1980 Carolina Skiff J12 Restoration- Help Needed and Welcomed

[BrianOGrady]

I have purchased a 1980 Carolina Skiff J12 as a project boat. This boat was used in a private pond for many years and then used as a shuttle boat to a floating dock on a lake. I was told it was stored on the water in a hydraulic lift. The hull of the boat is in great shape, just one quarter size gouge from loading it on the trailer to bring home.

I have started pulling off hardware and the accessories that were added on from the previous owners. I want this boat as simple as possible, just an outboard and possible a transom mounted trolling motor. It will be used in a couple creeks by the house and a couple small lakes.

I have never used any fiberglass materials or putty's, but would like suggestions on where to start. First order of business is the rub rail area, easiest for me to get to.

I have about 8 holes in the grab rail/rub rail area where some accessories were attached. What is the best way to fill these holes in? There are spider cracks throughout the boat, but I will address those once the holes are filled up. I plan to keep the gel coat if possible.

 

[BrianOGrady]

No Title

Progress this weekend on removing all the hardware and seats off the boat. Several bolts and screws were taken off the boat with the dermal grinding wheel.

The seats had pedestal mounted fishing seats on them, I was surprised to find the previous owner put a giant hole in each seat. My plan will be to try and find a flush mounted white glove box and insert them in the holes. This should be the cheapest option/easiest and give me a place to keep key's, wallet, and cell phone when we are underway.

The boat has a several holes that appear to be filled with sealant, I am assuming these are factory holes to mount a center console.

Next on the agenda is to start compound rubbing and waxing the seats, I want to see how well the gel coat will come back.

 

[Woodonglass]

Lots of spidercracking going on here!!! If you really want to do this right, you're gunna have to get out the dremel tool and do a lot of v-gooving on each and everyone of those cracks. You will then wash her down really well with a degreaser (Tri Sodium Phosphate is my choice) and then a solvent wash with Acetone and then mix up either some thick Gelcoat paste or Polyester resin putty to fill all the spidercracks. Then a lot of sanding and fairing. You can make your own putty or buy some 3M Premium Marine filler to do the job. It will work great on the holes too!! Some "Kitty Hair" might be better for the Holes. That's Polyester resin that has fiberglass strands mixed in with it.

 

[BrianOGrady]

Lots of spidercracking going on here!!! If you really want to do this right, you're gunna have to get out the dremel tool and do a lot of v-gooving on each and everyone of those cracks. You will then wash her down really well with a degreaser (Tri Sodium Phosphate is my choice) and then a solvent wash with Acetone and then mix up either some thick Gelcoat paste or Polyester resin putty to fill all the spidercracks. Then a lot of sanding and fairing. You can make your own putty or buy some 3M Premium Marine filler to do the job. It will work great on the holes too!! Some "Kitty Hair" might be better for the Holes. That's Polyester resin that has fiberglass strands mixed in with it.

I have not decided if I am going to do anything with the spider cracks, like you said a lot of sanding and fairing. My thoughts at this point are to keep it as simple as possible, the hull of the boat has no spider cracking, I think it will clean up with a nice rubbing compound and some wax.

I have bought some Marine Tex to help fill the majority of screw holes. I have never used this product but it has good reviews. I will be using fiberglass mat to help rebuild the top of the gunnel where the rub rail attaches, it looks like it hit a dock and broke about 2' of lip.

I am sure the foam is full of water and I will get the boat weighed once I get a trailer under it.