1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

[JonathanW]

Hello, this past Sunday (Easter Sunday) I was up at my uncle's house at the lake, and to make a long story short, he gave me a 1976 Correct Craft Martinique.

Me and a friend of mine are going to do a total restoration of the boat. Since I'm new to restoring boats and such I know I will need help, and this forum seems very friendly and helpful so that's why I'm here =]

So anyway, the boat does not have a motor, the interior will have to be redone, and of course it will have to be rewired, it needs a good paint job, etc.

I'm not sure about the condition of the string, as I didn't look at the boat in that much detail, however, I will be going to get the boat here in a few days as soon as my uncle has a change to get the boat onto the trailer I'm using to get it with.

This boat is a true inboard, so from everything I've found I can practically use a car engine (the boat had a 350hp v8 mustang engine at one point). There is one thing that I just can't figure out though, and that is, does the boat need a transmission. I know that I've never been in a boat that "shifted gears" but I also know that it has to have something similar to a transmission to be able to go into reverse. Some help/explanation here would be very much appreciated.

My main goals right now are to find a trailer (I think I have that covered, I'm talking to a guy about buying one from him), an engine (assuming I can use a car engine I should have that covered), repainting and refinishing the hull (I need help with what type of paint, what type of clearcoat, etc etc.), and getting the boat rewired.

Well here are some pictures of the boat, if there's anything I missed in the post I'll be sure to post it. Also I'll post updates throughout the restoration process.

click on a thumbnail to view the full image

 

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration



Here is our goals for the boat:

 

[superpop]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

oh my gawd, I would walk away now. You do in fact need a new motor and tranny along with, and i am assuming, a new shaft and prop. Those items alone are thousands of dollars. You cannot just drop a car motor in, it needs specific marine parts or it will go boom, and these parts are not cheap. You can bring it back to life but it will be a lot of money in parts and a ton of labor to bring what now looks like a planter box back from the clutches of death. It would almost be easier and certainly cheaper to go out and find a used ski boat that has been taken care of and start with that. If it has been sitting like that uncovered for any length of time the stringers are probably shot as well. There is no such thing as a free boat.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Are there any trees growing in that thing?
Man, that is a mess. Talk about a money pit.
That will be some project. Good luck.
Welcome to iboats.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

OK from a guy who loves to restore boats. let's get realistic. what you have right now is of negative value, ( it would cost $ to haul it to the landfill). what you will have is not going to resale for what you have to put into it.

that being clear, you have to decide if you are willing to spend the money and many, many hours restoring this boat. there is a great feeling of accomplishment in resurrecting a classic boat, that sits at the dock and "rumbles, and grabs attention" this is where the Value comes in. it is not monetary. be ready to answer questions.

before you start, clean it out, see what you have. then make a list of everything it needs. power plant, that has the be a marinized engine, you have to follow Coast Guard Guidelines http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=191283 Flame arrestors, spark control, ventilation.

your 1st goal is to make a safe hull and power plant. then the cosmetics come into play. you can spend a lot of money on cosmetics.

make an outline of the total project, then break it down into steps and priorities, then break it down into doable projects.

my bottom estimate to bring it back with a good drive tran, and decent cosmetics, is $10,000 minimum.

also read this: http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,346,00.html

also remember you are buying a trailer for an inboard boat, has to have the V in the trailer to accommodate the prop shaft.

 

[qaztwo]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Yes it takes a transmission behind the engine. You would be better off finding a complete engine trans package some engines spin in reverse. I would start ebaying.

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

You have some really good advice from folks here who have done this before. My opinion is that boat is a poor choice for a first project boat because of the unusual engine/trans setup. I'm sure props are expensive too, and it does not have the ability to raise the prop out of the water like with an outboard our outdrive.

If you really want to get into boating, look for a good used boat, preferably a boat that takes an outboard motor. Often boats are free or cheap that are in fair condition and just need some minor repairs and an outboard. Outboards are not cheap either, so do some window shopping to see what you are up against.

If I were to restore that boat, I would convert it to an outboard setup. Not something a beginner should try, but it is what I would do.

Best of luck with what ever you decide.

