[JGra]

Ok everyone I have taken on another project and could use some advise. A good friend of my got a deal on this boat with a 90 HP johnson seahorse. The motor was not running but it turned out to be something electrical. He bought the complete package from an old man for $850.00 bucks. Seems like he got a 2000 dollar motor out of the deal. He only wanted the motor and gave me the rest of the rig at no charge. The outside of the hull in in perfect condition. The big problem is in the interior. I think when the previous owner had the motor problem he just left it outside uncovered for a while. Anyway the Interior (topside I quess) in in bad shape. It is mostly all the paint peeling from the fiberglass. Looks like some sanding will be in order. The worst part is the floor has a few weak spots in it. I dont have the time, money, or resources to do a full floor replacement. My plan is to lay a sheet of marine plywood down on the floor only and sand and repaint the other area's as best I can. The finish is more of a rough finish and not sooth. I not really concerned about looks too much. I know all you boat people are kringing about now. I am just trying to get a couple years out of the boat. Could I just lay some maring plywood down with some good industrial glue? Can I just paint over the wood with the expoy paint? Should I just lay down some marine carpet in this area. My friend took the boat out for about an hour after he got the motor running in the condition you see in the pictures. He said the boat took on little if any water at all and road great. Any advise would be of great help. Dont slam me to hard.

[eaglejim]

First thing you need to do is pressure wash it,that will take care of the dirt and loose paint.As far is the deck goes I have seen on other threads that the way you want to fix it is a 2 to 3 year fix,but you need to find out where the little water is coming in that could be a big problem.I am sure other guys with more experience than me will chime in

[JGra]

I dont really have any cash in the boat as of now. I am looking to just get about 3 years out of it. The casting deck and the deck behind the seats are all solid. The worst spots are in the center floor of the boat. My thoughts were to get it all cleaned out and go float it for awhile to make sure its not taking on any water.

[allpoints360]

Great looking boat and FREE is always a good price. It looks like a flats style boat which I love.

Who made the boat? How is the transom?

Once you get the boat washed, try to post some pics of the areas that are soft.

Good luck.

[JGra]

It was built by WEST BOAT MFRS who are out of business. The transon is good and soild from what I can tell. There was no flex when we took the motor off. My plan is to pressure wash it real good and get as much of the old paint off as I can and then glue Some plywood down to the fiberglass floor. What is best to use to bond the plywood to the fiberglass floor? I then will go over the wooden floor with some expoy paint and paint the whole deck. Maybe it would last a couple of years. What does everyone think?

[allpoints360]

I really like your boat, and I have a couple of thoughts about your project, some you might not like. I'm not cringing at the idea that you want to do a shortcut so you can use the boat now. In fact, I would want to use the boat sooner than later, too.

But it may not be as easy as you think to "glue some plywood" down to your existing deck. In fact, you will go through some expense in materials and some time to pull this off. Then, if the plywood gives at all, from walking on it or because the you head into a light chop, the seams will fail and she will begin to hold water. So the plywood must be on solid surface everywhere.

But it "could" be done if you do it right. So my next thought is what is the real problem and what would it take to fix it right... the first time?

After you get her cleaned up, you'll know more.

Good luck.

[JGra]

I would like to do a total replacement of the floor but I don’t have the time or the resources to pull that off. In fact I think the cost to do that would be more than the boat is worth. I am just looking to get a couple of years out of it until I can get something else. I think I could do this with just 2 pieces of plywood and only end up with 1 seam. The boat would mostly be used on the lake and not see any ocean time. I does get choppy at times but not too bad. I was even thinking of doing the plywood and then fiber glassing over that or just epoxy paint, or maybe even carpet.. Just looking for a way to do this without exceeding the cost of what the boat is worth

[JGra]

Well the new floor is in. There was some rot going up the center of the boat. I cut out the bad sections and replaced with all new plywood over the entire floor. I know alot of people do not like to do this but to gut the whole floor would have exceeded the value of the boat. I am just trying to get a couple of years out of her. I have some questions about paint. After I finish glassing the floor and sanding the rest of the boat I am going tp put a nice coat of epoxy paint on it. My question is I read about epoxy primers and epoxy paint. Do I need to do both or could you use a good exterior primer and then the epoxy paint? Keep in mind that this is a low budget project. The boat was free and I bought the trailer for $150.00 bucks. like I said I am just trying to get a couple of years out of her. Its just going to be a fishing boat on the lake. I put a picture of the finished floor.

[jonesg]

Originally Posted by JGra

but to gut the whole floor would have exceeded the value of the boat. I am just trying to get a couple of years out of her.

With the same logic, the money you spend on paint will exceed the value of the boat. Or will it?

Those boats are always in demand, it will fetch a very nice price.
I'd pay $800 right now.
Then I'd fix the transom because its shot.

But you can easily get some use out of it for now then sell it off.

[JGra]

I don’t think I will exceed the value from the paint. Outside of the hull looks real good. Patched floor came out good to. As far as the transon goes it appears to be good. I was out in the boat just before I got it. The boat had a 90 hp seahorse on it that pushed the boat well. I also had to help with the engine removal before I got it. These are no cracks or flex in the transom at all from what I saw. 1-5 is what I have in it so far. Still doing some research on number 6. Would like to get 3-4 more years out of the boat.

