Well, here goes...
Before I get to my actual questions, I am going to give a bit of a background on myself and the project boat. My goal for this project is to end up with something that I can take the family out to the local lakes for a bit of weekend fun a few times a year. I don't have a large budget, so I don't want to spend more than I have to - but I am more than willing to spend the money to the job properly (but not necessarily top notch).
While I am new to boating in general (this is my first boat), I am strong in mechanical ability - welder by trade, with lots of layout and construction layout experience, and a little woodworking knowledge but no experience with fibreglass. The one thing I can supply in fair abundance is time and labour. My woodworking tool inventory is in short supply, I only have the basics and I don't really care to spend a couple of grand in specialty tools either. Again, If it necessary, I will get it, but only if necessary.
The boat is a 16' (actually 15' 6") calglass runabout. The hull is essentially good but has a couple of problem areas I will discuss later. There is no motor or interior, it is literally an empty hull with a floor and a cap.
This is how it sits today:
First of all, it needs a floor. The fibreglass covering the floor is completely delaminated from the plywood core.
This is no problem. I am confident that I can put in a floor thats better quality than the one it came with from the factory. Considering that I almost put my foot through the floor where the pilots seat should have been, I am positive the stringers need replacement too and I am planning to do them along with the floor.
While I was cleaning out the years of leafs, pine needles, and general lawn refuse from the interior, I discovered the hull does actually have a fairly good leak. It's right on the keel.
Here is the best picture of the damaged area I could get:
As you can see, this area has been a problem for a while as one of the previous owners attempted a repair(s???) before.
Another problem area is the Transom. While it does appear fairly strong, I did manage to stick a probe past/under the cap and through various holes and found that I could press the probe into the wood core fairly easily, so it appears that it needs a transom replacement as well.
So, here start the questions:
If I didn't say it before, I will now. The point of all these questions is for me to assess whether or not it is feasible and reasonable for me to complete the project and end up with weekend toy that is safe for me to take the family out to play. If this particular boat is not going to allow me complete the project in a reasonable timeframe (by next summer) for reasonable cost then I will give up on this boat and find a different project to pursue.
First of all, when I do the floor, what thickness of plywood should I plan on using? Normally, I would pull up and see what is already there, but I don't know if the presently existing material is original or not, or even if it is, was it correct to start with. Is 3/4" right, or do I need more/less? What about the stringers? (this is for purposes of planning a budget)
But, the keel leak and the transom are the greatest concern for me.
I lack the facilities to flip the boat to work on the keel, so whatever I do to fix this will be from the top side and on my back under the boat. Yes, it will be away from the trailer so I can get at the repair site.
I know it will be possible to make this repair, but is it reasonable to make this type of repair given the above conditions?
The Transom is the other issue. I don't really want to pull the cap, but I know that it will be necessary to repair it. While the wood core of the transom is soft, it is still a complete piece of wood.
I have read up on a few manufacturers that have products that claim to be able to stabilize and reinforce wood in this state by means of injectable adhesives. Is this type of repair feasible, or does this sound like a complete transom replacement? (I believe I already know the proper answer to this question already, but I guess I am just looking for opinions.)
What material thickness for transom, 1"?
And now for a question out of left field.
This boat is obviously an outboard hull.
But, since I will be replacing the floor and Transom, how much more effort would it be to convert it to a sterndrive? Nothing crazy, say a 4 cyl Merc. I know, I know, I said I didn't want to spend more money than necessary, BUt I really like the idea of an I/O rather than an outboard.
So, What is everyone's opinion? (And don't be worried about hurting my feelings, just say what you mean) Should this green landlubber pursue this project; fix up the floor, keel, transom, and find an outboard?
Or should I turf it and look for a different project; something that already has an I/O and doesn't need extensive repairs?
Or option #3, cut and section the hull, add a couple or three feet to the length, a foot or two to the beam, add a cabin, and throw in a pair of 350 ci inboards???
hahaha, don't answer that last one...
