I have a question, on those photos I didn't see any wooden cross members to support the floor, am I right in assuming cross members aren't needed? I always worry about putting additional things in as I worry that this may make the boat unstable or may well create fracture points where they wouldn't normally be.
Should be a bulkhead at the bilge area, and possibly one near your feet. When the floor is is place, it ties everything together.
Also, with the buoyancy foam, is it possible to put too much in? Is there a set amount that should be used? I have 4 buoyancy areas, 2 either side of the fuel tank at the mid section under the front vent and 2 at the rear quarters either side and inline with the splash well.
I doubt there is a condition of too much foam, there just isn't space to add too much. Cost is one reason, another is how much displacement you require. Figure roughly 50 lbs lift per cubic foot of foam. Just insure enough displacement for the gross weight of craft and you'll be fine.
Do you know if it is still possible to purchase the aluminium and rubber rub rails or is another solution advisable?
Yes, new rub rail is available in both one and two peice models.
Another question is that does the fuel tank need an additional earth even if the fuel gauge is earthed, I read this somewhere and I'm not sure if it is required or even sensible to do as if the earth ever became live for whatever reason I can imagine it wouldn't end well.
We call that grounding, but for argument, the fuel filler hose has a ground wire, otherwise the filler needs a ground. This allows the pump to complete a "drain" for static charge. Ever wonder why stations make you pump fuel in containers on the ground rather than sitting in a vehicle? You could tie battery negative to the tank, but it's not required here to do so.
After seeing that string of photos I don't feel so bad about doing the work now and although it would take me all winter and a few thousand $ I can imagine it to be worth while as the boat would no doubt last for another 15 years at least.
That is the core spirit of a Glastron enthusiast right there!
I'd appreciate your thoughts...
Mike
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