Is it even worth it?

[SwampThing]

I have the opportunity to pick this little gem up for free. My questions is, is it really worth it. It's a 1959, 14ft Holiday Runabout. In the pictures the windshield looks cloudy but that's just morning frost. The windshield is actually in great condition. No stress cracks, etc. Normal interior repairs. Don't see that being a major issue either, I know what's involved there. The interior fiberglass seems alright. The major damage is the outer fiberglass / gelcoat. Cracked all over. Just destroyed. Look at the close ups.

What I'm wondering is if this is going to be a royal pain in the backside to deal with? How much is involved in restoring the fiberglass to the point that I can repaint it? Should I just go the other way? I kinda like this one for it's size alone. I'm thinking because of it's size it might actually be a doable project. If it were bigger I wouldn't even bother with it. What's the general consensus? Can't beat the price.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r240/RootCap/1959 Runabout/RB001.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r240/RootCap/1959 Runabout/RB002.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r240/RootCap/1959 Runabout/RB005.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r240/RootCap/1959 Runabout/RB004.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r240/RootCap/1959 Runabout/RB003.jpg

 

[salty87]

Re: Is it even worth it?

fun looking boat, maybe you can vacuum bag it. j/k, i have no idea what would need to be done to that.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is it even worth it?

as long as you realize there is nothing free about a boat. i'd sand heck out of it, and regel coat it. let's see what Strizzy says about it. i would love to have that project. and find a 59 35hp rude or johnny.

 

[alden135]

Re: Is it even worth it?

That would be a cool little boat fixed up. It's sad to see it sitting there neglected.

 

[DJ]

Re: Is it even worth it?

...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is it even worth it?

That's an extremely Doable Project,........50hrs,..... Maybe 100hrs. Tops.......

Pop the Top off it,..... Clean,+ replace all the Wood'n other Issues inside the Hull,.......
Flip the "Deck upside down,+ do some reinforcing to the Dash to Fix that,........
Pop it Back together,.....
Sand it down,.... Fill all the Cracks,+ Imperfections,.........
Lots more Sanding,+ Priming,+ Sanding,+ Sanding,........
Then Shoot it with a good quality 2pt. Urethane Automotive Paint,......
And have the Coolest Runabout in Your Lake.............

I wouldn't even Consider trying to Remove the Gelcoat,+ Replacing it,.......
As long as you Fix the Underlying Issues,......
Filling, Sanding,+ Painting is Easier,+ more Cost effective........
And,.....2pt. Urethane Automotive finishes are the Easiest,+ most Durable paints out there..........

 

[Deimus]

Re: Is it even worth it?

glad you mentioned the break in the dash. iwas goin' to point that out.

how many weekend you got?????????????

 

[JB]

Re: Is it even worth it?

Is it worth it?

If you mean will it be sellable for what you will have in it in the way of bux and labor, or even just bux, no.

If you derive a lot of fun from doing it. . . bringing her back to something resembling Bristol fashion . . .absolutely yes.

 

[Always Broke]

Re: Is it even worth it?

I don’t know if anybody else had much luck with those pesky spider web cracks but I did my best with a boat similar to yours and those darn things came back to haunt me. First I sander down the whole top they were not on the sides or bottom. Then I used a pointed carbide bit on EVERY crack and ground well into the fiberglass. Reinforced the top side with resin coated 2X2’s because it was pretty flimsy, then filled it all in with Duraglass and had it re-gelcoated. Within two years they came back and then some. My brother did the same thing with his boat and painted it with Imron and his did great, no more cracks. Luck of the draw or if I got a bad gelcoating I don’t know? Those were back in the days before epoxy’s came as far as they have now, there may be a better way someone here knows about. Oh and if ya need a 59’, 35 HP Rude look me up ;o)

 

[SwampThing]

Re: Is it even worth it?

Thanks for the replies.

It's all about the nostalgia for me. Yea I do realize nothing is free.


This is however the 4th boat I've managed to acquire since August.
My thinks I'm nuts, or at the very least suffering from OCD. I'm thinking about dumping the Sylvan DLX SS that I mentioned in another thread to concentrate on this boat instead. More work, but a smaller sized project to me. The Sylvan has it's pros too though.

I guess what I really meant to ask was if those with more experience at restoration felt that the top glass was to far gone to really be workable again. Or that the grief involved would make it not worth the effort.
But I forgot that's a value judgement, and a question that we can only answer for ourselves .... after the projects done.

I didn't feel the interior issues or the dash crack was going to be that big of a deal. I can handle that stuff. I did give a real good looking over. The owner is out of state and informed me that he just wants it gone. So I had the time to give it a good looking over this morning without anyone else bothering me at the time. The hull felt really solid and strong, and I went around and poked and pushed at every suspect spot or imperfection I could find. Nothing seemed too much of an issue other than all the deep spider cracking of the top surfaces. Even the transform felt very good, but I do wonder about what's hiding up underneath there.

