Alright, so as many do, I was browsing craigstlist and happened upon a free boat. Wife's out of town, I'm bored at home, trouble ensues. Long story short he's moving and just wants to get rid of everything - 14 ft '73 Steury, trailer, and '80 35hp Evinrude motor. Right off the bat the floor is halfway ripped out already, middle stringer obviously needs replaced, trailer tires are dry-rotting but good enough to get home. It's been sitting uncovered outside so bit of water and debris so I cant see everything.
Last night I clean it out and drain the water to better assess the damage. Mind you, I've never owned or worked on a boat before but have done some fiber-glassing. Was hoping to replace the middle stringer and put a new floor on with just a topcoat and texturing. Once I cleaned it I'm wondering if it'll be worth my effort.
Here's a picture of the inside along the main middle stringer - obviously rotten and would replace. On the left the figerglass looks bubbled. Any ideas whats going on there? It's completely hard. I'm assuming whoever did this prior did too much epoxy and it just settled and pushed out the glass. Can someone tell me what's going on with the side stringers? Why are they flat (horizontal)? I've only seen stringers vertical. I thought the side stringers would be ok, but left also has more damage than I originally thought so I'm now assuming an entire floor replace is in the books (I'll be tearing out the rest of the old floor to get a better idea later this week).
I'm planning on using 3/4" pt plywood - not marine grade. I know, I know, a huge sin by many but I'm not looking for this to last forever - hoping for a few years. I mean, it was a free 45 year old boat.
Does the main hull still look in decent enough shape? Do the repair jobs on the hull look ok or need fixed? If fixed would fiberglass putty work? Guy said the motor was running (hand cranking) not too long ago and it just needs a wiring harness, which I just ordered. If I cant get the motor working I doubt I'll fix anything further.
Thanks for any input! Only wanting to put a few hundred dollars (granted I get the motor running) but wanted some advice from those more experienced.
Last night I clean it out and drain the water to better assess the damage. Mind you, I've never owned or worked on a boat before but have done some fiber-glassing. Was hoping to replace the middle stringer and put a new floor on with just a topcoat and texturing. Once I cleaned it I'm wondering if it'll be worth my effort.
Here's a picture of the inside along the main middle stringer - obviously rotten and would replace. On the left the figerglass looks bubbled. Any ideas whats going on there? It's completely hard. I'm assuming whoever did this prior did too much epoxy and it just settled and pushed out the glass. Can someone tell me what's going on with the side stringers? Why are they flat (horizontal)? I've only seen stringers vertical. I thought the side stringers would be ok, but left also has more damage than I originally thought so I'm now assuming an entire floor replace is in the books (I'll be tearing out the rest of the old floor to get a better idea later this week).
I'm planning on using 3/4" pt plywood - not marine grade. I know, I know, a huge sin by many but I'm not looking for this to last forever - hoping for a few years. I mean, it was a free 45 year old boat.
Does the main hull still look in decent enough shape? Do the repair jobs on the hull look ok or need fixed? If fixed would fiberglass putty work? Guy said the motor was running (hand cranking) not too long ago and it just needs a wiring harness, which I just ordered. If I cant get the motor working I doubt I'll fix anything further.
Thanks for any input! Only wanting to put a few hundred dollars (granted I get the motor running) but wanted some advice from those more experienced.