14' 1958 Fleetform Restoration

[saxis]

Well, here it is - the long awaited pictures. It's been about a year since I've got a chance to work on it after I moved. It's possibly getting moved into my dad's airplane hangar about 2 miles from my house, providing it can fit under the wing of his Super Cub.

Also, my ShareAProject (link in Sig) has been updated with pictures and more detailed description of the project, which will be starting soon!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 14' 1958 Fleetform Resoration

Re: 14' 1958 Fleetform Resoration

cool boat, a lotta work.

 

[saxis]

Re: 14' 1958 Fleetform Restoration

This is my first boat, other than a cedar-strip canoe I built in high school, so also my first stab at any kind of restoration project, including working on my outboard. In an effort to keep myself from getting overwhelmed on this, I'm going to try and break it up into smaller goals that will eventually lead to a nice and safe little sea-worthy boat.

While making up a rough list, I could see alot of questions/problems already surfacing. Here's the short version:

1. New Trailer
2. Transom Replacement
3. Hull Repair
4. Hull Paint ? White - Roll & Tip
5. Interior Layout ? Fuel Tank, Seats, Storage Compartments, Foam, Splashwell, Gauges
6. Topside Paint/Trim ? Red ? Roll & Tip
7. Interior Paint ? Spray-in Bed Liner
8. Rub Rail ? Strip & Polish
9. Windshield
10. Outboard Repair

I know I said I wanted to work on small goals, but I also know a little planning ahead can go a LONG way, so I decided I'd ask some questions before I even get started. I'll skip some for a later time...

4 & 6. Paint - Primary question is a good brand to use, and what I need for hull vs top coats? Boat will be stored on trailer, not in water. Some saltwater use expected.

5. Interior Layout - A few things here: See post below.

7. Once I get the interior finished, I'd like a good non-skid surface on the entire inside rather than carpet. I was thinking of a gray truck bed-liner. Does this work well, or are there other products especially for this purpose?

9. Windshield - I currently have NO windshield. Not even a frame or anything. Any recommendations on where to find something that would fit this boat?? Doesn't have to be an original, just needs to look decent, like it belongs there! There's holes all over the bow where one used to reside. My first thought was finding one on a junk boat somewhere...

10 Outboard Repair - I'll just leave this alone until I get to this point!

 

[saxis]

Re: 14' 1958 Fleetform Restoration

After some digging, I came across the old "interior design" sketches that I posted long, long ago. This is VERY out of scale.... It is much more compact than it looks from this drawing.

Fuel Tank
I was contemplating an internal fuel tank in the bow, mainly to get some weight out of the back. If you look how the rubrail drops down at the stern to give it that unique look, when sitting in the water, it is only about 1 inch above the waterline (with 4 people on board). This was without that massive Evinrude Lark VII 40hp hanging on the back, a full fuel tank or a battery. You can see my concern to keep the weight forward. Worried about the tongue weight on my current tow vehicle (2000 3.8L Camaro), I've decided to just keep a removable tank in the stern. I can always upgrade later!

Foam
The boat currently has NO foam whatsoever. The built-in fiberglass "benches" are hollow, with drain holes at the deck. I'd like to foam under the front seats, with a small storage compartment in the middle for flashlight, airhorn, sunglasses, CD's or whatever. The bench is already cracked on the top here, and rather than trying to repair it, I could just cut it out, glass in some vertical sections and fashion a lid. The rear benches are in tact, but I'd like to use about half of each as storage for life jackets, rope, any light gear, etc. The other half I'd like to foam. My question: When foaming these sections, do I need to seal them water tight, or do I leave the vent/drain holes at the bottom? Same for storage compartments: Is it better to seal it off, and hope water doesn't get in, or leave the drain holes?

Splashwell
It also has NO splashwell. Would be nice to fashion something between the rear seat and the outboard so the battery/electrical is not completely exposed, but I don't know what or how. The rear bench would have to be built in, so my thought was to leave just enough room for the battery/fuel tank to be strapped down beneath it. Any suggestions on that?