1. Boat- Free
2. Trailer-100.00
3. New bunk wood , carpet, rollers for trailler- $50.00
4. 2 Sheets plywood-$40.00
5. Gallon of resin and fiberglass cloth-$60.00
6. Primer and paint- Still looking est cost- $100.00

Total- $350.00

[jonesg]

You'll learn that soft spots in the deck are due to the substructure ,

it starts underneath in the stringers and eventually shows in the deck.

It doesn't take long to spread from the stringers to the transom.

By the time you see a problem in the transon its completely shot.
Catching it early doesn't help much either because once its wet you canb't get the water out.

So you might as well do as you planned, power it and go enjoy it.
I'd do the same as you are doing, no problem.
It could last another 10 yrs, you never know really.

I discovered mine when I drilled a small hole to mount the sonar screws, water started pouring out the screwhole in the lower transom.
It sounded ok when hit with a rubber mallet, full of water sounds solid.

I think , without an engine, that boat and trailer would easily fetch $2K+ if cleaned up a bit. Maybe add a bimini.

Bottom line, good score.!

[JGra]

That the plan so far in less something changes. I hope to get a few good years out of her. When I cut the really bad part out of the floor. I did see 2 stingers. At least I think thats what they were. They were about 6 inches tall and about a inch wide and had fiberglass going up both sides. And as you stated they were not in the best of shape. That about the only wood other than the floor that I saw. Its like its more fiberglass than anything else. Well we will keep on plugging away. Been doing alot of sanding.

[06Streaker]

Take a look at Armorpoxy for your paint.

[Mark42]

Considering that you want to keep expenses low, I suggest a gallon or two of exterior oil based house paint. It will last about as long as the patched deck, and not cost much.

[allpoints360]

a gallon or two of exterior oil based house paint

That'll do. Add a little sandblasting sand for non skid on the deck and you've got a couple more years.

without an engine, that boat and trailer would easily fetch $2K+ if cleaned up a bit

With deference, not a chance. You've only laid plywood over rot.

Rot never sleeps.

Good luck.

[JGra]

Exterior house paint? I did not think about that. I will check into that and the price of the epoxy paint. If the epoxy paint is not much more I would rather use it for maybe a better seal to keep water from getting in. thanks for all the advise. I know repairs like this rubs people the wrong way sometimes. My goal is to get the boat sealed as best as I can so it does not take on any water and maybe get about 3-4 years out of the boat until I can get something a little more sound. It's only going to be used as a fishing boat on the lake to get to some of the bigger cats. I also use my 16 ft decked out John boat a lot in some of the canals and rivers so the boat is not something that will be used every weekend. When not in use it will be covered and put under the shed to try and keep it out of the weather as much as possible. A lot of this boating stuff is all new to me. I spent 25 years as an auto tech and always stressed the importance of doing a repair right the first time but have come across many situations where only enough repairs were done to get a couple more years life out of the vehicle. I guess I am on the other side of the counter in this one. Thanks for all the helpful thoughts.

[jonesg]

Originally Posted by allpoints360

With deference, not a chance. You've only laid plywood over rot.

Rot never sleeps.

Good luck.

how does the buyer know that?

[tev2229]

This is the type of thing that scares me when I look at buying a boat... You really never know what you will get. And sellers are very unlikely to let you cut out a bunch of core samples...



Good luck.

[jonesg]

Well my boat is 1974, if I thought the transom and stringers were still good after 35 yrs I'd have bought a bridge to go with it.

At a certain price it makes sense to use a pro, mine was a project and sold as such but if I were spending a few grand I'd have taken someone knowledgable with me.

[tev2229]

I'm not knockin ya or anything. I would do the same if I knew I would only use the boat for a few years. And my woman would probably get mad at me if I spent more time with the boat than her anyway...

[JGra]

I started this thread to get a little help with patching up a old boat in hopes of getting a couple of year out of her. I can only speak for myself and say that if and when I ever did decide to sell the boat I would totally disclose the condition of the boat to the new owner. I would never hold anything back that could put the operator and or there family in danger. Plus I just dont like to be ripped off so I dont do it to others. Right now I have no intentions of selling the boat. With that said lets get back to this patch job. I worked on the front deck some today, scapped off as much of the old paint as I could and gave it a good sanding with 60 grit and then with some 80. Sprayed a little primer on it to protect it while I finish. It did not come out too bad.

[tev2229]

J,

You got a super deal on this boat, and I would do the same thing. Got any pics of the sanding? I do like how you laid down the floor, good craftsmanship. Decided on a paint yet? Colors?

Good luck!

[tev2229]

J,

If you're looking for all-purpose cheap and durable fixes, consider outdoor carpet. I've seen it used before and it goes in easy, requires little maintenance (a Shop Vac), and best of all it's cheap. My dad has it on his 17' with a similar setup, and it is great. Just a thought.

[JGra]

I have thought about putting the carpet down. My only issue I am afraid that it will ack like a sponge and hold alot of water on the floor. I am trying to keep as much standing water of the floor as possible to make the patch job last as long as possible. I might just paint it and put some anti skid in the paint for the floor. I will get some more pictures up tonight of the progress

[JGra]

I have been doing alot of gringing and sanding and have put down some white primer. Still have a ways to go but starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Her are some more pictures of the progress.