So I guess it really does come down to filling and sanding, rinse and repeat...lol. Then the rest is pimping it out to suit. That's what I like about it.
It's size. There's not a lot to pimping it out, some seats, a steering wheel, reworking the cluster, maybe some re- chroming of a few ornamental parts,
and I know exactly where to get that 1959 35hp johnny if it's still there. Otherwise I know where to get others but they may cost me more.

Well we'll see what becomes of it. I'm sitting on the fence right now.
I guess i just wanted someone to push me off it by yelling; go for it dude!
I think Supreme Mariner may have been that guy.

Thanks again

 

[DJ]

Re: Is it even worth it?

...

 

[Jerico]

Re: Is it even worth it?

I've got a 14' '59 Larson All american with the same problem. After my wife & I finished my '75 tri-hull last spring we took a break to enjoy it. Next is the interior on the '88 Fabuglas this winter. Next spring my step-son and I will tackle the Larson. If you find any tricks or oops let me know.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Is it even worth it?

My boat is named "Nostalgic" (christened 1969). The thing in my house that gets the most comments and attention is the old Brownie camera I have had since I was a child. It is also one of the coolest old things I own. There is nothing better than an antique made new. That boat is COOL, in the rough. Even non boater types will appreciate it sitting at stop lights. Not to mention the satisfaction that comes from hearing "You did this yourself?..!" Do it dude!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is it even worth it?

DUDE GO FOR IT!!!!! there is nothing more rewarding that launching, with the new boats, with your vintage boat, that starts on 1st of 2nd try, and idles like a kitten purring. while the grind and cuss trying to start their big boat payment. the best advice i can give you on the 59 35hp is Joe Reeves carb setting, when tuned correctly, and those setting it will run like new. wish it was closer, i'd beat you to it.

 

[SwampThing]

Re: Is it even worth it?

Too late Tas, I went back and got it this morning. Yea it's messed up but the more I look at it, the more I see it's potential and just how do-able it actually is.
I know why it's all stressed cracked now. All the wood cross supports are rotted, including that one under the dash. The two halves look as if they're actually screwed together. So like Supreme said, separate the two halves, replace the structural support, repair the the two halves, reassemble and paint. Then pimp it.

I'm not going at it completely blind either. I've got the tools and equipment, and a lot of the knowledge already too. I was an ASE master mechanic for over 15 years. Just escaped it in the last few years. I've been fixing and restoring one thing or the other since I was big enough to pick up my daddy's hammer. Cars, motorcycles, houses... now boats? Go figure.
There's a part of me that has to do something physically and mentally challenging or I just can't sleep at night. Seriously.

Being that winter is starting to settle in up here in Michigan, I might not get much done for awhile. I'm still working on getting heat in those garages.
I get that taken care of and she's going to be a boat widow after the holidays. I finished cleaning up and repairing the Bayliner and everything I need is sitting on the garage floor waiting to be installed. New seats, carpet, Cd /Stereo system, my lighting, everything is set to go.

I'm really thinking of dumping the Sylvan after I rob it of the steering controls and anything else I think I might need. Thinking about using the gas tank out of it for the Runabout. Heck I don't know just what I'm going to do yet. But I'm thinking I might need to consolidate and downsize a bit.

Did I mention I have young 4 children too? Talk about demands on your time. But I live for the chaos. Never a dull moment.

I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot more from me once I get started on things.

And last but not least, this one's for you Tas.
Siberian Husky's DO RULE. I had two red and whites who were my constant companions for almost 17 years. Sadly they passed on about 2 years ago.
For a while there I was getting into the whole sled dog thing also. I had the three wheel cart, trained them to pull sled, etc. But that was back in the BC days (before children). God I miss those dogs. Eventually I'm going to get another one. I'm just waiting for my kids to get a little older so they don't teach it a bunch of bad habits. Because a husky with bad habits is a way mischievous creature. they've got their little terrier right now and he's as ADD as the rest of them.

I appreciate the feedback guys. I'll post progress pics once things get under way. Thanks again.

 

[SwampThing]

Re: Is it even worth it?

Oops, I keep referring to him as Supreme, now I get it.
I was referring to bond-o 's comments.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is it even worth it?

congrats, take it slow and easy and get the kids involved. Tasha is with 90% of the time, but never off the leash, out of the yard. occasionally she will slip out, and when i go to get her, she runs circles around me, smiles like ha,ha, you can't catch me, and i can't. after a short while she will come back.

 

[atengnr]

Re: Is it even worth it?

That boat is pretty sharp looking IMO. I think youll have one cool boat. I have a 1968 14 ft saftmate which I like very much, but I like the looks of yours more.

 

[HollaGeo]

Re: Is it even worth it?

No - It's a novelty piece.

 

[SwampThing]

Re: Is it even worth it?

Okay I got it all cleaned out and power washed today.
Actually cleaned up pretty nice.

I'm thinking about putting my 75hp Johnson Seahorse on it.
Obviously that's going to mean some beefing up for support during the restoration. But is this insane or should I be thinking 35-40hp?