Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

[Plymouth71]

Hello. I`m a newbie in every sense of the word. I`ve never restored a boat, and I have a very basic knowledge of the parts involve, but I have a special reason to restore this basketcase. You see this boat 1st belonged to my uncle who brought it to the family cottage before I was born, and it was passed to my grandfather years later. I still remember watching my aunts and uncle waterskiing behind her stern. I remember fishing off the sides and even getting to drive her myself. Sadly, one fateful day there was a severe storm that broke her loose from her moorings. When she was found, it was a site of despair. She was across the lake, upside down, her original heart never to run again. She spent the next several years up on dry land at the back of the cottage. Then My Dad decided to restore her. He spent hours cleaning, sanding and re-applying resin. The floor was removed and the foam replaced and the transom re-inforced. Then, stricken by a lung disease, my dad was not able to see the job completed. Again it sat at the cottage. It sat uncovered for several more years until I rescued it yesterday. I have a big job, but I hope to bring her back to her former glory. I will be asking for a lot of advice, and I hope to see this through. Thank you for keeping up with me.

 

[Plymouth71]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

Another shot

 

[jmmacky]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

Welcome to iboats...you are in the right place! I'm sure the work involved will be worth it for the sentimental value. Nice looking boat!

 

[carribbean soul]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

easy job... just takes time and money:lol: I would start with a good pressure wash and build a cradle or get a good trailer

 

[sphelps]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

Welcome aboard Plymouth71 ! Really cool runabout and your restoring her for all the right reasons . My boat restoration was my fathers so I know where your coming from . Lots of good folks here and they are all willing to help however they can . Good luck and keep us posted !
SP..

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

Welcome to the Iboats Dry Dock, Plymouth71...
You are in the best place anywhere to get all the help and advice you will need to bring this boat back to better than its former glory...
Definitely coming aboard to help and cheer you on, any way I can...best of luck!
Regards,
GT1M

 

[Plymouth71]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

easy job... just takes time and money:lol: I would start with a good pressure wash and build a cradle or get a good trailer

Thanks everyone. Still shopping for a trailer. Not sure what to look for there either. BTW what is the best soap for removing Moss? LoL. There's tree sap too. Like I said its been out in the elements for so long, I don't think a pressure washer will be enough. I hope to get started next weekend. The boat is out at my In-laws Farm. I have access to any air tool or welding set up I could ever need. I'm also looking to get a generic boat cover this week. Any suggestions on how to make a canvas canopy for one of these? I'm not even sure what year it is, but I have the aluminum posts for the canopy. I have an industrial sewing machine at my disposal as well. I'm planning on dismantaling one of the seats so I can use it as a pattern to start cutting new pieces as early as next week. Lots of work ahead, but it is a Labour of Love.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

What's the condition of the bottom of the hull? Any major cracks, gouges or holes? If so, I'd remove the windshield and all other surface hardware and flip her onto her top and get all that fixed and then get her right side up and onto a cradle to do the interior. I'm certain she'll require a full "Gut Job" A Warm Water mix of TriSodiumPhosphate (TSP) Lowe's Sells it, should go a long ways on cleaning her up. A final wash down with a 50/50 mix of Mineral Spirits and Acetone will get the rest. Is the Gelcoat spidercracking or eggshelling?

 

[Plymouth71]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

What's the condition of the bottom of the hull? Any major cracks, gouges or holes? If so, I'd remove the windshield and all other surface hardware and flip her onto her top and get all that fixed and then get her right side up and onto a cradle to do the interior. I'm certain she'll require a full "Gut Job" A Warm Water mix of TriSodiumPhosphate (TSP) Lowe's Sells it, should go a long ways on cleaning her up. A final wash down with a 50/50 mix of Mineral Spirits and Acetone will get the rest. Is the Gelcoat spidercracking or eggshelling?

