14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

[thebigo06]

So I am getting a boat from a friend for free. I have been planning on the renovation for a couple of months and I finally got to see the boat today. It is not in the greatest of shape cosmetically but is stable, water tight (we think) and more importantly....FREE!! I realize that I could buy something in much better shape with a motor for less than a grand but I am really wanting a project, something I can work on a little at a time and this fits the bill. I did not grow up around boats but I have always wished we had one. So, I am really going to need some guidance. However, I do not know enough to know what questions I have yet. I plan to start some deconstruction this week. Any input will be very appreciated.
Boat on its side
Inside Looking at Transom
Transom Again
Boat upside down

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

Welcome to Iboats! Looks like a nice little boat, what is the gray stuff in the corners inside? Any significant damage? Looks like it will clean up real well, and if you have questions this is the place to be!

 

[thebigo06]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

I appreciate it! I have been poking around here for a couple of months and have learned a lot. The main thing that I have learned is you can take something like this and turn it into a decent boat! No significant damage. The rear seat was removed by the previous owner so it is a little wobbly in the back but I am planning on taking out the other two and putting a small deck in that would go up to the second line on the inside of the boat. The grey stuff is caulking. I am going to remove it to see if it is necessary and re do it if it is.

Do you all think a 45lb thrust trolling motor would be enough to get me started? I would just be running in lakes and small rivers around my area. I would love a 20-25 hp outboard but I have not found one in my price range (I am a college student)

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

The deck should "stiffen" it up..amazing what some plywood will do! I'm not sure on the trolling motor....I don't have much experience with them. One of my neighbors at the lake has an aluminum boat about that size with a trolling motor, and he is all over our cove with it. I would bet he goes a mile or two on each outing. Guess it depends on your battery or batteries.

 

[thebigo06]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

What would you all recommend for stripping spray paint and what appears to be the original gel coat or do I just need to sand it really well?

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

I have heard of strippers you can use on fiberglass, but have never used any of them. If the paint is stuck good, you could just sand it down smooth and paint over it. If you have any doubt take it back to the gelcoat then paint it. I usually spray things, but there are a lot of paints you can brush / roll. One other note, if you do leave the existing paint on, test a spot of your new paint. Sometimes the new paint isn't compatible with the old. It will lift (curl up the old paint) or sometimes fisheye. The key to a good paint job is prep, prep and more prep! I would start out at the car wash....get all the loose paint and dirt / grease off.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

one other thing, sand evenly....if you do it by hand use a rubber block or pad. If you are going power, use a dual action sander (usually air operated) or if you can't get one of those, get a palm sander. Stay AWAY from belt sanders....they can cause real damage!

 

[thebigo06]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

Ok, so I know that there is a whole section on painting and what not (at least I think I looked at it awhile ago) Also, I know that there is a debate on whether you can use topside paint as bottom side. From what I have gathered you can as long as you do not dock your boat in the water for days at a time. So, I am thinking about using
this Primer
and
This Paint
or maybe
This Paint
Not sure on the paint scheme yet but I am kind of thinking about a blue and white scheme,

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

Interlux seems to be popular on here....I haven't used it but have heard a lot of people like it.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

thebigo06,
Welcome to Iboats.
I'm not a tin guy but I'm sure they will jump in a give you all the help you need.
I have read in several threads that you don't need to completely strip it.
Several of the folks have just used Rustroleum. Did I spell that right?
Anyways they have gotten some great results. I would suggest you read some of the starcraft boat threads.
I always wondered why they call them tinny's when they are made of aluminum, I guess that sounds better then Alumy's. HA HA
Have a great day.
Bob

 

[thebigo06]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

thebigo06,
Several of the folks have just used Rustroleum. Did I spell that right?
Anyways they have gotten some great results. I would suggest you read some of the starcraft boat threads.
Bob

Well my boat is actually fiberglass. Do you think that would work for mine? My friend that owned it before me did not care about it at all and was responsible for the green over the blue (that actually looked pretty nice). I want to do this right so would rustoleom give the same results as a nice interlux?

Thanks for the welcome! this is only my second day on here. My girlfriends Dad is a big boater (he built his shrimp boat from the ground up) but I would feel bad calling him every two seconds so this is going to be a great asset!

 

[thebigo06]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

I think I have figured out how to upload pics! They are the same ones in the first post. We are moving the boat to my house a few streets away tomorrow. Will take some better pics.

I am thinking Mauritius Blue, Rochelle Red and Platinum or some variation. I have some graphic ideas. Nothing too complicated.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

cool, just remember sanding is the key....everything has to be scuffed up and dull. Also, if you can "feel" it, you will see it. If you do have some chips or scratches a little bondo or glazing putty will fix it right up. You can get both at your local auto body supply. The glazing putty is for real small scratches or chips.

 

[thebigo06]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

I had read somewhere else that using things like Bondo was not a good idea because it was too porous? However, if you have used it with success than I will definitely keep that in mind. Beats fiberglassing right?

Does anyone have any idea what kind of boat I have? there are no brand markers that I have found yet.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

thebigo06,
Sorry, I thought it was Aluminum.
I would not use bondo on the boat. You can use some of the marine types thought. I thing marinetex is one. Not sure, I have never used it.
I don't know what brand or model you have either. I can only suggest you look at pic's of other known types and compare. Someone on here may be of more help with that.
Good luck
Bob

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

Everyone seems to have there ideas about fillers. I wouldn't use bondo or paint on a boat that was going to be in water constantly. I think you will start having problems with the paint before the actual filler. The water would have to penetrate the paint before getting into the filler. I'm not to worried about mine since it will be trailered and only in the water for a few days at a time. I saw a guy saying that water caused bondo to pop out on cars. The only time I have seen that happen is when the steel behind the bondo rusted. That is usually becasue the water is getting in from behind.....you see this a lot in poorly done rusted out fender repairs. Bondo is a polyester resin by the way, same thing as fiber glass. I does have some filler in it however than makes it eaiser to sand and work. I worked in a body shop for several years and we did the bosses boat, no problems with it. Gel coat is the best way to go, but enormously hard work. I have thought about it, but my friend David painted his, and has had great results! I doubt that was much help, but that is my 2 cents worth!

 

[thebigo06]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

Thanks for the info on fillers. I am really running blind here so anything will be helpful. Just wanted to ask y'all. I found a 15hp gamefisher for cheap on craigslist in my area. Would that be enough for this boat? It is listed for $75 but needs some work. Whats the verdict?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

Parts are going to be pretty tough to find for a Gamefisher.

 

[DukesFin]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

Also, the most popular translation of "needs some work" read on Craigslist is: This (whatever it is) will need more work than it's worth. This is not always the case, but when it comes to the power plant on the boat... Well... How far are you willing to either row or swim!

 

[pooprprospector]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

I just finished a complete re-do of my 15ft fiberglass john boat. the best thing i found was at lowe's. it was environmentally safe stripper. forget name... anyway that's what i found best. i used topside paint for the bottom and got great results paint on sand with 220 on palm sander clean repaint wax it looks YUMMY lol