New proud owner of a total basket case.

[laytondavenport]

I want to start off by apologizing for asking the same questions as I am sure 100,000 others but I could not find a "New Members" area of this forum. But basically I am the proud new owner of a 1981 4winns Candia. I also in the deal got a 1987 Johnson 48. I traded a used riding lawnmower I got for free for the boat so I don't feel bad about the condition..... which is awful. There hull is smooth and hole free as near as I can tell. The boat has sat abandoned since 1998ish in the Central Texas sun. So the interior is completely shot. I do have it however and hope that it will help me use as patterns for the new stuff. But that's about all I know. first boat and no idea where to start. Tomorrow I plan to get in there and remove whatever interior is just in there loose and then pressure wash it to get the years of neglect out of it. vacuum it out etc. I know that there is a hole in the floor. So obviously that's towards the top of my list of things to do.

Ok there's the background. Now where do I start? Do I float test this thing? Do I just start tearing in? Do they even make parts for these things? Does anyone know of sources for used stuff?

 

[third times the charm]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

Welcome, hmmm, four winns huh. I have a four winns Canadia 200 1987 model. Float test could go badly wrong. But I would go thru it competely before you wet the hull. Sorry, is i/o or o/b. also pictures would be great, helps the rest of us help if we can see what you see. Good luck and welcome to dry dock

 

[GT1000000]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

Hello and welcome to the Iboats Dry Dock, laytondavenport

You have hit the jackpot of boat information...you are in the best place to get all the info you'll need to bring this old boat back to better than new condition...

Couple of "baby steps" you need to take first...
Post up pictures, the more the merrier...we love 'em and they help us to see what you see and be better able to give you good advice...
Use a free Photobucket account to load up your pics, then click on the IMG Code Tag to post them here in your thread...

Go ahead and do your initial clean up and get an idea of where you are at...asses the condition of the motor, this is a BIG ticket item and can make or break a lot of these deals...go over your trailer, it will need some TLC+$, also...

Don't be surprised to find that the boat is hiding a ton of rotten wooden substructure...

You'll be able to test for the rot by doing core samples...using a 3/8" drill, you'll need to drill into the lowest, furthest back areas under the deck...light colored, dry wood shavings...you have a winner...

Wet, soft, dark shavings...roll up your sleeves...

Once you get over the initial shock of what it is going to take to restore this boat, and actually decide to go ahead with it...that's when the real fun begins...

Best of luck,
GT1M

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

The best advice for a Newb is to Read, Read, Read. Search for Fixing rotten decks, stringers and transoms and you'll find a Bunch of threads that will Show and Tell you everything you'll be doing to your boat in the near future.

 

[laytondavenport]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

I will work on pics tomorrow. Won't be till after I take it to the car wash and power wash the hell out of it and take out the leaves sticks ect that are inside of it. I got it knowing it was going to be a challenge. But I just wanted to get a direction I am quite mechanically inclined just never have done resin work etc. My worry is over stripping the boat and not having stuff to put back

 

[64osby]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

When stripping a boat, take pictures of everything, save everything unless it's rotted wood mush.

You may not reuse it but you will have patterns, sizes and things that generate ideas. What you put back on is only limited by your imagination and wallet.

:welcome: to the best boat site on the web and have fun what ever you decide to do.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

Shoot your pix w/ the tape measure in the pix............


It'll help w/ the put back later.

 

[laytondavenport]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

Well ok I'm back with pics. I took the boat to the carwash today and 10 bucks in quarters later I can actually see the boat. I got it back to the house and tore out what was left of the interior. I discovered the entire floor is trashed but I kinda assumed that from the beginning. Even the carpet is mush I tried to pull it up and it just tears into shreds. I have been reading about how to replace. But here's a concern can I just get in there and go to town ripping the mush out. Or do I need to put down a support to work from like you would in trussing a house type of thing?
Boat Photos by laytondavenport | Photobucket

 

[littlerayray]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

you gotta lot of work ahead of you my friend let us know when it is complete just be patient and dont get overwhelmed its gonna be a hobby that may take a few years depending on your budget but it will be worth it

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

You will likely be taking the cap off to access & replace the transom, so yes, you should build a cradle to support the hull while you work on it.

 

[laytondavenport]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

Well I already decided against do a full restoration. It doesn't seem like it would in any way be worth it. I really just want to get this floor out and get a new one down. I am scared what I am going to find under the deck when I start tearing it up. I already found like 10 old hornet nests so far. I figure for sure that mice will be in there somewhere once I start tearing it up. I plan on going and getting a square shovel and some big trash bags then shop vac it out really good take it back and pressure wash it some more. I am hoping all the stringers are good. The transom feels real solid so that's a major plus. I have no doubt that I am going to be awhile trying to find all the replacement cables etc for the outboard they are all rotten and frayed.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

Well I already decided against do a full restoration. It doesn't seem like it would in any way be worth it. I really just want to get this floor out and get a new one down. I am scared what I am going to find under the deck when I start tearing it up.

