1988 citation cuddy....restore?

[rbmc20]

Ok so I've been lurking around in the shadows reading everyone's posts. Let my "project" sit for two years after picking it up. Mostly because I was told it ran great last season and it wouldn't attempt to turn over when I got home. Yes most of you are saying why didn't you check it out before. I bought this on ebay. Item description basically stated it was solid and ran great last season. I'm guessing it was just missing and few words. Ran great the last season it was used is more what I'm thinking.

Anyways I have looked at this boat every day sitting under the shed and i finally have decided to do something.

My main focus was getting the engine started and running at first. Thinking it was going to maybe be something simple. As i have been going through the wires and tracing all the splicing that has been done i noticed a soft spot. Upon more investigation from what i can tell the stringers are rotted, part of the floor had new plywood and reglassed over top of the rot.

So now I'm not sure this is just me venting or the start of a restoration lol. I now know I need to pull engine to redo the inside. Which would make it easier to work on the engine. I'm at the point now of deciding to get engine running and sell,part it out or attempt to restore it. Not looking for persuasion either way. Funny thing though it seems to be a stress reliever but creates its own. Im sure some of you may understand lol

This could just be the start of a long, painful, aggravating restoration....

If so.... I will go ahead and thank everyone for the help and knowledge.

 

[Bondo]

I now know I need to pull engine

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,..... What motor,..?? Drive,..??

 

[rbmc20]

3.7l mercruiser alpha one.

 

[rbmc20]

What tools will I need for this job?

 

[89celebrity190br]

I'm only a few steps ahead of you. I just pulled the motor out of my boat last weekend. It was the easiest thing I think I've ever done mechanical wise. A deep socket set, screw drivers and a few wrenches will do most of it. The only thing out of the ordinary on mine was the bolts holding the y pipe to the transom plate were a star socket head. Any pictures of the boat?

 

[Government cheese]

There are a lot of great restorations and talented people on the forum. I would like to try restoring an old boat sometime, but aside from the cost of the project it is something that I'm not I have the talent, skill, and know how to pull off. Those are a few things to consider, and I"m not saying if you don't know how then don't, because Corjen1 went all out on his Glastron (http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...-repair/640060-my-1968-glastron-gt160-rebuild) and had to learn to fiberglass, paint, sew, etc in order to bring it all together. And I guess finally it all comes down to time. If you decide to restore it, can you work on it for months, maybe years and not lose interest?

 

[rbmc20]

Already have all socket sets and etc i need for engine. Im mainly trying to figure the tool set up i need for demo and rebuild. Im thinking
Circular saw
Reciprocating saw
Jigsaw?
Angle grinder with cut wheels and sanding discs
Chisels
Prybars
Clamps
Anything I am leaving out?

 

[Woodonglass]

Welcome to iBoats!
Lots of work ahead. Take LOTS of Pre-Measurements of EVERYTHING prior to starting your demolition. You WILL need them when you start the "Go-Back" work. Take LOTS of pics of EVERYTHING now and everystep of the way. You WILL reference them later. This will help get you started with what you'll be doing...Fabricating Decks, Stringers, and Transoms and the attached PDF file will help you with what you'll need..

One of the keys is to try and do a little bit, every day and stay focused. LIFE always gets in the way and it's easy to lose focus and the project slips away. If you write down a plan/checklist on a daily basis and then check off the task EVERYDAY you'll be surprised how much and how fast you'll get to the end and be on the water!!!!

Keep posting pix and asking questions and the members here on the forum will be sure to help you all along the way!!!

Attached Files

• MaterialsList.pdf (174.2 KB, 25 views)

 

[rbmc20]

Thanks woodonglass for the info. No pics yet will get some up before long.

 

[52FordF2]

Don't forget any and all Safety equipment, you can get by with Half face mask ,but a full face mask is the way to go.

Face maskainkiller: extra mask if you canainkiller:ainkiller: don't ask I still don't see the pink horse:lalala:
Replacement filter cartridges- they will clog up-need get more
Ear plugs-Dust will get in there- disposable kind is good
Gloves for the job, laytec, leather, etc.
Coveralls

and don't forget your shoes-Don't track it in the house SWMBO may say otherwise.

Regards following along

 

[rbmc20]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I just hope that everyone will not get aggravated with me asking questions that probably have been covered before. I've been reading other posts trying to gather what I can. I have no misconception that this is going to be a quick or easy rebuild. I hope to start tearing down this weekend

 

[rbmc20]

This may be a dumb question but, I'm guessing the face mask is for when you are grinding and laying the fiberglass. Is this needed for tearing it out?

 

[Woodonglass]

The dust and mold that some of these old boats have is NOT good to breathe in. the Full Cover Respirator is never a BAD thing to have on in a Dirty Air Scenario!!!

 

[rbmc20]

What would be recommended for the respirator? This will be the only thing I'll be using it for. And where is the best place to buy

 

[Woodonglass]

You can get em on Ebay...http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-3M-6800...ng-Spraying-/191433624689?hash=item2c92554c71

 

[rbmc20]

I had looked on ebay and saw the cheap ones from china wasn't sure about them. I haven't had time to do anything at all on boat b/c of work and we had a birth in the family over the weekend. I did get to pick up a couple power tools though.

 

[Mark72233]

rbmc20, I just joined the party. I would echo what has already been said about taking plenty of pictures before and as you are tearing it down. Think ahead and ask your self what measurements will you need as you are putting stuff back into the boat like stringers, bulkheads and deck placements & heights. To answer your question about when to wear the face mask I used to wear it when ever I was fiberglassing but I have gotten used to the smell of resin and health wise as long as the area you are working in is well ventilated and a fan is circulating air you wont need it for the fiberglassing aspect. I would definitely wear it when ever you are using acetone in large quantities and whenever you are tearing out a lot of stuff and using that grinder because that is some nasty dust you are kicking up during that process and it usually takes a lot of extended periods where you don't want to be breathing that stuff. Good luck with the restoration and I will be lurking along

 

[WOEISMEIGOTTA470]

Just joining in too, welcome. Your story reminds me of me. My family purchased the 19' cuddy I'm currently restoring. Bought it on eBay in 2006 with false claims, like "turn-key!" and "only needs a little TLC and some new upholstery". Couldn't be further from the truth! It sat for years while I was in college (ran out of time & money to fix it) and in the past 2 years I've been working on finishing getting it back together again, but I've been taking my time with it at a slower pace than I'd like. I have to agree with WOG here:

One of the keys is to try and do a little bit, every day and stay focused. LIFE always gets in the way and it's easy to lose focus and the project slips away. If you write down a plan/checklist on a daily basis and then check off the task EVERYDAY you'll be surprised how much and how fast you'll get to the end and be on the water!!!!

I just created an updated timeline-goal checklist for myself, hoping it works out for me.
Good luck with it, I'll be following along.

 

[Woodonglass]

Just make sure the respirators will use 3M filters. That's the key and that it's sized to fit your face properly so it will seal correctly. They usually aren't a problem. I got one of the 3M ones and paid $110 for it on Amazon. Works really well.

 

[WOEISMEIGOTTA470]

FYI - I run a North (by Honeywell) 5400 series full mask, and an MSA half mask. Both work really well. I found a really good selection and prices from Northern Safety, here: