Tuffy Refiberglassing/RefurnishingTips

[David*]

I have an older 16ft Tuffy tri-hull (Believe first year they had tri-hulls)with a 50hrs 1968 Merc. The owner before me left it out in the weather for at least 10 years. It needs re fiberglassing and of course new carpet, seats, replace livewell, etc. I was wondering if anyone had good ideas on where to start; or mostly how to go about re fiberglassing it. I live near the Mississippi, and there really arent any good places that will do it.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Tuffy Refiberglassing/RefurnishingTips

Go the project boats and backyard boat building forum on this site and look for posts by JasonJ. He's doing what you want to do, been going on for about 3 months. Good commentary and pix. Will give you an idea of what you're up against and whether you want to mess with it or just get another boat...sometimes that's best.

 

[David*]

Re: Tuffy Refiberglassing/RefurnishingTips

I went back a few pages and for some reason none of his pictures are showing up at all. I haven't picked a project quite as huge as his. This is more of a summer project; the hull is great on the boat, just the deck flooring is questionable. The carpet has peeled up and the fiberglassing is shot. Also there is a significant bounce to it when any weight is applied. I was mostly wondering if I can put more fiberglass on top of it; or need to peel it down to the plywood and completely replace it.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Tuffy Refiberglassing/RefurnishingTips

Well if you don't want to do a complete rehab project you can cut a piece or two of plywood to make a floor, cover it with epoxy and slap it in there. The flex/soft floor indicates spongy wood under the deck, which means it eventually is a candidate for a complete tear out like Jason is doing. Depends on what you want to spend, in money and effort, and how long you intend to keep it and use it.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Tuffy Refiberglassing/RefurnishingTips

Shrek, you might be looking at a project like mine. If you are getting trampoline action off of your floor, your stringers may not be supporting the floor properly. I don't know why my pics aren't working any more, they stopped working Saturday, maybe I ned to use a new site to keep my pics or something.

 

[David*]

Re: Tuffy Refiberglassing/RefurnishingTips

Jason,<br /><br />Ya sounds like I am getting right up your alley. I think the boat is worth the work myself, I will be getting out of college next week to be able to put some pics up for more help. As my uncle says "Kid with no money and a lot of time." explains my situation perfectly. I am always have been quite an avid fisherman, and am sitting in the top 6 in our schools bass club. Next year I have a decent chance for being on espn for the college showdown. Really need my own boat to get out and fish seriously instead of always being in the back seat. I have the elbow grease and will. Just lack of education on all of it. Little nervous on tearing it apart wrong or screwing somthing up worse in the process.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Tuffy Refiberglassing/RefurnishingTips

Go to Amazon.com and order Jim Andersons Runabout renovation. He talks you through the entire reconstruction process in a simple easy to understand manner. It is the best $15 you'll ever spend, it takes the mystery out of it. If you want, you can leave your email address and I can send you my pics, since my pics still are not working on this site.

 

[David*]

Re: Tuffy Refiberglassing/RefurnishingTips

I'll definetly look into that for sure. My email is Davj2000@aol.com. Happy to see how well everyone keeps up with this forum. End of next week I wont be able to access a computer for awhile. Be great to see those pics to get a decent idea on how the rundown will be for things. Like I said earlier, Im going to try to get mine up about may 15, then ill have time to start in on it.

 

[David*]

Re: Tuffy Refiberglassing/RefurnishingTips

Went ahead and bought the book for 13$ with shipping.....Not too bad. Give me some reading material for while; before I get down and dirty.