Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

[Kiekhaefer]

I picked up a 15' playboy runabout built from a kit in '65 and finished in '67. It's a wooden home build covered with fiberglass. I need to replace the fiberglass on the mahogany deck because it's cracked and peeling.

Any advice for a newcomer for re-finishing this deck? Can I stain it with oil and then cover with fiberglass or should I just leave the wood bare? What about a good website to help through any steps?

I'm completely new to boat restoration so any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[NickyBFWB]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

Welcome to the forums. I know someone will be able to help you but that is a beautiful boat.

 

[Kiekhaefer]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

Thanks. I'm trying to find out more information on it. I know that the builder was from the Vancouver, BC area and the boat won a prize in the '67 boat show. He may be deceased. My brother bought it off of maybe his nephew? Not sure but I know where the guy lives in the Interior of BC.

 

[NickyBFWB]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

That is quite unique. Cool that you know at least some of the back story then.

 

[allpoints360]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

It's probably not "glass" over the deck, but varnish over the mahogany. You can strip the old varnish, stain and re-varnish.

 

[Kiekhaefer]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

Well, I kinda wish it just needed varnish but it is indeed fiberglass.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

Are you sure the finished (stained) wood areas are covered with fiberglass? It is more likely covered with Varnish like Cetol or Spar Varnish. If it is a finish then it is a simple matter of removing the old top coat, doing a little sanding and cleaning and recoating with varnish. There are also epoxy clear coats that you can use to protect the fine wood.
Fiberglass resin is rarely used as a finish coat and is not normally used without fiberglass cloth.

Do a search for marine varnishes, you should get a ton of info.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

I was working on the previous post when you answered my question. One main reason you do not want resin alone as a top coat is because resin breaks down in UV light without gelcoat or paint covering it. If it is poly resin then I suggest you remove it and use varnish. (we are talking about the stained areas...right?)

 

[andgott]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

First, Gorgeous boat. Nice lines!

Could you post a closer picture of what needs to be replaced??

I've done a lot of 'glass work on woodies. Sealing the plywood REALLY increases it's life- If it's done right. You are probably going to have to take all the old stuff off, then glass over the bare wood. You CAN stain the wood, there are a number of wood stains that you can fiberglass over, if you want to change the color.

Also- Epoxy is HIGHLY recommended when it comes to wood- It jus bonds better. Some of the companies, Like West Systems, actually have hardners intended for clear finishes.

A light glass cloth will virtually disappear when it is wet out- 3 or 4 oz will 'vanish'. Of course, there will still be texture- Which will take sanding... LOTS of sanding.

 

[Kiekhaefer]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

OK, here's some up-close shots of the fiberglass cloth, resin and mahogany.

I'm not sure if the mahogany was stained, varnished or bare. I thought maybe it was bare with the fiberglass resin adding a tinting quality butI don't know for sure.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

wow i am really surprised...im sorry i did not know that was a common practice....

 

[Kiekhaefer]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

That's OK, I didn't know it wasn't lol.

 

[mddubya]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

My Dad built a boat from plans, wooden boat laminated with fiberglass. I think his was just plywood, not mahogany, but I'll ask him about the varnish when I go down this weekend. The deck on his was natural finish, not pained, so he should be able to help you.

Great looking boat BTW!!!!!

 

[Kiekhaefer]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

Cool thanks alot!

And thanks to everyone else who replied!

Andgott, I'll look into West Systems and different stains and varnishes.

 

[andgott]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

Is that on the topsides, or somewhere down below?? Looks like heavy cloth- Perhaps even roving? That'll be fun to grind off

The special coating hardner in the West systems line is designed for clear finishes, and if I recall correctly has some UV stabilization. It is probably best to topcoat it, though.

West Systems has a GREAT book on repairing wood boats- And you can download it free on their site- http://www.westsystem.com/ss/how-to-publications/

They also have great guides on fiberglass boat repair as well... All free! Of course, they are pushing their own product, but the advice applies to all sorts of general repair as well.

 

[Kiekhaefer]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

Super! I'll definitely check out that free stuff. Thanks for looking into that for me.

That cloth must be old school. Really thick. It WAS built in '65-'67 though. What you see in the picture is on the top side and I've already picked a bunch of it off. I guess it got wet underneath or something because it didn't stick everywhere. Not sure if it is 43 years old or if it had been redone at some point.

I spoke to someone at a local fiberglass place and they suggested a light cloth that would virtually disappear with the resin or whatever. I'll ask them about epoxy when I go back.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

A light glass cloth will virtually disappear when it is wet out- 3 or 4 oz will 'vanish'. Of course, there will still be texture- Which will take sanding... LOTS of sanding.

Its easier to brush another coat of clear resin to fill the weave then just sand the excess resin off rather than sand the glass weave smooth.
Laziness is my innovator.

 

[ghamby]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

That resin will soften and lift with heat. That might cut down on some real itchy
grinding. Start heating and get a putty knife under the cloth. Keep the knife
flat to avoid gouging. If you use epoxy, finish it with a top quality UV blocking
varnish.
Really sweet looking boat. Good luck, GH

 

[wizbang 13]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

I think it's gonna be tricky saving the outer ply of the deck.The ply may either rip apart while pulling the glass off or get sanded through with the grinder. Nice looking boat.

 

[Plotus]

Re: Advice for wooden/fiberglassed boat?

Quentacential period Classic. I like the period look, especially fond of the grab rail on the windshield frame and bubble windshield.