1965 span HELP!!!

[andrew91]

I bought back a boat that has been part of the family from 1965 to 1996 as of september 2nd 2013 its back unfortunately it needs new gelcoat how can i do this myself or what is the cheapest i could possibly get it done without looking too crappy its not a show boat but the keel is worn down to bare fiberglass and the transom has some cracked gelcoat in my opinion it needs to be completely redone what type of damage am i looking at the boat means a ton to me so it will be what ever it is


1996


2013

 

[andrew91]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

no the transom is not rotten ive been around the block a couple times its on the corner like someone hit it you can see the fiberglass repair job

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

to completely re gel it IMHO most likely isn't a project for someone who asks how to do it.... Having it done would be a HUGE cost.... it CAN however be repaired to look decent or you might consider painting it

 

[andrew91]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

well its not that i dont think i can handle it its that i know i cant lol i dont have the equipment nor any experience with gel coat my main concern is ive never had to lift a boat off the trailer thats my equipment issue i can paint just have never geled anything ive read how it works but really with no practice im sure it would be like learning to paint again and that can get ugly i just want it to look halfway decent i dont want the fiberglass showing anywhere and want it to shine somewhat my 89 celebrity isnt perfect but im happy with it the 65 span id be ashamed to take to the lake

 

[jestor68]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

Google "gelcoat restoration". A number of products out there.

 

[pckeen]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

I have to ask - is that you in the 1966 picture?

 

[andrew91]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

yes that would be me in 1996 i was 5 when my father sold it i actually traced that boat down solely off of memory because that is the only picture we have my great grandpa bought it brand new in 1965 then grandpa got it then my dad who sold it and we lost track i spent a good 6 months tracking it and gave up when an expert span guy told me he was certain he sold the only one left then my uncle found this not 40 miles from where i live so i drove up to confirm it was the boat and everything matches it is my dads old boat

 

[pckeen]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

Sounds like a great restoration project.

 

[andrew91]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

heres some new pictures of the damage the keel is my main point is there anyway of just painting a boat or doing this somewhat cheaper then the 8-$12000 price range ive heard of

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

you need higher resolution pics


Heck yes you can paint it.... LOTS of options You can also install a keelshield or keelguard
Hull & Keel Protectors - iboats

 

[andrew91]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

Sorry bout the double post and the bad pictures i used my cell phone because thats what i had and its like 5 years old but i'll get some better ones would i be able to spray a new layer of paint right over scuffed gel coat or have ya never tried that one? I doubt i'd be able too with the shape some of this is in it'd pry need a little more massaging im just curious

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

The double post was my doing.... I posted the same thing twice and edited the first one to say "double post"

Paint directly over it would look better than nothing but you would see the rough parts... The more you can smooth it the better it will look.

Just sanding can help quite a bit but the gouges should be filled for the best results

I'm a little ashamed to mention this but a friend of mine has a few chips in the bottom of his otherwise beautiful 22' rinker bowrider and he bought a can of that spray on sealer that they show on tv where they put a screen door in the bottom of a boat and spray it and it floats... He bought it in white and touched up the nicks in his bottom.... I hate to admit it but half a dozen outings so far and it seems to be holding up well... and honestly looks WAY better than it did before.... It's redneck as hell but.............:facepalm:

 

[andrew91]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

what exactly would you use to fill those chips in the fiberglass looks good i think it just started with cracks and chipped off it doesnt appear to have damaged the fiberglass i know how to go about this on a car i just have never done a boat and with it seeing the water alo more than the car i was wondering what would be the best to fill it in

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1965 span HELP!!!

looks like we need to get get this moved to drydock....

the best solution would probably be to patch gelcoat with gelcoat but there may be other fillers that would work if you plan to paint.

There are other folks who know more than me who will gladly help you out.