1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

[Captain Gecko]

Hi all,

Well, with some inspiration from this forum (friscoboater, 25thmustang, etc.) I've decided to do some restorative work on my first boat, a 1986 Grew 237 cuddy cruiser. I've only owned the boat for one season, but we've already enjoyed her immensely! The boat appears to be in great shape structurally - I've pulled covers and everything appears solid, no weak spots on the floor, etc. Motor runs very well.

So the resto is mainly cosmetic at this point, but there's a lot to do. Here's my current TO-DO list:

• Refinish teak pieces - UNDERWAY
• Re-paint outdrive - DONE
• Paint hull (grey portion) to white
• Re-paint anti-fouling paint?
• Re-finish/replace vinyl seat material
• New floor rug
• Full audio upgrade - head unit, amps, speakers

I've already started and am hoping to have the boat painted before I splash her this month. I've got plenty of questions, so thank you in advance for any and all help!

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: 1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

Here is the boat -

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: 1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

Lots of teak on this boat, plenty to refinish.

Here's the rear deck, looking rough...

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: 1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

In the garage, ready for some sanding...

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: 1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

Sanded, with an initial coat of Helmsman spar polyurethane varnish. Wood came out beautifully, love the grain.

Closeup...

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: 1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

Pieces finished. I applied about 6-7 coats, sanding between the first three or four. Came out nicely. Not quite perfect glass, but I'm pleased. I did all the rear swim deck pieces, the swim ladder steps as well as the boat entrance ladder steps (which were red oak, not teak). Bow pulpit pics to follow.

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: 1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

The bow pulpit was also looking pretty beat up...big ol' hunk of teak. Weighs a fair bit!

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: 1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

This piece took a LOT of sanding. Some deep cracks, scratches and damage. I got it to a point where most of the weathered wood had been removed. Again, about 6-7 coats of Helmsman.

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: 1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

I need to purchase a new anchor mount plate (term?) for the pulpit, then I'll re-install.

Mercruiser paint pics coming...

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: 1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

Here's the outdrive, some work to do here...before shots:

I sanded off all the loose paint and got the drive as clean as I could.

Bottom of the drive, sanding in progress.

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: 1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

After I had finished sanding, I primed the drive with a can of zinc primer from the Mercruiser dealer. I then painted three coats of Mercruiser Phantom Black outdrive paint, again from the dealer. I was not looking for a concours finish here, trying to be realistic about the restoration. I'm new to boats, but I've done a fair bit of work on cars in the past and I'm trying to use my limited time as best I can. Goal here was to get the drive protected and cleaned up, not win a refinishing medal.

Finished drive, looking much better!

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: 1986 Grew 237 Restoration - PICS and advice needed

My next big piece of work is to paint the hull. Specifically, I'm thinking of painting the middle grey portion. The upper black band seems ok, just needs a good compound polish and wax. The anti-fouling will also need a new coat.

I was thinking of removing those red stripes on the hull and painting the grey portion white to match the color of the upper deck. Was looking at using Interlux Brightside paint.

Thoughts/advice? Never painted a boat.