 

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

OK from a guy who loves to restore boats. let's get realistic. what you have right now is of negative value, ( it would cost $ to haul it to the landfill). what you will have is not going to resale for what you have to put into it.

that being clear, you have to decide if you are willing to spend the money and many, many hours restoring this boat. there is a great feeling of accomplishment in resurrecting a classic boat, that sits at the dock and "rumbles, and grabs attention" this is where the Value comes in. it is not monetary. be ready to answer questions.

before you start, clean it out, see what you have. then make a list of everything it needs. power plant, that has the be a marinized engine, you have to follow Coast Guard Guidelines http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=191283 Flame arrestors, spark control, ventilation.

your 1st goal is to make a safe hull and power plant. then the cosmetics come into play. you can spend a lot of money on cosmetics.

make an outline of the total project, then break it down into steps and priorities, then break it down into doable projects.

my bottom estimate to bring it back with a good drive tran, and decent cosmetics, is $10,000 minimum.

also read this: http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,346,00.html

also remember you are buying a trailer for an inboard boat, has to have the V in the trailer to accommodate the prop shaft.

Ok thanks for your post. The point of this is not so much as to have a boat, but to have a project. We are aware that it will take a LOT of time and money, and we've already taken that into play.

It will not take as much time as you guys are thinking, because yall (yeah I'm southern) are assuming that the hull is just falling a part. On the contrary, the hull is a basically perfect condition except the paint. From talking to my uncle, it is still a solid boat, it just needs a motor and makeover.
I also told my uncle from the looks of it that I'd be scared to go 20 in it, and he said that he would feel perfectly safe throwin a motor in it and goin 70. (He was getting the point across that the hull is solid and stuff).

I'm not looking to be put down, as I know it needs work and time. Like I said before this is meant to be a PROJECT.

I got the guy to email me the pictures of the trailer earlier, and it looks like I'm in the search again. It ended up bein a trailer for an older bass boat so there was absolutely no room for the prop/rudder, and the "V" wasn't deep enough at all.

there is a great feeling of accomplishment in resurrecting a classic boat, that sits at the dock and "rumbles, and grabs attention" this is where the Value comes in. it is not monetary. be ready to answer questions.

That line basically describes our ending goals. We want something that we can take pride in, that we know we put hard work and labor into, etc.

 

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

You have some really good advice from folks here who have done this before. My opinion is that boat is a poor choice for a first project boat because of the unusual engine/trans setup. I'm sure props are expensive too, and it does not have the ability to raise the prop out of the water like with an outboard our outdrive.

If you really want to get into boating, look for a good used boat, preferably a boat that takes an outboard motor. Often boats are free or cheap that are in fair condition and just need some minor repairs and an outboard. Outboards are not cheap either, so do some window shopping to see what you are up against.

If I were to restore that boat, I would convert it to an outboard setup. Not something a beginner should try, but it is what I would do.

Best of luck with what ever you decide.

Well we're in no rush to do this, so before we do stuff of course we go read whatever we can find until we run out of stories and guides to read. The unusual engine setup shouldn't be too much of a problem, as I have several relatives that are very knowledgeable in boating and are familiar with how to work with this type of engine/boat setup etc.

We don't want to go outboard, because for one we want to keep it similar to the original build, and two we wouldn't be able to put our mustang 350 v8 in her .

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Then go for it!

If you need a piece of glass for the windshield, you can get 1/4" laminated safety glass cut to size at most glass/mirror shops. You can't get tempered cut, and if you use plexy, it will get scratched easy.

I priced out safety glass for the hard top I'm making now, and it seems well worth the expense.

 

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Then go for it!

If you need a piece of glass for the windshield, you can get 1/4" laminated safety glass cut to size at most glass/mirror shops. You can't get tempered cut, and if you use plexy, it will get scratched easy.

I priced out safety glass for the hard top I'm making now, and it seems well worth the expense.

Ah finally some support on this project, thanks!

As for the glass, my uncle has that, it's just not in the windshield for some reason. We just gotta put it back and screw it down...and tint it of course for some cooler looks.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Well Jonathan I guess if the experts can't talk you out of it sincerely good luck. I am in the middle of a "Pride of Ownership" project myself. AKA money pit. So I understand the end goal.
Some of the guys on this forum have run across everything you are digging into. There are no dumb questions, just ask and these guys will help.

As for the hull - do you live in a area where it freezes? That boat looks like it has been outside for some time. Check all the wood in her for rot. I would think you will find some whether your uncle knows it or not.

