Restoration Worries

[Ingalls]

After much debating and questioning my sanity, Ive decided to restore my 1964 Mitchell. It needs a new floor and transom, and I'll end up rebuilding the seats and console. My biggest fear is getting the floor all buttoned up, and the glasswork done, then getting it on the water for the first time and something going snap crackle or pop. I guess thats a chance you take, right? Heres a link to some pictures. Id post them directly here, but I deleted them already. Feel free to call me crazy. Somebody here would know if Im working on a lost cause or not.http://www.newjerseyhunter.com/article43303.htm

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Restoration Worries

Wow!!
That looks like a project.
Knowthing is impossible but what do you want to spend?
Do you have about a year of evenings and weekends and about $2000 - $3000?

 

[brianvolt7]

Re: Restoration Worries

Looks like a challenge. I just replaced a floor on a 90 Bayliner cuddy but it had glassed in stringers. I replaced a floor on an 88 Bluewater and the stringers where rotten. If your stringers are bad, you are in for a big head ache. Luckily my dad had a wood shop and knew how to cut the angles needed. It was great when the boats were finally finished.

 

[Ingalls]

Re: Restoration Worries

According to the "Runabout Restoration" book I got, it seems pretty straightforward. OK, you can stop laughing now.....
Actually, its not my carpentry skills that Im worried about, its my fiberglass skills, or lack thereof.
I would probably spend a few thousand on a decent boat this size anyway. This one has some sentimental value.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Restoration Worries

ther transom would be a great canidate for seafoam. the rest convential resto. read the completed projects forums. also the seafoam thread in the faqs forum.

 

[oops!]

Re: Restoration Worries

as far as your question....are you crazy...nuts ???

yup you are....!

welcome to nutz and crazy ville !....you'll fit right in here.

and when that boat is done....it will be great !....

read td's post...hes right...and its not as hard as you think.....

also read...safety basics for grinding and glassing...a sticky at the top of this forum

cheers bud
oops

 

[Hilabs]

Re: Restoration Worries

I'd have to agree. Restoration projects are not the most prudent choices (aka nuts and crazyville), but sometime the ends justify the expenditure and if it has sentimental value then you can say "It's only money"

 

[drewpster]

Re: Restoration Worries

Personally judging by the pics I would say its too far gone.
It looks as though you have quite a bit of exposed laminate. UV light breaks down fiberglass over time. That's why we have gelcoat. If you do decide to move forward make a realistic assessment of the soundness of the structure. If the boat has been outside for a long time it is possible the UV light has done some damage causing the whole boat to be weak structurally.

 

[Ingalls]

Re: Restoration Worries

I wondered about that. I can replace all the wood and reglass it, but is the fiberglass that makes up the hull have any strength in it? I plan to use it mostly in the Raritan Bay which opens up to the Atlantic Ocean. Even with a 50 horse motor, the hull will take a bit of a beating in a small chop. Any thoughts?

 

[oops!]

Re: Restoration Worries

just add another layer or to of glass when the thing is stripped. one wrap of 1708 and done

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Restoration Worries

Can you find another one that is the same make and model? If so, you may be able to swap out the good for bad sections.

Over here in mid Michigan I see a lot of great looking, old classic fiberglass boats just laying out in the weeds that have been exposed to the elements. Since I bought the Bat last December and have read up on fiberglass restoration the sight of those vessels breaks my heart.

The first piece of equipment to get is a $15 tarp.

Good luck on you project!!!!! I think you may be able to pull it off.

Especially if you have a buddy or two to help out.

 

[Coors]

Re: Restoration Worries

Read old threads, is is not that hard, just a pain.

 

[Ingalls]

Re: Restoration Worries

Thanks for the votes of confidence. I'll let you all know how it progresses.