88 Marlin resto project.

[jjh242]

Hey guys, first time on this website.... Im 20 years old and trying to tackle my first major project.... My parents bought the boat new. They put 130 hours on it then parked it cause the floor rotted.... Well 12 years later i am attemtping to restore this boat. Once i got the rotten floor out i found that both motor mounts had rotted and the base mounts below were rotted. I already have replaced the motor mounts and base mounts glassed them all in and am ready to start putting the floor. This winter i plan to redo all the interior. Ill post some pics of what i have done so far.... be gentle for it is my first time. I have some experience with car engines and I build and ride jet skis...

The boat is a 1988 19 foot Marlin Mercuiser with a Chevy 305. It has the cuddy cabin with seating for 6 including the driver.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

Welcome to the madness. Cant wait for pics. I have a baylinner cuddy and just love it.

 

[vi]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

check the transom for rot as well. my 79 had same problems and the transom too. good luck on your project! Theres a ton of information and help here. Vic

 

[jjh242]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

So i stepped away from this project last year just because it appeared to be more than i could handle... Now here i am again really wanting to get it going but dont know where to start... I feel that the way i went about it last year would not work. If anyone could set me in the right direction id much appreciate it. Here are some pictures.... i pretty much cut open the old glass... scraped out the rotted wood and cut and slid the new mounts in and glassed it in. I know thats not the proper way to do it... My question is should i remove the motor and cut everything out and reglass everything?

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

safety is the #1 thing here.
safety is the #2 thing here.
safety is the #3 thing here.
safety is the #4 thing here.

now that, that, is out of the way...think about what started the project, a rotten floor.
boats typically rot from the back to the front and from the bottom to the top.
1. if your deck is rotten, then i would be inspecting the stringers for rot and also check the foam for water. if there's water in the foam, replace it. if the stringers are rotten, replace them.
2. never use dimensional lumber for stringers, transoms or any wood in your boat that is a structural member.
3. if your replacing all of this, check the transom while your at it. drill some inspection holes in the transom, from the inside, but do not go all the way through. preferably drill the holes near the bottom edges of the transom. if there's any rot in the transom, replace it.

this may seem like an overwhelming task to do all this, but if this a boat you really like, go for it.
there are several really great threads on here that go into great detail on how to accomplish all this...take plenty of notes, measurements and pictures of your boat throughout the process.

most importantly, research.
read through the sticky thread at the beginning of this forum on great "how-to's"

there are some really great guys on here to help you through your project...but very few, if any, will condone using short cuts or "band-aid" fixes......again....safety is #1

 

[jjh242]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

Thank you for the response... I have decided if im gonna do it im gonna do it right. I decided im going to be removing all the rotten wood and replacing it. I found that i had rot all the way into the cabin so i will be repairing from the cabin all the way to the transom (which i suspect will have to be repaired as well.) Well here is a pic of the cabin coming apart.

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

take plenty of measurements and pictures....and once you have all your measurements....measure some more

 

[jjh242]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

Sounds like a plan. I am tinkering with the engine atm just to make sure i have an engine to throw in after all the work is done. After that its measuring, pulling the motor and clearing out the boat.

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

if that motor is shot....you can pick up chevy v8's pretty dam cheap....just make sure it's from a van or truck...preferably from an RV of some sorts....so it has the good torquey cam in it....and then just transplant all your marine accessories to the new engine block

 

[jjh242]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

Im fairly sure the motor is good. Just needs a new starter and or battery. Here are some pics of progress. Motor is still in for now but will be coming out soon. I have measured 3 times... 2 times and 3 times and again. This is a lot of work haha. But with the wifes help things are going a lot quicker than i thought it would.
P.S i have tarped the motor while i grind and cut the glass. I also purchased a breathing respirator... should have worn long sleeves tho... my Arms are so irritated.

Thought i would give u guys an idea of what im working with, got the cabin cleared out today and some of the foam out. I am noticing on the runners there is a white paint type stuff. Any ideas what this white stuff is?

 

[jimmy wise]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

looking good guy. mines an 80 open bow marlin. going through the same work. just tearing down now for new stringers, deck and transom. ton of work but it will be worth it. working on gettin steering apart to get outdrive out..jim

 

[jjh242]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

Yea i am fairly sure im gonna have to do the transom... I really want to get my engine out but am waiting for a starter... just want to drop some gas down the carb and hear her fire. Its actually amazing how fast the boat comes apart. Jim does you boat have dimensional lumber for motor mounts?

 

[jimmy wise]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

Yea it looks like 4x6.....ill post lifts if you need them

 

[jjh242]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

yea... Mine has 3 vertical 2x4s sandwiched together and 3 2x6s horizontally stacked... How do you plan on recreating your mounts? I dont really want to use Dimensional lumber... ive been told by people on the site not to.... I have some ideas but havnt really made a decision yet...

 

[jimmy wise]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

I'm sure mines the same now you tell me the way its made.....I don't know yet.......what do they say to use?

 

[jjh242]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

Ply wood is what I'm seeing used.

 

[jimmy wise]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

You could clean them and transom pour them. Looking at how mine was built it needs to be upgraded

 

[jjh242]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

Hey guys im working with a local compistes shop to get me the resin and cloth/mat really cheap.. So should i go with 1oz CSM or 1.5? Also i was thinking of going with a poly resin but the guy their said to use a vinyl resin.He says its easier to work with and is only 70 dollars extra per 5 gallons. What do you guys think? Also for the transom ive see people use the BIAX. He was suggesing using CSM cover with Roven i think? Throw it at me guys what would YOU do if it were your boat. (Dont want to use expoy....)

 

[jjh242]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

Anyone?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 88 Marlin resto project.

Poly Resin is fine. You can pay the extra for the VE but it's not needed. 1.5 oz CSM is what most use. 1708 Biaxial cloth would be my choice over Woven Roving. Much stronger with less weight, uses less resin and LOTS easier to work with. Where R U located and what kind of prices are you getting?