Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

ShawnQ

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 13, 2003
Messages
529
1968 Chrysler Commando 151<br /><br />The floor is spongy near the front, and the wood under the front deck in the storage compartment is all but gone.<br />The transom doesn't move a hair when I put all of my weight on the lower unit while it is tilted up...but there are obvious stress cracks on the inside, and the bolts for the engine are 'sunk in', so the wood is obviously partly rotten, but still 'stout' overall. However, I will go ahead and replace this while I'm at it.<br /><br />Here are my plans: <br />1) Pull the two halves apart, and obviously survey the damage. I am almost positive that it will need stringers as well, no big deal. <br /><br />2) Clear all the old rotten wood, and begin with a fiberglass shell.<br /><br />Now, here's where I need your help:<br /><br />How can I make the new stringers fit perfectly if the old ones are too rotten to make a template?<br /><br />Also, The hull has a few rubs/rashes in it that I would like to fix(it's 36 years old). I assume you glass/patch from the inside, and then fill the void on the outside? Is this correct? <br /><br />One other concern. With a boat of this age, the original paint/gelcoat probably absorbs water like most of them do. If I repaint the hull wiht a good epoxy paint, will I be able to prevent the sponge effect?<br /><br />For a 15ft boat, what can I expect to pay for materials to redo the floor, stringers, and transom? I plan to use just a good exterior ply, and encapsulate it with epoxy. I want to use a thick glass on the floor, and an epoxy paint.<br /><br />Any help?<br /><br />I guess It's hard for you to be specific until I actually tear into it. I hate to tear it up without knowing ABOUT what I can expect to spend. I plan to get a new boat within 6 months, so I dont want to spend too much. The main reason for repairing is for resale or so I can keep it in the family and have it last. So, either way, it needs to be done 'right'.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Shawn
 

CCrew

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 10, 2003
Messages
416
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

First item.. Before you do a thing. Go to Amazon.com and buy "Runabout Renovation" by Jim Anderson. Read it cover to cover. Great book, you'll still have questions after you read it, but it's a reference that's worth every penny. <br /><br />Regards,<br />Roger
 

ShawnQ

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 13, 2003
Messages
529
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

Thanks Roger,<br /><br />But it is already on the way. Should've mentioned that ;) <br /><br />I want to get this done during the winter (if you can call it that here in texas). But, I want to have it done by spring, so I better hurry!<br /><br />How long does this usually take a full time employee, who has never done it? I have extensive wood/body work/glass skills, so this should be no trouble. But, I've never done it.<br /><br />Thanks again!<br />Shawn
 

CCrew

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 10, 2003
Messages
416
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

Shawn, <br /><br />It's going to be a matter of how involved it is. I work full time but very irregular hours. I probably have about 40-50 hours worth of work into mine at the moment and am only beginning the "reconstruction". I anticipate probably 100-150 more hours to complete the way I want it to be. It has to be a labor of love because you'll question your sanity at some point in the process. <br /><br />First you're going to have to tear it down to determine the extent of the repairs necessary. The reason I suggested the book is because it has some VERY good pointers on how to tear down to try to make your life easier on the reassembly. From making stringers and measuring from scratch when stuff's too far gone to use as a template, to the best way to cut things out to be able to reproduce them. I wish I had read the book first as it would have saved some time for me. <br /><br />Once you get into it, and know the extent of "injury" then this board is indeed a good point of info. A lot of people here have some very good opinions, but more than anything, the "sum" of their opinions is of more value than anything else. Like life, one opinion is just that, but 10 of the same probably border on fact. From the best materials to use, to the best way to do it, to the best way to shortcut, I've found most all of it here. Like you I'm "handy" with tools, have some experience with similar stuff but had never done exactly what I'm doing now. It can be done though and it sounds like you're taking the right approach IMHO. <br /><br />Regards,<br />Roger
 

Rick K

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 6, 2003
Messages
235
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

This is the list I compiled when I took on my project:<br /><br />1. Money<br />2. More Money<br />3. Even MORE Money<br /> :D :D :D
 

ShawnQ

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 13, 2003
Messages
529
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

lol Rick...<br /><br />With that in mind, I may just sell it as is and put it towards my new boat. ;) <br /><br />I wonder if I will spend more money on it then what it is worth when I factor in time/labor...<br /><br />Shawn
 

1965MT

Seaman
Joined
Oct 14, 2003
Messages
57
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

I have an 18 foot boat, I am into about $600 on material. That is about two boat payments. If you are serious about the rebuild I can tell you how to make your stringers and bulkhead parts to fit the hull.
 

