my volga restoration project

[pitts12driver]

I'm finally getting close (around 6 months) from having the boat back in the water. All of the major mechanical work is complete: the boat is re-powered, the systems have been designed, and we are close to complete on fabrication.

Couple of things for people thinking of restoring boats: I ended up making new injection molding dies for both the rubber portion of the gland that surrounds the bolts that hold the foils on, as well as the conical piece that separates the bolt head from the foil. I've also had a new rubber extrusion die made to re-create the rubber strip that serves as a bumper around the periphery of the hull.

I had my entire boat media blasted so I could see what I was working with. Since I had a few things to weld up, I sent some material out to a lab for mass spectrometry to identify the alloy. It turns out that Russian AlMag3 is extremely similar to what we in the west call 5083 - common in marine use. You can buy welding rod, and it turns out to be easy to TiG weld.

I'm still struggling to find a trailer design that will allow for normal ramp launching at a typical lake - all ideas and suggestions are welcomed.

I may be underestimating the time required for the finish work to make it look as good as I'd like, but at least good progress is occurring.

[Jim Pedra]

I am almost finished with my restore and will take close up pictures of my trailer when it is done. I am in Fort Pierce FL. how about you?[/img]

[volga]

Would very much like to see some pic's from the restoration. Our boat is in the water since yesterday. Still needs some work on the electrics and the top side. We are thinking of replacing the rubber strip with a wooden "bumper".

[Jim Pedra]

I found a bumper at the marine store that was the correct size to fit but had a lip on the bottom so I cut it off, it fit perfect then I put the tube insert on the front and it looked like it was made to order.

[Volga70]

Hi Jim,

Can you tell us which shop you bought that bumper, and perhaps what the brand/partnumber of the bumper was? This kind of information can be very useful for others...

Thanks!

Maurits

[Jim Pedra]

I did this 10 years ago and it still looks like new. this is not the same one but it is close you will have to make your own measurements.
http://www.rubrails.com/flexible_vinyl.html
Go to FVI-130/ INS-15 I cut C to match A then trimmed B on both sides for a snug fit. Once installed I added the Insert

[warren prins]

hi i have had a volga for the last three years and have had to build a trailer.... since i dont own a crane. the trailer has a carriage that the front foils sit on .the boat is backed into the water enough to float the trailer once the stern is backed up into the water enough to float it. and then the winch is let out until the front foils float off the carraige.it has tandem wheels and the tounge is extendable when the water isnt quite deep enough, it can be had to load sometimes in the wind, but what boat isnt. hope this is a help for you. i can get some pictures if you want to see what i did, warren prins