1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

[azmav]

Hey all, I know a lot of these have been done here but not by me and this will be my first so I wish to record and share. Picked this up for $75 with the trailer, and other than the typical floor, transom, and cushions, the hull is in good shape minus a few scrapes to the bottom that were poorly patched, should not be too bad to fill em in and I plan on repainting bottom anyway. (Any recommendations on propping it up for that to get it all in one shot, let me know).

He had a '89 Bayliner 16' that had already been stripped in preparation for restoration, problem being none of the interior was available for templates if I decide to go back with the original design. Also the alum. cap rail had already been removed and was not with the boat. Already have a 40 HP motor in good shape from my Dad's boat and figured it will work better with the 15'. Dad's boat is a Chrysler Cathedral Hull that I will be doing next. Unfortunately dad and brothers already did it from the hull up about 15 years ago (without me), and goofed it at the end when they did foam. Floor went in uneven, boat ended up with a 10-15 degree list to starboard which takes 3 passengers to conteract the weight of driver. No one noticed till it got onto the water and hence the boat received its official name, "El Grande Fiasco". Never fear, I will rectify our family name!

 

[jmmacky]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Welcome to iboats. There is loads of information with some great and detailed restos/rebuilds on here. Good luck!

 

[Mullin]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Cool, should be fun! Let's see some more pics of the bayliner.

 

[azmav]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Okay, things are going well. I see another member that did not remove the top for his Capri resto, but with an inboard, he had good access to the transom. I assume that is not possible on the outboard (Seemed nice since he was able to use the windshield as a measuring guide). Anyway, the edges around the splashwell need some work which will be easier to do when they are apart.


I will also fill the holes around the edges of the cap and put in new holes when I put the rub rail back, too bad though because the rub rail and rivets were in fantastic condition. Makes me think the boat did not see a lot of use perhaps and there was not much stress in that area.

 

[azmav]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

I know there is a limit to something like 6 pictures per post so I will add one more entry for the day with final progress. Would love to keep working but other duties call. Got everything out though. I like to bag all my screws and parts; I label the bags so I know where everything came from, even if I replace it, I have the original for reference. Took measurements for planning out a new layout. Going to see if I can come up with something new and innovative.

Existing seats were these back to back deals that extend out and down into a type of bed. Not sure I like that to go back in.


Any ideas gentlemen, I am always open. I am thinking of some sort of wraparound seat from the splashwell around turn and up the port side. This would leave the starboard space open to go up onto the back and reach the steps without climbing over anyone. Excuse the poor quality but I mocked up something in Paint to describe showing the area astern of the consoles where red is seating.


This is final progress for the day. All parts that screw on are off, carpet pulled, and all rivets are removed, another poster mentioned 3/16" drill bit which worked great. Ready to pop the top.

 

[Mullin]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

The new seat layout could be good if you can make some kind of backrest up against the passenger dashboard. And include a spot for an ice-chest while you're at it!

 

[azmav]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Definitely will need a backrest. There was an ice chest under port passenger seat at the stern seen here.



It is in pretty rough shape and definitely want to replace it with something. I am toying with the idea of Nida core for the deck with epoxy. I have seen conflitcting reports on epoxy's ability to join with poly. Still more research to do. I figure that will cut down the weight a lot. Then maybe rigging up alum. tubing for seats. This would leave the space under open with maybe a flap hanging down to cover it like some bilges have. Would open up a lot of storage. Been looking for examples of this.

Mullin, do you have an internal fuel tank, where is at? There was none with this boat and I am planning on looking around to see about putting one in.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

I think you are misunderstanding. Epoxy will pretty much stick to anything. Poly...Uhmmm not so much. Nida Core for your deck would cost you a LOT of Money...A LOT!!!!! A 1 1/2" transom thats 15 sq ft runs about $750 dollars. Just wanted you to be aware.

 

[azmav]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Woodonglass, thanks for heads up. Will price everything before deciding but I had seen some guys from THT saying that it's about the same as marine ply. Your number is a lot higher. Whatever I do, really want to incorporate one of the composites out there to reduce weight if possible.

I figured out my mistake about the epoxy, once used nothing else will stick to it. I had it backward. Tough choice when I read both sides of the argument on the resin choices.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

My BAD!!! I was thinking of Nida Bond Not Nida Core. Nida Core is about $100 bucks for a 16 mm - 4x7 ft sheet. It is a good choice for decking IMHO. Pricey but good!!!!

 

[Mullin]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

My gas tank is right there in the middle, under the floor. In my old picture in the sig, it would be right under the charger rug. The rug is gone now since I recarpeted it a year ago but I've been lazy with the pics

Here is a real good reference from Nick. He has a nice picture of the tank in-between the stringers in post #12 :
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...pr-1950i-volvo-penta-aq125a-resto-555694.html

I don't know too much about the resins but to check out these guys U.S. Composites, Inc. - Fiberglass , Epoxy , Composites, Carbon Fiber

 

[azmav]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Thanks Mullin! Now I just need to try and find a gas tank not too expensive.

