Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

[Mercs and such]

I have a Glastron T 156 15',6" that I recently bought. Being a moron like I usually am, I threw on my 1988 Mercury 115HP outboard. Took her out and you probably knew what was coming next... first big wave I hit and the floor collapsed. I immediately went back to the dock. Took the boat home and took off the carpet. I saw black soggy chipping and deteriorating wood. After shop vac work, here I am stuck with a dilemma. The Stringers are all soaked and foam is original factory foam completely soaked. The transom is peeling and the wood is exposed.

I need to take off the cap I guess or the top part of the boat. I need to know how to get this thing off. Next, should I take out the stringers or do the transom first, and how and the heck you install new stringers and transom. Floor comes last but I have already painted a marine grade 3/4" ply w/ oil based primer 5 times then laid epoxy resin and glassed over 1 side I guess for the side facing the stringers but should I epoxy/ glass every single square inch of it for maximum protection.

Any help would be great. I can post some pics of the boat so you can see what I am faced with.

thanks, M&S

-1976 Glastron V-156 115hp merc

 

[Lightnig]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

Definately, pull the cap. While it may appear to be a pain it will definitely make your job much easier. It's likely just a matter of pulling the rub rail and then removing whatever screws/rivets are mating the cap to the hull.

The basic order of repair would be:

• Pull the motor
• remove all interior stuff/fittings
• remove floor
• remove foam
• remove stringers
• remove transom (from the inside)

reassemble in reverse order



For further details and information about floor, stringer, and transom jobs, just read through the restoration threads. There is a tonne of great information there for the finding. Start with Oops hull extension thread.

And yes, I would coat everything in 'glass - no exposed wood what so ever.

 

[Mercs and such]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

ok great it is bonding though. The splashwell to the hull! so I dont know what to do about that.. I have the bow propped up on 2X4's and the middle propped up on a 2X4 but it wont budge in the back.. Anyways I took her to a transom repair guy today, He told me $1700 to replace! He said "well ummm... its still in good shape"? I went home drilled a hole for a live well thru hull fitting i was going to do anyways and what a repair guy. Dark 1976 soggy plywood dripping down the drill bit. Now i'm not sure how hard it is to replace the transom but I do know that I think I can do it for under $200 myself using easy materials. Home depot sells Bondo Mat cloth and chopped cloth but thats too itchy anyways, and bondo all purpose fiberglass resin. One of my boat guys works there and said he used 3/4 ply laminated together and glassed with the home depot stuff and has worked good, also he suggested that Lowes sells 1 and 1/4" sheets. should i buy one of those and laminate a 1/2" sheet to it?


Any help would be great! I want to get started on taking out stringers tomorrow. Old man says don't do transom its to hard but I think i can do it after reading Oops!'s page. It seems stupid to do all new stringers without transom? why not do transom so everything is new? I don't know what I should do and what to use and how much it will cost.

Thanks,

Mercs and Such

 

[Mercs and such]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

Well here are some updates of what i've done so far:

- Need to remove stringers transom etc.

-Son's fort blew over darn thunderstorm almost halted the project due to a limb that was about 6" dia almost fell on her. :0

anyways i still need to know how much it will cost etc. any replies would be great! thanks

Mercs and Such

 

[intake83]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

Whats the status on your boat? I have an exact same model that my fraternity brother gave me as a gift...$300 Craigslist purchase... Anyway, my boat is in a way worse shape then yours...the only thing I have done was install a sound system with a CD player and speakers...

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

I would like to point out that YOUR OK and thats the good part. Imagine if your boat completely came apart, I think this is why everyone on these boards stresses that these boats be rebuilt correctly.

Kudos to you for deciding to rebuild, its a lot of fun (if your into it). Keep us posted!

 

[jonesg]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

I recommend not to use home depot polyester resin, it contains wax .
Get unwaxed resin from uscomposites or fiberglasssite.com

detach splashwell with a sawzall if its glassed to the hull, it usually is.

 

[TojosMojo]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

In case you did not know or were wondering, the unxaxed version is for laminating it stays tacky for a better bond between layers, and the waxed is for your final surface layer as its drys hard (you can use the unwaxed for the final coat but you will have to seal it with something such as a wax barrier, plastic, of course there are other ways to seal it).

Since most polyester resins (unwaxed) will not cure when exposed to air, the wax is added to block the resin from the air. Where as the resin between the wood layers or between the coats of cloth will be separated from air you can use the unwaxed resins for a better bond to the next layer of resin.

If you do use waxed for multiple layers will will need to clean the surface to remove the surface wax of the previous layer before you add another layer of resin... You also can not paint the final surface without removing the wax or your paint will not stick.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

I've just finished a near complete rebuild of my 20 footer,
no waxed resin was used at all except in small applications after I ran out of boatyard resin, I find the unwaxed resin doesn't remain tacky very long.

I painted the resin with interlux paint,
no primer needed or special prep on raw glasswork.
Interlux sticks like stink.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

Well here are some updates of what i've done so far:

- Need to remove stringers transom etc.

