Help !!!!!!!!!! 1973 Demcraft restoration

[jlw1973]

Hello, I'm trying to restore this boat and I know nothing except what I what I have read from all the posts. Well my co-builder wants to skip out on replacing the stringers and deck and replace them with spray foam and styrofoam then covered with a spray in truck liner. I want to restore it the traditional way. will his way even work? which would be cheaper and or better? I'm trying to take my time and get it done right but he wants to get it done in under 2 months. When we worked on the trailor, I was grinder my side and he finished his side and started painting it now his side has my rust flaks in it. he thinks rustolium is the cure all for rust. this is driving me insane even. i just conplaining sorry. when you sand the hull when do you know you have sanded down enough? After sanding what is the next step? What is a good place to find out how to check on motor its a evin rude 65? I can work on car motors, know nothing about outboards. Will give pictures tomorrow.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Help !!!!!!!!!! 1973 Demcraft restoration

Welcome to iboats.

BEFORE you go any further........ please read these restoration tips!! http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288451

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Help !!!!!!!!!! 1973 Demcraft restoration

You're saying spray foam as the deck? With bedliner sprayed right over the foam? Gosh I really hope that's not what you're thinking.....

The traditional way is the traditional way for a very sound reason, it's the best way.

 

[jlw1973]

Re: Help !!!!!!!!!! 1973 Demcraft restoration

i dont want to do it this way. i plan to use 2 stringers instead of 3 and have cross beams for support. asll epoxied then covered with fiberglass to hold in place before placing the deck. I am still smoothing out the former stringer remains then im going to sand the outter haul. once i fingure out how much to sand down so i can then patch the holes from the inside. the holes will be patched with epoxy and the bow has a old crappy patch from the outside i am going to smooth as much as possible but that maight destroy the patch so i need help to reconstruct part of the bow. as soon as i get my camera back from my brother I'll post pictures to see the crap shape its in. thanks for any help

 

[jlw1973]

Re: Help !!!!!!!!!! 1973 Demcraft restoration

So should i build the transom first or the stringers? Does it matter really. SO am I right for the transom I should coat the wood with epoxy. Then a layer of resin to get it to stick to the fiberglass then just start layering wood and resin and finish by covering it with fiber glass. Or should I layer the wood with fiber glass inbetween the layers of wood. Next question is it better to use 2 x 4 for the stringers or plywood resined together to get the right thickness? Last question for the night. I read somewhere that yellow wood is the better choice than marine ggrade wood against rote? Thanks again

 

[jlw1973]

Re: Help !!!!!!!!!! 1973 Demcraft restoration

here are some pictures after i have guted some of boat

 

[jlw1973]

Re: Help !!!!!!!!!! 1973 Demcraft restoration

more pictures of learming what to do

 

[jlw1973]

Re: Help !!!!!!!!!! 1973 Demcraft restoration

I need to finish sanding the inside. Next step is fiqure out how to sand the outside and how much is too much sanding.

 

[jlw1973]

Re: Help !!!!!!!!!! 1973 Demcraft restoration

Well I finally found work so I can get back to my boat on my next weekend.

 

[LibraLabSoldier]

Re: Help !!!!!!!!!! 1973 Demcraft restoration

I ended up with a 1977 Demcraft in a series of odd Craigs List transactions. The transom was rotted. I was not going for a by the book restoration though.

I grew up poor as hell in Louisiana, but i have owned a few boats.

I tore out the rotted stuff, and replaced it with pressure treated wood. Filled in the spaces with some extra foam.

Now I am looking to trade it off. It has a trailer and everything...but I do not even have a truck! Here is a picture.