. I looked at AridDek/LockDry and couldn't make the numbers work weightwise or costwise (came in at $10/sf shipped and 2.2lb/sf). I can go plywood/epdm at 1.8lb/sf and $3.70/sf. Add solar and a 12v whole house fan (RV style)
2) Expand the enclosed hard cab to the stern. Replace rotted walls. Thinking of going with Sign-board mated to 1" foam insulation or just 16 gauge aluminum mated to foam insulation (TBD). Will likely just rivet and auto-epoxy to the legs. Maybe wrap the boat after or just do a quick HVLP paint job for the summer. Need to source addition windows and a door for the back.
3) Build a retractable patio deck for the back. My lake keeps me under 33' so need to add a 4' deck onto this boat I can winch up when I am moored. But as soon as I park the deck will give room to BBQ, sit, drink, etc.
4) Complete recarpet, revinyl, and new kitchen-sort of a bummer this one was left outside so long. But creates a great opportunity to redo her with proper cabinets and flair!
5) Not miss the summer, need er done by June 1-but that being said we have the secondary boat which has served us well for 4 years!
Tried to find a welder who could take the project on, but frankly by the time I tried explaining it to 'em-I could just do it myself
Not the best Aluminum welder (I only have a spool gun setup for AL) but it'll do!I included a quick photo of the starting point and a pdf of the truss/roof layout.
Also if anyone has feedback on the materials choice--please let me know! About ready to buy the aluminum and start on the roof next week.
cheers!
- Starting Point 5-0Clock
- IMG_8318-sm.jpg (879.03 KiB) Viewed 16461 times