Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

jsmart

Cadet
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
19
hi, Well im hip deep into ripping this boat apart , i purchased it in the spring knowing the rear floor was a little spongy and the gelcoat had some spider cracks in it. basically the boat was a polished turd. It had new paint and new interior but ive found rotten stringers frames, and even a slight crack in the hull that is in the fin> not to sure what those are called or even how to fix that. I have found i need to replace the transom and take the top off. My question is, I have read in a book i purchased to replace the floor 2 ft shy of the transom then do the transom So the outsides of the hull dont spread. But i ahve noticed others used diofferent methods with rod and such. where to really start. Any pointers? I was thinking if i built and lay the stringers in and did the floor like this book reccommends I would leave the end of the stringers unfiberglassed till i removed the transom. Well any advice would be great? Ill be posting pictures soon because i also have a concern with the contruction of the stinger and frames from the factory. Everything seems very sloppy the chopped fiber did not cover nearly anything and some barely got resin on it. Will post pics son of the old design and my new stronger design.
 

jsmart

Cadet
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
19
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

Alright I Put together a few drawinbgs some of the original construction and some new ideas for a improved Strutcture . Basically The orginal had a beam running bow to the stern and stopping about a foot short . from the stern to the second stringer 2 stringers were just to the outside of the middle one with a approx 10" to center. At the second stringer it had a piece of ply wod that went downward to meet the hull > My Idea is to copy the idea out of the book with 2 stringers running to the bow from stern with the back foot boxed out with holes And keeping those secondary stringers you see molded in the outside. My second queestion would be if all of the frames had a piece of wood cut to fit below it and meeting the hull wouldnt that be stronger, and glass everything in and fully encase everything?Well no pics must make photobucket account.
 

Wallman67

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
31
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

You only want to do one thing at a time. Start with the stringers or transom but try not to do both at once. If you do you run a chance of the hull hooking or getting out of shape. If you strip it all down the hull is no longer supported, you may have to build a cradle to hold the shape of the hull, the trailer supporting it also may help support the shape depending on the type of trailer. I almost went too far and stripped out everything before I discovered this, I ended leaving the foam in the back corners for now to help hold the back end, but I removed the transom and stringers. Now I'm trying to decide which one to start on. Thinking of stringers and floor first.
 

jspano

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 30, 2009
Messages
790
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

welcome

alot of good threads here to see how others are doing it.
archbuilder, mike,and thrill are some to look at, seems just about all boats seem to need a new transom and deck, and glass boats add stringers. sounds like alot but check the threads they're a great tool
 

jsmart

Cadet
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
19
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

I have done alot of reading> basically what i have now is a boat with no floor in it. I have read runablout restoratin which seems good but alot of poepl seem to do stuff different Is it more of a pain in the butt to glass in almost all of the floor and stringers except for the last board and the part of the stingers then do the transom? then continue on and finish attaching the stringers and the floor? Or as i have a seen someone on here just set a piece of rod thru the hull to ensure it will not spread? Just one of many of my questions.
 

BobsGlasstream

Commander
Joined
Sep 11, 2009
Messages
2,128
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

jsmart,
Well first off. Welcome to Iboats. :D

As for how to proceed is really up to you.
jspano mentioned a couple of threads that are very good.
The most extensive thread that covers virtually everything possible in a restoration would be the hull extension by Oop's. Ton's of information in that thread.
You can strip you boat to the bare hull and not have the problems some describe with proper measures. You can keep it from spreading with a rod across it or with cargo straps. You can keep away from the hook issue by properly supporting it (Full length bunks).
I have mine to the bare hull and it has not move at all. I took measurements before I tore it apart and have checked it off and on to make sure it's still OK.
Good luck with you project and I'll be looking forward to seeing your pic's.
Bob
 

tallcanadian

Captain
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
3,250
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your build. I would love to see some pics of your project. Your best bet is to take apart the deck and check what kind of stringers it has. They may be plywood or, like mine, 2X4's. If your doing the transom the next step is to remove the cap. I didn't strap my hull together until I was ready to start the reconstruction. I also left mine sitting on the trailer for support. Any work on the outside of the hull, unless you have big holes, should wait until you have the cap back on. Then you can flip your boat over and do any bottom repairs and or painting if necessary. Check my links out. I hope they help with your build. Again good luck. You will get a lot of helpful information on this site. I couldn't have done mine without the help and advice and knowledge of these kind helpful boaters here.
 

