Popular Post MA21 Posted July 23, 2023 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 23, 2023 Hello, I am starting this thread for anyone who wants to see the rebuild process of a 21' MA. Little backstory on the boat and how I have gotten to the point that I am with this boat. I bought this boat June of 2021 from a guy on the east coast of Florida. After running it for 2 years and 5,000 nautical miles the original motor (2000 Yamaha 225 OX66) dropped a cylinder and it was time to start looking for a new motor. After unrigging the old motor I decided to rewire the boat before dropping the new motor and rigging on. While rewiring the boat I noticed some cracks in the stringer system. After a much more in depth inspection I decided it was time to rip all the new wiring out and pull the deck cap. The cracks in the stringer system was the main reason to pull the cap but the fuel tank being 23 years old has also been a concern of mine since purchasing the boat, although I have never had any issues with the tank or fuel system. After unrigging the boat I removed the rub rail. I used a razor knife and a multi tool to get the 5200 and putty loose. The reason why there was putty is because a repair was done on the bow port side. From what I saw it looks like from the factory only 5200 and the screws that are used on the rub rail is what holds the deck cap and hull together. Once the deck cap was removed I realized that I made a very wise decision. The stringer system was a mangled mess. Broken stringers, bulkheads, ribs. I couldn't believe what I saw considering the boat never rode like anything was wrong below deck. I removed all the thru hull fittings for the live well system, fuel tank, power pole, jackplate, trim tabs. Once the hull was 100% bare I pressure washed all the mold, oil, hydraulic fluid and residue out. I used a degreaser and dawn to get the hull as clean as possible. This is all I have completed so far. I will continue to keep this thread updated along every step of the way. I will be posting pictures step by step and answering any questions that anyone has. If anyone has a 21 MA and doesn't like something about the boat I would love to hear from you as I will be making some modifications to make the boat as strong and practical as possible. If anyone has rebuilt one of these I would also like to hear your input about your experience with the rebuild process. Thank you in advice for any input or knowledge that you have about this boat. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA21 Posted July 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA21 Posted July 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA21 Posted July 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2023 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted July 23, 2023 Report Share Posted July 23, 2023 With the cap off you may want to support the sides of the boat with a wooden jig . Without the cap the boat will flair out and in some rare cases bend and flex like a banana. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA21 Posted July 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2023 3 minutes ago, smilemaker said: With the cap off you may want to support the sides of the boat with a wooden jig . Without the cap the boat will flair out and in some rare cases bend and flex like a banana. Great idea. Next step is to get the boat off the trailer and onto some stands. Then I will be using water levels to make sure it's sitting perfectly level. I like your idea with jigs. I could take measurements off the cap to see exactly where I need the hull sides at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted July 23, 2023 Report Share Posted July 23, 2023 Be sure to support the keel on its entire length. Especially since you are redoing the stringer system. It will surprise you how much unsupported fiberglass can sag. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA21 Posted July 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2023 @smilemaker thank you for the tips 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 Great rebuild thread.....thanks for taking the time to post dc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 The early 21’s are notorious for broken bulkheads and stringers. My 1998 21 had the same problems. I just didn’t have the time to go through this kind of rebuild. looking forward to your progress. It’ll be an awesome boat again once it’s built right! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 Following this one. Amazing how rough those stringers are! Agree with the support, that was a major consideration when I did my rebuild and why we only removed a portion. Even then there was a concern about warping. A full cap off restore of a 21 is impreasive and will keep that boat on the water for many years to come! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA21 Posted August 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2023 Update: hull has been water leveled and on jack stands. The stringer removal has officially begun! After a few weeks of prep work I’m starting to see progress. This process is going very smooth at this point and I’m so glad to have a grinder in my hand. lots of stuff to grind as the original built process was sloppy. Chunks of resin everywhere, fiberglass that was not properly laid. Air bubbles under the fiberglass and a built up of water in the stringer system. I have been advised to remove 1 stringer at a time. Once I am done grinding this side out I will then add my new coosa board stringer. Then do the other side of the boat. The 2x4 supports from gunnel to gunnel will be added before I add the new stringer (port side). if anyone has any questions about the process so far please feel free and I will be monitoring this thread a little more often now that the process is moving forward. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA21 Posted August 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA21 Posted August 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2023 I laser leveled the hull on jack stands and also water leveled the hull. I know this isn’t necessary but I like to take the extra steps to try and be as precise as possible. