KDMatt
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2009
- Messages
- 33
Hey guys, for those of you that missed my introduction, I recently inherited a 1989 Deckboat Ski-deck from my grandparents as something of a family heirloom. They bought it brand new, so I effectively grew up and came of age on this boat; It's always been in the family, so it's got quite a bit of sentimental value attached to it, which is the biggest reason I'm plunging head long into a resto.
I've picked up some reading material on fiberglass boat restoration, and watched nearly all of Mr. FriscoJarrets' videos on youtube on the subject, so I'm feeling reasonably prepared to continue moving forward. This thread is going to serve as a sort of running diary of the project, as well as a place for me to gather opinions and ideas from people who've been down this road before.
I should probably make a note that while I am mechanically inclined, good with wiring/electronics, and pretty competent with power tools, I'm not much of a woodworker, and I've never worked with fiberglass before. Most of my materials/building experience has been in technical theater, and most of the people that I will be corralling me into helping will all have technical theater and/or costuming backgrounds. Fun, huh?
I got a good jump on the project over the weekend, unbolting the interior pieces and ripping up all of the (gross) carpeting.
The Positives:
Transom is A-OK
Outer stringers are solid (i.e. good/healthy sawdust when drilling for samples)
Lots of good/healthy wood toward the front of the deck
The Negatives:
The inner stringers are rotten
as are the bulkheads
A good 2/3 of the deck is rotten too.
I'll let you guys take a look at the pics; I'm debating prepping the inner stringers for a seacast pour -- I've read a lot of other members' threads on that route, and while I definitely think there is something to be said for keeping traditional, I also have to concede that modern, space-age materials yield many benefits as well.
I'm also thinking I might add some extra structuring for where the seats bolt down to the deck, just to minimize any flex. That's a discussion for another day, however.
I've picked up some reading material on fiberglass boat restoration, and watched nearly all of Mr. FriscoJarrets' videos on youtube on the subject, so I'm feeling reasonably prepared to continue moving forward. This thread is going to serve as a sort of running diary of the project, as well as a place for me to gather opinions and ideas from people who've been down this road before.
I should probably make a note that while I am mechanically inclined, good with wiring/electronics, and pretty competent with power tools, I'm not much of a woodworker, and I've never worked with fiberglass before. Most of my materials/building experience has been in technical theater, and most of the people that I will be corralling me into helping will all have technical theater and/or costuming backgrounds. Fun, huh?
I got a good jump on the project over the weekend, unbolting the interior pieces and ripping up all of the (gross) carpeting.
The Positives:
Transom is A-OK
Outer stringers are solid (i.e. good/healthy sawdust when drilling for samples)
Lots of good/healthy wood toward the front of the deck
The Negatives:
The inner stringers are rotten
as are the bulkheads
A good 2/3 of the deck is rotten too.
I'll let you guys take a look at the pics; I'm debating prepping the inner stringers for a seacast pour -- I've read a lot of other members' threads on that route, and while I definitely think there is something to be said for keeping traditional, I also have to concede that modern, space-age materials yield many benefits as well.
I'm also thinking I might add some extra structuring for where the seats bolt down to the deck, just to minimize any flex. That's a discussion for another day, however.