Restoring a sunbird?

[JustinWagner]

Hi, Im new to this forum so bear with me. I just got a sunbird corsair 205sl that needs the interior, including floor replaced. (Hey, it was free). It has an OMC inboard 5.0l engine and it looks like it has a lot of potential. In the pics you can see that the floor is attached? to the sides and it kind of looks like all one piece. Should I just cut around it? Any other suggestions? help!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

this was a project and one of the best documented,, done by our member JasonJ. http://70silverline.250free.com/silverline.html

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

If you plan to keep the boat for your personal use, then you need to make sure it is safe and reliable. If you plan to "flip it" and make some money, then do the needed cosmetic work and let the buyer beware. It's the old "lipstick on a pig" thing! The experts on this forum can give you plenty of good advice once you have chosen a direction.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

willy, that pig you can dress up, but not take her out.

 

[JustinWagner]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

The direction I would like to take would be to fix it up and use it, and maybe sell it later on down the line. Thanks for your help so far, guys.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

ok, Justin, make an outline of what needs to be done, then break it down into what has to be done to make it safe, and what needs to be done to make it nice. then that the safe list and break in down to small reasonable jobs, and these become goals. this really helps because you can now see what you are getting done. and you don't get bogged down and discouraged. keep them to projects that can be done in a day or 2.

after is is a safe boat then you can start to use it. and add the cosmetics along the way.

 

[JustinWagner]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

OK, so my first step is replacing the floor, Im wondering if I have to worry about cutting through the stringers or the flotation foam. If i cut thru them will they need to be replaced? Is there any way to avoid cutting them when cutting out the floor?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

i like 18 volt battery operated tools, but regular 120 volt work as well, set the circular saw blade depth at a hair over 1/2 inch. cut out a center section so you can see how close the edge you can get. recommend, long sleves, goggles, and dust mask, change of clothes in garage, she ain't gonna let you in. air compressor is great to get the dust off you, fiberglass dust itches.

 

[JustinWagner]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

one more ? b4 I start. Can i leave the engine in during floor work? its a huge OMC Cobra stern drive

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

Cover it and/or keep your engine cover on it..However, if your stransom, stringers and/or engine mounts are rotten, work will be easier with it out.
Cut at floor thickness depth +1/8", Don't worry about cutting into the foam or stringers. Once you have the floor off, take a few foam core samples, check for saturation. Drive a piece of pvc or pipe thu the foam, down to the hull.
The best advice in this thread is from TD... PROTECT YOURSELF!!

 

[JustinWagner]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

weather willing, im starting to tear the floor out this weekend, pics forthcoming

 

[JustinWagner]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

Im thinking about just cutting out the spongy parts of the floor, or should I jsut go whole hog?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

cut back till you have fresh looking wood, if discolored it has been wet,

 

[JustinWagner]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

So to get boat water ready, I need to replace the floor, put seats in, fix the engine, wire up all the acc, fix the trim, new prop, register, insurance, hotcha, hotcha ro-dee-do. anything im missing? (this is all before i start any cosmetic work.)

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

Get a bigger wallet! Ain't boating fun?!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

have you check if the engine will run? i'd do that before putting a cent into it.

 

[JustinWagner]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

Well, the hulls in good shape, I figure I can always replace the engine, it needs put back togehter anyway. currently ina few pieces.

 

[JustinWagner]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

Im going to try and get the bilge working b4 I start on the floor, theres water under the floor, I can see it through the holes where the seats used to be. The original owner lost the key however, so I was wondering if I just cut the wires to the bilge pump switch, then attached them to 24 volts, if the bilge would start up? Hopefully I can get some of the water out from under the floor.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

Why mess with the wiring? If possible, jack the front of the boat up, block the wheels & let the water run out thru the bilge. But, if your going to rip the floor up anyway, just vacuum it out with a shop vac. You'll need to dry everything out in any case before you start glassing in the floor, etc.

 

[JustinWagner]

Re: Restoring a sunbird?

Well, today I cut out the rotten pieces of floor. I checked the foam and the stringers and they seem to actually be in pretty good shape. Next weekend Im gonna pick up some ACX plywood from lowes, 25.25 a sheet and cut it to fit. So, if Ive got it right from reading these forums, I put polyester resin on the bottom of the wood, lay it down and the put the resin on top?