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MA21 Posted August 20, 2023 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted August 20, 2023 Stringer removal, little more grinding to do and I will continue updating through the process. There are a few things that I am going to change. These changes are going to add a lot to this boat. Very excited to be where I’m at and the progress that has been accomplished. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted August 20, 2023 Report Share Posted August 20, 2023 Enjoying the progress! There is something particularly virtuous about taking something old and making it new again, instead of the modern “dump and replace” philosophy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxf255 Posted August 20, 2023 Report Share Posted August 20, 2023 Good progress! I’ll be following along! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA21 Posted August 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2023 @whichwaysup it’s not the most fun to do in the summer. But it’s already very rewarding knowing I’ll be finishing this project in a few months. Then I’ll be throwing a 250 proxs on the back 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 You will enjoy her. My 18 is the best all around boat I've ever had. It fishes so much bigger than it is, and the wide, walk around gunnels make it even bigger. People will laugh, but you really ought to throw a poling platform on it. I do pole it around in the summertime, but the rest of the year, that real estate is the most popular part of my boat and makes it even bigger. One kid on the platform, me on the bow, and another one or two in between, depending on what we're fishing. Not to mention that it makes a great picnic table, bait table, spoiler, and works great under TM power! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurem Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 Here is one from another member for you to browse through. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 Very Nice! Definitely following this one. I just completed a rebuild on my 21 RF, it's a process. I did not remove the cap on mine, but seeing your pics makes me wish I did. I did inspect mine thoroughly and only had minor repairs to one stringer and one bulkhead. I'll say that the amount of air pockets and voids in the glass work was a little disturbing. From what I've seen and read online, I'd bet that just about every boat out there has them as well... but ignorance is bliss I suppose. Until they start vacuum bagging these boats I imagine the quality of glasswork was at the discretion of the hourly employee holding the roller. Whats your plan for paint/gel coat? Are you doing polyster, vinylester or epoxy resin? A few tips that I have... Before you set that cap back on, make sure you've thought about everything you want to add topside. Anything you might want to mount, glass in some support underneath. Either some coring with extra glass or even better an aluminum plate you can drill/tap, etc. Get some extra conduit in place (the biggest you can fit) and run hoses/fuel, etc on one side and eletrical on the other. Get some mule tape (pull strings) in place from each compartment to console and another set to bilge. So you can pull something from bow to console, bow to bilge, bilge to console, etc. It makes life so much easier down the road. Pull extra (spare) wires in addition to what you know you want. You can have a pair or two of wires capped off on standby for future additions that you'll absolutely be glad you have when you want to add something and don't have to run wires. Spend the extra money to get all your thru-hulls replaced with quality stainless or brass. Get shut-off valves for every thru-hull, both inlets and drains. It's comforting to know you have all new solid hardware and you can completely shut off all entry points to the boat if you're letting it sit in the water over night. I'm sure I can think of more, but those are my first thoughts at the moment. Good luck, keep us posted!!! Josh B. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA21 Posted August 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 15 hours ago, whichwaysup said: You will enjoy her. My 18 is the best all around boat I've ever had. It fishes so much bigger than it is, and the wide, walk around gunnels make it even bigger. People will laugh, but you really ought to throw a poling platform on it. I do pole it around in the summertime, but the rest of the year, that real estate is the most popular part of my boat and makes it even bigger. One kid on the platform, me on the bow, and another one or two in between, depending on what we're fishing. Not to mention that it makes a great picnic table, bait table, spoiler, and works great under TM power! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA21 Posted August 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2023 Another day of grinding out the port side of the boat. Few more hours of grinding and I’ll be ready to install the port side stringers. Need to build a table for layup. Also trying to secure the hull before this storm hits. Predicting 30-40knt winds. Any recommendations on the best way to secure? I’m thinking about driving rebar into the ground on each side of the boat and throwing ratchets over the hull. Another option I thought about is putting a few hundred pounds of sandbags. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted August 27, 2023 Report Share Posted August 27, 2023 Awesome progress, looking good for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 Man, I'd avoid securing the hull itself. I would try to build a frame, secure the hull to that in a way that prevents distortion, then secure the frame to the ground. Sandbags in that hull are going to distort it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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