Thread: 1996 Blazer VL100 Restoration to Crappie Chaser

Well My big shop is just too cold for a day of lamination work. Had to move the project to a heated work space. Laying out pattern on Coosa sheet is very straight forward. What is not is fitting the Core to the transom void. You need space between the core and old glass work to push the wet fabric into mixing it well with the thickened epoxy already troweled into every void with prejudice. Next there is a bevel in the transom, you must transfer the bevel to the replacement core so it lays fully flat against outer skin. All excess epoxy will be micromanaged and policed up so little grinding will be necessary to add second layer.


Included in this post are pictures of foam sheets sawed on a table saw to bevel so 1708 will conform better. These foam forms will be laminated over a layer of 1708 with two more layers of 1708. I'm having to work backwards from today's manufacturers. Here at best if over horse-powered is a high 50's MPH boat. Any more stiffening on the inside really gains me no benefit. The transverse bulkhead is rotten, poorly laminated, and very much needed. I will have to cut it out and replace after laminating the skin stiffeners. The hull was prepped with extra blocking under the Bulkhead to keep the boat hull from sagging outward when cutting is complete. I will be adding 2 recessed boxes to fit 2 PC925 Odyssey batteries forward. At 44lbs total weight I would like the space in the aft hatches over any gains in speed for having all the weight aft.

For the guys on this site that like to make their own jigs, if you look in the background behind the transom the bench and wall of containers is where I make all my jigs. those Powder Paint Fluid Beds are over 30 years old. They have the vibrating motors in the bottom that today's Fluid Beds don't come with. The little toaster oven is used to bake the epoxy on. All the plastics hanging on the left wall is because the only retailers who sell baits within driving distance (30 miles) is Academy and Sportsman's Warehouse. Their buyers don't buy the colors we use on the coast. The couple that are useful are always, always sold out so I stock the wall from online purchases in bulk.

Awesome job. Way over my head most of it. I do really like your well stocked jig tying area. I'm jealous!

Great write-up for sure. Shop sure looks huge from here. I like the setup you have for doing jigs for sure, And truely understand the frustration of the big box stores not having the colors and styles of bait needed for the local waters. I think the store managers put folks in the department head position that has zero experience in hunting and fishing over there, as they always have the wrong stuff...

I believe in my heart the big box sporting goods stores cater mainly to bass fishing. They cater to the bass fishermen as it as been their cash cow for decades. That’s ok with me cause I like to get stuff from individuals who run a smal business making their own. I do buy stuff from big box stores when it a bargain mind you but I have gravitated towards small businesses to support the “little guy”. JM2C.
Plus it’s made in the

Originally Posted by Jamesdean

Great write-up for sure. Shop sure looks huge from here. I like the setup you have for doing jigs for sure, And truely understand the frustration of the big box stores not having the colors and styles of bait needed for the local waters. I think the store managers put folks in the department head position that has zero experience in hunting and fishing over there, as they always have the wrong stuff...

Both local retailers Fishing Department managers told me corporate sends them what they want, no local buying for stock. Since they both sell out so fast on a decent color they fill the empty pegs with excess plastics not selling. Manager walks by, sees the Gondola full, fronted, looking stocked and doesn't ask the Fishing Department Manager how to improve sales.

Originally Posted by BuckeyeCrappie

I believe in my heart the big box sporting goods stores cater mainly to bass fishing. They cater to the bass fishermen as it as been their cash cow for decades. That’s ok with me cause I like to get stuff from individuals who run a smal business making their own. I do buy stuff from big box stores when it a bargain mind you but I have gravitated towards small businesses to support the “little guy”. JM2C.
Plus it’s made in the

I have made a friend with a plastics injector business, I send him 500 minimum piece orders so he's not packing 25 of this and 25 of that. He gives me great pricing for that. Usually my minimum order 1 shot 1 color like Monkeymilk is 200 pieces. Doing it like that I pay more by weight than units. Bigger baits use more plastisizer.

Well a little more forward progress. The center stringer was solid cypress but when they made the boat the hole saw that cut the drain cut right into the stringer. It always held water and although I had plans of leaving it there was only 1-1/2in of good wood left. Due to the layout of the battery box and hull reinforcement, maybe not needed but I run the rivers full of trees, (I'm wanting deflection not punch through) a custom center stringer will be laminated out of the boat then installed. The spine reinforcement foam was fitted at first then block sanded to help the 1708 conform. The battery box floor is 5/8in Coosa 26 I don't know if I will make sides. Another transverse stringer will be added at the back of the battery box then the stringer. A replacement transverse stringer will need to be added in the end of the floor area. The two Coosa Panels for the transom are cut and fitted. My deck drains arrived today. they came from China, investment cast stainless with 1-1/8in hose barb. No more water running into and onto the flotation. Well I wiped them with lots of alcohol. Paranoid I know. Anyway I am cutting and relaxing the reinforcement fabrics, we are looking at 70-75 degree highs Monday & Tuesday. The last picture is my homemade glass rack. It makes working the glass a lot easier.

Mighty fine work