1977 Pierce Arrow Restoration

[Jrobbs3]

Hey All - I'm new to iBoats and new to boat restoration, but I figured I'd share with you all a project I've taken on recently. A friend gave me a 1977 Pierce Arrow that needs a bit of work. Water in the engine (OMC 235 Ford V8), all upholstery shot, floor rotten...you get the picture.

While the engine I believe to have a handle on, the interior...not so much. Photos attached show a couple shots of the interior before I tore it out, as well as progress shot of the floor removal.

Anyone have any words of wisdom or lessons learned from previous projects that a first time boat restorer should know?

I'm particularly interested in the floor replacement. Right now I've got the existing floor cut back to the edges in most spots as close as my circular saw would allow, but I'm not sure if I should continue removal all the way to the hull, or how I would then tie in the new floor. Any guidance is appreciated!

 

[GSPLures]

:welcome:
check out the pins at the top of the forum they show you how to cut out the deck and fiberglass back in. Basically you need to grind the lip to the hull and up the sides to tab the floor in. I hate to be the one to give you bad news the stringers look like they are also rotten in the pictures. Also check the transom it's never just the floor because that is usually the last to rot.

 

[Jrobbs3]

:welcome:
check out the pins at the top of the forum they show you how to cut out the deck and fiberglass back in. Basically you need to grind the lip to the hull and up the sides to tab the floor in. I hate to be the one to give you bad news the stringers look like they are also rotten in the pictures. Also check the transom it's never just the floor because that is usually the last to rot.

Thanks! I did discover the pins at the top of the forum after I made the post, very helpful information. I also believe the stringers are shot, the transom appears OK but I will check it further

 

[GSPLures]

For the transom you can take a core sample. Drill a few holes along the bottom from the inside but dont go all the way through so you can see the shavings from the wood. If it is good you can patch the holes with some thickened resin when you the other work. Chances are since the floor and stringers are rotted the transom will be too.

I am currently doing a gut job on mine too. it sucks but is worth it if you can do the work.

 

[Jrobbs3]

For the transom you can take a core sample. Drill a few holes along the bottom from the inside but dont go all the way through so you can see the shavings from the wood. If it is good you can patch the holes with some thickened resin when you the other work. Chances are since the floor and stringers are rotted the transom will be too.

I am currently doing a gut job on mine too. it sucks but is worth it if you can do the work.

Good idea, thanks.

 

[Jrobbs3]

I’ve been taking a bunch of photos and measurements before I remove my stringers and bulkheads so that hopefully I can rebuild all of this in the same spot. One thing I noticed is I have this little shelf along either side of the boat, used for storage in its finished condition and it looks like the deck was tabbed into it or run underneath it. Does anyone know if these are typically just simply built with wood and glassed over and I should cut it out? Or is this somehow part of the hull? If its part of the hull, id rather find out before cutting it off.