 

[Chart]

Re: 14' 1958 Fleetform Restoration

Doesn't look like you are getting much help on your questions, so I'll throw in what I know, which may be too little. First off, we had that boat when I was a kid, and I have many fond memories of learning to ski and boat with it. Secondly, you are in a good position with that boat as it has minimal interior "junk" to work around, and no false floors. That will make your job much easier.

1. Why a new trailer? Is yours bad beyond repair? It looks a llittle wide, but that's no problem. As you won't be boating for a while, I'd save the money and not buy a new trailer now. The finished boat and motor will weigh less than 1000 pounds, and small boat trailers are a dime a dozen. The original trailer for our Fleetform is still on the family farm, and it is little more than a long tube with an axle and bracing with bunks. Don't overthink a trailer for this boat right now. Even new trailers will need annual maintainance.

2. Is the transom rotted? why do you want to replace it? Assuming it is bad, make sure you replace it with good marinegrade materials. As I'm new to this site, I don't know if there are detailed instructions on how to do this here, but if not, there is a site I frequent for Offshore powerboats Only where there have been a few transom replacements and the instructions on how it was done. Most of these boat have large sterndrive's, not outboards, but I'd think the process should be the same.

3. Hull repair. Is just the gel coat damaged, or is it more than that? Need to know what's wrong to comment further.

4. We had a body shop spary paint ours, and that would be the easist I'd think. If you do the prep work, the paint itself may cost more than the labor to spray it.

5. Sounds like you have a good idea of how you want it set up. The original did not have a back seat, and we kids sat on the rear floatation with the skis setting on the floor between us. (Dad was happy when we upgraded the motor to one with electric start, as he no longer had to walk on the skis to pull the cord). You might consider adding gauges to a pod that is clamped in place, rather than drilling holes in the dash, as the hole is forever, and is not original, if that is important to you.

6. See 4.

7. Isn't the bed liner heavy? Otherwise, sounds like a great idea. There are "non slips" that can be added to wet paint that might accomplish your goals.

9. I think Taylor makes a old fashioned buble windshield like many boats from the 50's used. Or, the junk yards is a good idea.

Good luck with your project.

 

[saxis]

Re: 14' 1958 Fleetform Restoration

Chart - Thanks for the reply, and sorry it took so long to respond.

Just to clarify a few things. The transom was rotten, It has been removed. All that's there is about 1/4" of glass. I have a template made, and just need to move the boat to a place I can work on it. That brings me to the trailer problem. The old trailer is rusted through. The frame is shot, the bunks are shot, it's not setup right for the boat (the winch IS the bow stop), the tires are shot. The only thing it has going for it is all new wiring and a new winch/strap, which I installed last year. I was looking at a 1200# trailer from EZ Loader, only because that was the smallest trailer that could fit the 53" wide hull of this boat.

As an update on the trailer, my brother will be looking at a new trailer when he goes to Eastern WA for deer season this year. His boss bought one there for $400 a couple years ago brand new, for his 16" boat. That's about half as much as I'm looking at here!

 

[jsar2che]

Re: 14' 1958 Fleetform Restoration

I have a 58 Fleetform which in a little better condition and it also is my first boat. Iv'e had it now for over 10 years just sittin out in this hot california sun. My son is a automotive painter and told me he would like to fix that boat for me. Today is actualy my second day of working on it. Yesterday I had to haul it over from my sons house. Today just look on the web to see what information I can find. Pretty interesting that this was the first site to pop up. I do not have a trailer issue per say. I actualy have 3 old boats over at my sons house. One is a 62 w/80 HP and other I do not know because I bought that boat for the motor only from my dads buddy and he told me take the whole thing, has a real nice trailer. As for the trailer for the fleetform it is the original and it is in pretty good shape. Has small tires (reason I want to use other trailer)and little fenders which I think would look a whole lot nicer except for the small tires. Well by the way did not mean to barge in like this, but this my first time also and I just got a little excited. Hope that we may be able to help each other out in some way. Thanks[

