My first boat. Where to start?

[Catfishearl]

I've got a 1970 or 71 Chrysler bass boat that I want to restore. I'm pretty sure the floor is shot and the foam underneath
is soaked. There is on gouge on the hull and several places where the gel coat are rubbed off. How do I get it back to safely floating? Totally lost here.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: My first boat. Where to start?

Start here Once you read thru the threads listed @Don's helpful info, read through some threads in the resto forum. Lots of good info @here, and no matter how rough it is, the iBoats crew will help you put it back & into service.

If the floor is soft & there's wet foam under the deck, expect it to be a full gut, cap removed, down to bare hull stem to stern.

In vintage fiberglass, once water infiltrates the wood, it quickly travels from stringer to floor to transom. Adding quite a bit of weight & weakening the integrity of the boat.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: My first boat. Where to start?

Are you aware of the work and expense involved in restoring a boat of this vintage?