Re: 1960 Glastron FireFlite has a new home!
Well it looks like I'll probably do my best to clean the trim up & have them powder coated. I've got a Singer sewing machine base for a console table (I don't even know what that means, 'cause it ain't gonna have a console tv on it....
) I just know that's what the warden called it. So it may not be too bad to add a few odds & ends to my order, 4 slat bases to support the ends of the bows holding up the boat cover, bow light, deck cleat(s) [still hope to get another!!], 2 Glastron script logos and the dash plaque. Singer base:
black; Trim:
Chrome
I managed to snap 1 of 2 back pins holding my Glastron dash emblem on.
. Going to wait & go slow to remove Glastron script on rear 'quarter panels'
Ok now the good news: floor is so rotten it almost all comes up by hand! 3-6 inch strip at hull side, 12 inches at the stern (battery & gas tank tray) corners around main seat bases (still original base, new trashed seats) and a little extra glass & resin on top of stringers, but no PLY!
It appears to all be original, no repairs, even some tabbing under the bow deck (cardboard spacers to prevent hard spots (??)) that might look like a repair, exactly matches the tabbing @ the seam between upper & lower hull 1/2's! The all aluminum rub rail is through bolted, and bolt ends & nuts are buried in glass. The really didn't want it to come apart at the hull joint. So that will be an absolutely zero fun factor!
That attention to detail (and detail to trim) contrasts sharply with how aggressive a weave they left exposed on the inside across the floor & up to the gunnel. Floor deck is a smaller weave but the waffle still shows clearly under the white, gray & black deck flecking. The waffle print is also clearly visible on the exterior, but i think that may have been from sanding &/or repeatedly buffing the gelcoat over a long period....But it does make me think I may need to glass the interior at least once, even the chine seems to deflect easily, and it still has a little floor ribbing left attached. And the gel-coat on the topsides is toast, cracked way more then I thought, stress cracks at corners & attachments points. Photos will be shortly, let me know, maybe I am just overly concerned.
The hull joint at the transom isn't going to be a problem when I go to pull the topside off. The transom is GONE! But fiberglass skin is still intact so there shouldn't be any problems replacing transom. Just a bummer no patterns. Gotta go take a shower! Then maybe lunch, I'm hungry....