jsmart

Cadet
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
19
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

Well thaks it should be fun> i have limited garage hieght to pull the cap but it can be done and just hoiseted up. It still sits on the trailer and the trailer has 8 rollers which should be good and once the cap is off and i begin deiassembling i thing the strap is the best idea. Im not really wanting to drill holes thru stuff thats fun unless completly neccessary.I already have plans of transforming the front. I was sitting down there and powdering but first i need some help on a floor design here i have a picture of what i found with flat frames over the stringers. only the second from the bow had gussets from the from to the hull. woiuld it be stronger to basically gusset all of them And cut the notchs and bevels for the body and glass all of that?Also how about the changing of the 2 inside stringers? right now there is one riding from the bow to about a foot short of the stern. Then theres 2 that make up the sides of the bildge up to the second frame.
 

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jsmart

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BobsGlasstream

Commander
Joined
Sep 11, 2009
Messages
2,128
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

jsmart,
Very nice looking boat. It looks like it's in great shape except for the deck and below.
I wish I had that to start with. :(
Good luck
Bob
 

jsmart

Cadet
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
19
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

Well built a stand today to hold the outboard. Does anyone know if there are tune up or some kind of upgrades for a evinrude 88hp. maybe larger jets in the carb? Well just curious on squeezing some more ponys. Maybe a better alternative to cold air induction? Just more thoughts to my winter project.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

That is a REAL sharp boat. I really like it. It should move well with that 90 on it.

The general consensus in the outboard motor forums is that while there may be some things you can do to your motor, they are generally pretty involved and not worth the trouble. Your best bet is to fine tune your current set up (prop, motor mouting height, etc) and make sure you are hitting your target WOT RPM.
 

jsmart

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Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
19
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

Ya your prob right ezmobeee. Now i have a question I need a layout for stringer and frame placement and do i make gussets to meet the hull form each frame?I have a pic of what i had and what i think im gonna do. Im ot sure if it was built like this for a reason it just seems weird plus the wood because its so tight in the rear they were not ablke to get fiberglass down in the dtingers where they are three across. ? Well any help? Im off to remove windshield and molding and wire accesorys to get it ready to be sliced in half.
 

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jsmart

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Jan 10, 2010
Messages
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Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

Well the windshiedld and motor are off now > now its time to pull the cap and strap the hull . And prep for transom and stringer removal than onto the great grinding experience i hear about.
 

jsmart

Cadet
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
19
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

Well The deck lid came off and i began chopping away at the transom, Well i gave myself to spots to fix now in the hull, One my dumbself was using the griner and woops went thru Around water line. And 2 The chisel im chipping with went transom above water. Well those im not worried about im sure thell be cake when i get to them.Does anyone know how to fix in a chime?? I noticed a small crack after buying it and believe this is where the prob initiated and i was sold the boat with new paint on it so it covered eveything. Do i take a mold of the chime form the outside Then put on layer on the inside and then proceed with my mulitple coatings on the outsie? Thanks.
 

tallcanadian

Captain
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
3,250
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

You can do most of the repair for each damaged area from the inside. You will need fiberglass and resin and laydown a couple of patches around the damaged areas. It would be easier to explain if you couple take some pics and show the damage. These holes are easily repaired. That's one advantage of fiberglass.
 

jsmart

Cadet
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Jan 10, 2010
Messages
19
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

Well Holes arent a prob i made those Its the crack that runs along the chime on the bottom.
 

jsmart

Cadet
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
19
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

Well Finally after about 5 hours of cutting and chipping the transom is finally off And it now ready for the sanding and grinding of all the fiberglass edges. Tommrow is another day. Pics to come soon
 

BobsGlasstream

Commander
Joined
Sep 11, 2009
Messages
2,128
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

jsmart,
Glad to hear you got the transom removed.
As you grind it and get it ready for the new transom, just make sure it stays flat.
Good luck and have fun.
Bob
 

jsmart

Cadet
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
19
Re: Newbie 1987 bowrider restoration project

Well the whole grinding process isnt that fun even with a tyvek suit its so dusty it made it miserable. I have made a positive pressure chamber to push the dust out into a vent to help with dust control.Well we will see how it works. right now its just a high powered box fan. I had a man hole power fan but returned it to harbour frieght. We will see , i may be rebuying it. i had it set up to try to draw dust out like a vacumn but i was told they dont wrok well like that and it would be better to do what i did now.Well im gonna go suit up.
 
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