Repairs on the quick v/s long term

[buck01]

As a preface, I am going on a Wisconsin trip in 6 weeks, and this weekend found some serious troubles with the boat. the problems are some I have expected to find, but didn't want to deal with until this winter after the boating season. I have a 1972 15' trihull larson. The hull is in very sound condition (sure some repair is going to be needed, but nothing major). I just bought the boat this spring with trailer and a very sound running evinrude 65 h.p. motor for $500.00.<br /><br />My boat was taking on serious amounts of water this weekend, and I could not figure out why. As I have now found, there is a drain on the starboard side, allowing water to drain from the bow. The tube that connected the drain hole to the starboard drain hole was broke in half, and everytime the drain would sink below the waterline, water would fill the boat. This lead me to looking further. <br /><br />I cut out a portion of what appeared to be damaged floor and found the entire floor had varied levels of damage. The stringers are soaked and can be picked apart with my thumbnail. Most of the foam is soaked.<br /><br />I only found 2 stringers (made of 4x4's !?!?!). Only the inside (inside towards the bilge area) was glassed. The outer sides of both didn't have any glassing (doesn't even appear to ever have been). <br /><br />So with all of that lead up my question is what are anyones thoughts on handling this. My initial thought was to run to Lowes, get a sheet of plywood, screw it in and call it a floor. After I get back from fishing trip, rip it all back up and repair right. <br /><br />Conversely while I have the inside of the hull exposed should I tackle the matter properly? <br /><br />Please bear in mind, without the boat the, the trip to WI is not going to happen. Since I am emotional about this (really really want the trip to go ahead) I am asking for anyones opinion who does not have a trip on the line.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

Keep motor and trailer trash boat. Find another boat minus motor and trailer thats in good shape. Have fun for 5 weeks then go.

 

[buck01]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

Unfortunately, I have even considered that as well. <br /><br />The only reason i am holding out hope for this boat, is I was going to use it as a test platform for boat restoration. I seen a post here by JasonJ that I thought was GREAT (converting to a center counsel). <br /><br />I may have to go with the new hull idea though. BTW, like what you have done to the Capri. looking sharp! <br /><br />Thanks

 

[tengals123]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

Roger, I would not go out in a boat in that kind of condition. Lets say you have a hairline stress fracture in the hull somewhere. With no stringer support, you could be in the middle of nowhere and hit a wave/wake and bang the hull opens up, leaving you and whoever else on board possibly trying to save your lives. Far fetched I know, but it has happened before. What you have is a UNseaworthy vessel. That's the bottom line. As far as the restoration goes, yeah go for it if you have the time and money. Restoring a boat from the keel up is a great project, but alot of hard work.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />cheers

 

[buck01]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

Thanks tengals. Your absolutely right.<br /><br />Wonder if I can take Realguns idea about the hull, but restore this one into a great lawn flower pot. Wonder if neighbors would be impressed?

 

[tengals123]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

Prob. not!<br />hehehe<br /><br /><br />cheers

 

[Pun]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

Can we see some pics?

 

[buck01]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

Ya, good idea. I will take some pics and post them to my webpage. Actually I have been wondering what I was going to do with the webspace, now I have a plan.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

Ok...<br />Find a solid hull, floor, stringer, transom boat...no motor...should be cheap money. Get your motor on it and have a blast. Save current hull to restore when time/money allow.<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

I echo JustMrWill - find a boat that you can get by with and save the Larson for the project. In the mean time, you'll at least be on the water while the project (most likely!) takes longer than you plan. For simple assessment of seaworthiness, you can't go wrong with a simple aluminum boat. At least you can generally see wahat you're dealing with. Have fun in WI.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

I echo JustMrWill - find a boat that you can get by with and save the Larson for the project. In the mean time, you'll at least be on the water while the project (most likely!) takes longer than you plan. For simple assessment of seaworthiness, you can't go wrong with a simple aluminum boat. At least you can generally see wahat you're dealing with. Have fun in WI.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

I think Justmrwill hit the nail on the head. There are LOTS of classic boats that were well kept for that go cheap. Start looking around the classic boats sites, people always selling something they restored cheap. Often without motor. <br /><br />Here is a good example: <br /><br /> MFGBOATS,COM

 

[Realgun]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

Wonder if I can take Realguns idea about the hull, but restore this one into a great lawn flower pot. Wonder if neighbors would be impressed?

Sure the only thing missing is the dirt in my boat. Neighbors don't complain to much.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Repairs on the quick v/s long term

From what I could tell, my boat was ran for years with minimal structure and plywood nailed (yes, I said nailed) down. Because it is a trihull, it is a stronger hull. I feel you could run it, with prudent care, for the rest of the season and be fine. As long as you are not jumping 4 foot swells or any of that. The foam is soaked with water, but it is still proving some structure as well. <br /><br />At the end of the season you could then do your teardown. Of course, you could also look for another hull, but you would not know what you are getting. You could end up with a different version of the same thing. People do not give away good hulls, they get rid of crap after selling the good stuff off of it. You just need to decide what your needs and wants are. If this boat would do what you need it to do, then run it and fix it later. If a different style is more what you need, then find another project hull and fix that. None of it will be easy unless you spend some long green. Good luck either way...