TOPIC: 1975 Cacci Craft restoration questions?

Hello all. I have not been on this site for quite a while. My latest project was a 1960 Starcraft for my son. I used treated plywood for the floor and transom(fiberglass encapsulated). That was 3 years ago and no issues thus far. My latest project is a 1975 Cacci Craft. These boats are pretty rare and were made by the Caccitore' family down in Tampa, Florida during the 1970's. I have removed the rotten transom, floor and stringers. I was thinking about replacing the transom, floor and stringers with "Hardie board" which is a concrete fiber mixture. Impervious to rot, but heavier than wood. The 4X8 sheets are 1/4" thick so the transom will need 6 layers laminated together. It would be a solid transom that would never rot. A single layer would be good for the floor and the stringers would be several layers laminated together. I also considered using PVC boards for the stringers, but have heard the fiberglass resin will not adhere to it. Any advice/info/insight much appreciated.

Don D.

Hey Don glad your back. Well IMHO I think the hardie board will be way too heavy once you laminate it. I haven't tried using epoxy in hardie board so not sure how well it will adhere to it. Although thinking about it, the pour in stuff guys have used for transom's is pretty heavy and has worked fine, so you may be ok. Some other folks who've done more transoms can probably help more than I can.

Bob

If you use the hardie board you will most likely have a really good chance of it breaing when you hang a motor on it. It is not designed for load bearing useage. Also it will be really heavy and fiberglass resin doesn't work with the hardie board mixture very well. Good luck on your resto, Skip.

Don D.,

WELCOME ABOARD.

You might want to read the thread below, entitled PLYWOOD.
(Waterwings is correct.)

yours, satx

Hardiboard is made from CEMENT with fibers in it. It makes okay siding, but I would never use it for anything structural.
Larry

.DON,: Do you have any pics of your Cacci craft.? I also had one , coming out of Vero Beach , Fla. Larger center console, modified
tri hull bottom.. Link should be a 16 foot size.
splitdeckguideboats.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=62195719

Here is a pic of the boat. I have it gutted right now and waiting on some warm temps to start glassing everything back together.

Don

DonD.

PURTY boat.

yours, satx

Thanks. I am excited to get this one put back together and get it in the water. My epoxy resin is supposed to be delivered tomorrow and I hope to get the transom and stringers back in this weekend. I'm still on the fence about whether or not to spray gelcoat or epoxy paint on the exterior finish.

Don