Any Three Buoys houseboat owners around?

texasvet54

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 5, 2010
Messages
267
I have a Three Buoys houseboat and I'd like to talk to other owners to compare maintenance notes. Anyone around?

texasvet
 

NSBCraig

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
1,907
Re: Any Three Buoys houseboat owners around?

I was looking at one but had problems with financing.

Post some pics if you get a chance.
 

tarpleyg

Cadet
Joined
Sep 30, 2010
Messages
10
Re: Any Three Buoys houseboat owners around?

I used to have one in a charter fleet I managed years ago. It was a '90-'91 ~56' IIRC but I cannot recall any specific model designation. I'll try to remember what I can...what specific questions do you have about them?

Greg
 

texasvet54

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 5, 2010
Messages
267
Re: Any Three Buoys houseboat owners around?

I used to have one in a charter fleet I managed years ago. It was a '90-'91 ~56' IIRC but I cannot recall any specific model designation. I'll try to remember what I can...what specific questions do you have about them?

Thanks for the reply. I have two interests at this time. One is whether or not you had any cracks in the fiberglass and how you fixed them if you did? The other is whether you had any leaks in the aluminum hull and how you fixed them?

Currently, I have probably a dozen small cracks in the fiberglass hull that range anwhere from a couple of inches to 8 inches. Also, I have a small leak that is at the bottom center of the transom where the transom meets the bottom of the boat. Other than that one leak, the boat is tight as a drum.

Thanks,
texasvet
 

tarpleyg

Cadet
Joined
Sep 30, 2010
Messages
10
Re: Any Three Buoys houseboat owners around?

I used to have one in a charter fleet I managed years ago. It was a '90-'91 ~56' IIRC but I cannot recall any specific model designation. I'll try to remember what I can...what specific questions do you have about them?

Thanks for the reply. I have two interests at this time. One is whether or not you had any cracks in the fiberglass and how you fixed them if you did? The other is whether you had any leaks in the aluminum hull and how you fixed them?

Currently, I have probably a dozen small cracks in the fiberglass hull that range anwhere from a couple of inches to 8 inches. Also, I have a small leak that is at the bottom center of the transom where the transom meets the bottom of the boat. Other than that one leak, the boat is tight as a drum.

Thanks,
texasvet
We had a lot of cracks in the fiberglass. Around any structural stress point as you might imagine. Most were up on the top deck and a few were quite large and as a result the flooring underneath had to be replaced and the fiberglass repaired and then we painted over it with some heavy duty enamel. The smaller cracks were usually ground out and filled with resin and rolled up fiberglass mat and then covered and sanded to finish and painted. Those weren't so bad.

The boat always had a small amount of water in the bilge but it was never enough to cause me any concerns and I never went looking for the leak. Most likely some poorly fitted through-hull fitting somewhere. That leak can probably be repaired pretty easily, especially since you already know where it is.

I will say that for what we put that boat through it held up remarkably well. It was chartered out almost every weekend from April-Septmember for over 5 years and renters are tough on everything, especially when they get to drinking and staying overnight on stuff. That thing sure was a bear to drive in the wind though...can't say I miss it at all.

I'd love to see some pictures of yours if you have any.

Greg
 

Jeep Man

Commander
Joined
Oct 17, 2008
Messages
2,803
Re: Any Three Buoys houseboat owners around?

Browse through the Restoration section. There are several threads about fibreglass and aluminum repairs. Some are quite detailed and some with video as well. I doubt the method of repair would be exclusive to Three Bouys.
 

texasvet54

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 5, 2010
Messages
267
Re: Any Three Buoys houseboat owners around?

Here are some pics. I think.

texasvet

houseboat77.jpghouseboat.JPGhouseboat88.jpghouseboat9.jpg
 
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