24' Allen Brown – Nimbus

1969 Allen Brown Classic Offshore Racer

This classically designed Miami based run-about came to us for minor structural and cosmetic work, but once the process was started it became apparent that the damage to the ply core was more extensive than originally thought. In order to access the damaged area’s it was necessary to remove the deck completely and cut out a majority of the sole in order to access the bilge stringers, bulkhead and transom all of which had absorbed water through unsealed limber holes.

The rotten sections were removed and the hull left to dry, prior to re-installing bulkheads etc with a sealed marine ply, taped, filleted and glassed with two layers of 12 oz bi-ax cloth, then painted out with epoxy bilge coat. As we knew that the old 302’s were staying out, we re-enforced the engine bilge area and installed through bolted powder coated steel beds in preparation for the brace of Sea Max 5.7 ltr 350’s that were to go in.

The old water cooled Walters ‘V’ Drives were serviced and re-installed, followed by the new ¼” wall aluminum fuel tank and fuel filtration system. We also added two 12 gallon water tanks and pressure system to provide shower and wash down capability. A new hydraulic steering system was plumbed to the transom, and the engines craned onto their beds. At this point we felt comfortable re-installing the sole and deck, which set us up for prepping the interior, hull and bottom for 545 prior to the new color scheme, a Royal blue hull with an off white interior and non-skid deck and cockpit.

The old engine box was discarded and a lighter foam core composite box was constructed at Aquidneck Custom Composites, and fitted with soundown soundproofing and fire suppression.
 

The window frames were cleaned up and powder coated; the old overboard discharge head was replaced with a holding tank system, with new headliners and upholstery for the cabin. In the cockpit, all new fighting chairs, bench seats and helm station were installed, with new electronics and Nav gear. On deck new cleats, chocks, bow roller and rub rail were added to cap off what had become a complete stem to stern re-build.