-Son's fort blew over darn thunderstorm almost halted the project due to a limb that was about 6" dia almost fell on her. :0

anyways i still need to know how much it will cost etc. any replies would be great! thanks

Mercs and Such

Hay Mercs and such !! I just did a 1977 t166 . took me two years but love it now !! [ pic if work so far ]

keep them pics comming , the guys really like pic !! John

 

[Mercs and such]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

Well, i'm back. Anyways some updates!! So far, I have been to focused on working and not taking pictures, however I do have a few. I tore out the transom with a crowbar and it just completely fell apart unfortunately. So, I had to take a cardboard model. It struck me on these models, I noticed there were angle cuts on the transom wood. I cut a transom using marine grade 3/4" ply, and laminated a 2nd piece to achieve glastron's factory 1 1/2" transom. I DID use a different resin for laminating and attaching. The bondo version from home depot was recommended for decks and small fiberglass repairs. What would we do without lowe's? Apparently they now stock Elmer's brand fiberglass resin and cloth. I laminated the pieces and clamped together. Waited a full week, then unclamped it. Flipped the boat completely vertical. Poured about a quart of resin on the outer skin then attached the transom. Clamps at the top , and bolts at the bottom. Next, I glassed in an inner skin of glass. I think i put 7 layers of glass along the bottom of the boat. 1/3" thick. I began to install the hull stringers. gave it a coat of primer, resin, interlux polyurethane paint. It seemed like that was a guarantee seal since the interlux is very reliable. Took a week to do the stringers. 1 a day to make sure they were perfect. I used 2 layers of glass on the outer stringers, 3 coats on the inside supports, and 5 on the center stringer. I decided to take up jcsercsa's idea. I ran a PVC pipe along each side of the center stringer into the back and completely sealed the bow section of the boat from the stern. Decided to change the bilge configuration. I made a square, with no plug wholes to lead to the center of the boat and start giving it opportunities to start rotting. I foam filled the entire center from inner stringer to the other. Added a 2nd bilge pump under deck towards the middle. Painted and prepped my deck. 15/32" pressure treat left to dry in the sun. Painted 4 coats of primer, water seal, and glassed over the whole sheet. installed into the boat and glassed all edges and corners to the sides of the hull so it is completely water tight. Got marine carpet until i can afford those "deck in a can" things. (the spray on deck thats non skid). Put the cap back on to the hull. Glassed the splash well part back to cap and transom that i had to grind off to get the cap off. Bolted the merc, installed my new $54.00 Stainless steel "plug saver". I have lost too many plugs in the past. Just tested her today for a quick spin. It appears everything is holding up excellent however, I didn't seal good enough around that plug saver. Aside to that, boat is done. I will post some pics of the boat running when I am completely done. Kids are demanding to go tubing so I need some cold buds, and fuel. Should be a great boat after remodeling. I also bought a aluminum trailer to go with it.

Merc's and Such

1978 glastron t-156 115 merc

 

[Mercs and such]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

 

[Mercs and such]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

 

[Mercs and such]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

 

[Mercs and such]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

Ok, now i have yet another problem. The transom is suposed to be glassed to the cap. It broke free and the only thing holding the 400 pound motor up is the outter shell (skin). I need to know what i should do at this point and what materials to use. Thanks, Mercs and Such

 

[Mercs and such]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

Hello, I Have Recently Replaced The Problem That I Had. I Simply Had To Bond The Cap To The Transom. Now, For Some Reason, Water Starts Leaking Through Random Parts Of The Transom Above The Deck. I Do Not Understand How This Is Happening But It Is Making Me Concerned. On The Outter Hull, I Have Every Possible Water Entry Sealed. All The Old Bolt Thru-hull's Have Been Glassed Over And Filled With 5200 Sealant. I Have A Metal Plate Over The Part Where The Mounting Bracket For The Engine Is But That Is Sealed Off Too. It Takes About Mabye 2 Minutes After I Put The Boat In The Water, And I Can Watch Water Start Filling The Bilge Slowly From A Few Random Holes About The Size Of A Pen Tip Come Through. Then It Is About A Dozen Holes. I Used The Chopped String Glass To Fiberglass Over The Inner Side Of The Transom. I Really Need Some Advice On This One.

I Know That The Inner Skin Of Fiberglass Is Now Completely Delaminated From The Actual Wood Transom Although The Outter Skin Is Still Bonded Strong To The Transom.

Should I:

1. To Preserve My Not Even 2 Week Old Transom, Buy Git-rot (my Buddy Says You Pour It In And It Soaks Up All Salt/fresh Water And Stops The Rot Fungi From Proceeding To Rot The Rest Of The Transom.

Or

2. Cut All The Unbonded Fiberglass Away From The Transom And Leave The Boat In The Sun For A Few Days With A Shop Vac Blow Drying It Out, Then Use Git-rot Just To Make Sure I Really Dont Want To Have To Redo This Transom Anytime Soon, Then Re-laminate The Inner Skin Using The Fiberglass Cloth With A Lot Of Resin To Ensure A Full Bond And Let It Cure For A Week Before Use?

