New boater new project

[quiksilverf4i]

Hello everyone. I've been lurking around here for the last couple of weeks and felt it's time to say Hi. I am new to boating. I've always wanted one so I picked up a 1988 Thundercraft 152 with an Evinrude Sport 75 hp outboard. I would like to redo the entire interior. It's all faded and cracked. I already removed the seats. So my first question. The base of the drivers seat is gone. What is the best way to make a new mount? I had the back to back lounge seats but would like to go with a captains seat on a swivel. Next is the exterior. It looks as though it has been painted before. The paint is chipping in many spots. I would like to remove this and repaint. What is the best way to get the old off and prep it for the new? Also, there are quite a few small chips. can I just sand these down and use marine tex to cover these? Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New boater new project

you possibly have more work than you think, i would guess it needs a new deck. no telling if there was damage when the bunk rotted away. i think you need to do some serious investigating, to be sure you have a safe boat, before you make it a pretty boat. power washing, sanding, to get rid of old paint.

this is good reading for a beginner, then read the rest in the completed projects forum. http://recaffeinated.net/skankybeast/page1.html

 

[erikgreen]

Re: New boater new project

I recommend you get that boat off the trailer as soon as you can... if it's sitting on any sharp metal fittings, the weight of the boat will drive them up through the hull.

It looks like your bunks are rotted, and it isn't a good idea to let the boat sit crooked on the trailer like that for too long.

Erik

 

[quiksilverf4i]

Re: New boater new project

The bunk was still actually under there and holding the boat ok. Just the back part of the bunk broke. There is no damage to the hull from it. I have already replaced the bunks. I do want to get it off the trailer but I'm not sure the best way to go about doing that? The entire deck is solid. When I tear up the carpet should I cut some holes in the deck to check underneath? I don't intend to keep this boat more than a year or two. I just didn't want to spend alot of money to find out I'm not into boating as much as I think I'll be. If I do like it I'll invest in something alot newer.

 

[DJ]

Re: New boater new project

Just walk around on the deck (floor). If it's all solid, you're probably OK.

As far as seats go, there are plenty of choices right here on iboats.

I typically do my trailer work at the ramp (non busy day).

I plan ahead and make sure I have everything I need. I have "launched" more than one boat in my garage though. Without the engine on, they aren't as heavy as you would think.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New boater new project

Getting Boat Off Trailer

you don't need stands.

1/you can lower the tongue to the ground. i would get some 6x6 or old railroad crossties cut the +- 12 inches, now block up the transom. 2/

Raise the tongue of the trailer the back of trailer will drop away from trailer. this is the tricky part. between the cross braces of the trailer block the keel lower trailer, boat will be suspended on the blocks.

3/ pull forward, lift bow again, and reblock i a different place. repeat until trailer is out from under the boat.

4/ to reload, just reverse the procedure.

if you were just working on the bunks, or painting the bottom. you could just do the first 2 steps.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: New boater new project

Hi and welcome , put mine on two piano dollys and had 4 jack stands on the outer edges !! I did have the motor off also , that was easy also me and 2 of my kids did that !! good luck and keep us posted on how its going !! John

 

[quiksilverf4i]

Re: New boater new project

Thanks for the info on getting the boat off. I'll do that tomorrow. The trailer definitely needs some more work and sanding the bottom of the boat will be much easier without it on the trailer. The deck has no soft spots surprisingly so I shouldn't have to worry about looking underneath it? I'd rather not cut into it if there's no real reason to.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New boater new project

That's a nice little bowrider and it should move along nicely with that Evinrude 75. Perfect boat to get started into boating. Good luck with your project.