Newbie with gel coat ?

[Slayer315]

Hi all. Been lurking since bought first boat a year ago. It's a 1997 Bayliner 1600 ls capri with 90 force outboard. In the short time we have had it the family has really enjoyed it. I bought it from the second owner ( a friend) who purchased it 6 months old, and has taken good care of it. He set it up as a fish and ski. He added some recessed pole holders, kicker bracket, and made some nice carpeted, plywood benches that go over rear bench seat and front bow seats. We have used it for skiing and fishing also. I have read many posts and threads, and got great ideas from a lot of you. I am particularly impressed with friscoboater and his projects. I know there are many ideas and theories out there, and I think I know what I want, just not sure how to do it, and scared as h**l to mess around with my perfectly fine boat.
My plan- the carpet in the boat is starting to show wear and tear. I also am not a big fan of the carpet. I would like to remove it. Also this boat has th e traditional back to back seats. Th e drivers side is a little wore out and has to be held by a strap. Like the previous owner I like to sit up while pulling people on water toys. So, I sit on top of the seat.( I assume this is a common practice?????). I would like to remove the carpet and back to back seats. My goal would be to tear out the carpet, gel coat the floor, possibly lay done some Seadek in walking areas, and install two swiveling pedestal seats( like friscoboater did in his SeaRay I believe it was)
Here are my concerns. Under the carpet( in areas the edges have already pulled away) the deck is a smooth gray coating. I am not sure if this is a painted fiberglass covering or a gelcoat. Any ideas? Also, I am not sure that when I remove the seat bases if there will be anything underneath them( decking all the way) Anyone know if I will have to fill in the blank spot? I also plan to mount a small base on top of the deck to set the pedestal base on. How hard/ easy would it be to fiberglass this base in and make it flow smoothly with rest of floor.
I am generally able to do mechanical skills, however I have never messed with fiberglass or gel coat.
Thanks for reading and any advice or help you can give. I have tried to attach pics, hope it works.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Hello and Welcome to iboats. Your floor should be all wood, covered in fiberglass, under the carpet, seats, etc. I don't think you really need to Gelcoat the floor. Just remove the carpet and put down whatever flooring you want. There are lots of different types of flooring besides carpet. I do recommend filling any screw holes with epoxy or fiberglass, when you remove the seats, to keep any water out. To put a base under your new seat, if needed, I would just cut a piece of 3/4" exterior (not treated) plywood a little larger than the base, bevel the edges, then cover with fiberglass and paint it, or put whatever flooring over it that you plan to use, then mount the seat pedestal. Any screws I put into a floor, I like to seal with epoxy, to make sure no water gets into the wood, to prevent rot.

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Thanks for the help. So you are saying the seat bases are screwed into deck? My fear was maybe they would be glassed in and I would have a bunch of grinding and cutting ahead of me. Any particular type of epoxy to fill on holes? Any suggestions on what to cover the gray flooring with? I am looking to have a somewhat professional look with a smooth white finish.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

It's really hard to know how your boat is put together with out pics of the interior. Some seats are in fact glassed to the deck others simply screwed. Once you get the carpet out we'll know. Pedestals are not that hard to do. Here's a pic of how I would do it. You put stainless T-Nuts under the base, then Bolt the pedestal in place and glass the pedestal to the deck.

You can gelcoat the deck (preferred) and even put a non skid agent in the gelcoat or imprint a non skid pattern in it. No experience with Glass work is not a problem. That's what we are here for. I'd suggest getting the carpet out and then take lots of pics so we can see what you see. Have you explored every nook and cranny for soft spots in the deck? Do you know the maintenance history of the boat? Has she been covered and maintained her whole life? Did the PO take care of her?