Woodonglass, very impressive work on your resto. Went through your thread in speed mode. I love that color on the boat. After I am done with this Bayliner, I will be reworking my dad's 1964 Chrysler Valiant.

I am thinking of surprising him with it finished in a color like yours. Thats what he had on his "56 Chevy back in the day and since I can't afford to get him one of those right now, this is next best thing.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Yep, that's the color I was going for the 56-57 Chevy Blue. Real simple to mix. I used the Tractor paint an mixed 1 cup of White with 1/4 cup of Ford Tractor blue and voila' It came out almost perfect. The chevy blue was more of a Turquoise so it would need some light green added to it but I just went with the Sky Blue and it worked for me. With the added hardener it turned out to be very glossy and hard as nails. I really like it. Thanks for going and taking a look

 

[jkust]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Those pictures just make me cringe. We have that same exact boat but bought it brand new at the 1984 Boat Show and is still in almost perfect shape. Hull has a few dings but the interior hasn't even had a pair of shoes in it. Even the Navy (not Bimini) top and side curtains are still in the original package. That's going to be a nice boat when you get done with it. I really like the lines of the old BL's.

 

[azmav]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Thanks jkust. A little jealous to hear that, but looking forward to the work just the same. The nice thing as so many before have pointed out is the ability to go back with whatever I can think of. Here is the latest layout idea I have found for inspiration.



Obviously there is no cuddy cabin, but I am more interested in the wraparound benches with a path between them to the steps. I would have to remount the steps to port to acheive this layout but I like it. I could see a mounting plate for a table in front of the starboard bench where the table folds up and tucks into a slot behind port bench.

 

[azmav]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Got the top off today and ready to get started cutting and sanding. Going to get some wood and screw into the rim through the rivet holes, then attach cross bracing to keep the shape intact. Here are some pictures showing confirmation of what I had already suspected and that is this, the transom is actually three seperate pieces where the outer two are at a 20-30 degree angle to the middle piece. Should be fun trying to rebuild that :facepalm:



To top it off, the lip of the skin as you can see in the last two pictures turns at an angle which means I will not be able to clamp it from above the rim without some creative wood working. I think I can rig up some blocking with an angle that will allow my clamps to fit over this angle.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Check the first link in my signature below. It has some drawings and pics that I think will be of some use to you. That transom should not be much of a problem to replace. The mid section with the knee bracing is the main load bearing piece and the wings just added support for the stern.

 

[azmav]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Check the first link in my signature below. It has some drawings and pics that I think will be of some use to you. That transom should not be much of a problem to replace. The mid section with the knee bracing is the main load bearing piece and the wings just added support for the stern.

Thanks Wood! I saw the wings and thought that might be the case. I will take a look at the link, here is what I got done in the last few hours. I tried skipping the sawzall, mine was previously stolen from a locked shed and I was waiting to get a replacement until I really needed one. I really need one! Not easy to see in these pics but there was water under the foam where these seat bases had been. The foam came up in great big chucks with the landscapers axe I was using. Obviously very short controlled swings choked way up on the handle to avoid putting a hole through the boat.

 

[azmav]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

And done for today as the light ran out. Just moved in and have not had time to get to know the neighbor, need to find out if he is cool with me working late, power tools and all.

I was surprised how much foam was in this model above the deck. Guess they didn't have much room. Notice the picture with thumbs up, I got that piece out almost whole using the chisel end of the mattock. Also snapped a few pics of the frame I threw together for shape. I forgot to get wood for this purpose and used that which I had picked up to do my outboard stand. Will have to run back to store tomorrow but I was having too much fun doing demo

 

[jkust]

Re: 1984 Bayliner 15' Restoration

Thanks jkust. A little jealous to hear that, but looking forward to the work just the same. The nice thing as so many before have pointed out is the ability to go back with whatever I can think of. Here is the latest layout idea I have found for inspiration.

View attachment 190609

Obviously there is no cuddy cabin, but I am more interested in the wraparound benches with a path between them to the steps. I would have to remount the steps to port to acheive this layout but I like it. I could see a mounting plate for a table in front of the starboard bench where the table folds up and tucks into a slot behind port bench.

I'm just glad there are people like you restoring them. Back in the day when the boat was new, we'd get oohs and aahs since it was a nice LOOKING boat, then I grew up and realized BL's were looked down on and didn't like to be seen in it, now, when I use it I get oohs and aahs because it looks like time passed it by and people can't believe it hasn't been restored when I moor at the sand bar. Owning this boat taught me that at least in fresh water, the longevity of any boat is 100% dependent on the owner.