ShawnQ

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 13, 2003
Messages
529
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

that's 4.5 boat payments for the boat I plan to get ;) <br /><br />Let me think about it a little more and see what all the book has to say. I'll be sure to email you if I decide to go for it.<br /><br />I would still like to hear from someone who has completed a 15-17 footer and has prices...<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Shawn
 

CCrew

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 10, 2003
Messages
416
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

I'm about the same as 1965MT. His is an 18', mine's the same boat (I think) in 19'. If I factor out the cost of full rebuild on the upper and lower sterndrive I have about $700 in materials invested. I anticipate $1000-1500 total before I finish. I'm also replacing virtually everything wood though, seat boxes, front bow area, deck, stringers and transom. That $ on the total includes upholstery repairs, several control pieces, little things that are getting done as I move along. <br /><br />US Composites: $375<br />Harbor Sales (Ply) $225<br />Lowes (screws, misc) $100<br /><br />If you're looking to justify the $$ I haven't found a way to do it, other than the fact that you know *exactly* what you have when you're done. Mine I figure took 16 years to get to the shape it was, and if built better should last at least that long again. To buy a 19 footer with a 5.7L engine I can't touch for the investment I'll have, if I factor that my time is essentially worth nothing. Like I said it has to be a labor of love. I looked at swapping my powertrain into another hull, but I was still the same amount into it as I will be to get a good one and was really only trading known problems for unknown problems. <br /><br />Hope that helps. <br /><br />Roger<br /><br />BOAT = Bring Out Another Thousand
 

walleyehed

Admiral
Joined
Jun 29, 2003
Messages
6,767
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

Shawn, I have rebuilt 3 boats now, all atleast 17ft, with the last,(and biggest) being an 18ft Starcraft. The starcraft was nothing but a hull. I replaced things that I never even thought about. I replaced almost 800 1/4" rivots in the hull alone. This boat took about 4 years to complete, but I will admit, it was a little more than just a common "rebuild". My initial figures were in the 2000.00 range, but ended up costing about 5500.00. This was just for the boat....no engine, kicker, trolling motor, electronics, batteries-that kind of stuff. I did purchace a new windshield for a 2002 Starcraft, and built my consoles to fit. Pretty well designed the entire boat for my specific fishing needs, and the boat is better now than it ever was when it was new, and if I could offer any advice, it would be to figure out a plan of what you intend to do....figure a base cost, and tripple it-that figure is REAL close to what you can expect to finish the project.<br />Good luck, and keep us posted on the progress!!! :)
 

ED21

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 26, 2003
Messages
829
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

I always use the triple the estimate method for the time I think it will take to do something. It usually works out pretty close to the actual time involved.
 

BillP

Captain
Joined
Aug 10, 2002
Messages
3,290
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

Without looking at all my receipts here’s a close ballpark of my cost for a recent 17’ cuddy cabin boat project...complete rework including stringers, floor, transom, interior woodwork, hardware, cushions, etc. I already had the steering system, motor, controls and tanks in near new condition so didn't replace them. It could be done cheaper.<br /><br />250 plywood<br />30 stringers<br />425 epoxy resin, fillers & acetone<br />60 miscellaneous (sandpaper, particle masks, measuring cups, etc) <br />100 mat & roven woven<br />30 screws<br />200 paint/thinners<br />125 hardware<br />300 bunk cushions + covers & bimini (these were homemade so cost is half of store bought)<br />100 helm and passenger seats (Boater’s World type)<br /><br />TOTAL:<br />$1620
 

Realgun

Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
2,484
Re: Help Me make a list to begin 'restoring' my boat...

And a Cheap Bayliner is 9,995 +TTL, actually our guys gough you for 11,000 cause they are the only dealer in 500 miles. Seems a bargin to me to spend a third of that to have a better boat. And there are no payment methods that let you spend 300 then 0 then 242 then 50. 4 months so far :) <br />True it will not sell for 5,000 but the use of the boat is what you buy it for. 12 payments on a new boat and I have a practically new boat or I buy a new boat and pay 48 to 60 months. Works out for me.<br /><br />And if the Force goes to HE(( in a hand basket the 1000 dollar motors on ebay are what you need.<br />Or if you want, a Great motor, here on iBoats but they cost more but are a lot newer and have a warrantee.
 
Top