The hull is actually in excellent shap. My Dad had finished that off quite nicely. However there are some hairline cracks that appear to be showing up in a couple spots. Not sure which it would be(spider or egg). Next time i'm at the farm, which should be this weekend, I'll try to snag some pictures. I've got some TSP in the garage, thanks for the tip. In the second pic, you can see how the boat has been sitting for the last 5 or six years. They had it on a trailer that was way too small. It fell off and it was just left there. The rear of the boat on the lower corner is where I suspect the worst of the damage is. The floor has started to separate, which leads me to believe water got into the foam, froze during the winter and caused it to expand. The Transom is my other concern. There appears to be separation at the stern as well.

I'd like to replace the cable pulley steering system with hydraulics, and add power trim as well. We'll see how things develop. I'm also looking for a car right now. My spare got T-Boned about a Month ago, so I'm looking to replace it with a mid-life crisis Muscle Car...

 

[Plymouth71]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

Alright ! Cleaned the exterior and hosed down the insides. Found there is a big crack in the floor, allowing a lot of water into the sub floor. Drained it out and put a boat cover over top. Next order of business is to get a trailer, and start researching how to repair the floor.

Do I cut it out and start over? do I just seal it up as is? What is the best product to use for the repair? I will post pictures soon. I also would like to re-finish the color portion of the body. The resin application my dad performed years ago is peeling and discolored. Should I sand it all down and put on a new color coat? what paints do I use? any specific products a layman should stay away from? what kind of respirator should I use for the sanding? any other precautions? Sorry lots of questions, and I'm not sure where to start !

 

[sphelps]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

You should cut a section of deck out and inspect the stringers . I,m sure ,like most restorations they will need replacing . As far as painting that will be up to you on how much you want to spend . Here is a respirator pack that should be good for your sanding /grinding and a different filter for glassing/painting. The little throw away dust masks just will not cut it . Fiberglass dust and fumes are bad news to your lungs .. ainkiller: They do sell cheaper ones at H/F but I don't think the filters are replaceable . I could be wrong ..
Sundstrom Safety Pro Paint & Body Repair Respirator Kit-H05-6621S at The Home Depot

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

Once you get your trailer or cradle to support the hull well, I would be looking for shelter to protect her from the elements, leaving her outside would be the last thing I would want while you are making the repairs. Getting solid knowledge of exactly what's up under the floor, transom will be key. All rot in the stringers, transom, floor will need replacing. Cosmetic stuff like interior can wait for cold weather IMO. You might snag a trailer by searching craigslist for a junk boat sitting on your new trailer. What kind of power are you thinking you will eventually hang off the back? Any HP ratings on the boat for guidance? The boat actually looks like the project can be done, just a matter of time, money, and effort. Welcome to the addiction of boat restoration.

 

[bakerjw]

Re: Road to Restoration. Bringing a Surf Tamer Back from the brink...

I would plan on replacing the transom, stringers, bulkheads and of course the floor. From the looks of the floor in there, I don't think that rebuilding the structure would be that large of an effort.

It doesn't look like the cap would be hard to remove as well. Personally I like to get all of the major components apart to focus on one part at a time.

I'd also get the windshield off of there to protect it from damage.

You might be surprised at how well the cap will look once it gets cleaned up and buffed out.

Good looking boat and well worth the investment of time and money to get her running again.

 

[AlwaysOldRed]

Just wondering if this restoration project ever got off the ground? I recently acquired a surf tamer of my own which came with in updated 40hp mercury mariner 1998 motor in awesome shape, with all the controls set up and ready to go. Hull and transom are in good shape, but the floor has long cracks in it, which I patched with fibreglass... but there are larger areas of the floor with holes that are leaking water, and there has already been a significant amount of water that has gotten under the floor and created soft spots throughout, so I’m guessing the subfloor is all rotten. I’m thinking the the whole floor needs to be cut out but its an intimidating job... want to be sure I’m able to rebuild it properly before I pull it out. can’t find much info on other who have taken on the project of removing, repairing, and replacing the floor. Also, the original seat supports are mounted beneath the fibreglass and are now flexing and cracking around the base due to water damage underneath... I’m wondering if this is a design that I should avoid during a floor rebuild?

 

[jbcurt00]

Just wondering if this restoration project ever got off the ground?

Unlikely that it ever did.

Plymouth hasnt been on iboats in over 6yrs, not likely to get your message or reply

Topic closed
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