A New Member and a Classic Grady

[Derekxj]

Hey everyone. First post here!!!!! Been into boating and fishing for my entire life. Im 25, and an architect in NYC.

At home, ive got a 69 mako in beautiful condition, as well as an old larson bow-rider, so im far from a newbie, but when it comes to restoration and refreshing and owning my OWN boat i am!!!

My girlfriend owns a beach house and we wanted to go half on a boat on a tight budget. I just purchased
a 1974 Grady White 19.1 C-Atlantic Weekender. Its absolutely gorgeous.

The transom, and hull are rock solid. The exterior is beautiful. Paint is still intact. I was able to inspect the stringers a little
bit and they didnt seem to be water logged. The only thing and the main thing wrong with the boat is the deck is soft on the passenger side in a few places. I plan on re-decking the entire boat myself hopefully in the near future.
I got the boat, the excellent running motor, and a mint trailer with brand new tires for 800. Good deal?

The motor is an 88 SPL evinrude.
Ive found some information on the boat from a grady white brochure. Its got some of the original items missing such as, the fresh water sink and fresh water holding tank, along with some misc. hardware. These are items i would LOVE to procure.

Im looking for help on finding any or all of these parts or as many as possible to make this boat like it was the day it was new. Any help from anyone as to where to get parts, or even some tips on re-decking would be absolutely amazing.

Thanks in advance - Derek.

PS. Attached some pictures of the boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Ive found some information on the boat from a grady white brochure. Its got some of the original items missing such as, the fresh water sink and fresh water holding tank, along with some misc. hardware. These are items i would LOVE to procure.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... It's nearly 40 years old, findin' those original parts is pretty much impossible,...

So,.... Build it back the way You want it, insteada the way it was 40 years ago...

 

[Derekxj]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... It's nearly 40 years old, findin' those original parts is pretty much impossible,...

So,.... Build it back the way You want it, insteada the way it was 40 years ago...

I sappose you are right. I was hoping maybe aftermarket replacements would be available. Like i said, im new to this whole scene, definitally not afraid to get my hands dirty though.

Im also having some trouble finding information on where the livewell and icebox are located on the boat from the factory, where the fresh water tank was located.....ETC.

does anyone have a 70's cabin grady, perhaps even it was the same in the 80's and could help me figure this stuff out so i can eventually put this thing back together?

Thanks for the welcome!!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

After market parts are around, and being as most all boats are made with common parts they can be found. And like all boats over time things get changed to suit the owner. and the restro section can help you through any problem you will run across.

 

[Derekxj]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

After market parts are around, and being as most all boats are made with common parts they can be found. And like all boats over time things get changed to suit the owner. and the restro section can help you through any problem you will run across.

Thanks for the reply......I actualy JUST saw the restoration section,
Should i have posted there instead? I've been on plenty of forums just getting used to how this one works right now.

 

[Bondo]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Thanks for the reply......I actualy JUST saw the restoration section,
Should i have posted there instead? I've been on plenty of forums just getting used to how this one works right now.

Donno,.... Let's see....

 

[Derekxj]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Brought her home yesterday morning...............Im so excited to start making this thing my own / restoring i cant even take it lol.

Here are some more pic's. This boat seems to be incredibly rare, and even more so in this condition. Tell me what you think.
I will be giving it a good hull / interior cleaning next weekend.

 

[Derekxj]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Some additional photos.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

If the deck has soft spots, then there's a good chance you have issues with the stringers and the transom. When you say they are solid, what are you basing that on? The only reliable methods of finding out for sure is to get a moisture scan done via an inspector etc... or drill your own core samples and check the shavings. Boats of this vintage, unless Stored inside all the time and meticulously cared for always seem to have Stringer and transom issues. I would highly recommend you do an extensive inspection of the boat. Lots of examples on how to do it and what to look for here on the forum. Search for Core Samples and Transom/Stringer replacements. You'll find all you ever wanted to know about the subjects.

 

[Derekxj]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Thanks alot for all of the info on this. I suspect that the stringers arent perfect, nor the transom........however i also suspect that they are not compromised. I'm not looking for this to become a complete, and full restoration top to bottom as i do not have the resources or the time for that. IE. Money, garage.....etc. However, the intentions for this boat / light restoration is as follows.

Bring the physical appearance of the boat back to its original, Eventually re-spraying the teal, New bottom paint, ETC.
Make the interior and cabin a nice, comfortable and safe one. Solid floor, re-do the seats eventually, Etc.

