Can it be made seaworthy? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

MikeTLive · 09-12-2003, 10:20 PM

What do you think?
am I mad?
old runabout

I think if I replace the transom, add new deck, cover with fiberglass, fill with foam and build a floor I can have a nice centerconsole.

more photos

likwid · 09-12-2003, 10:27 PM

If the hull is still intact *cringe*

altho depending on how long its been sitting there

it may be rotted out

you'd need to check each and every single damn plank...

think i might be around the corner from you at a local point break this weekend depending on what the reports look like...
haven't been to scituate/Nor'easter all year...

Mr. Sandman · 09-13-2003, 02:43 AM

That is firewood. Free or not, the cost to restore (not even counting your time and lost fishing time) will exceed what a useable safe craft cost.
Unless you have a craving to invest an insane amount of time forgetaboutit.

Roger · 09-13-2003, 08:02 AM

I agree with Sandman. Even if you make it servicable, you'll end up with a hull worth maybe $1,000, depending on your finished product. I think you'll spend more than that just in supplies.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck with it.

NEXT2NUN · 09-13-2003, 07:32 PM

Toast marshmellows on that thing!! Go to URI website they have a lot of boats listed for cheap money.

JohnR · 09-13-2003, 08:37 PM

Look around and find a fair 20' seacraft with a 115, an old V series wellcraft, an old 18-20 Mako, run, run away from something like that.... If you want the "pleasure" of restoring an old wooden boat... that's different. But you don't want to glass over the wood becuase you need to replace the wood which is rotted anyway, then you glass over it you will majorly disrupt the balance of the boat - not like a 30 footer that can distribute the weight...

Nahh, stay far away

Trayder · 09-13-2003, 09:01 PM

from experience......stop now. Seriously, unless you have restored wooden boats in the past, that boat is too far gone to revive.

JohnR · 09-13-2003, 09:03 PM

Well - looking further it looks like that IS your project, right? As in you are already well underway?

Is it too late to run?

Seriously, what is your goal - a boat to fish from? Fresh? Salt?

Or just to restore and old wooden boat?

Trayder - you splash yet?

Trayder · 09-13-2003, 09:14 PM

John- Yes splashed the week after the CSC party. Purrs like a kitten and stings like a bee!!! I am am so exited about the ride I have the Contender up for sale again.

Yourself??? Please tell me you have splashed your new boat!!!

MikeTLive · 09-13-2003, 10:59 PM

I have nt touched it for a year now at least.
I am thinking about cutting it up for firewood if I cant find a real restoration psycho to take it.

Then build a stitch-n-glue centerconsole skiff.

I need a boat that can hold 4 adults fishing comfortably.

Goose · 09-14-2003, 08:45 AM

Go for it, what have you been waiting for, after all it was free right?

MikeTLive · 09-14-2003, 08:56 AM

How much time+money you figure to glass a boat like that?
If I use that transom in a bottle stuff or replace the transom entirely, plus CPES on any other rot.
Slap on a floor - it just had a floor resting on the frame in the photos.

I should at least be able to use it to go just outside Scituate on calm days next summer.

Or - if someone has a boat I can make CHEAP 50/month payments on for the next 5 years...

JohnR · 09-14-2003, 09:20 AM

MikeT - just won't happen... In great shape that wouldn't be good for fishing 4 adults in saltwater... Forgetting ENTIRELY about that - what do you want to do with a boat.... Determine your needs there Mr Network Architect

, define your scope

Trayder - I've had 3 guys saying they want to check out the engines only to get blown off so they are still on it right now... Gonna give you a call soon...

Slipknot · 09-14-2003, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MikeTLive

Then build a stitch-n-glue centerconsole skiff.

I need a boat that can hold 4 adults fishing comfortably.

This site is very helpful with tech support if you buy plans from them, I did and am very happy with how the boat is coming out.

http://www.bateau2.com/index.php

This is where the plans are at
http://www.boatplans-online.com/index.php

and here is my site which shows my progress
http://www.bmwoodworking.com/gv11.htm

Good luck if decide to build from scratch, it can be very rewarding but it's alot of work.

Van · 09-15-2003, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MikeTLive
What do you think?
am I mad?

IMO
No and Yes !!!!

You will still need $$$$$ for power...

Get something that is in one piece.
Good Luck

MikeTLive · 09-15-2003, 07:38 AM

this is what I would like: C17 cruiser

looking at the methods used to build this style boat, could I just take my hull, replace the transom, add in some reinforcing members (just for my own sanity) and glass inside and out?
Add flotation foam and a bilge well with adequate channels for drainage, and put on a deck and mini cabin or just go center console?

I wonder why using an old hull is not as good as building a new hull. I do not mind going over every inch of every plank looking for and repairing rot.

I figure that if sound or made sound, the savings in materials may well be worth it.

Course, looking at the study-plans for the boat above it may well be just as easy to buiild my own and the materials cost may be negligible.

JohnR · 09-15-2003, 08:03 AM

Do you want to build a boat? Or do you want to fish?

Slipknot · 09-15-2003, 09:15 AM

Don't waste the time glassing over wood. Does it ride and perform well now? will you be happy with it's performance after adding glass to a wood hull? You may only add a few years of life to the boat by trying to preserve it with glass, forget about the old boat, start fresh. System Three epoxy on Meranti plywood would last indefinately if well cared for just like fiberglass. It's alot of work building these stich and glue composite boats, sanding is a major part of it. Good luck

Saving material by starting with a rotted hull and trying to improve it will cost more money than buying the plywood required to build the boat you want. And it will weigh a hell of alot less and require less HP.

MikeTLive · 09-15-2003, 11:37 AM

Anyone having an end of summer bonfire?

Mr. Sandman · 09-16-2003, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnR
Do you want to build a boat? Or do you want to fish?

That is REALLY the question you HAVE to answer. Think hard. You are going to invest serious time and some real $$ in that "craft"...what will you end up with?
If you want to fish, buy a used but solid, fiberglass boat w/decent power and go fishing tomorrow. Look around, you can get a ol' mako with and working OB for LESS then what it would cost to do your rebuild and you could be fishing tomorrow. Even if you have to borrow money to get your rig...at least you have something that is safe, useable, fishable and sellable. Even a wooden boat like that model in good shape is a hard sell these days...IMHO: It will be a never ending nightmare, it takes ALOT longer they you think to do it, and ALOT more $ then you estimate, in the end you will hate everything about it... unless you have deep pockets and the strong desire to restore wodden boats for art sake.