1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

[BuzzStPoint]

Figured I would share my budget restoration on the my boat.

This is a basic rebuild/restore for the budget minded. You see many people that have large boats, and plenty of resources and tools to get the job done. Here is my boat. I bought this boat for $125. Plus had to put lights on the trailer and a wheel. Which brought it up to 180.

As for tools, just the basic tools.
I've used a Rotozip, but didn't have many bits for those.
My best friend of this project is a 20 dollar Tool Shop angle grinder bought from Menards. Hammer, screwdrivers, prybar and a drill.


I picked up a Glastron Skiflite last year. Well we think that's what it is. See here.
Original pics of the boat in the link above. But here are a few pics of the boat after I sanded the house paint off the boat.

Next I decided to tackle the rotten transom. After I pulled the rear rub railing I could see the transom to be in horrible shape

I thought I could just dig out the rotten transom by cutting the last 2 inches of the cap.

Yup, it's shot.

I tried digging it out with screwdrivers and a chainsaw but this was proving to be a stubborn project.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

Since there was a big hole in the cap where the light pole was I decided I would cut the back part of the cap off because I would have to fiberglass that area anyway.

Cutting most of the inside fiberglass by the transom was easy. It was de-laminated and peeled off

Here's the rotten transom. Still intact, I just had a prybar and it came out easy.

Transom out, and on the driveway.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

If you look close you can see the carpenter ants that were living off the rotten wood.. I served their eviction notice.

So after this I didn't have a camera. I wanted to take pics of the new transom and installation of the back cap, so I'll just explain. I took a sheet of 3/4 pressure treated plywood. Traced the transom area with cardboard and transferd that to the play. Cut 2 identical pieces. Glued them together so I would have 1 1/2 inch transom. Covered in resin and put the transom in place. Fiber glassed into place.

From there I glassed the rear cap back on the boat. Fixed the big hole in the cap as well.


Lets check out the floor.

I started by Removing the seats and decking. This was 1/2 plywood with carpet.

After I removed the ply, I found 1/2 tongue and groove boards that were rotten.

When I removed the tongue and groove, I found a massive hole in the original decking.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

I cut the fiberglass and pulled up the plywood/fiberglass deck.

Next was a little clean up.

Then I started with an angle grinder the cut along the bottom to get the rotten stringers out.
Here's 1/2 the stringers removed

This with all the stringers removed.

Next was the grinding smooth and the washout.

I didn't get pics of the new stringers so I'll just explain what I did. I took pressure treated lumber and ripped it to the height of the deck. Glued it down with some PL construction adhesive. Fiber glassed the stingers in with 2 layers. Then a good coating of resin to seal it off. Making sure to cut mouse holes in the stingers at the back of the boat.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

I then cut out the deck, Fiber glassed the deck in.

I ran out of pressure treated plywood so I had to use just some standard ply.
Cut out for the splash well.

This is far as I gotten. Tomorrow I will fill the edges with resin to smooth it out, then I'll run several layers of glass and a layer of resin over the whole deck.

--------------

Now to get fiberglassing done on the deck. I 1st layed out the glass. Since the beginning of the project I've been using the fiberglass cloth. when I bought more for the deck I cleaned out the isle and they had 2 packages of the CSM
(notice the fan blowing the smell out of the garage. Wife got tired of the smell of the resin.)

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

Next was a whole gallon of resin. Mixed it up in 1/2 gallon batches did the rear, mixed up the other half and did the front.

To finish off the floor, I need to take a grinder to some of the bubbles in the deck. Seats and primer.


Update: 6-5-2011

Still not complete but it's a work in progress.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

Looks like you are moving along! That boat has some nice lines, any ideas on what you are going to do with the paint?

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

I think I'm going to keep the white strip down the middle then a nice looking blue. My wife is thinking a burnt orange color.

I don't want to go too dark, because I'm no body man, so there will be imperfection in the top. So I'm also leaning on a light color.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

You've done nice work and also done a good job of photo documenting it (except for the transom ). I think this thread could serve others well in showing the basics of a glass boat refit. Thanks for sharing your project! Good luck with it.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

Got started on my boat seats.
I am building Back to back seats from scratch.

I'll be showing that soon with pics.
I did run into a problem. I built one base, then the back. the bases are 18 inches wide. I know I should have tested when I got the base done, but didn't.

I set the seat in the boat, and there's a issue, I think it's not close enough to the side of the boat. When I measure there's not much room in between the seats.
So I see 2 solutions.

1: Move the seat over to the edge, then I have to make a template for the front corner of the seat of the boat where the floor is glassed in, there's a rounded rise. I could notch the seat base and re frame.

2: Take a bit (30 minutes or so) of time, shorten the front of the base to about 15-16 inches. but only on the side nearest the side of the boat. ( you following me still?) then re attach the side of the base. Re cut the seat. Basically, (right seat) the left front and left rear corner would be 90 degree corners. Off the top of my head I dont know what the others would be. But the rear would be at 18 inches, and the front would be lets say 16 inches.

Thoughts?

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

It just takes time to get it right......It took me a sheet of plywood and a poor mockup that changed 20 times. I posted most of what I did on my thread, that might help. One of the things that did help was getting some foam scraps to put of the seat frame...changes things a bunch when you set on it.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

I have my seats 90% complete. Sorry couldn't get pics, as Arch builder was right. Changed a few times.

I started with a 40 inch long and 18 inch wide. I decided to taper the front seat to 16 inch. Set it aside. The 2nd seat I put at 16 inch wide at taper the front to 14". This seemed a bit better. So Today I tore the 1st seat apart and narrowed it.

I have then sitting in the boat now, but unsure how far back I should put them. I'm going to have to put the steering wheel in and mock it up. I'll grab some pics when my wife gets home.

I want to try to glass in the seats and put a coat of resin over the seats.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

Just wanted to make an update..

You all arent gonna believe this.
I snapped pics of the seats, mockup of the seats and glassing them in.
I had the memory card with the pics in my wallet and I took it out at a store to get my ID. I remember leaving the store, with the card but I can't find it.....

So, I did get pics of the boat before I took it to my brothers house for painting.
I just brought it back today, All he did was paint the topside, This afternoon I painted the middle of the boat.
I don't know how I'm going to get the lower part of the boat painted.. so that just might do for now.

I have to run a coat of paint over the seats. Then I'll snap some pics and post them this evening.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

Good work! The boat is looking good!

 

[BG BOATER]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

Nice looking boat. What size motor are you putting on it?

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

Nice looking boat. What size motor are you putting on it?

I'm putting a Chrysler 55 horse on it.

Turn4Fun was able to supply me with parts to convert my motor to a shortshaft, So Thanks to him the motor will be set to go.

 

[Lil_Stinker]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

Where are we? I am excited, as I too am restoring a 1962 Glasron

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

Sorry,

I'll have to put the pics up..

I finished the boat, I'd had it on the water doin a lot of fishing and it's been fun.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 1962 Glastron Skiflite v142 - Basic Rebuild

Wanted to update the thread with some pics. (Shown in the 1st post.)
I have it painted and some seats that work. Still looking for a windshield and some better back to back seats.

As for Paint.. 3 different colors.
The topside is Rustolium Professional "Safety Blue" Sprayed on with air gun.
The Mid is Rustolium white thinned with paint thinner and roller and tipped.
The bottom is Valspar ( I Think) Navy Blue (Tractor paint) thinned and roller and tipped.