Anyone interested the below links show you the starting point then the middle…The strip down started mid Jan 2024.
http://fishwrecked.com/forum/79-guardian-refurb
http://fishwrecked.com/forum/79-guardian-refurb-pt-2

So this is it, she is back on the water although there’s a bit of punch list in it still needs carpet, seats, access platform with ladder, bait board and some rod holders on the hard top would be nice also. I will fab these up next.
Last post finished with the floor all glassed in with 3 layers, next was to build the transom. Idea was a box with storage doors using the old engine well. The old seats were ok but wanted this higher to make putting on dive bottles easier plus better seating IMO…could take some cushion for those with a soft ass.
First I boxed it, had to fill a few gaps but no issues affecting the strength, the top piece slide in onto of the 50mm transom so was supported there, sides I glued and screwed some additional supports, bottom of engine well was boxed out also, all of this getting glued, screwed and glassed…actually every bit of this back section was pretty well glassed internal and external 2 – 3 layers, fair to say it’s a bit over the top being 18mm thick as a starting point. Additional 12mm thick pieces for the floor so when I screw in the battery boxes I’m not going through the floor. This getting flow-coated before the back board got jammed in and glassed also.

The cabin was pretty basic, like for like although I had to start again with the marine ply…not sure why but none of the old stuff would fit lol. The main front sections were 6 / 8mm previously and had all cracked away at the floor due to the movement of the cab and hardtop, so went 12mm with additional glass work to lock it all in.
I few extra gussets to the inside where it had cracked before from walking the outside for anchor recovery etc, same again glued then glassed in…absolute prick working overhead but it had to be done.

First more grinding and prep as the coating was next…given my time again more room would be needed and a spray finish, I reverted to a roller by hand which was hard work getting a good finish. Maybe due to my skill level at painting…yes it’s a trade for a reason…I opted for flowcoat mainly due to the fact I could get a larger quantity cheaper than paint, the only info I could find on float coat was it needs to be put on liberally in one coat. Otherwise, it needs to be cut back before a second coat. So, the floor for example down hand all good…this is easy looks great, trying to sort the sides and roof was a hassle, needs multiple coats as you can see what’s underneath. So extra work and more sanding…recon I did most of the internal and top half external 3 times…fk I was over it…tried different rollers etc…got half decent but not something you would buy from the shop…bit more a commercial / charter boat finish, but so be it, it’s a thick coat and its strong shit…can be cut back and polished if need be.

Next was gunnel rubber and fitting out the rails etc, left the gunnel rubber in the sun for a few hours…screwed it of and the starting point and got me old boy to pull and put a little stretch in it while I filled with marine sealant, bashed it on and applied tap…few spots not quit straight but again will blame the limited room…all in all was pretty happy with it. I got the fittings priced to be replated…$950… no thanks, I hit these with the wire wheel, coated with a can of clear from bunnings…not sure how long they will keep but its as good as it gets for now, the external gunnel pieces I went to nylon, cheap and UV stable, again will see how long they last. Re-use the internal timber…some not the best, quick sand and resin coat, they will do the job plus keep a bit of character.

Trailer…now I stripped this 3 odd years ago, hard the main frame HDG but the small components I dipped in pool acid and pained with cold zinc, so these were going to get HDG plus new springs and winch. I grinded and buffed all the smaller components before a photo and transport to Hartways in Canning Vale…fkn pain in the ass, took twice as long as stated and price went over what was quoted, absolute useless to deal with as well….fk I hate that!
Axels I hit with the grinder, then buff and rust buster a few times, came up pretty clean so a few coats applied, these at 40mm I’m not to worried about, actually had to cut and weld a stub end…bit of a process given the thickness but managed some pre heat and Low Hide electrodes so should be all good.
Cut the old rollers off also, went and bought some skids and what a difference sliding on and off…this with the new winch its easier than ever, love it!!

The windows…first I tried to find replacement seals to re-use the old aluminium frames but this was proving a little difficult, so closest was Sealed Marine in Bibra lake…at first I was little hesitant but by the end John was great…helped me with the DIY which Ill say was hard, not for everyone as he stated…he said most try then come back and we have to start from scratch and do it for them…but as much as a hassle as it was his product was great and so glad I went the way he suggested, this took a few visits, setting it all up…on the boat on my own, drill and add little screws, get all the angles and lengths the same, drop it off…pick it back up with the clears, fit all the seals then mount it on the boat, seal, rivet and bolts, was very trying I must say…but all going well no more leaks!

Pretty well copied the front structural supports like for like, but this time in 316, welded what I could as the price of bolts was adding up, rear bars I doubled up to a bit more what you see now days, so much more solid, most everything installed with OS washes and nylocs, keen to see how this goes but it feels a shit load stronger than original…and that lasted close to 40 years..hard top I had a few repairs, fill the old holes and add some flowcoat.

Wiring took some research, went dual batteries…jack frost last post coming in handy. Went 10 gauge wire, battery isolation switch with earth bar..nothing over the top but a shit load better than the mess it was, new switch panel is auto reset, all new lighting is LED…everything was soldered and heat shrink and tinned wire, this include the C / USB charging port the daughter requested..shit iPhone cant hold charge for a day….useless!!
Was pretty stoked everything worked straight up…no fires..YES winning, this deserves a beer…I’m fkn close now!!

So that was it…The Merc started straight up which was good, having pressure and temp issues now even after installing a new impeller kit, so that’s next get that sorted then get to work on the punch list items.
Generally pretty happy with it, tows a heap better, launching and retrieving so much easier, more fuel capacity for deeper trips, that transom should help getting the dive bottles on easier...ride wise yet to see, put a bit more weight into her for sure so keen to see how it handles in the chop and generally how it all holds up. Lost count of hours...cost over 8K...under 10.
Quick shout out to forum member Paul D again, pressed up me mud guards and supplied me bar work materials, bloke is a dead set legend, anyone needing any stainless sheeting works look up Perth Stainless service in Bibra lake, Paul's the man!