If you’ve been following our Bayliner 175 restoration, you know that progress isn’t always a straight line. Between HOA grass requirements (new sod projects), vehicle maintenance on the Lincoln, and general life logistics, the boat has been sitting a bit longer than we’d like.
But we are officially back in “Boat Mode.” The floor is mostly sanded, the resin is curing, and we have a target date on the horizon. Here is the latest forensic update on the hull restoration and where we go from here.
The Investigation: Resin and Curing
For this stage of the floor restoration, I’ve been using TotalBoat Resin.
- The “Slow” Advantage: I specifically chose the slow hardener. In the Florida heat, “fast” hardener can kick over before you’ve even finished your first pour. The slow hardener gives me the working time I need to ensure everything is level and saturated without the nauseous smell common in cheaper resins.
- The Ski Locker Challenge: We’ve reinforced the ski locker and the surrounding floor. It’s currently a bit “gnarly” from the structural fiberglass work, but it’s solid. Danielle’s requirement is that it needs to be “pretty” before the final finish, but my priority is making sure it doesn’t flex when I walk on it.
The Project: The Road to Paint
We are one big push away from making the interior look like a boat again.
- Strengthening the Hatch: The next video will focus on the ski locker hatch itself. It needs more structural reinforcement on the underside to match the stiffness of the new floor.
- The Non-Slip Finish: Once the fiberglass is sanded smooth, we aren’t just using standard deck paint. We’re using a dedicated marine top paint with a non-slip additive.
- Safety First: Danielle isn’t a fan of slipping, so we’re adding a specific graining agent to the paint to ensure a high-friction surface even when wet.
- The Anniversary Goal: Our 22nd wedding anniversary is August 16th. My goal is to have this boat on the water to celebrate over two decades of Danielle putting up with my projects.
The Logistics: Digital and Technical
When I’m not covered in fiberglass dust, I’m leaning back into my background as a technical writer and project manager.
- Website Updates: I recently posted a deep dive on www.chrisdoeswhat.com regarding ad-blockers and how they impact content creators. It’s a bit of a “how-to” for those interested in the technical side of web hosting and revenue.
- Content Strategy: We’re balancing the boat restoration with our year-long review of TrueBrain and Danielle’s ongoing recipe development. It’s a multi-directional hustle, but it all feeds the “Chris Does What” ecosystem.
What’s Next?
Next up: painting the interior white and getting those custom speaker plates permanently mounted. We are shooting for a June/July finish to hit that August 16th launch date.
Watch the full update and see the current state of the hull here: Back To Boat Work
If you’re looking for something better than garage floor resin to think about, check out Danielle’s latest culinary creations at www.dininginwithdanielle.com. She’s the lead scientist in that kitchen, and I’m the lucky guinea pig.
Y’all please take care.