Restoring 15foot fiberglass 1961 Glasshawk

[LamokaBob]

I was just given a 1961 fiberglass GlassHawk. No motor, no trailer...it was definitely a sight to see with my dad and I driving down the road with a 15foot boat sticking out the back of our pick-up truck. But anyway, I have a little bit of wood to replace, i have to put on a new windshield, i obviously need a motor, it has cable steering (which needs to be de-tangled), and it needs a little bit of wiring done for the lights. My biggest concern right now is that it is missing the "Maximum Occupancy" and "Motor Rating" tag that is supposed to be at the stern of the craft. I am wondering how to get that replaced, or if it even needs one since it is a 1961 boat. Help regarding this tag is VERY much appreciated, and suggestions for anything else I mentioned is also helpful. Thanks. Bob's Assembling BobandAshley@gmail.com

 

[Mark42]

Re: Restoring 15foot fiberglass 1961 Glasshawk

Did you check fiberglassics.com? They have info on lots of old boats. <br /><br />Before you invest another penny I suggest you make a list of everything you want to add/replace then spend a few days researching what it will cost to recondition or restore this old boat. Classics are a lot of fun, but often the old boat needs much more work than is first anticipated.<br /><br />More often than not the floors and stringers are rotten and so is the transom, unless you are foruntate enought to have found a boat that was built with solid fiberglass stringers and floor. Usually the transom still needs work.<br /><br />The good news is you have come to the right place! And judging from your line of work, you should feel comfortable with various implements of destruction in your hands. <br /><br />I would suggest you toss the wire steering in favor of a new rack or rotary steering setup, and be sure to get a motor that has the steering tube built in (almost all from the 80's on up do) to accomodate a new steering system. The windshield will be hard to replace. Most people have them custom made or make them themselves. My guess is that the gel coat could use some work, so search this forum for polishing discussions. Lots of them. <br /><br />Try to get as much info the the person you bought it from. If they have pictures of when they used it, you might be able to determine the engine size from them.<br /><br />Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. Try to post some pictures too!

 

[BillP]

Re: Restoring 15foot fiberglass 1961 Glasshawk

1961...I don't think they had mandatory plates for max capacity and hp. It was likely voluntary per the BIA org...later changed to NMMA. Look around and size it to others similar to yours.