1979 Cruiser Restoration

[Cap'n Cruiser]

Howdy everyone!

Thank you all very much already for the info on this site. I can see that I picked the best forum to help with my project. Inspired by Goldie627 who has been posting his Sea Ray restoration, I will try to include lots of pics and videos since that works really well for asking questions and showing tips!

My project is a 1979 26' Cruiser, with a Mercruiser I/O and a 351 Windsor V-8. I got this boat for $600! It's the biggest boat I've owned and definitely an intensive project. But I love huge jobs like this (go big or go home right?) so I'm having fun. Of course the job will move along as funds allow.

The hull is in great shape, as is the frame. Flooring is mushy in a few spots, so I'm working on removing, repairing and reglassing that now. Obviously as you'll see from the pics, it needs a complete gut of everything not glued down, and I have pretty much done that already. Electrical/electronics will have to be revamped, of course all seats and upholstery, some wood elements including seat frames/boxes, and a paint job throughout. When I bought it I was told the motor was fine except for the busted manifold shown in the pics, but we'll see of course. I'm expecting the unexpected there and have already lined up some local help that may know more than I do about the motor. The kicker runs on mixed fuel, so not too convenient for tapping into the big tank, but I want to have one for trolling of course so I'll have to explore options. The trailer is rough, but works to get me to the launch when it's time; I'll go after a redo there some summer when the boat is in a slip.

Hope you can get to my pics ok on Shutterfly- https://26cruiserrestoration.shutterfly.com/pictures/8

Feel free to comment there or here on what you see! I will be adding a video with a walk through in the next week or so.

For tips, the first thing I'll mention here is my covering for the winter. I don't have a nearby storage that would allow me access so check out the pics of the frame I built that allows me to work during the winter without climbing over supports, etc. It's made of 3/4 pvc conduit, bent over and bolted together to be stable. I cover it with a huge piece of old 6 mil plastic that I got free from a local greenhouse. The frame is tied to the rails of the boat with light cord and the bottoms are sunk in the lawn about 3-4 inches. The whole thing wiggles but hasn't failed! This is the second winter I've done this and the only issue was getting the legs sunk in the same all the way around because I moved the boat to a different spot in the lawn. So this year the frame isn't quite as straight and perfect but still completely strong. And if you're concerned about snow load, you'll be happy to know that I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where we get 300+ inches a year and high winds during blizzards. I've never had a problem! The frame will even sag down til it touches the boat if I forget to shake the snow off, but never breaks! lol. For heat, I just run my salamander on the ground at the stern and I can get it up to about 60 degrees in there after a couple hours. The conduit and hardware only ran about $125 but I got my plastic free of course.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to being a part of this group!

 

[Cap'n Cruiser]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

So my first question for you folks is about my flooring wood medium. I cut out the top layer of fiberglass to expose the rotted wood layer in a few spots. It looked like the resin-infused balsa core. I was going to replace that with 1/2 inch marine ply, laid in with resin on top of the under layer of glass of course, and glassed over the top.

Since marine ply is about $100, is it really necessary when glassing it in like I'm doing or can I use standard ply? A penny saved you know....

Thanks!

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Welcome to the iboats dry dock! Boy do you have your work cut out for you on that big beast. Plywood, marine ply is more costly because of the quality and extra layers over standard ply. Personally I would only use marine ply for decking but guys use other types but normally thicker 5/8 to 3/4.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Marine grade ply is the best, very little void and designed for marine environments.

ACX or Arauco if you can find it is very close in quality to marine grade and significantly cheaper.

BCX is minimum quality for restoration work.

5/8" is the absolute minimum for decking.

3/4" doubled is usually the standard for a transom (this varies depending on the design of your boat)

 

[Cap'n Cruiser]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Marine grade ply is the best, very little void and designed for marine environments.

ACX or Arauco if you can find it is very close in quality to marine grade and significantly cheaper.

BCX is minimum quality for restoration work.

5/8" is the absolute minimum for decking.

3/4" doubled is usually the standard for a transom (this varies depending on the design of your boat)

I will look into the Arauco you mention- thanks. The reason I'm going 1/2 inch is cuz thats the thickness of the core on the flooring now. It's sandwiched between two layers of glass. I left the bottom glass intact so I didn't need to cut all the way through.

https://26cruiserrestoration.shutterfly.com/pictures/59

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Yup, big (big) project. . . . exterior ply of a decent grade would be fine and would save some $$$.

The engine looks like it froze, as evidenced by the piece that broke off the exhaust manifold. I would assume that the engine block is pretty well done too.

It does not look (from your pictures) that you have any good access to inspect the transom and the stringers. Have you taken a look at those for rot, etc. I would think that it is very likely with a boat of that age.

Check out the thread by 'zool' regarding the winter structure . . . he did something similar, but had it blow apart in a recent wind storm. Probably need to make sure the covering is strapped down and things are anchored into the ground, etc.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Welcome to iBoats!

I'd go ahead and remove the bottom layer of glass as well. You're going to encapsulate the entire deck with glass anyway. I'd want to investigate everything below the glass too!! You might consider MDO or HDO plywood for your deck. Really good stuff for Decking.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

I will look into the Arauco you mention- thanks. The reason I'm going 1/2 inch is cuz thats the thickness of the core on the flooring now. It's sandwiched between two layers of glass. I left the bottom glass intact so I didn't need to cut all the way through.

Check Menards for the Auraco, I'm pretty sure they have 3/4" but may have 1/2" or it may be available via special order.

