First Resroration! HELP!

[Cpeters1928]

Hello everyone,
Today I have taken the first step into restoring my first boat. The boat is a 1989 Bonito 190F center console. I recived the boat pretty bare. The only things that where with is where the console (bare no throttle steering wheel or anything) a steering cable which I believe is locked up (tried moving it with my hand and it did not budge) bilge pump with float switch (not sure if it works seems to be in rough shape) a cooler seat that may or may not be able to be saved a loose fuel tank and a bunch of various wires. To begin, the deck and transom are solid I have checked everywhere and found no soft spots. There are two boxes towered the stern that I'm not really sure what they do. One appeared to be a battery box? The other has a thick piece of rusted metal inside and I have no idea what that one is for. The boat will need everything from top to bottom repainted (which if anyone knows of a cheap place to buy paint please let me know). It has a casting deck in the front with what I believe is an anchor box and another place below I guess for storage. Neather including the boxes in the back have any covers on them so there are big holes pretty much. The gunwales toward the bow have, not sure how to describe it but I guess cracked and are slightly seperated. I was thinking just get a fiberglass repair kit and seal in back together? Also on the transom a piece of the fiberglass had come off. It is about a 1 foot section that is Bear. Also was thinking of using that kit? There are many things I am just lost with about this boat. One being WHERE DOES THE FUEL TANK GO?!?!? I've looked everywhere on the deck and I can't find a well where is should be placed. Am I looking in the wrong place? The tank is a 24 gallon tank with all the hoses hooked up. Another thing I can't seem to figure out is under the splash well where I had assumed the bilge is supposed to go has no where for the bilge hose to go. It's almost like a big open hole. I know this may be hard to picture but I will have many pictures for everyone tomorrow morning if you want to check back. I really want to finish this boat and really make it my own how I like it. If there is anything specific you would like to see pictures of please let me know and ill take them. Thank you for looking have a nice day.

 

[bakerjw]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

Pictures will certainly help. Did you buy the boat or was it given to you? i.e. How much do you have in it? Do you know the history of the boat? Always stored indoors or always outside? All too often, digging around will lead to finding other things that need attention. Sometimes serious things.

Everything felt solid on my 1990 Stratos. Decks were solid, transom was solid but looked a bit swollen. Unfortunately everything was totally saturated with water. I am in the process of taking it down to a bare hull and rebuilding it from the ground up. I gave more for the boat that I should have, but it went to a good cause. If I'd gotten it for a real good price, it'd probably would have been scrapped.

Please post pics.

 

[Teamster]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

Pictures,...........

 

[GT1000000]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

If there is anything specific you would like to see pictures of please let me know and ill take them.

Yes, everything! up close, from far away, details, etc...

Hi and welcome, Cpeters1928...
We'll be glad to help!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

From your verbal description it sounds like you've taken possesion of a "donor" boat, a donor boat is one that has been stripped of everything of value to be used on another boat or sold because the owner of the boat has deemed it unworthy of fixing/restoring. This doesn't mean it can't be fixed or restored, it just means the last owner didn't think it was worth it.

Also from your description, you should be more concerned with the gunwale seperation and the absent fiberglass at the transom. These are points of water intrusion... and when water get into a boat at places like that, it doesn't go away or drain out. It sits down there and festers and rots any wooden structure and saturates the foam.

Your boat deck and transom may "feel" solid, but I'd lay odds that you have a serious rot problem below deck. The deck feels solid because it's being supported by wet/saturated floatation foam. The missing fiberglass from the transom is a real good indicator that your transom has rotted and the fiberglass is delaminating from the rotten wood.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but we see these types of boats and the damage they suffer from neglect on here all of the time. Your boat can be fixed/restored and be better than new... but it's going to take a lot more than a fiberglass repair kit to do it.

 

[Cpeters1928]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

I got a bunch of pictures for you guys. I will be uploading them after work.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

I got a bunch of pictures for you guys. I will be uploading them after work.

