I'm new to these forums, and would like some input from experienced people who have restored boats before. First off, a little bit of background. I've recently inherited my grandfather's boat. Now bare with me, as much of the boat isn't known. It's a 1980-something Sunrunner. It has an I/O motor (not sure what kind/size, I want to say Mercury?) and believe it's appx 16 feet in length. I've done a lot of research online about Sunrunner, and can't find anything specific to what model boats there were, engine size, packages, etc. I know they were made in Washington and that's about all I could find. Maybe somebody could point me in the right direction.
Anyways, this is the first boat I've owned. I've been fishing my whole life, and since I was a little kid my grandfather has always taken me on the lake in this boat. He's almost 90 now and wants to give my wife and I all his fishing equipment, boat included, since we are moving onto the next chapter of our life. (Kids)
Now, I'm torn between 2 options. One option is to keep the boat as it is; bring it home, load it up and take it to the lake. My second option is to completely restore the boat. My grandfather is a very respectable man that I've always looked up to, and has the mindset of "if it a'int broke, don't fix it". Unfortunately, the boat fell victim to that. She runs, floats, and catches fish. It has the original interior, paint, motor, and 1980's gas in the on-board gas tank. (He runs his fuel lines to an external gas tank he has mounted on the back) As great as this boat is to me since it holds so many memories, she has her fair share of downfalls. There are some soft spots in the deck, most of the gauges don't work, seats are ripped, paint is completely faded, etc.
If I were to restore the boat, I would do a complete restoration. Gut the hull, put new stringers in, rebuild the engine, repaint/repair the fiberglass hull, rebuild the trailer, etc. I've been an aircraft mechanic for the last 6 years and prior to that overhauled farm tractors, and have completely rebuilt my truck from the ground up. So I like to think I know my way around most tools and am very mechanically inclined. (Still learning everyday though)
Here is where my questions begin. I am wondering if completely restoring a boat is going to be overwhelming for somebody who has never done any work on a boat, especially a boat that I can't seem to find hardly any information about. I know that the deck is going to have to be redone, and am going to assume the transom needs attention also. The engine hasn't ever been touched with the exception of oil changes. If I do this, I want to dive into it head first and essentially have a brand new boat when I'm done. Would I be getting ahead of myself? Is this biting off more than I can chew?
I've been toying with the idea of buying a 2nd boat as a practice restoration project, but of course this would double my costs and the reality is I don't need 2 boats. If anybody would like to voice their opinion or experience, I would greatly appreciate it. I am very excited with the idea of restoring my boat but am afraid that I am thinking with a dream and not reality. Thanks for reading the short story of my life, sorry it was so long but hopefully I've provided you with enough detail!
Anyways, this is the first boat I've owned. I've been fishing my whole life, and since I was a little kid my grandfather has always taken me on the lake in this boat. He's almost 90 now and wants to give my wife and I all his fishing equipment, boat included, since we are moving onto the next chapter of our life. (Kids)
Now, I'm torn between 2 options. One option is to keep the boat as it is; bring it home, load it up and take it to the lake. My second option is to completely restore the boat. My grandfather is a very respectable man that I've always looked up to, and has the mindset of "if it a'int broke, don't fix it". Unfortunately, the boat fell victim to that. She runs, floats, and catches fish. It has the original interior, paint, motor, and 1980's gas in the on-board gas tank. (He runs his fuel lines to an external gas tank he has mounted on the back) As great as this boat is to me since it holds so many memories, she has her fair share of downfalls. There are some soft spots in the deck, most of the gauges don't work, seats are ripped, paint is completely faded, etc.
If I were to restore the boat, I would do a complete restoration. Gut the hull, put new stringers in, rebuild the engine, repaint/repair the fiberglass hull, rebuild the trailer, etc. I've been an aircraft mechanic for the last 6 years and prior to that overhauled farm tractors, and have completely rebuilt my truck from the ground up. So I like to think I know my way around most tools and am very mechanically inclined. (Still learning everyday though)
Here is where my questions begin. I am wondering if completely restoring a boat is going to be overwhelming for somebody who has never done any work on a boat, especially a boat that I can't seem to find hardly any information about. I know that the deck is going to have to be redone, and am going to assume the transom needs attention also. The engine hasn't ever been touched with the exception of oil changes. If I do this, I want to dive into it head first and essentially have a brand new boat when I'm done. Would I be getting ahead of myself? Is this biting off more than I can chew?
I've been toying with the idea of buying a 2nd boat as a practice restoration project, but of course this would double my costs and the reality is I don't need 2 boats. If anybody would like to voice their opinion or experience, I would greatly appreciate it. I am very excited with the idea of restoring my boat but am afraid that I am thinking with a dream and not reality. Thanks for reading the short story of my life, sorry it was so long but hopefully I've provided you with enough detail!
. Your boat is smaller so very doable. My background is not mechanical even though I have rebuilt a couple of engines but you sound like you have more actual training as a mechanic. As far as fiberglassing I had never touched it absolutely no experience with it not even watching my dad or a friend. I just read a 100 threads on this forum and watched all of Friscoboaters videos on YouTube. Mostly folks like Woodonglass and dozens of other members on iboats that documented their builds and will help anyway they can. Now I have used over 35 gallons of resin and I can't tell you how many feet of 3 foot wide 1708 and CSM fiberglass clothe. On your engine if it's an I/O and your thinking Mercury then it a Mercruiser and probably either a 120 or 140hp Chevy inline 4 cylinder.