Have you ever done any major restoration work before? Cars, trucks, houses?
Get organized,, have a plan, and don't let setbacks(like having to replace all the wood) get to you. Section by section, work item by item, don't install the new glass till your paint is done. Restore or replace the pieces and have them ready to go after paint is done. Preparation for paint is everything. I would completely strip everything from the hull, every screw bolt and fixture, then start from the inside and work out. Don't skimp on materials, cheap paint, cheap resin, etc. You will have too much money and time into this project to skimp on the small stuff.

Just some organizational things done in the right order.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

JonathanW, please don't take it that i was putting you down, if you do some reading on the forum, you will find that i have done a lot of restorations. they just have to be looked at realistically. that boat is not a structurally sound as you and your uncle think. the stringers are rotted, what you have is a fiberglass form, with no internal structure (bones).

this tells me 99% of the story, and the future.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

hi

WELCOME TO I BOATS

this is a great forum...and the people here are super...

let me try to clear a few thing up here.....

tashasdaddy was being modest when he said....."i've done a few restorations"

he is, imho this sites top restorer....he has done many different types of boats, using many different methods and materials..far more than just the average poster, like myself, who is working on one project doing things one way.

no one will shoot you down.....it seems like you have a good attitude on why you want to do it.....with that attatude in mind....your gonna have a ball.

JonathanW, please don't take it that i was putting you down, if you do some reading on the forum, you will find that i have done a lot of restorations. they just have to be looked at realistically. that boat is not a structurally sound as you and your uncle think. the stringers are rotted, what you have is a fiberglass form, with no internal structure (bones).

this tells me 99% of the story, and the future.

read this post twice my friend.......no one will put you down here.....they just wanted you to be aware it is a big project....and it will cost lots of money.......tashasdaddy is totally correct......on the monitary amount...$10,000......he said minimum....i think being new to restoring you'll be lucky to get away that cheap.....

he is also totally correct when he says it is not as sound as your uncle thinks.
he...as we, know....it will need a stringer,floor (yes its a deck jb ) and possibly a transom......

now for the help........td....what are we using for a primer these days?...red furys?.......untill we can get you a proper primer....read all this....

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=234392

tho it is not the same type of craft...the basics of everything you will be doing is there....please pay special attention to the safety gear...its really important......

do you have a long term indoor shop?....you will need a good work space...well ventelated.....

i would also hit search....and look for ...soft floor...rotten stringers....auto vs marine engine...

your in for a world of work...a lot of swearing.....but the satisfaction is all worth it!....when you get into a tough spot...just ask here !

cheers
oops

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

"It will not take as much time as you guys are thinking, because yall (yeah I'm southern) are assuming that the hull is just falling a part. On the contrary, the hull is a basically perfect condition except the paint. From talking to my uncle, it is still a solid boat, it just needs a motor and makeover."


The paint, which is actually gel coat, is the least of your problems, it can easily be made to look fairly good again and has nothing to do with getting it sea (lake) worthy.


Before you even clean the stuff out of the boat, go price all the parts you'll need to get it back on the water, plus look at recent threads on stringer and transom replacement. I can't imagine anything except the fiberglass shell of the boat to be usable, that means rotten floor, stringers and transom that will all need to be replaced.

If you decide to continue with the project you will get a great deal of help from everyone here, and that first bit of help is saying to take another look at the amount of time and money needed to complete this project.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

td...im sorry...i didnt see you gave him the redfury link...i just saw the cg link.....


jonathan.....that link he gave you is super..(in post #5) .it will walk you thru what you have to do to get the hull in ship shape.....dont worry if its not the same boat.....all boats are built basically the same way

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

i would never tell you not to go for it. i just hate to see a person get into a project, and then find there is a hell of a lot more to it. then abandon it. and the loss of time and money down the drain.

here are a couple of pics of some of my projects

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

 

[seven up]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Hey, nice boat.

Try

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/


Those Correct Crafts are true ski boats. Many are used in competition events. Straight inboard configurations are the least maintenance of the varied choices. And the least popular on this site.

If you can cut a piece of plywood your home free. It's a matter of replacing what you take out and lots of preparation.

What ever you do, safety first.

And I agree with you totally:

"...for the fun of it..."



Enjoy

 

[steelestandn]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

If you think your time, wallet and vision for the project out weigh all the possible negotives go for it! If you have to learn a few things the hard way so be it. In the process you will help many other people learn what not to do. I think everyone will have your back no matter what you decide to do.