Read thru this post:
PHOTO Posting Instructions

Based on the other threads, sometimes posting the pix as attachments isn't working very well.

Hello everyone,
On the transom of my 19' Bonita, the fiberglass has (not sure really how to describe it) but I guess you could say broken.
View attachment 203880
That is what it looks like. I was hoping somebody could give me some advice on how to reglass this section and what I should use.
Thanks.

Lets see if we can get some of the other questions answered here too:

Hi,
I want to change the color of the inside of the boat I am rebuilding. The color now is a blueish grey and I do not like it. I want to change it to white because Its what I like. If someone could walk me through the process I would be very greatful.
Thank you

Sanding, followed by quality topside boat paint.

With the topside paint would I use the polyurethane paint?

I have a 1989 19' Bonita center console. The boat doesn't have a motor or any electrical. The transom I solid and the floors are solid. It does need fiberglass work. Attachment 203647Attachment 203648Attachment 203649Attachment 203650Attachment 203651

It's going to need the boxes in it replaced previous owner never sealed them correctly and the wood rotted, the front casting deck and the gunwale in the bow need the wood replaced and there Is a few spots were the hull to deck joint separated, but the floor an transom are solid. The stringers are also very solid. The boat comes with a trailer. I have always wanted to own a center console but would it be better to just keep the trailer and try to resell the boat as is or put some work into it and sell it? Or should I just rebuild the whole thing? Also the picture of the wood is the transom core.

Photos did not post. Hard to believe that the stringers are all good, with that much top side damage and rot.
If you put money in to it, you will get about 25 cents on the dollar back, if you did a good job, and the local market is good. I would sell it as is

PI have a 1989 19' Bonita center console. The boat doesn't have a motor or any electrical. The transom I solid and the floors are solid. It does need fiberglass work. I'm pretty new to rebuilding boats so what I'm wondering is where should I start?View attachment 203125

When you say it needs fiberglass work, what exactly do you mean? Are we talking cosmetic issues? Cracking fiberglass? Damaged hull?

More pics of glass work where you think its needed, would help alot.

View attachment 203647View attachment 203648View attachment 203649View attachment 203650View attachment 203651 It's going to need the boxes in it replaced previous owner never sealed them correctly and the wood rotted, the front casting deck and the gunwale in the bow need the wood replaced and there Is a few spots were the hull to deck joint separated, but the floor an transom are solid. The stringers are also very solid. The boat comes with a trailer. I have always wanted to own a center console but would it be better to just keep the trailer and try to resell the boat as is or put some work into it and sell it? Or should I just rebuild the whole thing? Also the picture of the wood is the transom core.

Posting all in 1 long paragraph is often hard to read quickly. Try breaking it up into 1 paragraph = 1 question as I have below:

The boat is a 1989 Bonito 190F center console. I recived the boat pretty bare. The only things that where with is where the console (bare no throttle steering wheel or anything) a steering cable which I believe is locked up (tried moving it with my hand and it did not budge) bilge pump with float switch (not sure if it works seems to be in rough shape) a cooler seat that may or may not be able to be saved a loose fuel tank and a bunch of various wires.

To begin, the deck and transom are solid I have checked everywhere and found no soft spots. There are two boxes towards the stern that I'm not really sure what they do. One appeared to be a battery box? The other has a thick piece of rusted metal inside and I have no idea what that one is for.

The boat will need everything from top to bottom repainted (which if anyone knows of a cheap place to buy paint please let me know).

It has a casting deck in the front with what I believe is an anchor box and another place below I guess for storage. Neither including the boxes in the back have any covers on them so there are big holes pretty much.

The gunwales toward the bow have, not sure how to describe it but I guess cracked and are slightly separated. I was thinking just get a fiberglass repair kit and seal in back together?

Also on the transom a piece of the fiberglass had come off. It is about a 1 foot section that is Bear. Also was thinking of using that kit?

