Potential Project or Nightmare

[straightexhaust]

Im 19 years old and love boating, crabbing, fishing. My grandmother has a 18' Boston Whaler that has been unused for years. My dad said it is atleast 25 years old. Has 70hp Evinrude, and like new trailer. I probably can get this for free . However the gelcoat has many many blisters and spider cracks like crazy. A quick inspection revealed it goes all the way to the glass so it would have to be completely sanded off. The engine would need at the least a new impeller and a carb rebuild (plenty experience doing that). The engine work and electrical is no problem for me however i have never done any fiberglass or gelcoat. Ive been reading for days about gelcoat vs paint. No stories ive come across involve an application as serious as mine. What should i do? Restore it or look on. I dont need a boat as i can used my dads however id like to have it if not too much of a hassle. Im in no rush to use it and love projects. Any advice?

Thanks, Jason

 

[straightexhaust]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

Just to be clear when i say spider cracks, im not saying from structural damage or weakness. The gelcoat looks like dirt from like the desert, cracks dont continue into the fiberglass. (sorry if i used the wrong terminology) Sorry for the lack of pictures, maybe i can swing by her house today and take a few.

 

[KurtG]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

Nothing wrong with a whaler if the foam isn't wet (yes, even whalers get waterlogged). Check the weight first.

Lots of folks gone this route with whalers. Sounds good to me.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

Welcome to the iboats.com forum. The experts here, which I am not, can help you solve any problem with the boat, motor and trailer. Unless the boat has been abused or neglected, a Boston Whaler is a great boat for anyone to own. Lots of members, including me, would swap with you right now. Good luck!

 

[straightexhaust]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

The boat has sat in the driveway with a cover on it for 5-7 years. Would signs of waterlogging be visible. Could it still be holding on to water?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

I would think that even in a whaler, water settles to the lowest point. So if you were to drill a 1/8" hole down low on the transom, if there is water, it should start to drain. If not, just seal up the hole with marine tex.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

If you're just looking for water retention, the easiest (although potentially more expensive) thing to do is take the boat, trailer, and tow vehicle to a truck scale, weigh it. Then take the boat off and onto tires and take the boat and trailer back there. Do the math.

If you're at about the right weight for the hull per the manufacturer, then you're good to go.

Most boat repairs are either a project or nightmare, and often you can't tell which one until you're done

But, you're starting in a good place... a whaler is a quality boat, plus it's family owned so you get some idea of the history, plus you're comfortable with the engine and electrical work.

The gelcoat cracks aren't difficult to fix exactly... but you probably won't be able to re-gelcoat. Gelcoat takes lots and lots of sanding to make it look good, unless you're molding. A better way to make it look nice is a quality marine paint... then you just sand and fair the hull first. If you have hairline cracks that aren't stress related, you sometimes don't even need to fill them first... just use a high build primer and sand between layers.

I'd say go for the project

Erik

 

[KurtG]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

I would try the drill test too if there is no way to assess the weight (you'd be concerned with hundreds of pounds of water). There is a tale of the "chainsaw whaler" on another forum where the foam acted like a sponge.

Once wet, they are near impossible to dry. See the two whaler forums I sent PM about the "chainsaw whaler."

I gave my Mckee the drill test and found nothing and wished I didn't (now had holes and gel coat to fix), but at least I'm more confident in the hull. My little 15' is supposed to have 60 ft3 of foam for something like 3500 lbs flotation.

 

[straightexhaust]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

Hmm ill have to test for water first it seems. Im hoping i dont find any. So dont re gelcoat? What paint would you recommend using?

Also how should i go about repainting the deck because its got some surface cracking and it has that textured floor. Should i just sand it smooth and repaint?

Im also going to be leaving this in the water if i end up restoring it, so would i sand it to the fiberglass then paint the whole hull with a certain paint (not sure what to use) Then just paint the part below the water line with a normal ablative paint?

Thanks, Jason

 

[straightexhaust]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

well good news no water in the foam. and the transom is really solid. Now i just have questions on the things i mentioned above. Any help would be awesome

Jason

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

Have you seen this whaler project? http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=261834

It will give you some great motivation.

Your engine work is simple and can be done in just a few hours too.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

Fixing cracked gel coat like you described is difficult to do, if you don't grind all of the cracks out they tend to return if painted over.
Sanding them out and then fairing the surface is very time consuming and the more surface that needs attention the longer it takes.

Sometimes the cracking is a problem with the gel coat itself and other times it has to due with a weak laminate or poor support.

Post a pic of the cracks and we may be able to tell what type they are.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

You will want the paint for the hull to say on the can "for below the waterline" and you will find that somewhat expensive by the quart. However, on the grand scale of things, it is inexpensive. It's still affordable.

Congrats and good luck on the boat. Follow the directions you get on iboats and you will do fine.

 

[straightexhaust]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

Hey ondarvr i looked at your profile. seems as if you have quite the experience with the marine industry. I hope to have pics up tomorrow, ill take a bunch and put them on photobucket. What paint would you reccomend using once the gelcoat is sanded down and the hull has been faired.

Thanks Jason

 

[redfury]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

You'll want an ablative paint on the hull if it's going to sit in the water for any length of time. It has copper particles in it that will ward off growth and it is self sacrificing. You'll have to repaint the waterline down every once in a while, but that is the trade off of a boat in the water 24/7.

Also, if the boat is going to be water bound, you'll want to invest in a high quality cover if you won't have a covered lift or boat house to keep it in, and make sure you park with the nose to the lake, not the shore ( keeps the waves from sinking the boat ).

 

[straightexhaust]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

Wow that looks amazing. Thanks for the inspiration.

Found out today the boat was made in 1969! wow and the motor was made in 1985. All the hours put on the motor are from my dad and he said there is less than 200 hours on it. So with minor work i should have a great powerplant.

The condition of the motor and the fact that it has a brand new trailer make me very optimistic of this restoration

I hope to start this project soon.

 

[straightexhaust]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

thanks redfury, what paint should i use on the sides of the hull above the waterline. would i use a regular topside paint?

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

Jason, I'm no BW expert but you might want to look at the link below:

http://www.whalercentral.com/userphotogallery.php?rowstart=20

Their Whaler catalogs do not show an 18ft model until 1981. My guess is you have a 17ft Sport model that was produced beginning in 1963. Double-check the title & registration also for the correct model, length, etc., otherwise you will wind up paying too much for registraton, taxes and insurance.

Good luck with your project.

 

[straightexhaust]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

Thanks for the catch. I guess my dad was just assuming it was 18...makes me wonder though. Ill have to drive down and see the boat tomorrow. Would make sense haha. Ill have to take a look at the numbers and take some pics of the whole thing inside and out.

Thanks for the wake-up call though. I will definitely have to look into all that.

I feel like an idiot now haha

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Potential Project or Nightmare

No problem, we'll just mark if off to "youthful enthusiasm". The idiocy phase comes much later after many years of boat ownership. I happen to be old enough to remember the early Whaler models and, although I have never been fortunate enough to own one, I did not recall an 18ft model until well after 1969. That's why I did a little research before saying anything to you.

Wish we had the internet and especially this forum back in the "good old days" for my first four project boats and numerous used motors. The experts here could have saved me a bunch of time, money and frustration. You have already recognized that some of these folks have very impressive resumes.

We look forward to you sharing your experiences with us.