Old Fiberglass Boat Resteration

[StevenA]

I got this old fiberglass boat for free and wanted to turn it into a duck boat. I have been looking through post and love what you guys can do. I wanted to take off the top cap and make it into an open boat. After I pulled off the old decking I found what looked like to be a hole in the bottom of the floor. The hole doesn't go all the way through it is just on the inner coat of fiberglass. I guess my biggest question is the boat fixable and worth it. I don't mind dropping a little cash into it but don't want to put so much into it I could of just got a nicer boat and fix that up. I am attaching pics of the boat and then also the hole. Any and all help will be appreciated.
Steven

 

[rickryder]

Re: Old Fiberglass Boat Resteration

It's fixable but if you remove the cap the gunnels (sides of the boat) will flex so you will need to stiffen it up.... What type of seats are you thinking about??

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Old Fiberglass Boat Resteration

Where are you located? Where is this "Hole" located? Can you back off a little further and take a pic so I can get a better perspective?

 

[StevenA]

Re: Old Fiberglass Boat Resteration

Thank you guys so far with your responses. Rick to be honest I didn?t think about the sides flexing. My original idea what just to put a casting deck in front with an triangle piece at the very tip of the bow to mount a trolling motor to and in the back make a bench seat while leaving the center part of the boat open. Will this still work or do I need to change my plans. If I do need to change my plans how would you recommend to stiffen the sides.
Woodonglass I am located in Spokane, Washington. The hole is locate also center in the boat along the left hand side. It looks like the hole is below the water line. At the bottom there is attached more pictures. How would you go about fixing it?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Old Fiberglass Boat Resteration

Welcome to Iboats Steve ..

You should grind and glass that Old repair with some structural glass..not putty like the last guy did..

Poly resin and 3 layers of 1708 should do the job ( grind off all gel or etc. 6" around the repair then glass it ).

YD.

 

[StevenA]

Re: Old Fiberglass Boat Resteration

Thanks YD,
I just want to make sure I understand this since i am new to this. When you say grind off all the gel or etc 6" around the repair your not talking about the glass itself right? I just want to make sure before I get a grinder and start going crazy. Also when doing that what type of safety equipment should I be wearing?
Thanks,
Steve

 

[rickryder]

Re: Old Fiberglass Boat Resteration

If I was going to do something like that..... I would rip some strips of 3/4" plywood 1 1/2" wide,coat them in poly resin first and let cure, then grind the inside and outside of the gunnel to clean glass. Cut strips of 1.5 oz csm,wet them out and lay on ply strips and clamp them along the inside edge and let cure......after it was set up, wrap glass from the gunnel up and over the wood strip and over to the outside.....

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Old Fiberglass Boat Resteration

Thanks YD,
I just want to make sure I understand this since i am new to this. When you say grind off all the gel or etc 6" around the repair your not talking about the glass itself right? I just want to make sure before I get a grinder and start going crazy. Also when doing that what type of safety equipment should I be wearing?
Thanks,
Steve

Correct.. You want to remove All "coatings" down to Fresh fiberglass before you start your lams ( Gelcoat or Bilgecoat or whatever coat you have ). No need to Grind good glass at this point.

As far as what type of safety equipment .. erm .. ALL of them !

Shaved face and respo + ear muffs + gloves + suit + Eyeware. Full face respo sometimes can be a bit expensive for the 2 day grind out DIY'er.

YD.