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Woodonglass, thanks for info. Your picture of seat base is exactly what I'm looking to do. Quick questions before I go on. Is your pedestal height adjustable? How tall is it? Been looking and have only found minimum height of about 12 ". Measuring mine with old seats and squatting to where I think I would like it is between 9"( cruising head below windshield) & 14"( towing, able to be over windshield).
Once I get carpet out I will post pics, below are some now. I like the idea of non-skid. Just want it to be comfortable on feet. It is a family boat.
The previous owner is a close friend, and very anal about care & maintenance. Covered when not in use in a shed with canvas snap on cover. Heat lamp in very cold weather. Motor winterized by shop every year. He even gave me every reciept of maintenance done. His family still call it "their" boat, and question me to make sure I am taking care of it. He is upgrading to bigger boat. In the attatched pic you will see some minor mildew. I usually park it in my garage, but I was working on a project and had to park it in a 3 sided wood shed for the last month. With our persistent wet weather here, it didn't take long to get grungy. As far as soft spots I have not found any, and have looked, felt. I am guessing pulling up carpet will tell me more.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

That's good news about the maintenance. Check this out...

Springfield 9-14 Inch Adjustable Boat Seat Pedestal

You'll need to drill the appropriate size hol in the pedestal to accomodate the adjustable pedestal but it's the right height. I did not use those pedestals. I built my own due to the POST style seats I had. You can see how I did it here.
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...mingo-i-finally-started-w-pics-384982-28.html

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Woodonglass, how long ago did you do the seat project? How is it holding up? Thanks for the link on seat post, but I was under the impression i don't want to put a hole in my deck if I don't have to. Any repercussions of this type of post?

Well I had a spare half hour and manned up today. Went to work and removed some carpet. Good news is deck looks and feels good and solid. Only one damp spot. I removed ski locker hatch to take out carpet. In the locker hole space carpet was wrapped around edge and underneath deck, then stapled. The under deck part was a little damp, but only for about an inch, and not soft. So I figure a warm garage and a fan should help that. Just another reason why I don't like carpet in there.

Went to a local ( half hour away) marine supply store today. Very helpful and seems very knowledgable. They carry fireboy(?) brand gel coat. Ever hear of it? Any opinions? A gallon was less expensive than a gallon of the stuff at West Marine.( he has been generous to my work/ union with donations, so I feel compelled to shop local first).

Now issues. It appears as though the seat bases are glassed in to the floor( pics below). Are these structural? Can they be removed? If so, how?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Now issues. It appears as though the seat bases are glassed in to the floor( pics below). Are these structural? Can they be removed? If so, how?

They are not structural and can be removed with a SawZall..

You better beef up the locations of them ped mounts underside or your looking for a cracked deck.

YD.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Just my 2 cents worth: I would put a piece of 3/4" piece of plywood over the front section of the old seat pedestal, enough to mount my new pedestal to, then I would put a hinged piece of plywood over the rest of the old pedestal and use it for storage. I would use a coating DISIGNED for decks, such as this:
Pettit EZ Decks- Quart from Wholesale Marine
I think it'll be easier on bare feet and easier to apply than gelcoat mixed with skid proof sand or ??.
IMHO.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

I did my "Pyramids" last year and they are still like new with no issues. The pedestals in the link requiring the hole would not be a problem. The base will be glued to the deck and then totally glassed to the deck so no water could ever get below deck due to the hole.
The anti skid used in gelcoat is not always sand and if it is, depending on the Grade of the product it can be comfortable to the feet. Stamping a texture into the gel is also very effective and comfortable on the feet.
http://www.masepoxies.com/public/index.cfm?fuseaction=prodbrws.publicdetail&productid=777755

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

a1964rn- why exterior vs treated? Thanks for advice, just curious why. As for using the bases and make storage, I thought about doing that also. I use this boat for fishing out in the local bays( trolling for salmon) and realized this last season I wanted more space for moving around. The distance from seat base to rear bench is only about a foot. I was thinking by going pedestal style I would gain about a foot of clear area.

Yacht dr- I thought about putting something under the deck for support, but it looks like the area is closed off to easy access( stringers underneath deck). I am nervous enough cutting out the bases, let alone cutting and patching holes in deck.

