My 1978 Holiday 18 Resto Adventure begins!

Hi all,
Just documenting my adventure here with my 1978 Holiday 18 that i just picked up a week ago. Look forward to hearing from u all and learning from many!
Building this for myself since I can no longer fish off the FishPro after a work injury and to take the granddaughters fishing.
Let the journey begin!

Sweet Holiday, looks great already! Curious what motor you have, good old Merc 165? Looks like you have a great starting point for your project.

It has a Merc 140. I believe still the original motor and it runs but we'll see how it runs on the water next spring.

How the flooring and have you weighed it yet?

Pulled all the flooring and replaced today. May have lasted another season so I tore it out. Foam under floor was excellent. Before i rivet it down, im gonna add aluminum cross members to stiffen it up. Increased it to 5/8 thick. I'll post pics tomorrow. Haven't weighed it yet. Heres the old floor

The switch from 1/2 (factory) to 5/8 makes a huge difference. Seems like it wouldn't but the 5/8 is a hell of a lot stiffer between the spans, feels way more solid. I chose the same for mine and am very glad I did. That's great that the foam made it!

Well half the foam made it lol. The lower 1" pieces were filled with years of water. Gutted it for new foam and adding in cross bracing.
The 1/16 aluminum the used between each section is no bueno... and kind of a joke.
I'll post more pics when bracing is done

There ya go, nice to get that crappy old wet foam right out of there. The cross seam strips do seem extremely light on these decks, esp once separated from the plywood. They really only act like tape holding the seam together even, don't think they add squat for rigidity. The factory (2"?) width stuff doesn't leave a whole lot of space from the edges of the plywood for the rivets either. Looking forward to seeing the bracing!

Bracings in. Lower foams in.
Thats all the bracing needed. Tested with new floor. Sturdy as a rock.

Foam back in. Bracing in. Left the midsection open to build a cooler in the floor for lunches and drinks on the boat for the kiddos

Are you going to gluvit?

redneck joe said:

Are you going to gluvit?

Click to expand...

Gluvit?

It is a thin epoxy that seals from the inside, i needed 1.5 cans for my 18 foot so I used the half to double up on the keel rivets where most of the issues were. It ain't cheap, but you are this far in.

AI Overview



+14
According to boater forums like iBoats and user reviews, Gluvit epoxy is widely considered an effective and durable product for sealing leaks in aluminum boats, especially around rivets and seams. Users report that it works well and can provide many years of leak-free performance when applied correctly.
Pros of using Gluvit
Effective leak repair: The thin epoxy is designed to seep into the tight spaces around leaky rivets and seams before curing to a hard, waterproof seal.
Flexibility: Unlike some rigid epoxies that can crack, Gluvit is designed to flex with the normal movements of an aluminum boat hull.
Abrasion resistance: Once cured, Gluvit creates an abrasion-resistant barrier, which is particularly beneficial for the bottom of the hull.
Corrosion prevention: It acts as a barrier coat to minimize corrosion, especially in saltwater environments.
Versatility: While popular for aluminum boats, it can also be used on fiberglass and wood to seal cracks and strengthen deteriorated areas.
Cons and considerations
Application is messy: Many users note that Gluvit is a messy product to work with and can run or drip while being applied, especially on curved surfaces. You may need to sand off any dried runs after it cures.
Requires thorough prep work: For proper adhesion, the application area must be thoroughly sanded and cleaned with a solvent like acetone to remove all contaminants, oil, and grease.
Not UV stable: Like many epoxies, Gluvit is not UV stable. To prevent degradation from sunlight, it must be overcoated with a compatible paint after it cures.
Limited work time: The product has a limited "work window," which requires you to mix it in smaller batches for larger jobs to avoid wasting material.
Variable user experience: While most feedback is positive, some users have reported issues with the product not curing properly, which could be due to old stock, improper mixing, or incorrect temperature.
Bottom line
Gluvit is widely considered a worthwhile investment for sealing leaky aluminum boat rivets and seams. Its ability to penetrate and flex makes it a reliable, long-term solution. However, achieving success depends on proper surface preparation and careful application. You must also account for the extra step of painting over it for UV protection.

redneck joe said:

It is a thin epoxy that seals from the inside, i needed 1.5 cans for my 18 foot so I used the half to double up on the keel rivets where most of the issues were. It ain't cheap, but you are this far in.

Click to expand...

No, I read it didnt work that well for some people. Ive got a small leak at the keel. Nothing major and im going to drill out the solid rivets and seal it with 5250 i think it is and reinstall solid rivets again.

I redid all my rivets and 5200 everyone. I still went back over it with Gluvit. Prep is key as in any job. Wire wheel, then degrease before putting on Gluvit.

SHSU

Poisonous392 said:

No, I read it didnt work that well for some people. Ive got a small leak at the keel. Nothing major and im going to drill out the solid rivets and seal it with 5250 i think it is and reinstall solid rivets again.

Click to expand...

It is an additional layer of protection / insurance while you have the thing apart. For $150 you may not have future leaks.

'Some people' also do not follow instructions so it will fail for them.

Your call.