Any Help Or Suggestions I Can Get Would Be Great Because I Am Really Frustrated That I Just Redid All Of This And Now, It Still Leaks!

I Can Post Pictures Of The Boat " Finished" Soon

Thanks,
Mercs And Such

1978 Glastron Sport 115 Merc

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

OHH MAn thats a real peta !!!! I filled all my holes with epoxy , I injected it in the holes !! ducked tape them off just to the top and then shot it in !! it filled every void !! I would say thats your best bet next to tearing the hole thing apart !! John

 

[redfury]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

I don't understand where the inner skin is coming off the wood for the transom, if the leak is coming from outside the boat? In order for the inner skin to delaminate, water would have to infiltrate the transom you built. Something has gone horribly awry here. Perhaps a photo showing where it is coming in from and a picture of the outside of the boat...it has to be coming from the inside of the boat from somewhere.

Did you poke any holes in the bottom of the transom area when you were digging out the old wood and didn't fill those in properly by chance?

 

[Mercs and such]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

THANKS FOR THE REPLIES!!! jcsercsa, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT THING TO DO. I DON'T GET IT REDFURY, I HAVE POKED HOLES IN THE HULL WHEN I WAS DIGGING IT OUT BUT WHEN I HAD THE HULL FLIPPED OVER I MADE THOSE REPAIRS. I FILLED ALL THE OLD HOLES IN THE TRANSOM COMPLETELY WITH 5200 AND EXTENDS THROUGHOUT THE TRANSOM. THE ONLY PLACE THAT I SUSPECT IT MAY BE ENTERING IS A WEEK AGO I WENT TO FLOAT TEST IT AND MY GLASS- JOB ON THE TOP OF THE SPLASHWELL OBVIOUSLY WASN'T VERY GOOD BECAUSE I COULD SEE IT TRICKLING DOWN INSIDE THE INNER SKIN AND THE TRANSOM, WHEN THE WATER FINALLY MADE ITS WAY OUT NEAR THE BOTTOM, IT WAS COMPLETELY WHITE. OBVIOUSLY IT IS THE EPOXY THAT UNBONEDED FROM THE TRANSOM TO INNER SKIN. IT ALSO COULD BE COMING THROUGH THE ENGINE MOUNTING BOLTS SOMEHOW. TODAY I TOOK A GRINDER AND GROUND OUT THE MIDDLE PART OF INNER SKIN AWAY FROM THE TRANSOM. IT IS COMPLETELY DRY EVERYWHERE EXCEPT FOR THE BOTTOM 2 OR 3" ALONG THAT AREA. I HAVE A 500WATT LIGHT ON IT OVERNIGHT, AND I MIGHT USE DRY- RIT FROM HOMEDEPOT SIMILAR TO GIT- ROT JUST TO ENSURE THAT MY TRANSOM IS DRY.

*** IS IT POSSIBLE THAT IT UNBONDED DUE TO NOT SANDING? I USED WAXED POLY RESIN. ALL I DID WAS PUT IT ON TRANSOM AND LET DRY, APPLIED MORE, LET DRY, APLLIED MORE AND SO ON.. NOW SOMEONE TOLD ME YOUR GOING TO HAVE TO REDO THAT BECAUSE YOU DIDNT SAND DOWN THE WAX PART ON THE OUTSIDE. WAX BONDED TO WAX WOULDNT WORK SO I NEEDED TO SAND OFF THE WAX SO IT BONDED AS RESIN TO WAX VS. WAX TO WAX. THAT SOUNDS LIKE THAT IS THE MISTAKE .

I CAN HAVE PICS AS SOON AS MY CAMERA IS REPAIRED..

THANKS,
MERCS AND SUCH

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Glastron 1976 V-156 Needs a total rebuild need some HELP!!

*** IS IT POSSIBLE THAT IT UNBONDED DUE TO NOT SANDING? I USED WAXED POLY RESIN. ALL I DID WAS PUT IT ON TRANSOM AND LET DRY, APPLIED MORE, LET DRY, APLLIED MORE AND SO ON.. NOW SOMEONE TOLD ME YOUR GOING TO HAVE TO REDO THAT BECAUSE YOU DIDNT SAND DOWN THE WAX PART ON THE OUTSIDE. WAX BONDED TO WAX WOULDNT WORK SO I NEEDED TO SAND OFF THE WAX SO IT BONDED AS RESIN TO WAX VS. WAX TO WAX. THAT SOUNDS LIKE THAT IS THE MISTAKE .

I CAN HAVE PICS AS SOON AS MY CAMERA IS REPAIRED..

THANKS,
MERCS AND SUCH

I Didnt use poly resin , i used epoxy . with that said I am allmost postive you had to sand inbetween coats !! theres your problem !!! I hate to say it but it sounds like a REDO !!! john