You are correct, you won't like what you find below decks

I am hoping all the stringers are good. The transom feels real solid so that's a major plus. I have no doubt that I am going to be awhile trying to find all the replacement cables etc for the outboard they are all rotten and frayed.

If the carpet is as bad as you said, the transom is likely not unaffected, and the stringers likely are not in good shape.


I'd also suggest you spend some time going thru the info and inspections GT & WOG posted earlier.

 

[laytondavenport]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

My only hope is I can find someone around my area that knows something about boats to help me out. At least let me see how they are doing it in person. One thing I have learned over the last cpl days is searching for boat info is WAY different than motorcycle/car stuff that I am used to. Searching by model etc is about pointless. There seems to be no place that sells parts by make/model etc and everything just seems to be general info. Unless I am just searching completely in the wrong fashion.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

My only hope is I can find someone around my area that knows something about boats to help me out. At least let me see how they are doing it in person. One thing I have learned over the last cpl days is searching for boat info is WAY different than motorcycle/car stuff that I am used to. Searching by model etc is about pointless. There seems to be no place that sells parts by make/model etc and everything just seems to be general info. Unless I am just searching completely in the wrong fashion.

You don't need to see your specific boat being rebuilt to figure out how to do it. Just look at the "fabricating decks, transom, and stringers" link in woodonglass's signature, as well as a few of the rebuild threads in the stickies. Once you start to learn some general fiberglassing information, how to support your hull, and things like the necessity to avoid hard joints, you can do it. Pay attention to how the boat is constructed while you dismantle it, take pictures, save as many pieces as possible, and put it back together as similarly as possible. Only a little better . I have pieces of stringers, deck, and motor mounts strewn all over a portion of my yard .

You can find people that know something about boats to help you out, and see how they are doing it, all right here! There are some amazing rebuild threads on here with lots of detailed how to's, pictures, and even videos. Go to the completed restoration projects section and look up friscoboater's sea ray thread. That version is a little more condensed and doesn't overload you so much all at once.

 

[Badfish95]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

Originally Posted by laytondavenport
"I am hoping all the stringers are good. The transom feels real solid so that's a major plus. I have no doubt that I am going to be awhile trying to find all the replacement cables etc for the outboard they are all rotten and frayed."

New posters, and I was one, all sound the same. WOG and GT are like AA counselors(or so I've heard, I'm not a quitter).

Ok, I'll start. Hi, I'm Badfish and I have a rotted out boat.

Wow, saying it really does make you feel better. Just kidding you bud, this will be one heck of a journey and the ribbing you get on here is nothing compared to the fiberglass dust. Welcome Aboard!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

LD, If the deck is in bad shape there's a real good chance your stringers and transom will need attention as well. You won't know till the deck is removed. Core samples will tell the tale. Don't do a "Band Aid" repair if your boat needs "Major Surgery" It won't be SAFE and we are All about safety here on the forum. Post pics of everything and we'll be here to guide you on how to get it done correctly and safely.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

welcome to the dry dock... this really is a great place to learn and meet like-minded (i.e. fellow basket cases) people...

Don't want this to sound harsh, but a cosmetic job without thoroughly testing the sub-structure is sort of like walking into the doctor with a broken neck and asking him to paint your fingernails... (in other words, the repair emphasis could end up being both irrelevant and ineffective...)...

The one thing I love about this site is the overall emphasis on safety... All of our comments are not to try and convince you to do a bunch of work, so you can be a wrench/dusthead like the rest of us... Rather, we simply want you to have a good/safe boating experience...

 

[boatnut74]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

I couldn't help to chuckle a little at your title. I don't have anything to add that the others havn't covered but just wanted to say welcome to the iboats drydock.

 

[laytondavenport]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

Best news I got today is that my local lumber store stocks marine grade 1/2" a/b grade plywood for 50 a sheet and that they have a closed cell foam that expands to 127 gallons for 14. Its made for ponds and pools and is guranteed. To be waterproof. Just waiting for a cpl people to call me back about shop vacs and I am gonna gut this thing.

 

[zool]

Re: New proud owner of a total basket case.

You can get what the box stores (HD/Lowes) call "sand ply"...you can get 3/4 for a alot cheaper, little over 30 bucks a 4x8 sheet. Also called Arauco....will work just as well.

BTW, welcome.....