New guy with some questions

[justinw3053]

First off I love this site. I have done nothing but read for the last couple days. I just picked up an early 60's 14' runabout with a 1962 28 horse Johnson. We pulled all of the carpet to get a look at the deck and get rid of the bad carpet. There are no soft spots on the boat, the transom looks and sounds solid (tapping method).

Now for some questions:

1. There are quite a few cracks in the gell coat and two chips each less than the diameter of a quarter. What is the best method to fix this, and also do I want to keep the boat out of the water until the are fixed (one of the chips will be under or just above the water line. I was thinking of using Marine Tex since we will be repainting it.

2. When we pulled the carpet out some of the gell coat came with, so now there is dirt, carpet glue, and exposed glass. What would be the best remedy for this.

3. Like I said above the transom looks/sounds very good, should I still drill holes to be safe?

4. Any one know what type of boat this is, I am linking to a Google slideshow with pics. The only badges on the boat are pleasure craft bradges on the rear.:

http://picasaweb.google.com/cloverfun/Boat

Thank you for reading, before anyone says it I did search I just didn't find exactly what I was looking for.

Justin

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: New guy with some questions

Hey looks like a great boat,

Now for the Q's

1.I haven't used marine tex but I used gel coat and it isn't that hard to use just takes some sanding.

2. It all depends on what you are putting back in...Carpet, vinel, or some anti slip paint?

3.Yes drill holes.. put some around the transom tiedows and near the deck. rotten wood will be dark and may reel moist to the touch. Mine felt solid but was very rotten in someparts dont trust the knock test.

4.There used to be tons or private boat makers so I cant help you there but search the adds on http://fiberglassics.com/ and you may find it.

Also take a look at this thread it shows gel coat repairs and a new transom. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=249713

Hope it helps Fuzzey

 

[justinw3053]

Re: New guy with some questions

Most likely we will put truck bed liner down w/sand or other abrasive, will the glass be ok like it is?

With the holes in the transom, is it the same process with gellcoat/Marine Tex?

Thank you for your help.

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: New guy with some questions

I don't have any experiance with putting down deck paint. What I do know is that it is all in the prep before you put it in and by the looks of it from your pics it will be a lot . If you are worried about the fiberglass being worn down it will be fine after the deckpaint is put down don't be. I think the main reason that fiberglass is painted or gel coated is because UV rays break down the resin.

For the transom holes. I would suggest drilling them on the inside skin and not going all the way through. Now if the transom turns out to be ok (I have my fingers crossed for you) Get some dowl to put into the wood. Drill the holes to dowl size. Soak the dowel and tap them into the transom let them dry then trim them to just below the inner skin and fill with gel coat or marine tex.

Good luck, Fuzzey