Before I get to my actual questions, I am going to give a bit of a background on myself and the project boat. My goal for this project is to end up with something that I can take the family out to the local lakes for a bit of weekend fun a few times a year. I don't have a large budget, so I don't want to spend more than I have to - but I am more than willing to spend the money to the job properly (but not necessarily top notch).
While I am new to boating in general (this is my first boat), I am strong in mechanical ability - welder by trade, with lots of layout and construction layout experience, and a little woodworking knowledge but no experience with fibreglass. The one thing I can supply in fair abundance is time and labour. My woodworking tool inventory is in short supply, I only have the basics and I don't really care to spend a couple of grand in specialty tools either. Again, If it necessary, I will get it, but only if necessary.
The boat is a 16' (actually 15' 6") calglass runabout. The hull is essentially good but has a couple of problem areas I will discuss later. There is no motor or interior, it is literally an empty hull with a floor and a cap.
This is how it sits today:
First of all, it needs a floor. The fibreglass covering the floor is completely delaminated from the plywood core.
This is no problem. I am confident that I can put in a floor thats better quality than the one it came with from the factory. Considering that I almost put my foot through the floor where the pilots seat should have been, I am positive the stringers need replacement too and I am planning to do them along with the floor.
While I was cleaning out the years of leafs, pine needles, and general lawn refuse from the interior, I discovered the hull does actually have a fairly good leak. It's right on the keel.
Here is the best picture of the damaged area I could get:
As you can see, this area has been a problem for a while as one of the previous owners attempted a repair(s???) before.
Another problem area is the Transom. While it does appear fairly strong, I did manage to stick a probe past/under the cap and through various holes and found that I could press the probe into the wood core fairly easily, so it appears that it needs a transom replacement as well.
So, here start the questions:
If I didn't say it before, I will now. The point of all these questions is for me to assess whether or not it is feasible and reasonable for me to complete the project and end up with weekend toy that is safe for me to take the family out to play. If this particular boat is not going to allow me complete the project in a reasonable timeframe (by next summer) for reasonable cost then I will give up on this boat and find a different project to pursue.
First of all, when I do the floor, what thickness of plywood should I plan on using? Normally, I would pull up and see what is already there, but I don't know if the presently existing material is original or not, or even if it is, was it correct to start with. Is 3/4" right, or do I need more/less? What about the stringers? (this is for purposes of planning a budget)
But, the keel leak and the transom are the greatest concern for me.
I lack the facilities to flip the boat to work on the keel, so whatever I do to fix this will be from the top side and on my back under the boat. Yes, it will be away from the trailer so I can get at the repair site.
I know it will be possible to make this repair, but is it reasonable to make this type of repair given the above conditions?
The Transom is the other issue. I don't really want to pull the cap, but I know that it will be necessary to repair it. While the wood core of the transom is soft, it is still a complete piece of wood.
I have read up on a few manufacturers that have products that claim to be able to stabilize and reinforce wood in this state by means of injectable adhesives. Is this type of repair feasible, or does this sound like a complete transom replacement? (I believe I already know the proper answer to this question already, but I guess I am just looking for opinions.)
What material thickness for transom, 1"?
And now for a question out of left field.
This boat is obviously an outboard hull.
But, since I will be replacing the floor and Transom, how much more effort would it be to convert it to a sterndrive? Nothing crazy, say a 4 cyl Merc. I know, I know, I said I didn't want to spend more money than necessary, BUt I really like the idea of an I/O rather than an outboard.
So, What is everyone's opinion? (And don't be worried about hurting my feelings, just say what you mean) Should this green landlubber pursue this project; fix up the floor, keel, transom, and find an outboard?
Or should I turf it and look for a different project; something that already has an I/O and doesn't need extensive repairs?
Or option #3, cut and section the hull, add a couple or three feet to the length, a foot or two to the beam, add a cabin, and throw in a pair of 350 ci inboards???
hahaha, don't answer that last one...
