Faq?

[westexasrepublic]

I couldnt find a faq for boat restoration but i believe there should be....

My question is.....

What are some common website/stores for boat restoration products? - please list your favorite and explain why.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Faq?

Have you seen this http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288451

Use the search.......... evryone just asks specific questions ......... just how many hundreds or thousands products should we review? Aluminum boat? Fiberglass? Epoxy? Wood? Your request is not one that has an answer.

We have a completed project section too

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: Faq?

Yah ive read all those articles, and as described it is good information, and i only bring this up because ive read the same threads over and over again asking the same question.

jUST THROWING THE IDEA OUT THERE BUT COULD THERE BE SUB THREADS FOR ALUMINUM BOAT, WOOD BOATS, FIBERGLASS?

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Faq?

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com Lots of stuff
http://www.imarineusa.com Lots of stuff
http://www.backtoboating.com lots of stuff
http://www.iboats.com Duh
http://www.uscomposites.com Fiberglass supplies (best prices)
http://www.sterndrives.com Mercruiser parts

I kinda like westexasrepublic's idea. There is a wealth of awesome information here, and I personally can now find pretty much any info I need. However, sometimes it takes hours of reading to find what one is looking for. My job only requires me to sit and stare at computers for 12 hrs a day, so I spend a lot of time on here anyway. For those who can't or don't want to spend hours looking for answers, an FAQ section could cover some of the basics without the moderators having to go into great detail. I remember when I was a total newbie and didn't even know what things were called, so a search didn't do much good. If one hasn't been around boats at all, simple boat terminology is a stumbling block. One must remember that a lot of people here have not around boats at all and you kinda have to learn the lingo, I did. I didn't know what a transom was, and a gunnel? Huh? And I still don't know anyone who says deck and not floor in the real world. I could see having a section to answer question like.

How do I check for rot?
Paint options?
Boat terminology
How to shine up gelcoat
Teak restoration
How to remove a cap
A section listing good places to buy supplies

Stuff like that. I think this would help keep from having a lot of the same questions being asked that can be answered very simply in one post. Of course we don't mind answering peoples questions though. I'm still pretty new myself, and I know sometimes I'm asking dumb questions and I don't want to bug anybody with simple stuff when I can't find the answer myself. Anywho, just my thoughts. Have a nice day!

 

[lowkee]

Re: Faq?

I think, for boat restoration, an FAQ would be near impossible as there are 100 ways to do nearly anything restoration related. There is no "best way" which fits all needs. It depends on the boat, the person, the budget and the parts/tools on hand. If you really want an FAQ, read a boat restore thread on a boat nearly the same as yours. I don't see any other way of doing it without devoting an entire website to making a giant, complicated, covers all scenarios FAQ.

The tough part is finding a restore thread which goes into detail, as some are little more than before and after photos, which are nice eye-candy but teach you nothing.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: Faq?

Im sure many people on here are part of many different forums and every forum has different layouts with different ideas. Im throwing the idea out there since I have seen it work well on other forums, even other areas on this forum.

Also thanks BoatinOkie, for the input on marine supply AND Fiberglass supplies. Those websites aughta keep my occupied for the next few days.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Faq?

The boat terminology sticky is a great idea. This site's primary purpose is to help boaters w/their problems. Most of the new members are new to boating entirely and like Okie said some boat parts have unusual names making it near impossible to search for answers.

Don already has a sticky w/a couple of how to's at the top of the resto forum that's pretty handy. I'm surprised a terminology thread isn't already in there.

psssst, iboats, they can't order it if they don't know what it's called.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Faq?

You're welcome.

I also agree with lowkee to an extent. It would be near impossible to cover actual repair procedures, but a few things could be covered quite easily. I have personally have explained how to take a cap off on a couple of occasions. One could have just done a search, except that the person didn't know it was called a cap, and 6 months ago I didn't either. Pretty simple thing, and is usually the same procedure on any fiberglass boat for the most part. I can think of a few more examples, but I don't want to sound like I'm arguing, so I'll stop right there. I just think it could be done without covering topics that are model specific and require a great amount of detail. Don't want to ruffle any feathers.