restore or run her as long as I can and move on?

[DXN]

I've got a 1986 Glastron Conroy x19 with the deluxe trim package, 3.0 merc runs good, transom is good, hull is straight. Interior is intact but but shot and parts of the floor are rotted and the bottom foam boxes are rotted. Stingers have some rot from what i can tell but not to bad... but that's the parts I can get to not telling whats under the floor.
I think it will make a couple of seasons. So my plan is have fun as long as I can, then grind Everything down to the bare hull.

The question is. Is this hull a good enough design that I can spend this amount of effort to bring it back. Or should I find another hull to rejuvenate when this ones gone? My indented use is cruising, mixed watersports and swimming. In that order lol.

If it is I will start planing and gathering parts now; because if I restore it I'am going to put a EFI 5.7 in it and beef up the stringers and wantnot.

My question is NOT is it worth the money, or how hard it will be, or tools and skills required. I know I wont get back the money I put in it. That's no big deal buy a new boat drive of the lot... and you wont get your money back. and I will gain knowledge and experience and have something I can take a great deal of pride in.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: restore or run her as long as I can and move on?

"Stingers have some rot from what i can tell but not to bad... but that's the parts I can get to not telling whats under the floor.
I think it will make a couple of seasons."

For me, this is very troublesome. Stringers are the "Backbone" of your boat. Rotten/rotting stringers can render a boat unsafe. What have you done to ensure the transom is sound? Have you taken actual core samples of the wood core? Looks can and are deceiving. There are many examples here on the forum where members "Thought" their boats were ready for the water, only to have near catastrophic failures occur. Have your checked your motor mounts for rot? If they are soft and let the motor move it can start to hurt the out drive connections as well. Again, I recommend a thorough and correct inspection of the stingers, motor mounts and transom before putting her on the water, base on your prior description.

Just my 2?!

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: restore or run her as long as I can and move on?

As to being worth the effort, in my opinion, that is up to you! Is this boat the size and layout that you enjoy? Does it ride in the water like you want for a day of cruising around? If it fits your desires, its worth it. If it's not exactly what you'd like, then it probably isn't.

 

[DXN]

Re: restore or run her as long as I can and move on?

I did Drill a little hole in the lower transom, and part of the stringer. The motor mount is solid. Probably should have put that in the description. and the Stingers LOOK fine up by the floor hatch but I didn't sample them there. Thanks for the concern. Its odd but it looks like the rot targeted specific areas. also The foam in the boxes are dry. This seams odd to me considering the wood around the foam is deteriorating.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: restore or run her as long as I can and move on?

If you did not core sample the foam then you won't know if it's dry. You need to take some PVC and cut some teeth in one end of it and then twist drill it down into the foam till you hit the hull to get a Core sample of the foam. Then you'll know if it's dry at the bottom where it counts. If the transom and motor mounts are sound and stringers are only wet then...Yeah you might get another season out of her. I'd be keeping close tabs on her though. As far as putting a bigger motor in her, I think I'd be looking for a boat build to handle that power.

 

[DXN]

Re: restore or run her as long as I can and move on?

humm I didn't use pvc like you said. I drilled a hole through the box and stuck a welding rod in the foam to make a hole It came out dry... but I did it about 2" from the bottom. Maybe I should check a little better. If it is wet I want to get it out.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: restore or run her as long as I can and move on?

Yep Wet foam will not only rot the wood but can add Hundreds of lbs of weight to the boat.

 

[DXN]

Re: restore or run her as long as I can and move on?

I just noticed you sig lol. By the way I bookmarked your links, Very good information thanks for taking the time to share!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: restore or run her as long as I can and move on?

Yeah, I put that in my signature cuz Sooooooooooooooooo many people here on the forum have these same issues. I totally understand why, and I get it!!!! But...Safety has to be #1. When you out in the middle of 80 ft water and something bad happens...It's to late Denial is BAD thing!!!!!