Hey everyone let me start out by saying what an awesome site this is. I have learned so much over the past week or so prepping myself for my family's "new to us" project. This is my first boat and I am very excited to get her in the water and the good old hard work getting her there. First off I am a contractor by trade and have years of experience in all different types of projects and material. Well long story in as short as i can make it....my girlfriend's father gave us his 1983 Chaparral 162 with a 1983 Johnson 70 seahorse outboard. It had been winterized and under a tarp for the last 10 years at least. I am very happy and best of all it was free!! Well we brought it home a couple days ago and after researching this site i new exactly where to start. We gutted everything in the boat and am happy to report that transom seems solid, but found two small soft spots on the deck. Not to bad but reason enough to pull the deck and start fresh. I have a good understanding of the deck and stringer system work and have no concern with doing the work myself. The only questions I do have is working with fiberglass to go over the new wood installed on the deck. I have no experience with laying fiberglass, but do have alot of exp. in finishing work (drywall, plaster, concrete...etc.) I am thinking of going with PVC exterior trim boards to use in place of the side trim and bow seats. I figure if i wrap in foam and vinyl they should hold up for a while. Has anyone used this? If so how to the staples hold or glue while wrapping in the material? I am gonna order new lounge type seats and carpet. Well guys i guess its picture time so let me know what you think and any help will be greatly appreciated..........
