I'm a Newbie and I need lots of HELP!!!!!

[BoatBabe81]

I just bought a 1982 Runabout (I think) Thundercraft for about 1200 bucks. I thought it would be fun to fix up and take out on the lake but now I am beginning to have second thoughts. It runs but from what I read from these forums.....it needs a LOT of TLC. Here are my worries.<br /><br />1. The guy who sold it to us left it out in the elements for seven months. I have a feeling EVERYTHING but the transom is rotted. I have an inboard/outboard engine and it seems to be solid. Unfortunately....all of the seat have fallen apart. I ordered new ones from overtons but Im not sure how to replace the seating at the front of the boat or the inboard engine cover. Any suggestions will be appreciated.<br /><br />2. My winshield does not match up. I read somewhere that it could be a hull problem?? EEKS! How would I fix that?<br /><br />3. I believe that my entire decking including my stringers is rotted. Its soft in some places and I cut out some of the fiberglass and in some places there is no wood underneath at all, just wet wood chips where it's rotted out. I have 2 books on how to replace decking....do you think that will help me? Also....if the stringers are rotted could that be why the winshield isnt flush?<br /><br />Please let me know anything asap. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[tengals123]

Re: I'm a Newbie and I need lots of HELP!!!!!

I would say your asumptions are correct. Sounds like yo have a full rebuild on your hands. Follow my link below to give you an idea of what's involved. Also there are heaps of great guys here in this part of the forum, so ask away.<br /><br />cheers

 

[buck01]

Re: I'm a Newbie and I need lots of HELP!!!!!

Of course I am still working on my boat, and they are different boats, so what applies to mine mostly will not yours, but here is what I found.<br /><br />1. The guy I bought my boat from had it outside with no cover when I looked at it. he owned it for 5 years prior to me looking at it. So I assume it was uncovered outdoors the whole time (he had no garage). I would not put new seats back into it until you sort out and correct the other problems. You will only cover problems up and possibly shorten the life of your new purchases. As far as the seating in the front I would see if there is someone in your area perhaps to have them made. Not really all that expensive.<br /><br />My windshield caved in a little and the window in the center would not shut properly. under the dash was plywood that had taken on some damage and let the center begin to sag. I do not have the boat back together yet, but rough measurements have the center raised up approximately 3/4 of an inch which should be plenty on my boat to get it back in line. So look at the support for the dash as well as the hull. It could be something as simple as something you are going to need to replace anyway (the floor that is).<br /><br />I found it was hard to judge the stringers until most of the "guts" was pulled. Mine were shot, but at the very least get the floor out and expose the stringers. All that old looking muck (like rotten foam) in the boat can be deceptive.<br /><br />Of course I am a newbe around here, but these are some things I have found through my experince so far (or should I really call it trial and lots of error).<br /><br />Good luck

 

[crab bait]

Re: I'm a Newbie and I need lots of HELP!!!!!

that much rot ,, there's not much hull integrity left.. distortion's a reality..<br /><br />there's 2 hints i can give you..<br /><br />lay a 'GOOD' 2x4 lumber across the boat at mid-ships.. stand back a-ways an 'eyeball' the transom with the 2x4.. <br /><br />stand in such away that when 'eyeballin', there's an 'air gap' between the two.. <br /><br />by doin' that,, you'll see if'n the boat is racked or not.. <br /><br />if it is.. jack/prop/ajust hull untill the transom / 2x4 air gap is right.. the eye can pick up minute descrependency..<br /><br />do this for sure before an after gluing in every/each stringer..<br /><br /><br />hint #2..<br />use the 'search' on this board.. it's a wealth of knowledge..