First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

[Red Rover]

This will be my first complete boat restoration. I was told that it is an older Stamas boat, I don't know the year or model, but it is 19 ft long. Maybe someone can help me id it. The deck has already been removed and the framework was put in for a new one, but it is in poor shape. The stringers are also rotten and the gunnels have been redone before, but the wood wasn't sealed on the underside. I am an experienced carpenter, but not so experienced with fiberglass. I am planning on using 2 strips of 3/4 marine ply laminated together to replace the stringers, then glassing them in. Then redo the framework for the deck and covering it with resin then, glassing in the 3/4 marine ply deck. The gunnels I will use 1/2 marine ply to replace. Am I on the right track? Also what type of cloth should I use where and how many layers? I have been reading a lot of threads on this, and I guess I should use epoxy for all the glassing, and maybe poly resin to cover the undersides of the deck? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Are these pictures the right size now?

 

[osborn159]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

hello and welcome,
to try and answer your ?s, yes you are on the right track, figure which resin you want to use, epoxy stronger/more $$$, poly not as strong/less$$$,
dont know what your boat will require for glass cloth/mat and plys mine is 15'9" im using 2 plys of 1708biax w/mat stiched to the back, your baot is larger and looks gulf/ocean worthy so you may want/need to go stronger yet.
on your deck panels if you use epoxy you can just roll or brush 2 coats on and put it down, if you use polyester 2 coats then some mat, then wet all that out. install. im not the expert here, just a dusty guy rebuilding a boat like you, hope some of this helps.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

Welcome to the world of restoration.

You are on the right track.

Yes, epoxy resin is stronger then poly resin and you spell that $$$tronger. Your build will be directly related to your wallet.

Our advice here in this section is do it right if you are going to do it at all and we hate band aid repairs!

We really are photo junkies but.... they are best at 640 x 480 for the forum. We still have over 20% of our member's on dial up services and it also speeds up our servers

 

[Ironpig]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

From the pics it looks as if someone has put a deck in it that is not the same height as the original deck.

 

[Red Rover]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

Yes, I am going to try to do it right. I'm trying to get a game plan together so I can do it the right way. The main deck, front deck and gunnels have been redone and not done very good. I am going to have to remove all that. Does anyone have any ideas about how the original deck might have been? Also, would 1/2 marine ply suffice for the deck?

 

[Ironpig]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

you can tell below where the old deck (floor) had been cut out. The new stringers look like they were placed on top of where the old deck was.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

I prefer 3/4" for my decks but MANY people use 1/2". If you add glass to it, it will be plenty rigid.

 

[Red Rover]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

Does anyone have any recomendations on where to purchase epoxy resin and cloth? I have the marine ply located, I just need to find the other materials. Are there any good web sites to order from that have good prices?

 

[osborn159]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

check your local area 1st for fiberglass supplies, it will save you ridiculous hazmat shipping fees. i can get 5 gal polyester resin $102 a pail, then add shipping and hazmat fees $20-30 per pail. plus if you have any ??? about the product you can call and get answers locally. my local supplier has willingly spent time on the phone w/ me to answer ???s i had, and has kept me from spending money on crap i really didnt need.
plus i like supporting a local small business.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

I don't think epoxy incurs the hazmat fees. (at least I didn't notice paying them when I ordered mine) Check out US Composites.

 

[Red Rover]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

I found out today that the boat is a 1962 Stamas. I have been looking for some original pictures, but I haven't been able to find any. I think the boat was originally a cuddy cabin and later converted to a cc. I got the deck framework torn out today, next comes the stringers. Thanks for the advice about the hazmat costs, I'll have to check into it.

 

[Red Rover]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

I've been reading others projects, man is there a lot to read on here, it is great. Ok, I finally got around to work on the boat. I have a 3 month old and time is a little hard to come by, but working on the boat is great medicine. I cut out the old stringers and the little bow deck. I'm now working on getting all the old glass out and prepped for the new stringers. Is grinding out the old glass, sanding everything down, then cleaning with acetone the correct prep method? Got the marine ply the other day. I plan on using epoxy for the glass layups, but should I coat any wood I put in the boat with polyester resin before I glass it in. Also what type of cloth and how many layers should I use on
1. Stringers
2. Deck topside
3. Gunnels
Thanks for the help everyone on here seems to be very helpful. I will post more pics probably this weekend.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

I hear you on the 3 month old. I had a transom project on my last boat going the year our son was born. I think it was June till I hit the water! It gets better though. (but not much, he's 2.5 now and still slowing down the 'ol project but at least this year he'll be able to come fishing!)

Your procedure sounds good except for the polyester part. If you're going with epoxy for your glass work then stick with epoxy for coating the wood also.

 

[osborn159]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

hey good to hear your still out there, i am not experienced enought to tell you what your layup should be, i can tell you my plan.
i will use 1708 and poly resin under the deck,2 plys on the stringers and on transom, once deck is installed i will use 2 plys of csm on the deck and gunnels.
hope this helps.

 

[Red Rover]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

Another newbie question concerning the prep work. I know I need to grind out all the old fiberglass, and then sand. But, what grit should I use? I know once I do the whole glassing process once, things will go much easier, but I want to make sure I get it right the first time.

 

[osborn159]

Re: First Complete Boat Resto, Older 19 ft. Stamas?

i use a 7" angle grinder with a 24 grit disc, if you have never ground f/g use a 50 grit to start till you get the feel of it. its easy to grind thru if you dont pay attn. buy 2-3 of them, they look rough and last a while, they may cake up.
keep the grinder moving over the work, and keep it as flat as possible to avoid wavy spots,
hope this helps, D