1st rebuild; old Chrysler

[Jody H.]

I need some advice. I want to rebuild this old boat. There are several issues and I'm unsure of where to start. The motor or the boat? And after that, what issues do I tackle first on the hull. The transom has rot, I've already removed most of the floor and the foam seems to be holding water. There are multiple cracks in the hull. Right now the bottom of the hull seems to be pushed up by where it rests on the trailer. Also it seems as if the top is seperate from the bottom and has seperated at the transom. I started two other topics on this boat this past week before I read the forum guidelines. I apologize. This will be the thread I use for this rebuild. My work schedual is a little demanding, but I would like to get this one on the water this season. Anyone out there have a direction for me? Whats step one? Thanks in advance. Here's some pictures. I'll post more on another comment.

 

[Jody H.]

I'm trying to upload pics off of my Iphone but it keeps telling me the file size is too big. Anyone else have this problem. Can I shrink my file size? Any solution to a non boat issue?

 

[Jody H.]

No Title

Ok. Here's some more pics.

 

[gm280]

Well you do have a project that's for sure. And I may add quite an ambitious one at that to get it finished for this season. First thing is to remove the OB engine and fit it to an engine stand. You can research on these threads for such a stand project. It is really easy to build one. And then when you are not working the boat hull itself (like waiting for parts and materials) you can work the engine too. Once the engine is removed, now its time for demolition. If the cap on the boat is already separated, then remove it as well. But not before taking tons of pictures and measurements. Those will come in handy later on. Once you have the top cap off, make sure the hull doesn't spread on you. In other words make some side supports to hold the hull to its original shape. Take measurements again before doing any work so you know the size it has to be for the top to fit back on again. Some folks use 2 x 4 stretchers from side to side to keep the hull from spreading. But outside supports will work too. Some folks even make a boat cradle to hold everything to the correct size as they do the work. Again research the project threads and see what others have done, and pick one that you like. If you are still with me, now comes the tearing out portion. Cut, claw, rip or whatever it takes to remove any and all rotted soaked and deteriorated material in the hull. All the carpet, wood, soaked foam, and whatever else is there. It all comes out! Post your progress as you are accomplishing this and we will assist you to what is next... Let us know and post those pictures. And yes you need to resize your pictures just a little smaller for them to work on here OR open a photo bucket account and use it... We wait for more pictures and progress...

 

[Corjen1]

Read Wood on Glass's Blue flamingo thread!! Welcome to Dry dock !!!

 

[Jody H.]

No Title

I guess this was a stringerless boat? This is a picture of the hull after I removed the rotted floor and foam. I also cut away part of the top to access the transom to replace. Was this a mistake? My thought is I can reinforce then glass back in.

 

[jbcurt00]

I can't really tell what I'm looking at in that 1st pix, stringer-less, maybe, but then the hull should be made such that it doesn't need stringers. It doesn't look like it is. Perhaps more pix, some close like the 1st pix, others further back so you can see the entire interior area, or at least half of it, plus close ups.

You can replace a transom that way, cutting the end of the splashwell off. It makes the repair to put it back on the highly visible back of the boat, instead of up under the splashwell where it's basically hidden. But it is certainly much less work for yourself to do it that way, just much more visible work.

 

[Jody H.]

I should have taken the whole cap off. Okay. I was probably hacking into it while you were replying gm. I got a little ahead of myself. It's late now but I will take some more pics and keep in mind to help you guys see more. C1 i will look into that. Jb, I was a little frustrated about how to access the inside of the transom. Maybe if I had paused and stepped back, I could have seen the bigger solution. Thanks for for you guys post. I will be back with more updates.

 

[jbcurt00]

It is totally up to the re-builder, you, as to which way you access the transom and do any of the rest of the work.

Unless you plan to make it a trailer queen, I suspect you can make it look just fine when you put it back together. What's done is done. Like many things, you and I may do them differently. Truthfully, my real opinion is: if it gets this ole boat back in use, any old way that's safe and sea worth is great, so carry on....

Ask lots of questions, and post lots of pix. There will be plenty of help along the way.

 

[Jody H.]

No Title

Heres the motor stand I rigged up from salvaged lumber and lag bolts. After work tonight I'm gonna cut down a drum for water.

 

[Jody H.]

No Title

Here is a better look at wheat I have going on under the foam. Should I consider adding stringers or will the two part pourable foam be sufficient?

 

[Jody H.]

No Title

The black board sitting under the boat is a synthetic "space age" flooring that is lightweight, strong and bonds really well to epoxy. The second picture is a close up of the board. I really want to use this to replace the bad wood in the transom. Anyone with experience using this?

 

[Jody H.]

No Title

Okay. Transom out. Cut, claw and whatever it takes, right? Only about 4" on the sides of the transom was rotted. The rest was wet, but well in place. Lol. But I am making forward progress. More demo to do before i actually get to put her all together. Mor floor to remove then the hull patches begin. Now I need to learn about fiberglass. I will have to patch a few spots. Then re glass the inside of the transom amd the whole floor. I am leaving out steps because this is a fiberglass question. Where is the best resource to buy large sheets, and what type etc...