23' & 26' Hourston Project Commenced...

[EZZ70]

I like the idea of raising the roof and possibly eliminating the command bridge but even with this mod it will be mega money spent that will never be recovered.

I have reached out and spoken to several Hourston owners that has had great success with cleaning up the old system and applying new seals and gaskets to make it sea worthy and water tight. Even this will not be an easy task as the joins are not tight (loosie-goosie) and the system was designed with a sliding pivot rail system for the 3 forward windshield sections.

Like what @wolf had to say!

 

[EZZ70]

Quote from AJR...

 

[fishin solo]

Fawk ..... you know what to do...... are you raising it like myles did on his hourston?

 

[EZZ70]

Fawk ..... you know what to do...... are you raising it like myles did on his hourston?

Sorry, I don't think so, if I raise it, it has to be 10" to make it worth while... The 20' has less head room from step down floor to head liner than the 26', that is why Myles lifted it.

 

[EZZ70]

Here is another for $3200.00

 

[MadJigga]

I like the idea of raising the roof and possibly eliminating the command bridge but even with this mod it will be mega money spent that will never be recovered.

I have reached out and spoken to several Hourston owners that has had great success with cleaning up the old system and applying new seals and gaskets to make it sea worthy and water tight. Even this will not be an easy task as the joins are not tight (loosie-goosie) and the system was designed with a sliding pivot rail system for the 3 forward windshield sections.

Like what @wolf had to say!

I believe that any boat build can’t be looked at as a capital investment. It’s likely most of us will “lose” on this investment. I’m pulled off the hardtop on my Grady and relaxing with a custom aluminum cabin. My kids will have a place to sit, be warm and out of the weather etc. Would I recoup the cost of this upgrade if I were to sell sooner rather than later? NO. But having more time in the water through shoulder seasons being arm and dry. It’s worth it to me.

 

[EZZ70]

Here is another for $3200.00

View attachment 52560
View attachment 52561

Why the heck is AJR twice as much on the same window spec's? unreal!

 

[EZZ70]

I believe that any boat build can’t be looked at as a capital investment. It’s likely most of us will “lose” on this investment. I’m pulled off the hardtop on my Grady and relaxing with a custom aluminum cabin. My kids will have a place to sit, be warm and out of the weather etc. Would I recoup the cost of this upgrade if I were to sell sooner rather than later? NO. But having more time in the water through shoulder seasons being arm and dry. It’s worth it to me.

I should have known better than to mention or elude to any sort of profitability in boats, me bad!

 

[wolf]

Well I guess you have to ask is 10 inches worth $3200 or $6100 ???
OH I wanna say so much more to this LOL LOL but im going to keep it CLEAN

 

[EZZ70]

Well I guess you have to ask is 10 inches worth $3200 or $6100 ???
OH I wanna say so much more to this LOL LOL but im going to keep it CLEAN

Haha, I can just imagine,

 

[MadJigga]

Well I guess you have to ask is 10 inches worth $3200 or $6100 ???
OH I wanna say so much more to this LOL LOL but im going to keep it CLEAN

Admin could have to step in pretty quick on this one.....

 

[myles]

I'm going to head up to the boat tonight and I will find out the builder of the windows from the glazing unless someone already knows? You should be able to get new hardware from them. The windows do not leak with good hardware from the factory. They leak because those guys at Hourston used butyl tape and not life caulk/siki etc. The windows leak from the connection to the boat and hardtop and from the welded connections on the frame. If properly caulked it looks clean and factory with no leaks. Stick with the frames you have if headroom is not an issue because its a hassle trying to retrofit frames.

 

[myles]

Want to save money on Epoxy and cloth? Ultralux Plastics in Richmond near the casino.
I was told that it is not advised to use epoxy over resin, maybe it's different now?
Nice work!

Kool thx for the info, actually it’s ill-advised to used resin over epoxy but epoxy over resin is fine.

Polyesters vs epoxy...

You can put polyester over epoxy just fine. Just need to wash off the blush first with warm water and soap, if you miss the blush the polyester won't cure. Lots of great epoxies, RAKA for example, they make low blush varieties as well. Make sure the epoxy part is fully cured or you will get off-gassing which can cause delaminations or blisters later (WOOPS). Nothing wrong with polyester builds fully I just like epoxy because it's got no smell, the mechanical bond is better for "renos", flexibility is better, waterproofing is better but it's harder to work with and more expensive so trade-offs. For me, the resin was such a small cost of the project so I used epoxy. I think both resins have a time and a place to be used without a doubt.

Poly and wood is just fine with proper prep and larger tie ins but just wanted to clarify that Gelcoat cures to epoxy surfaces that are prepped properly that's all! Great build ROB.

 

[ab1752]

I'm going to head up to the boat tonight and I will find out the builder of the windows from the glazing unless someone already knows? You should be able to get new hardware from them. The windows do not leak with good hardware from the factory. They leak because those guys at Hourston used butyl tape and not life caulk/siki etc. The windows leak from the connection to the boat and hardtop and from the welded connections on the frame. If properly caulked it looks clean and factory with no leaks. Stick with the frames you have if headroom is not an issue because its a hassle trying to retrofit frames.

View attachment 52613 View attachment 52614

Great boat. My money is on those windows being from ajr since the frames aren't curved.

I'm curious to hear who built that pod, any idea who bill was using when this boat was built?

 

[EZZ70]

Hey just picked up the window frames that i got acid washed yesterday, I think they came out better than i expected... Just a bit more removal of the nasties that the wash didn't get

I should have taken before and after photos but I think I can work with these without the need to spend 3-5K on new ones...

 

[myles]

Great boat. My money is on those windows being from ajr since the frames aren't curved.

I'm curious to hear who built that pod, any idea who bill was using when this boat was built?

If you talking about the 20ft hard top, its a 1988 build. I did a few upgrades last year including a fiberglass pod.

 

[ab1752]

If you talking about the 20ft hard top, its a 1988 build. I did a few upgrades last year including a fiberglass pod.

Looks super nice, great work.

 

[myles]

Looks super nice, great work.

Thank you very much. It was a beast of a project, stringers, transom, floor, pod, power and electrical. I'm a smarter man now. I could do a second one twice as fast! would I? NOPE. Houstons are Excellent hulls, it will serve me well for years to come. Legendary ride quality for such a small boat.

 

[ab1752]

Thank you very much. It was a beast of a project, stringers, transom, floor, pod, power and electrical. I'm a smarter man now. I could do a second one twice as fast! would I? NOPE. Houstons are Excellent hulls, it will serve me well for years to come. Legendary ride quality for such a small boat.

So you're saying you're not down with building a second SWEET glass pod for my Island Runner, doh! I'm primarily focused on the Seasport one otherwise...cheers. Great work, that boat of yours is awesome. Nice work on the "Hourston" updated font badging too!

 

[myles]

So you're saying you're not down with building a second SWEET glass pod for my Island Runner, doh! I'm primarily focused on the Seasport one otherwise...cheers. Great work, that boat of yours is awesome. Nice work on the "Hourston" updated font badging too!

oh man, don't tempt me! I could make one a lot faster this time around that is for sure. A friend of mine had a glass pod made on the island it was really nice and well built. Price is reasonable compared to alum pod which get all gross looking from corrosion eventually. You are podding a 26 island runner? oh that will be one hell of a sexy boat.

I love the old Hourston Logo, so I had someone re-make it for me for 35 bucks. I have the file now and a guy who can print them I think it was like 50 bucks for that and the BC numbers. Let me know if you want the file ever.