There are many things I am just lost with about this boat. One being WHERE DOES THE FUEL TANK GO?!?!? I've looked everywhere on the deck and I can't find a well where is should be placed. Am I looking in the wrong place? The tank is a 24 gallon tank with all the hoses hooked up.

Another thing I can't seem to figure out is under the splash well where I had assumed the bilge is supposed to go has no where for the bilge hose to go. It's almost like a big open hole.

I know this may be hard to picture but I will have many pictures for everyone tomorrow morning if you want to check back. I really want to finish this boat and really make it my own how I like it.

If there is anything specific you would like to see pictures of please let me know and ill take them.

Do you already have a motor for this boat?

I'd recommend Photobucket for posting pix.

Fuel tank may be below deck. Or the 24gal tank may have been tucked in below the splashwell. The boat came with the tank?

Even though you said the deck was solid & no soft sport, I think that's a function of it's design, and NOT necessarily that what certainly sounds like a donor boat (as Jig suggested earlier) is in good shape below decks.
This:

One appeared to be a battery box? The other has a thick piece of rusted metal inside and I have no idea what that one is for.

And that the 2 stern built in boxes didn't have hatches installed, added to:

The gunwales toward the bow have, not sure how to describe it but I guess cracked and are slightly separated.

Would be an indication that this Bonito was left uncovered & exposed to the elements for a good long while.

Those concerns indicate to me that you need to do quite a bit of extensive investigation & probing (destructive testing may be required) to confirm that you don't have hidden damage &/or water below decks.

Get some pix posted, as many as you think relevant, 6per post.

 

[Cpeters1928]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

Hey guys so I got some of the pictures uploaded to my photo bucket. Here's the link Mobile Photobucket. Let me know what you think. If it didn't work let me know.

 

[Cpeters1928]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

Hello,
Let me start out by saying thank you to those who have posted. There have been some good advice.

Now,
Upon further investigation today I have notices a few things
1. The gas tank is mounted under the splash well or so I believe. I have come to this conclusion because of the various mounts I have discovered.
2. I believe the bildge goes under the gas tank. One thing I cannot seem to figure out is where the hose would run too. Would I run it through the stern boxes and out? Or what?
3. I cant believe I didn't notice it before but it looks like the whole splash well was stripped of fiberglass and appears to be covered in a gel coat. Whether there is fiberglass underneath im not sure because whatever is on it is on pretty thick.



Also, Another thing im unsure of is why there are so many (sorry im not sure what they are called so don't laugh but) "drain holes" on the boat.
There are two on the port side and one on the starboard side. All three lead into the stern boxes which is why I am alittle confused.


Finally,
this is the open section of the transom after our big rain storm today.


All and any advice helps thank you!! :watermelon:

 

[bakerjw]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

I'd say that the boat is rebuildable. The only question is whether or not you want to spend the time and effort to rebuild it properly. It isn't a daunting proposition, but it takes a commitment in time and money. Luckily, the boat seems fairly open and might not be too bad to work on. The thing about doing a rebuild yourself is that you will know how everything is put together and it will be a better job than the factory and you'll have pride in having done it yourself.

As others have mentioned, the decks, stringers, bulkheads and transom are all likely to be rotted and need to be replaced.

If you got the boat as a gift, you may be best off tearing into it to see what you've got to work with. As a worst case, you scrap it out but will have learned something about how boats are built. Go read some of the threads of people restoring their boats to get an idea of what is involved.

Yesterday was my hull sanding day. It is hot and itchy work and generally what I would expect to find in hell. All restorers have gone through it so be sure to understand what you're up against.

If you decide to rebuild it, the folks here are the best for advice and support.

ETA.

Please post some pictures of the interior of the boat. I'm just curious about the

 

[Cpeters1928]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

Thank you
Well I guess all I can really do now is just dig in and get to work.
I think ill start a new thread and just update everyone along the way.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

No need to start a new thread, this one will be just fine...it will keep the whole story in one place for all the poor souls who come afterwards to read about what you have gone through...from the beginning...if you want to change the title, you can contact a moderator...best regards.

