60s Kenner 16ft Ski Barge resto

cal1319

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
37
Hi Everyone! Let me introduce myself. My names Chris, and my fiancée’s father gave us his fishing boat (the boat my fiancée grew up on). It is a 67ish Kenner Ski Barge Tarpon II (16ft). I forgot what year the outboard is but it’s a Evinrude 80Hp that he just had rebuilt last year (new head, water pump and redid the lower unit). The boat needs a lot of love. I asked the fiancée if she just wanted to sell and get something that would be ready to go but she insisted that she wants this boat so here I am. I need all of your advise on restoring it!

I should have the boat this Sunday. First things first will be to get the engine, rails, and center console out of the boat. Then I plan on starting to rip out the floor. There are some soft spots so I am assuming that it will all need to be replaced, most likely the stringers too. I have seen that some people will leave a few inches all around when cutting out the floor, would you recommend that or take it all out?

I am hoping that the transom is ok, but will only know when the floor is out. If its not ok that will be replaced as well.
The bottom of the hull has some scuff and dings that I would like to repair. At what point in the restoration do you tackle the hull? Is that something you do after the floor is in or when the boat is stripped out?

I am sure I will have 1000 more questions to ask along the way and appreciate all the help in advance! Ill be sure to keep you all updated on the progress!
 

archbuilder

Vice Admiral
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
5,697
Chris, welcome to Iboats! Take a bunch of photos when you get it, without those we are only guessing. Or better yet post some pics and video of the boat. Based on your comments on the deck, I would be shocked if the transom isn't also in need of replacement. As for leaving the perimeter of the deck, I would say no. If you are doing it, take it all out and get a good bond with the hull. Looking forward to seeing some pics!
 

sphelps

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 16, 2011
Messages
11,429
Welcome Aboard ! :welcome:
Some like to leave a little around the edges to use as a guide to set the height for the new stringers .. Install the stringers then as Arch said cut the remainder out for a good fit and bond of the new deck ..
Make sure you get a good respirator ... The dust is killer on the lungs ..
Good Luck !!
 

cal1319

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
37
Thank you! What respirator would you recommend? One that would work for both the glass and epoxy fumes?
 

archbuilder

Vice Admiral
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
5,697
You would want to get one that is rated for particulates and also organic vapor. 3M makes some nice ones you can pick up at HD, lowes or your hardware store will also. I actually like to use one that is rated for particulates only when I am grinding / sanding. They are a bit lighter but don't protect you from vapors.

Are you planning on using epoxy for your repairs? It works great but you might want to also consider poly, its cheaper. There are pros and cons to both.....as well as a lot of opinions on here as to which is best, lol.
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,924
Best time to do the bottom of the hull is when she's all cleaned out. Use straps to keep her shape and roll her over/ get all the ding and gouges repaired and then paint it. After a few days. flip her back and start on the stringers, transom and deck.
 

cal1319

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
37
Thank you all very much for the information! its very helpful to have all this information before I tackle this project! I work in cancer biology lab and stumbled upon air purifying cartridges listed for organic vapors/acid gases, I would assume these would work (http://www.omarksafety.com/Survivair-T05-Organic-VaporAcid-Gas-Cart-6-Pk_p_6670.html). They were purchased by mistake so I can take them home if they will work. Again, thank you for all your help!
 

sphelps

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 16, 2011
Messages
11,429
Not sure how those would work on dust but would work on poly fumes I would think ..
I use the p-100 filters for the dust ..
 
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cal1319

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
37
Thanks! I found some p-100 filters that will work with the half mask I have from lab!
 

cal1319

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
37
Hi Everyone! So I finally got the boat and finally got the correct information! Everything that was told to me originally was wrong, but I am glad that the boat is in better shape than I thought it was going to be in!

First off the boat is Kenner Ski Barge, but it is an 1982 not 60's! It has a 1982 Envinrude/Johnson (J70ELCNB) engine that starts right up and sounds good. The top end was rebuilt (with a new head) last year.

There are a few soft spots in the floor that I will address when I put the new floor in. The transom looks great from the outside but I'll get a much better look when I take the floor off.

The family has overruled me and would like to use the boat a few times before I start stripping her down. Since the shape of the boat is not to bad I did not fight back too much.

Once I get to stripping the boat down I will be back to bug/ask all of your for the proper way to do things! Really appreciate your help so far!
IMG_7037.JPGIMG_7035.jpg
 

cal1319

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
37
So I haven't posted in a long time but progress is coming along. Finally getting to were I can start to paint the boat! First thing was to fix the center console, it was in really bad shape!
 

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cal1319

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
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I took the floor off and was really happy to find that the stringers.. foam and transom were all solid! I took some samples down low and all were dry so put the floor back and and fiber glassed it in. Forgot to take pics with floor. I built a new casting deck and last weekend after glassing it all in got to put on some Totaltread antislip paint. Also filled in the the parts of the hull that needed some love and sanded that down. I have a whole new respect for people who make their living working on boats! its a really pain! Anyhow... thats where Im at....
 

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oldrem

Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2013
Messages
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That's great to hear the transom and stringers were solid. Looks like you're moving right along nicely
 

cal1319

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
37
Just got the boat painted. Used Totalboats wetedge and think it it came out pretty nice! Now time to put the boat back together!
 

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cal1319

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
37
Thanks guys! Its my first boat project and really liking how the boats turning out! Going to tackle the electrical this weekend and hopefully get her wet in two weeks time.
 
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