So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

[dilligaf241]

Well hopefully I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. I'm in the process of ripping out the back 2/3's of my deck and stringers and replacing everything. This is just a fix for now. Want the boat for the season and decide if I want to put a full restoration into it. The transom is rock solid, redwood is great stuff. The front section of deck and stringers is great too. So I'm cutting stringers back to dry wood, replacing (hopefully with spanish cedar) and then new decking and glass. Have one part I can't figure out though, if one of the Glastron guys can help I'd appreciate it. Down the keel there is a flap of fiberglass, inside it feels like wood. it runs from the ski locker to the bilge area and wasn't sealed to the bottom on either end. The best I can figure is that they put the wood down to lay the glass and then left it there and it's supposed to be the drain for the ski locker since it's sealed except for this channel. Let me know what you think. Oh and the reason for only a partial rebuild right now is the classic reasons. Time and money. Well that and I don't have the ability to uncap right now either. And here are some pics too. Thanks everyone.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

Cool, another Glastron. When you post your pictures from photobucket make sure you choose the direct link options, and make them all 640X480. That way we do not have to click the thumbnail to see the bigger picture. It will just flow.

Keep the faith man. we have all been there. read up on all our threads to get good ideas and how too for your restore. We will help you out every step of the way.

 

[dilligaf241]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

Ok gonna try the direct link.

 

[dilligaf241]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

 

[dilligaf241]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

 

[dilligaf241]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

 

[redfury]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

Boy, that all looks familiar for some reason I guess Glastron didn't change much in the few years between our boats.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

Wow, what a mess. I think someone was there before you and destroyed that boat. You got your work cut out for you but it will all be worth it. Any pics of the boat itself, on the trailer?

 

[boatflipper]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

Just some food for thought-Why not go ahead and replace all the wood while you are in the 'mood'. Then, at the end of the season if you dont like the boat you can sell it with a new deck, and if you do like it you will have a new deck and you can spend the next winter doing cosmetic changes.
Just a thought....

 

[dilligaf241]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

I've actually had the boat for about a year or so. Used it a few times until I noticed the soft spots in the floor and parked it. It was complete until the last couple of weeks. Complete with horribly cheap outdoor carpet with what I'm sure was several gallons of glue. The trim material ended right at the original wood for the sides and ran water down into the wood for 30+ years. Plans include slightly changing the layout of the back seats, replacing the wood along both sides, new material on both sides. And of course the stringers and decking. There were alot of poorly done repairs over the years on this thing. To be honest I probably wouldn't be putting this much work into it but it runs so good, and it's paid for too help. Will try to get some pics of the whole boat tomorrow. The original colors were the metalflake brown with tan. Someone decided at some point to repaint (or attempt to) the top with white. But one step at a time. Will get this done this winter, then if I'm still happy with it the paint on top next year.

 

[dilligaf241]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

Would love too, but time and budget says to do what I can for now. The front is solid, as is the transom. I can't seperate the top until I get some other major projects out of the way. Plus this being my first boat and first time working on one I can play around and do pieces of it at a time. To be completely honest I think I will probably just use this for another season or two and move up to something nicer, newer and more along what I want.

 

[dilligaf241]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

Overcast and cold today so no new pictures. Been thinking about ideas to keep the bottom of the new deck dry. How about drilling a hole on each side and back of the ski locker, install small fan when in storage and let it blow air thru. I keep the boat covered and my cover lets plenty of air come in at the back and has vent too. was even thinking about using shop vac hose and mounting the fan in a box with the exhaust side having 3 of the hose fittings on it, one for each side and one for the center. Sound like a good idea?
Also when i put a level from the side across two stringers the inside most stringer is about an inch or so low. These look like the original stringers. Is the deck supposed to be slightly bowed down for drainage or is it supposed to be level all the way across?

 

[redfury]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

The deck should be level all the way across, but if it's been replaced at some point, there could be a bow to it. If it's the original thickness, then you'd want to look for signs of replacement...otherwise, it most likely would be some form of warping.

As far as getting airflow under the deck, that's a great idea if you can pull it off. I saw an old tinny for sale, and the guy had a floor register up by the bow of the boat on the floor to allow airflow under the floor. Anywhere stale air and moisture can get trapped, there is going to be eventual penetration and rot, so if you can keep the moisture out and the air fresh, then you are a step ahead of the game...just don't let your keys fall in there by accident without a good way to fish them out!

 

[dilligaf241]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

redfury, the holes will be in the sides and back of the ski locker so that should take care of anything getting in there by accident. at the back i will vent it where the step down is for the gas tank. Thinking seriously about using the shop-vac hoses too. Small fan with a box and the hoses mounted on it. Plug the hoses in to the holes in the ski locker, have it run on a timer. Figure about 1 hr per day should be fine.
Gonna have to look closer at the stringers. Been cold & rainy here today. Saying we will be getting snow tomorrow. First since about 1993 here in NW FL. Plus my weekend to work so I will probably have to wait a few days anyway.

 

[dilligaf241]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

Well was able to locate a fairly local sawmill today, has cypress and is cutting me the boards I need for the stringers. Better price than "select pine" at lowes and will NEVER rot. I'm still cutting out old stringers and getting stuff cleaned out. Have noticed that the two outer stringers were about a 1/2" higher than the inner ones. Will be making them level when I put the new ones in. Noticed on the old floor that it was slightly bowed and now I know why. Also have found what kinda looks like body filler filling in a small shallow all the way down the hull where the deck met the hull that I will be building up, probably with kitty hair. Does anyone know if there would be a problem using rough cut lumber? i can't see why it would be but thought I would ask.

 

[redfury]

Re: So it begins, 78 Glastron bowrider refurb

rough cut lumber will give you troubles when you glass it ( air bubbles ), so I'd try to keep it relatively smooth. Doesn't have to be like glass, but the smoother the better. Remember, fiberglass molds take fiberglass really well, and a rough surface doesn't necessarily translate to better adhesion.