Fixing up my boat

[mkaminski]

I have a 1980 Renken outboard. It's not in the best of shape, but I have really improved it since I bought it for a $1000 (boat, motor, trailer) four years ago or so. I have decided to change the boat's color scheme from predominantly red to predominantly black. <br /><br />In the past four years, I have replaced the carpet, seats, bow rail fittings, etc. Boats made in this time period seem to have a lot of fabric interior and a lot of "extras". For instance, my instrument panel is covered in a vinyl wood venir, who needs that? I've decided to be very minimalist with my boat from now on...if it's not needed, it'll be removed. <br /><br />So far I've removed the wood venir, the rotting, cushions on the side, the compass which can't tell directions, and the brackets for the bimini-top which I don't have. In the fall I'd like to remove the gasoline-soaked, stained carpet and replace it with black herculiner. The pinstriping on the sides has worn, and I would like to remove that as well. What can be used to remove the adhesive?<br /><br />Now all this removal is going to result in non-oxidized gelcoat, which will look a little out of place. My first question is what I should do about this. Also, what kit is good for filling empty screw holes in the fiberglass?<br /><br />The manufacturer did a ****-poor job at cutting the fiberglass which was covered by the padding. In the front of my boat the edge of the fiberglass edge is covered with some sort of plastic edging...any ideas where to get this?<br /><br />My bilge has a large fragment missing. So essentially, it may appear that my bilge is full at times, however the water line takes a long time to subside during drainage since the water actually leaks under the floor. What can I do to repair this?<br /><br />This may be a stupid question, but are all hulls constructed out of wood? My floor appears to be fiberglass, but I don't know what's underneath. If it's wood, then I am screwed on account of my cracked bilge. <br /><br />In the back of my boat there is an area for the bilge, battery, and gas tank. It is covered by an extremely discolored fabric flap. I would have gotten rid of it already, but it provides some protection for my battery and gas tank. However, it didn't stop morons from stealing my $150 gas tanks filled with gas two weeks ago. What could I use in place of the flap?<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br />Hopefully by next year I'll have a 60HP engine. I really love this boat and would rather invest some more into it than get a new boat. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks in advance!

 

[swimmin' for shore]

Re: Fixing up my boat

Black is a really hot color-on the outside of the hull, and definitely with herculiner. <br />With the adhesive, you can heat it with a heat gun, peel it with a razor blade and then buff out the spot, lighter fluid, or there are adhesive removers at your local hardware store. <br />Repaint your boat, or look up some posts on oxidized gelcoat. Restore the gelcoat. Wet sand and buff it out. There are various options to restore that. You can repaint, too, if you're up for it.<br />You can fill holes with fiberglass putty. It's just resin with fibers in it. You can mix it yourself, or buy it pre-mixed. Don't use bondo. It seems to absorb water.<br />If your bilge is cracked, you stand a good chance of having a wet floor, and probably stringers. <br />All floors that I've seen are constructed of wood, and then glassed in. Properly done, you use pure resin-thinned resin-to soak the underside of the wood for the floor. Then you glass across the top. The glass gives you structure, and strength. The floor of a boat is what keeps the shape of the boat when you're on the move. You need the floor, and if you're planning on putting any speed in, you probably need the glass. <br />Build a door in place of your flap. Reconstruct that whole back wall, like a cabinet. Put a lock on it. Good luck.