Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

[Jerm10]

Hi, i have a 1976 Olympian fiberglass boat that is pretty similar to a Boston Whaler. After pressure washing the inside and out side it is apparent that the boat is unusable and needs to be restored.

It has been well used and has old repairs that were not done properly and lots of impact cracks and some stress cracks in the thin areas.

I would like to use marine epoxy from Boatbuildercentral.com. Its the most reasonable priced epoxy i found so far. Also going to need some fiberglass cloth, and additives/fillers.

Basically i need someone to send me in the right direction on fixing the up the boat to new or better than new condition.

Thanks Jeremy

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

Any ideas for this can of worms i got.

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

What do u guys think it will cost me to restore the fiberglass back to new/safe.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

Your best bet is to start reading other posts similar to your project, there are many, this will answer most of your listed questions. You will then have many more questions which will be more specific to your boat.

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

So far im pretty sure ill need the gallon and half Marine Epoxy kit from Boatbuildercentral.com, not sure how much fiberglass or fillers i will need.

Can you recommend some of the posts that are similar to my boat. Cause its kinda like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Thanks Jeremy

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)
















Just thought i should put up some more/better pictures up. Maybe that will help u guys understand whats going on with this boat.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

Look for any thread that says "Gamefisher", they are similar in construction to yours, but the same rules apply for almost any fiberglass work, so any discussion of it will help.


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2603913&highlight=gamefisher#post2603913

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

Just pulled off the board the that was on the back of the transom and i found 3 hole below the board the had wooden peg wedged in them. And the wood in between the transom is rotted too.

Just more worms coming out of the can.

Ill post some more pics tomorrow

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)


Well i went out and pulled off the band-aid on the transom to see what was really going on. Two things i noticed where that the transom wood core is rotted and needs replacing and 3 holes below the board that were plugged up with wooded pegs. Hillbilly patch job.







Here's those holes i was talking about. I'm pretty sure these holes and the holes for the board doomed the transom.





Now i'm wondering if the whole transom needs to be pulled out or can i just cut out the cancer area.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

you will want to replace the whole transom. I guarantee that if you start cutting out just the rotten areas you will find that the rest of the transom will need to be replaced.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

Clarkcraft dot com has decent prices on 2-part epoxt resin as well, might want to compare to the other site.

I ordered 2 gallons(1 gallon resin, 1 gallon hardener) for $114 to seal my deck plywood.

Good luck with the resto!

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

Before you start calculating and ordering epoxy or other supplies, I suggest you complete a tear-down and inspection of the boat. Check the entire structure for cracks, drill into supporting members to check the wood, basically inspect everywhere including under the deck.

I'm guessing you'll find lots and lots of things that need fixing... if your transom needs work, odds are good the stringers and boat structure does too.

This isn't going to be something you can do a quick fix on. From the look of the hull it needs a lot of TLC just for cosmetics, and if the structure is bad too you'd have less work and probably cost just tossing the boat and starting with another one. Are you sentimentally attached to this boat?

Erik

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

Its not sentimentally to me. It is just that i bought the boat and trailer for 300 bucks. Im really feeling like i got ripped off and was just hoping to pull myself out of this mess.


Ill do some tear down and really explore the boat. but i don't think there is that much wood in the boat.


That for the help guys.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

Why do you want epoxy?? You will end up spending much more money and fiberglass resin will do fine. We are talking about a smaller boat and epoxy would be overkill for your project.

Erik hit it on the head..... get into the tear down phase before you order anything. Depending on where you are located there may be some cheaper suppliers but I guess that's a secret based on your profile.

Your transom probably has a wood core..... since the boat is "like a whaler" does it have a foam core? There are a few additional tricks to foam core boats.

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

Sorry i live in Everett, Washington. Same city they build boeing planes.

I actual live really close to the Everett marina. There is a few boat supply shop down there.

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

I think there is a foam core that runs down the center/keel.

As for using epoxy, i just thought it would make extremely strong.
How much $ would i save using regular fiberglass resin?




Here's the manufactures wed site.

http://www.columbia.w1.com/Oly-Boats.shtml

 

[Jerm10]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

How do i cut fiberglass. Is there a special cut off wheel for a grinder?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Olympian 12ft restoration(need help)

Yes, your boat is fiberglass so, if it was my boat I would do the repair that way.

A 4 1/2" grinder with a metal grinding wheel will make short work of cutting and a flapper disc will help with the detail work.....

WORD OF CAUTION please wear tyvek overalls, safety glasses, a bandanna and a good respirator so we get to see future posts from you!! Ground up fiberglass dust is nasty stuff that will make you itch and clog your pores not to mention the lung damage Be Safe!

Some of our restoration people have found places (similar to your boat manufacturer) who will sell you 5 gallons of fiberglass poly resin ALLOT cheaper then aftermarket. Shipping charges on resin's are not pretty.