Boat newbie looking for advice

[Woodonglass]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

One major question that I still haven't found an answer to is how to get the fiberglass layer removed from the side of the boat. Can I just cut it off with a jig saw or something?

I believe you are referring to the LIP that is left after you have removed the deck/sole from the boat and there is a 1-2" Lip left sticking out from the sides of the hull. This is addressed in almost every thread concerning removing the deck from your boat. You use a 4 1/2" grinder with a backup pad and 24 or 36 grit sanding discs and Grind it off.

Does it absolutely need a fiberglass/epoxy cover, or will just waterproofing it and covering it with exterior carpet work?

This question is ALSO addressed in almost every thread concerning deck/sole replacement and the answer is yes, if you want the deck/sole to last for any amount of time at all it MUST be cover with either Polyester resing and mat, or epoxy resin. We mostly recommend Poly resin and mat because that is what your boat is Made out of and it is significantly less expensive than epoxy.

like wrap it in teflon tape like plumbers do

No teflon tape required, A standard Drain tube plug is all that is required!

So let's talk about what IS required in order for your boat to be WATER SAFE. It appears that you have Floatation Foam under the Deck/Sole. It also appears that this foam is Waterlogged and it will ALL Have to be removed. This foam can and will add SIGNIFICANT weight to your boat and is DANGEROUS. The substructure of your boat constists of Stringers, Bulkheads and a Transom all of which play a significant part in the overall integrity of your boats Strength. These structures MUST be checked for Rot to determine if they are structurally sound. If they are not they must be replaced and encapsulated in fiberglass to keep them from rotting again and to keep the boat structural integrity intact. ALL of this is talked about and illustrated in MULTIPLE threads throughout this fourm. The pictures you have posted lead me to believe your boat needs to have a total restoration to make it safe for your family to be on the water. I would not recommend a PARTIAL or QUICK FIX to get it ON THE WATER.

Here are a few GOOD threads to read and study...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=441929&highlight=parrisw

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=287390&highlight=drewpster

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=479819

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Geeez Pete1burn, you have A LOT of work there :/ You may be able to find another, better hull to start with per Tubingluvr's post. I know you've already got the boat and want to get her going, but she may not be worth the headache, but if you decide to stick with it there are tons of links here that can walk you through what you need.

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

The general feeling here so far is that it's not worth the trouble. I'm starting to believe it. I finally got the rest of the deck off, and all of the stringers are completely rotted. The center one will be the worst pain, since it goes from being thick near the bow to thinner at the stern. It's so rotten there's no way I'll get it out cleanly to use as a template. Without a template, cutting a new center stringer is going to be close to impossible.

I suppose at first it doesn't seem like too much work. Cut three new stringers, three new cross pieces, glass it all down with epoxy, lay down some foam on the side hulls, lay down and glass a new deck, cover it with vinyl or exterior carpet.

But if I consider the cost of all of that plus what I've already paid for the boat, I probably could get a better hull with only minor repairs needed. Such as this one:

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/boa/2495560903.html

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Chances of an '89 Bayliner also being rotted are about 80%.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

I'd recommend looking for something like this:

16' Starcraft Super Sport. Aluminum hull. aluminum stringers. Should be pretty cheap with no motor.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Yep, buyin that cuddy cabin boat would be like jumpin Outa the Fryin Pan into the FIRE!!!!!! Boats Cost MONEY! There is NO such thing as a CHEAP BOAT!!!! $3,000 to $4,000 minimum IF you're LUCKY!!!!! If you want to get in the water QUICK, follow EZ's advice and look for a "TINNY"

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Found an aluminum Starcraft, but doesn't say it's a super sport.

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2493072919.html

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Found an aluminum Starcraft, but doesn't say it's a super sport.

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2493072919.html

That actually IS a SuperSport and a fantastic deal also.

An SS is not necessary. I was just using it as an example of a great all-purpose aluminum hull. Lots of great aluminum hulls out there by Starcraft, Sylvan, Sea Nymph, Mirrocraft, Smokercraft, Blue Fin, Grumman, etc etc.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Yep, about the only thing that could be wrong with that rig is the transom and THAT is a One WEEKEND $200 fix. MAYBE some leaky rivets but $50 bucks worth of GLUVIT will take care of them too!
I THINK we have a WINNER!!!!!!

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Perhaps it could have been but it was sold this morning. The search continues.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

We have a constant "Starcrafts on Craigslist" thread running down in the Starcraft section. You should update your profile with your location. Someone might find one in your area and send you a link.

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

A question for you guys. You'll probably laugh at this but I figured I'd ask.

A buddy of mine came by to look at the boat since he repaired his stringers last year. He said the easiest thing to do would be to get some treated wood that doesn't rot, sandwich the bad boards with the new ones, then drill a few holes and bolt the new wood beams together.

Basically, I'd be putting new stringers on either side of the bad ones and then bolting them together at various places. Put some closed cell foam board in, then glass and epoxy everything over that, then just put a new deck on with glass over it, then carpet or vinyl.

He said it won't last forever, but will last fine for this season and probably next while I'm looking around for something newer in better condition. Then I can junk this hull if I want and put the engine on something better.

Thoughts?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

I don't like the sound of it:/ First of all, you shouldn't use treated lumber on aluminum boats, and if you're going to go to all of the trouble of ripping out the floor to get to the stringers, why not just repair/replace them properly only to cover them up again with a floor that you will then rip out and replace again to do the final repair? that will actually cost you twice as much and take twice the time. Not to mention the fact that the old, wet wood will probably start to rot the new wood. Cheap, quick, easy fixes are virtually non-existant when it comes to boats (i.e. Break Out Another Thousand = BOAT). Tempting to try to get more for less, but not worth it in the long run. Just my 2 cents.

 

[phone sails]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

go for it all boats are a waste of money ,,so for someone to tell you it is not worth it is ridiculous ,,,you can spend 3,000 bucks on a boat that will be in turn key condition but sooner or later you gonna spend some money again ,,and trust me it will be sooner than later ,,just make sure you know that restoring a boat is not a investment that WILL RETURN YOU ANY MONEY just good times and empty pockets lol,,,make sure you do it right and that you enjoy the proccess otherwise just go out and finance a boat ,,(lol since every one on here has $15,000 down payment and 800 beacon score ))

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

The boat isn't aluminum, it's fiberglass. I told him it didn't make any sense and that it seems easier just to replace the wood. I dunno. I think I'm just gonna do what I can with it and see where it goes. I just wanted a fun runner to take my wife out on and do some fishing for a couple hours every other weekend. It'll be an interesting project I suppose.

Is treated lumber ok to use on fiberglass hulls? I'm pretty sure I read that it is, just not on aluminum boats.

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Was also considering perhaps financing a cheap used boat. How are Four Winns? See here: Four Winns boat

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Yeah, but Ext. grade Plywood is MUCH better to use and LIGHTER. IF, BIG IF, you are considering repairing this boat, you really need to refer BACK to my earlier post #21 and READ and STUDY the threads I posted so you can truly understand everything that is involved in restoring this boat to a safe and operable condition.

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Oh yes, I wasn't talking about the deck material, I was talking about the lumber for the new stringers.

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Any thoughts on the Four Winns boat I linked a few posts up?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Boat newbie looking for advice

Oh yes, I wasn't talking about the deck material, I was talking about the lumber for the new stringers.

So was I!!!!

Any boat that's over 20 years old is likely to have the same issues that you are currently experiencing.