Being a 1979 boat, it's likely to have LOTS of wooden below deck structure. I agree w/ Ted & WOG:

I'd go ahead and remove the bottom layer of glass as well. You're going to encapsulate the entire deck with glass anyway. I'd want to investigate everything below the glass too!! You might consider MDO or HDO plywood for your deck. Really good stuff for Decking.

Welcome to iboats & good luck w/ your project

 

[Gator1996]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Wow. Cool boat and a monster project. I won't be of too much help but I would like to follow along.
Good luck!

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

I will look into the Arauco you mention- thanks. The reason I'm going 1/2 inch is cuz thats the thickness of the core on the flooring now. It's sandwiched between two layers of glass. I left the bottom glass intact so I didn't need to cut all the way through.

https://
26cruiserrestoration.shutterfly.com/pictures/59

Not to rain on your parade, there are obvious signs of structure rot. Its really no big deal but at minimum the stern half of the floor really needs to come out for further inspection and repair.

One thing to think about was in 1979 a 1/2 " sheet of plywood was 16/32 of an inch thick. Now a 1/2" sheet of plywood is actually 15/32". It doesnt sound like much of a difference but it really is.

 

[Cap'n Cruiser]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Yup, big (big) project. . . . exterior ply of a decent grade would be fine and would save some $$$.

The engine looks like it froze, as evidenced by the piece that broke off the exhaust manifold. I would assume that the engine block is pretty well done too.

It does not look (from your pictures) that you have any good access to inspect the transom and the stringers. Have you taken a look at those for rot, etc. I would think that it is very likely with a boat of that age.

Check out the thread by 'zool' regarding the winter structure . . . he did something similar, but had it blow apart in a recent wind storm. Probably need to make sure the covering is strapped down and things are anchored into the ground, etc.

Thanks for the words of advice Ted- so you're saying that if I'm totally encasing the deck section in resin anyway, then MDO would be fine? Good to hear...

And any tips on knowing how the block is without actually trying to fire it up eventually? I'm hoping the po was telling the truth when he said they fired it up for a season and the crack in the manifold was the only problem. We'll see on that I guess!

With the engine cowling and tank cover off I'm actually able to get upside down and get to most of the frame and transom. I poked around with a chisel and didn't see anything worrisome, but because of everyone's advice, I'll go do it again and maybe drill some exploratory holes to be sure.

And I checked out that thread by zool. Wow, a lot of great stuff there! I can't wait to read through it carefully. But I saw what you were talking about- that's one heck of a cover frame. Mine isn't quite that large but I think the big difference is I'm using conduit with the flared hub ends so the pieces fit together without fittings (I think his has fittings?? couldn't quite see...). I only have about 30' from ground to ground up over the middle so its only 3 pieces. And as you can see in the pic below, it's not going anywhere! lol, December 10th and we have over 50" of snow already and it holds down my plastic really well! As I said it's time to knock last nights 6 inches off.....

Thanks again!

 

[Cap'n Cruiser]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Not to rain on your parade, there are obvious signs of structure rot. Its really no big deal but at minimum the stern half of the floor really needs to come out for further inspection and repair.

One thing to think about was in 1979 a 1/2 " sheet of plywood was 16/32 of an inch thick. Now a 1/2" sheet of plywood is actually 15/32". It doesnt sound like much of a difference but it really is.

Thanks Sig, I will investigate more....

 

[Cap'n Cruiser]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Wow. Cool boat and a monster project. I won't be of too much help but I would like to follow along.
Good luck!

Hi Gator, thanks for the well wishes! Glad to have you along for the ride, and I look forward to reading your resto as well.

 

[Cap'n Cruiser]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Check Menards for the Auraco, I'm pretty sure they have 3/4" but may have 1/2" or it may be available via special order.

Being a 1979 boat, it's likely to have LOTS of wooden below deck structure. I agree w/ Ted & WOG:


Welcome to iboats & good luck w/ your project

Thanks, nice looking projects yourself!

 

[bigdirty]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

.... As I said it's time to knock last nights 6 inches off....

View attachment 219057

Hey man, looks like you have quite a project.. and about the same kind of winter weather as i get! :laugh: Think I'll tag along for this one too... The snow sure makes it a real pain to work on boats right? My tarp is gona be done after this season, and from looking at zool's and your 'tube frome structures' I'm already thinking about a do over for my 'shanty shack' next year..

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Thanks Sig, I will investigate more....

Hi Gator, thanks for the well wishes! Glad to have you along for the ride, and I look forward to reading your resto as well.

Thanks, nice looking projects yourself!

Reply Reply w/ Quote "
Those ^^^ are the 3 choices below a post..

Just click the 3rd choice: "

Just click the 3rd choice under each post you want to quote (like I have for yours) and then you can type a reply to each, all at once.

Sometimes it's helpful to do it the way you have, other times, it'll be easier on you & those following your build to address them all at once. It'll keep you & us from missing anything. Before my browser could load your 1st response, you'd posted again..... If anyone had posted in the middle of your posts, you might not have been notified of their post and vice versa...............

thanks for the compliment, so far I've really enjoyed working on the Duracraft...

 

[Cap'n Cruiser]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Thanks for the tip curt. I thought that my method seemed a little much...:facepalm:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

It's John, JC, jb, or 'Hey You, yeah, YOU: the 1 w/ all the derelict boats'

Your welcome all the same :watermelon:

For drilling core samples:

 

[sphelps]

Re: 1979 Cruiser Restoration

Welcome aboard CnC ! Like to tag along if there is room .. Ya got quite a project there . I love the lap strake hull ! Nice to see another one saved from the land fill !
Btw , call jbc anything but late to dinner ..