Bonito 17 Bow Rider Restoration

[thatone123]

Have not done any restoration/refurbish work for a number of years so I am as rusty as the screws in this boat. Can some one tell me the purpose of the rusty screws (now just rusty holes) that I cut off and took out. Quite a job as there was an outer small bracket like thing on each that was rusted on the bolt that went through the fiberglass with a stainless washer on the back. This boat is an 1988 and it seems like there is little softness in the deck. IT has been in a cool summer/ cold winter climate but was abused by just letting it sit uncovered and had moss and those grey specks of a kind of moss you can see in the photos. What is the best way to remove the gray moss and the rust? Would 5200 or Marine Tex (or something else) be better to close up the holes and big scratches and gouges to the fiberglass. Do you think I can get the ugly faded purple decals off with a heat gun? I plan to make this an overnighter by having a low slung canvas canopy made for it. Hoping this boat is still solid. Think it has the original Yamaha 55 outboard that is in great low hour condition. Appreciate any comments on this boat!

 

[chevymaher]

Those were seat backs once upon a time.

 

[Chris51280]

Grey specks are mold and can be polished off with a good buffer. Lots of work buffing and waxing the boat.
The rusty screws held up a back rest just like the front storage used to have seat cushions.
Since it has been abused and you already know there is a soft spot, it is pretty much shot underneath.
Watch out for the transom, it is shot too probably and you might risk loosing the outboard.

 

[Scott Danforth]

last thing to rot is the floor. assume the transom, stringers and bulkheads are rotten along with the floor, and all the foam is water logged.

 

[thatone123]

I'm not sure if it is soft, if so not much. I have felt soft decks and floors before but this does not seem that bad , if it is bad at all, maybe I am just thinking it is soft. In the last 5 years the boats was used and no problems so sez previous owner.

 

[chevymaher]

Previous owner to me said that to. He said no problems. It was rotten. Only way to tell is check. Alot of previous owners think if it hasn't sank it is fine.

 

[dezmond]

I'm not sure if it is soft, if so not much.

To me, that would put up a red flag and I would investigate further....

 

[dezmond]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE1ufZspnEA

 

[Scott Danforth]

I'm not sure if it is soft, if so not much. I have felt soft decks and floors before but this does not seem that bad , if it is bad at all, maybe I am just thinking it is soft. In the last 5 years the boats was used and no problems so sez previous owner.

And politicians dont lie either......

 

[thatone123]

The video was interesting and politicians and lawyers don't know the truth from a lie. I'll keep these posts up front in my mind as I work on this boat.