What's up, everybody??
I've just acquired my first boat.
My father-in-law has several, but despite that, I don't know jack about boats in general.
He told me last night he was going to give me one of his boats...it's a 1980-something Charger 747XLT.
I understand this to be a bass boat, but, while I don't fish, it appears to me (and, from what I'm told) that this will make a decent ski/get-around boat for a first-timer...especially with the right engine/prop setup.
True so far??
Anyways, everything on the boat is original, so needless to say, it could use some work. Not a full on restoration, but some updating.
As far as the engine, he's giving me one that he had on a pontoon. I don't know ANYTHING about it yet...I have to talk to him more in-depth Thursday night...if weather permits, we'll be putting the engine on Sunday, and I'll begin cleanup.
Anyway, my two main issues are the paint and the windshield.
Windshield first, since it is a little simpler : The boat is pretty streamlined, over-all, but when you get to the windshield, it's like a mack truck. No aerodynamics whatsoever. What are the necessary steps in doing something about that?? I'd like to give the boat that ski-boat look, as well as aiding it to pierce through the air a little better. As far as I can tell, it's just held on with screws. IS there more to it, like an epoxy or something?? If so, what's a good way to remove it without hurting the fiberglass??
Are there kits to replace older boats with more aerodynamic windshields?? If not, am I looking at just building one?? If so, how??
I know...my cup runneth over with questions.
As far as the "paint", it's in pretty good condition. But it's not the prettiest. If this is something I need to hold off on, I'm ok with it...I'm not that vain. But I'd like to start gathering ideas and information so that, when the time comes, I'm well-equipped.
So, for a fiberglass boat, what are some methods, tips, and tricks as far as "paint"?? You'll notice I've encompassed "paint" in quotations...that is due to the fact that I'm not even sure it IS paint. I've heard Gelcoat, too, which is apparently NOT paint. (you see how lost I am yet??). I need something for top-side as well as underneath.
Is this something that I can do myself?? Lake weather is coming up fast, but, this being my sole project, I can dedicate a decent amount of weekend/weeknight time to it.
As far as the upholstery/carpet, it's not TOO bad, considering the age. The floor could use new covering, but the seats are actually immaculate (no rips..not even bad cracking). They're a blue that I can live with.
Well, that's all the questioning I can think of for now. I'm sure I'll have plenty more. Please don't think that I lazily just tossed this thread out because I didn't want to search the forum...I have searched SOME, but I'm actually bound by not knowing what all to search FOR. Plus, it'd be a big help to get the main questions I have answered in a centralized location.
Thanks, in advance, for any and all help!
I've just acquired my first boat.
My father-in-law has several, but despite that, I don't know jack about boats in general.
He told me last night he was going to give me one of his boats...it's a 1980-something Charger 747XLT.
I understand this to be a bass boat, but, while I don't fish, it appears to me (and, from what I'm told) that this will make a decent ski/get-around boat for a first-timer...especially with the right engine/prop setup.
True so far??
Anyways, everything on the boat is original, so needless to say, it could use some work. Not a full on restoration, but some updating.
As far as the engine, he's giving me one that he had on a pontoon. I don't know ANYTHING about it yet...I have to talk to him more in-depth Thursday night...if weather permits, we'll be putting the engine on Sunday, and I'll begin cleanup.
Anyway, my two main issues are the paint and the windshield.
Windshield first, since it is a little simpler : The boat is pretty streamlined, over-all, but when you get to the windshield, it's like a mack truck. No aerodynamics whatsoever. What are the necessary steps in doing something about that?? I'd like to give the boat that ski-boat look, as well as aiding it to pierce through the air a little better. As far as I can tell, it's just held on with screws. IS there more to it, like an epoxy or something?? If so, what's a good way to remove it without hurting the fiberglass??
Are there kits to replace older boats with more aerodynamic windshields?? If not, am I looking at just building one?? If so, how??
I know...my cup runneth over with questions.
As far as the "paint", it's in pretty good condition. But it's not the prettiest. If this is something I need to hold off on, I'm ok with it...I'm not that vain. But I'd like to start gathering ideas and information so that, when the time comes, I'm well-equipped.
So, for a fiberglass boat, what are some methods, tips, and tricks as far as "paint"?? You'll notice I've encompassed "paint" in quotations...that is due to the fact that I'm not even sure it IS paint. I've heard Gelcoat, too, which is apparently NOT paint. (you see how lost I am yet??
). I need something for top-side as well as underneath.Is this something that I can do myself?? Lake weather is coming up fast, but, this being my sole project, I can dedicate a decent amount of weekend/weeknight time to it.
As far as the upholstery/carpet, it's not TOO bad, considering the age. The floor could use new covering, but the seats are actually immaculate (no rips..not even bad cracking). They're a blue that I can live with.
Well, that's all the questioning I can think of for now. I'm sure I'll have plenty more. Please don't think that I lazily just tossed this thread out because I didn't want to search the forum...I have searched SOME, but I'm actually bound by not knowing what all to search FOR. Plus, it'd be a big help to get the main questions I have answered in a centralized location.
Thanks, in advance, for any and all help!