 

[Cpeters1928]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

Well guys its starting today!
I am going to get my dream boat sea worthy!
Going to be posting tons of pictures and updates along the what an may even start a little video series in YouTube. What do you guys thing?
Wish me luck!

 

[bakerjw]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

After today, every time that you drive past a boat for sale that has been sitting out in the weather for years, you will cringe knowing what lies in wait for some unsuspecting boating enthusiast.

 

[Cpeters1928]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

Well it's just hit me how much work this is going to take.
After about 4 hours of work I don't even have all of the stern boxes removed yet. I still have alot of sawing and sanding to do.
Tomorrow may be the day I have been dreading.....the cutting of the deck.
In response to bakerjw....I never realized just what rot can do to a boat.
But now I sure know even from just taking apart some absolutly horribly sealed boxes I can see the damage water can cause.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

If the thru hull fittings lead back to the stern boxes, they were probably live/bait wells &/or an onboard cooler w/ drains.

I couldn't discern much in the pix you've posted. They are just too small & low resolution. When you enlarge them to try & look for detail, they become dark & pixelated, making them hard to even recognize what you're looking at.

Yep, it's always a shocker when someone starts to peel back the layers of a soft & rotten onion

Make sure you're wearing your PPE during demo

 

[Cpeters1928]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

Well I have some news for everyone!
First off let me start off by saying I made a huge mistake today by wearing shorts and a t shirt and NOT wearing a PPE. :facepalm:
HUGE MISTAKE! Im deffinetly feeling it now and I know what fiberglass inhalation can do I was just lazy and didn't go to the store. Heading out tomorrow to get them.

Anyway, back to the restoration.
Today I learned a few thngs
1. Rot Sucks
2. Removing fiberglass sucks
3. This demolition phase is going to suck
4. Previous owner really jacked this boat up

So what I have accomplished today is doing my best to remove the stern boxes. (let me just say this was very hard without a saw. I am getting one tomorrow.) And the wood was just horrible. It just completely fell apart and I was actually able to break the boxes with just may hands they where so flimsy.
View attachment 205505View attachment 205506

As you may be able to see, its not clean but im getting it out of there.

I also discovered that the piece of metal I was talking about earlier in the port stern box was able to be torn out with my bare hands and it crumbled into nothing.
Underneath this I found what I was not at all expecting.
I found a can of OFF, a spark plug, a pair of scissors, and a bunch of trash. Also I found something I cannot even describe.
I found what I believe to be paint that has been sitting there for god knows how long and it had never dried. Ive never seen anything like it. It was like it was poured in yesterday.
View attachment 205507
This is some of it on my trusty pink shovel (if you can see it) I really don't know what it is, im just assuming paint.

Also just wanted to say I have a newfound respect for people who do this all the time. It is some hard dirty work so hats off to you guys.

If you know what this stuff might be let me know I thought paint because it is the same color as the boat.

Im off tomorrow so hopefully I can get a lot done and ill make sure to update you all.
Thanks for looking:watermelon:

 

[Cpeters1928]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

Also, what is a good type and size of wood to use for the stringers?

 

[bakerjw]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

Most use an exterior grade plywood. If it is properly glassed in place and the boat is stored properly, it will last for decades. You're seeing first hand what poor storage can do to a boat.

 

[Cpeters1928]

Re: First Resroration! HELP!

Currently taking a break from working on the boat to get some food.
Got a big hole in the stern of the deck and it is just all rot.
I still don't have a saw so I've been hammering and prying away and I can't get a good look at the stringers yet.

One thing I uncovered is that it seemed like the fiberglass wasn't attached to the wood.
It seems like someone layed down plywood then took very thin sheets of wood and glued it down and fiberglassed that because that's how it's coming off

Very weird still more to uncover