14' restoration by a 'Newb'

[markthearmourer]

OK, a bit of background on the boat.

This boat has been abandoned on waste ground for about 4 years and the athorities had put a sign on it saying that if it was not removed it would be towed away in April and destroyed, so I decided to rescue it.

The boat had pulley type steering, but no motor, controls, seats or windscreen, and the trailer had no winch or jockey wheel.

The day I went to collect it I noticed it had a couple of inches of water in it, but I just couldn't lift the front of the boat to let it out of the drain hole. then I realised that everything below deck was completely full of water! I used a car jack under the trailer and 4 hours later it was as empty as it was going to get.

Even though the deck felt solid enough, after consult with members of this forum I decided to drill some test holes in the deck, and to my horror the ply under the deck was mush that crumbled in my fingers!

Time to rip the deck up!!!

 

[markthearmourer]

Re: 14' restoration by a 'Newb'

It took me 4 days to cut out the deck due to the boat being on the driveway, open to the freezing scottish weather, and only being able to get on it for 30 mins to an hour each night (kids, dogs, work, honey-do).

Bad News! I need to replace the stringers! Allthough they are wrapped in thick glass the cross members had no glass on them and were conected to the stringers with nails!?! What was the point of glassing the stringers if you're going to leave exposed wood? It just doesn't make sense to me!

Managed to get the stringers out this weekend, intact but soaking wet! So I should be able to use them as a template. I drilled a small hole in the transom and the wood in there seems fine, but anyone out there think I should replace it anyway?

I also built an engine cradle as I will be collecting the motor at the end of the week, its an '82 Johnson 60hp that I got from e-bay for ?102, fully stripped, cleaned and resprayed, but not assembled!!! Should be fun putting back together as I am completely new to this!

 

[markthearmourer]

Re: 14' restoration by a 'Newb'

And I thought cutting the deck and stringers out produced a lot of dust... not nearly as much as grinding and sanding the inside the inside of the hull smooth!!! Covered head to foot in glass dust, and because it was warm I was wearing a t-shirt, here comes the itch, aaarrrggghhh!

 

[Mr Sam]

Re: 14' restoration by a 'Newb'

looks good! looks very good!!!

im also very new to all this, got a VERY simular boat and im at the same stage you are, hope i get a bargin engine too

ill be keeping a watch, any idea what make/model it is???


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=300343

theres mine a 13' fletcher arrow i wouldnt be suprised if yours is one of the upper models as it looks very simular

 

[markthearmourer]

Re: 14' restoration by a 'Newb'

Yeah, they are quite similar, I might have to research fletcher and see if it is one of theirs.

Great thread of yours, good looking boat, are you planning on having it ready for this summer?