Forgot to mention, that once I pulled up carpet the gray covering was only along edges. The rest looks to be just glassed. Any suggestions on best/ easiest way to remove old glue. Looking at the sides of my boat, they are carpeted as well as the shelf. I think I want to remove carpet from this area also. What do you guys think of gel coating this area also?


Hoping to get some time to cut out bases in next couple days. Thanks for all suggestions and advice. Really helps.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

I'd use an oscillating multifunction tool to cut the bases. It works great with little danger of cutting the deck. And besides it's an excuse to buy a new tool if you don't have one!!! If you don't NEED to have an adjustable pedestal you could build my Pyramid bases and attach the seats with posts or swivel mounts. That way no need to cut holes but... As I said the hole would NOT be an issue since it would be totally covered and glassed. No water could ever get to it.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

a1964rn- why exterior vs treated? Thanks for advice, just curious why. As for using the bases and make storage, I thought about doing that also. I use this boat for fishing out in the local bays( trolling for salmon) and realized this last season I wanted more space for moving around. The distance from seat base to rear bench is only about a foot. I was thinking by going pedestal style I would gain about a foot of clear area.

Fiberglass, especially polyester, will not adhere well to treated wood unless it's well dried then it's "iffy". How about just cutting the back section off of the old base, enclose the front foot of it, then mount your pedestal on top of that. Then you can cut your hole as WOG mentioned into that, without cutting into the floor. If it's tall enough, that is.

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Fiberglass, especially polyester, will not adhere well to treated wood unless it's well dried then it's "iffy". How about just cutting the back section off of the old base, enclose the front foot of it, then mount your pedestal on top of that. Then you can cut your hole as WOG mentioned into that, without cutting into the floor. If it's tall enough, that is.

Thanks for the info. That right there is why I signed up to here, a wealth of knowledge from the members. I am going to put some more thought into your seat idea. Cut it in half, and put a seat on it. Then put a hinged piece on there and have a little storage area under.
So many ideas, so little time. Haha

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

I'd use an oscillating multifunction tool to cut the bases. It works great with little danger of cutting the deck. And besides it's an excuse to buy a new tool if you don't have one!!!

I like the way you think, projects that require new tools are always fun. The wife doesn't always appreciate spending the extra $, but hey it's for the "family" boat right?
I actually went and looked at one after I read your post. $80 craftsman with a 6 piece sanding and cutting bits. Still considering, it's probably the easiest way to cut though. And I'm guessing the sanding bits will come in handy when I get to sanding areas.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Harbor Freight has em...Cordless Oscillating Multifunction Tool

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Harbor Freight has em...Cordless Oscillating Multifunction Tool

More great info, thanks. I have also been considering a polisher/ sander for the gel coat and a good hull cleaning. There is a HF about an hour away, so it looks like I will be going for a drive in next couple days.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

I'd highly recommend that you go with the Craftsman. If you buy cheap tools, you get cheap tools. If you look at the reviews on that HF tool, you'll see what I mean. :frusty:

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

HF has a 2 yr. No Questions Asked replacement policy on their tools. I'd get it, cuz a1964rn is correct in most cases. If anything and I mean anything goes wrong they will replace it. They ARE cheap but...Some tools get used a lot and others don't. I have a Craftsman Drill that aint't worth the electricity it takes to turn it on. I'm looking for someone that I don't like to give it too! If you think once the boat is done, the OMT will get limited use, well then It might be the way to go. I have a 4 1/2 Grinder that I bought there for $12 bucks and did a LOT of grinding with it and it still works like new. I bought a sander there and it burned up in an Hour. Got a replacement and it's still working. Just depends on what you're needs are.

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Well I made a trip to Harbor Freight today and bought some stuff for my project. I would love be able to buy the name brand/ better quality/ more expensive stuff, but not in the budget. I have Chicago angle grinder, and for what I do it seems to work.

Hoping to get some time today or tomorrow to cut out bases and start cleaning/ removing glue residue.