boat "remodel"

[brettP]

Have fallen in love with classic wooden boats. Have 1987 19' Sylvan open V-hull aluminum, O/B w/ only 150 hrs. Want to remove some carpet and replace with wood decking, repaint hull in classic blue and white, or? Is there a wood-grain marine paint. Looking for any advice? Can I make a newer boat look like a classic w/o it looking haphazard? Many thanks!

 

[fishingdan]

Re: boat "remodel"

From your description, I am not sure what you are trying to do. I don't know how you make an aluminum boat look like a classic wood runabout. <br /><br />I would make it look like a nice new aluminum boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: boat "remodel"

Can I make a newer boat look like a classic w/o it looking haphazard?

It would Definitely be a 1st.............

 

[CN Spots]

Re: boat "remodel"

I think that model actually looks like a planked boat even though it's aluminum. If so, it would be a good candidate for that project. As far as making it look like woodgrain, you might have to get creative. Do a search on the web for faux finishes and see if there's anything about woodgrain on them. <br /><br />spots

 

[klos]

Re: boat "remodel"

I think its a great idea. I'm all about one of a kind, oddball stuff. It would be the only boat like it.

 

[brettP]

Re: boat "remodel"

was thinking about some kind of teak? decking. veneer probably too think, but dont want to go over 1/3" or 3/*", as too much weight? would do floors and gunwales, center console....

 

[KilroyJC]

Re: boat "remodel"

This is funny, because I've been thinking of doing the same thing on the foredeck of my Starcraft!<br /><br />The boat came with a strip of outdoor carpeting down the middle of the foredeck, and when I got it, it was growing moss. What I was origianlly goin to do was take a piece of 3/16 luan & saturrate it with sealer, and replace the carpet with that. <br /><br />Then I was thinking of how beat up the deck paint was...<br /><br />Anyway, where's a site with some basic info:<br /><br /> http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Balcony/9662/woodgrain.html <br /><br />I figure a couple coats of clear sprayed over that'll look good!<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving!<br /><br />Matt

 

[crab bait]

Re: boat "remodel"

wood grain contact paper/vinyl.. just paint the aluminum brown first.. so any scratches in time will be conceiled..

 

[mikemartyo]

Re: boat "remodel"

my parents just bought a front door to their house that came with a wood graining kit and paint - how about that stuff?

 

[JasonJ]

Re: boat "remodel"

My thoughts on the floor would be ply with thin planks applied. What you would do, if you had access to a planing machine (rent one), you could mill down planks to 1/4 inch, and bond them to ply, then seal the whole thing. That would give you the wood plank floor effect like on old boats and ships. You could build the center console and other trim acents out of wood as well. <br /><br />I had an idea like this last year when I was going to be getting a 21 foot project boat. That deal fell through, but my plan was to buld the center console out of wood and stain/clear it and to the same with the upper deck and other assorted trim. The goal was a sort of semi-classic classiness.<br /><br />I don't know if my laminating floor idea would work, it would require the subfloor to be strong, the laminated pieces to be bonded very well and the whole thing sealed to prevent water intrusion. Good luck...

 

[Mark42]

Re: boat "remodel"

Sounds like you want to add a wood plank deck to the front of the open bow boat, right? I have thought about doing just that for years until I found my MFG. My plan was to find a 14-16 food aluminum boat and make these changes:<br /><br />- Make a curved dashboard out of 3/4" veneer plywood and attach to the gunnels. Use big old 16" steering wheel from old boat or car. Use newer rotary or rack steering. Add a few guages for looks.<br /><br />- Use a 3/8" veneer plywood and bend to shape over the bow and dashboard top. Grooves can be cut 1/8" deep in the plywood on a table saw every 2" to simulate planking. Stain wood and apply one coat varnish. Fill grooves with white or black epoxy, then more coats of varnish. Depending on the curve of the gunnels, filler pieces may be needed between the gunnel and the plywood deck.<br /><br />- Build wood bench seats '50s style. Use throw cushions. 2" wide hardwood strip with 1/2" spacing to make floor.<br /><br />- Paint balance of boat classic red or white or aqua blue to complement wood dash, seats and deck. <br /><br />- Simple V shaped windshield made from 1/4" plexy with aluminum U channel side frame, no frame on top (50s hot rod style). Cut top of plexy in a graceful curve shape. <br /><br />- A few stainless or brass bits and pieces and running lights and twin flag poles in rear.<br /><br />- Another piece of stained veneer plywood sealed and affixed to transom inside and out gives that wood transom look.<br /><br />Could make a nice neo-classic boat for just cruising the water.

 

[Mark42]

Re: boat "remodel"

This is sort of what I had in mind modeling the the aluminum boat after. This is a 1957 MFG Cambridge and is being restored.<br /><br />

<br /><br />

 

[Mark42]

Re: boat "remodel"

Or how about these for some ideas?<br /><br />

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<br /><br />All these images are from mfgboats.com

 

[Mark42]

Re: boat "remodel"

Here is a link to a guy who restored one really nice. Nice detail in his photos.<br /><br /> Boat Restoration Photos on Yahoo <br /><br />I think it would be fairly easy to take a simple aluminum open boat and turn it into a look alike for these old 50's boats.<br /><br />If you notice, in some of the pics above the motors still have their tiller handles, they are folded up.

 

[Rick K]

Re: boat "remodel"

Hey Mark, thanks for posting that Yahoo link. I've been looking for ideas to change the bench-type seats in my Starcraft.<br /><br />What's even nicer though, is that the great folks at BFI Waste Management gave those guys a super excellent test tank for their motor!

 

[Always Broke]

Re: boat "remodel"

Why not go all the way, sell your boat and get a wood boat? I’ve had a few and I’m sorry I sold them now, they are a little more upkeep but road better and were quieter then any other boats I owned.

 

[Mark42]

Re: boat "remodel"

Originally posted by Rick K:<br /> Hey Mark, thanks for posting that Yahoo link. I've been looking for ideas to change the bench-type seats in my Starcraft.<br /><br />What's even nicer though, is that the great folks at BFI Waste Management gave those guys a super excellent test tank for their motor!

Oh, they were testing the motor? I thought they were trying to power wash the garbage can! LOL!