This is my first boat, other than a cedar-strip canoe I built in high school, so also my first stab at any kind of restoration project, including working on my outboard. In an effort to keep myself from getting overwhelmed on this, I'm going to try and break it up into smaller goals that will eventually lead to a nice and safe little sea-worthy boat.
<br><br>
While making up a rough list, I could see alot of questions/problems already surfacing. Here's the short version:
<br><br>
1. New Trailer? <br>
2. Transom Replacement<br>
3. Hull Repair <br>
4. Hull Paint – White - Roll & Tip?<br>
5. Interior Layout – Fuel Tank?, Seats, Storage Compartments, Foam?, Splashwell?, Gauges?<br>
6. Topside Paint?/Trim – Red – Roll & Tip<br>
7. Interior Paint – Spray-in Bed Liner? <br>
8. Rub Rail – Strip & Polish<br>
9. Windshield?<br>
10. Outboard Repair?<br><br>

Anything with "?" are things I already have questions about. I know I said I wanted to work on small goals, but I also know a little planning ahead can go a LONG way, so I decided I'd ask some questions before I even get started. I'll skip some for a later time...
<br><br>
1. <a href="http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=22;gtid=1172858;gpid=1172858#gpid1172858">Trailer Question</a>
<br><br>
4 & 6. Paint - Primary question is a good brand to use, and what I need for hull vs top coats? Boat will be stored on trailer, not in water. Some saltwater use expected.
<br><br>
5. Interior Layout - A few things here: See post below.
<br><br>
7. Once I get the interior finished, I'd like a good non-skid surface on the entire inside rather than carpet. I was thinking of a gray truck bed-liner. Does this work well, or are there other products especially for this purpose?
<br><br>
9. Windshield - I currently have NO windshield. Not even a frame or anything. Any recommendations on where to find something that would fit this boat?? Doesn't have to be an original, just needs to look decent, like it belongs there! There's holes all over the bow where one used to reside. My first thought was finding one on a junk boat somewhere...
<br><br>
10 Outboard Repair - I'll just leave this alone until I get to this point!

 

[alloffroad]

Re: 14' 1958 Fleetform Restoration

I picked up a '58 Dorsett ElDorado. It was free so I jumped on it. It is completly gutted, no motor, seats, cables. I looked it over when I got it to be sure the hull was sound. I thought if nothing else the trailer is still in good shape. As it turns out the boat is in very good condition and I am now in the process of restoring it. I like the look of your boat. Like mine it has the look of the old cars like the Belair. The fins are neat and I can't wait till it's second maiden outing and people looking and asking questions. You got a good start. keep us updated.

 

[saxis]

Re: 14' 1958 Fleetform Restoration

It's been a LONG time since I've visited here... I'd like to tell you that my restoration project is completed, or heck, that I've even been working on it. Truth is, life has just been too crazy. After divorce and moving, I'm finally getting settled in again and ready to tear into it this spring.

She still looks just like the pictures in my first post, with a tiny bit of transom work done. I have the rotten transom torn out and a 3/4" plywood template cut and bolted on for now. The plywood is painted and just not good for a fiberglass bond. I'll be taking her on the water as-is with a trolling motor this spring for a fishing trip. After that, I'll take out the template, laminate two 3/4" plywood pieces together for the new transom, get it tabbed in and sealed up good. Then it's just down to stripping, patching and prepping for paint.

I managed to find a new galvanized trailer for $200. Rollers don't fit the boat at all, so I'll probably convert it to bunks. Other than that, it just needs new lights and wiring.

I've also decided to sell the old Evinrude Lark VII 40hp. It's just too big and heavy for this little boat.