This boat will mainly only be used on weekend in calmer waters.........to do a little bit of fishing and cruising here and there etc.
I will definitally not be taking it out into the ocean, or anything of that sort.
The floor will most likely be an expensive and time consuming job to do as is, let alone the stringers nor me or anyone i know have experience with. Perhaps one day it will be in this boats future, but for now.......I just need to make it livable so that i can begin enjoying it as soon as possible : )

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

looks like you might need a wider driveway

 

[Derekxj]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

looks like you might need a wider driveway

It actually fits Perfectly! lol.

The boat is at ( and staying at ) my girlfriends beach house on the north shore of long island, east end. The boat only be used once in a while by us when we are out there and want to go fishing or just go out on the water period. I will not be WORKING on it where it sits though, obviously. I will put it forward infront of the house while working on it.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Here's the problem with your thinking. IF and that's a BIG IF...The stringers and transom have rot in them they can make your boat unsafe to operate. The stresses put on a hull when it's on plane and hits a wave or a wake are tremendous. The stresses that big motor puts on the transom are huge as well. Before you put you and your family and friends in the boat, I'd highly recommend you know for sure its structural integrity has not been compromised.

 

[Derekxj]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Here's the problem with your thinking. IF and that's a BIG IF...The stringers and transom have rot in them they can make your boat unsafe to operate. The stresses put on a hull when it's on plane and hits a wave or a wake are tremendous. The stresses that big motor puts on the transom are huge as well. Before you put you and your family and friends in the boat, I'd highly recommend you know for sure its structural integrity has not been compromised.

Understood. I understand the complexities of rot and how it can happen. The boat can handle a 180 per the spec. It only has an 88 on it and has had for a long time, so i imagine the transom hasnt been compromised VIA engine weight. Possibly due to rot as you say though. The transom Feels.......Very solid, and there are no stress cracks or splitting or ANY sign of transom issues atleast visable what so ever. I understand this is not to say that it could not be damaged internally, just figured this may be worth mentioning as the construction ( and degredation) of boats is new to me.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Like I said before FEEL is not going to tell you much. You can drill core samples very easily and if they are dry then fill the holes with 3M 5200 and you're good to go. When the deck is off is the time to ensure that the rest of the boat is sound.

 

[Derekxj]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Like I said before FEEL is not going to tell you much. You can drill core samples very easily and if they are dry then fill the holes with 3M 5200 and you're good to go. When the deck is off is the time to ensure that the rest of the boat is sound.

Okay thanks.
Where would be the best location on the transom to take a core sample? Perhaps where a transom is most likely to rot?

How large of a core should it be? Also, perhaps a rediculous question but is there any way to get an idea of where im at whithout ripping up the floor?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

use a 1/4" drill bit mark the bit with some tape @ the 1" depth mark. Drill from the inside. Down as low as you can get. If the shavings are light and dry, then you're good to go. Fill the holes with 3M 5200. Does the boat have a ski locker?

 

[Derekxj]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

use a 1/4" drill bit mark the bit with some tape @ the 1" depth mark. Drill from the inside. Down as low as you can get. If the shavings are light and dry, then you're good to go. Fill the holes with 3M 5200. Does the boat have a ski locker?

It has two compartments toward the rear of the boat between the seats and the transom, Side by side starboard and port, I would say the compartments are each 2.5'x 10" each, so i dont think they are actually Ski Lockers, one is deep enough to hold the anchor and rope though, The other i havent opened only because when i towed the boat to its new home i didnt have a flathead on me to pop the lid up ( the latch is busted)

 

[oldsub86]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Hey everyone. First post here!!!!! Been into boating and fishing for my entire life. Im 25, and an architect in NYC.

Just curious but how did you get to be an architect by age 25? That sounds awfully young given the training required to be an architect.

Randy

 

[Derekxj]

Re: A New Member and a Classic Grady

Just curious but how did you get to be an architect by age 25? That sounds awfully young given the training required to be an architect.

Randy

are you an architect?
I went to college starting at 18. I was there for 6 years. working 3 jobs at a time and taking less credits caused me to require an extra year ontop of the 5 year degree i recieved. at 19 i started interning in manhattan, Its the same firm im at now full time. My NCARB requirments are almost filled and im in the middle of taking my Exams, as well as studying to get my LEED certification......... Im not full of it, i just bust my *** lol.