14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

[thebigo06]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

UPDATE:So I started the deconstruction process monday morning. It was a very muggy and foggy monday morning in south Alabama so I did not get too far. However, I cut out the front seat, removed the trolling motor "mount", the eye bolts on the front of the boat and the cap on the transom.

The boat is a little worse for wear than I had thought. The transom is floppy and the fiberglass on the inside seems brittle. I am not scrapping the project in fact this actually excites me. I was looking for a project and I sure have gotten one!

I will be posting pics soon. It has been raining here non stop and have not a chance to get over there and dig in again. However, without seeing those, what should be at the top of my list? Also, anyone know of a good thread on rebuilding the transom?

Thanks for all the feedback so far!

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

thebigo06,
Glad to hear you are going to continue.
You will find several threads on transom rebuilds and a lot more. Larger boats then your but the same methods.
Archbuilder rebuilt his using seacast material. I'm in the process of replacing my transom, friscoboater, SKIBUM1M, system-f, lowkee, and several more. Just do a search for what you are looking for.
Good luck and we will be watching for the pic's.
Bob

 

[thebigo06]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

Ok, so I would love to use seacast but I am a college student without a whole lot of money. I want to do this right but I cannot see spending that much on just getting the transom solid. I found this stuff http://www.jgreer.com/boat-foam.htm Do y'all think it would work?

Also, has anyone worked with "nautical board"? I am not sure that is the real name for it. Apparently it is a flexible material that you fiberglass and clamp into the shape that you want and you can make basically anything you want! I was think that it is going to be difficult to get all of the rot out of the transom without cutting in so I could just cut the inner skin off, build a new one with nautical board and tie it back into the boat with some glass and then fill the cavity with the foam.

Pics should be up in the next couple of days!

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

Ok, so I would love to use seacast but I am a college student without a whole lot of money. I want to do this right but I cannot see spending that much on just getting the transom solid. I found this stuff http://www.jgreer.com/boat-foam.htm Do y'all think it would work?

Also, has anyone worked with "nautical board"? I am not sure that is the real name for it. Apparently it is a flexible material that you fiberglass and clamp into the shape that you want and you can make basically anything you want! I was think that it is going to be difficult to get all of the rot out of the transom without cutting in so I could just cut the inner skin off, build a new one with nautical board and tie it back into the boat with some glass and then fill the cavity with the foam.

Pics should be up in the next couple of days!

That is actually the product I used on my floor (flotation), I don't think you would want to use it on the transom. It is a non-structural foam....and take a look at my thread, it can be a mess. I don't know anything about the nautical board, but several people on here have used plywood. If you have a curved transom, you can build it up out of thin sheets. I have seen a couple of guys brace the outside skin in the shape they want, then clamp thinner piece on one layer at a time. Once you get a couple layers built up, it should retain the shape on its own. I would also make sure you seal it up good with glass and resin. Looking forward to the photos!

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

The good thing about this boat is that the transom is easy to get at and work on. I would go with plywood, and use a couple layers to get the proper thickness. Also now is the time to get the transom at the height that you want. either 15 or 20'' depending on the motor you want to put on it. Also, if your planning on leaving this boat in the water then I would not put brightsides on the bottom. Brightsides is a topcoat paint but okay to use if you don't leave it in the water too long. You can use it on the sides okay. I would use either a bottom paint or you mentioned rustoleum. Good luck with the boat. Prep work is the key. Sand down smooth as you can. I used Interlux Prekote on mine. This will help with uneven surfaces. Just remember to sand between coats if you use the primer. I used Interlux Brightsides on my boat and used the roll and tip method. Came out pretty good. Anyway, good luck with your boat and remember, have fun.

 

[thebigo06]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

That is actually the product I used on my floor (flotation), I don't think you would want to use it on the transom. It is a non-structural foam....and take a look at my thread, it can be a mess.

I was thinking about using the higher density. However, the "nautical board" actually is "Nautico board" I think... I found the patent for it online and it sounds right. Apparently my girlfriends Dad still has some left over from rebuilding a boat he is going to use for shrimping and I think that we are going to rebuild the transom out of it. Also thinking about using it to build the decking that I want. Trying to avoid using wood if possible.

On the subject of paint: this is going to be a trailered boat. Take it out for the day, pull it in and park it. So shouldn't topside paint be sufficient?

Thanks for all the feedback so far!

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

Let us know about the board, sounds like an interesting product. As for the paint, I think it will be fine, but everyone around here has a little different opinion! I think you just have to run with what you think will work best for your budget and how you are using it.

 

[thebigo06]

Re: 14' Fiberglass Jon Boat rebuild

Alright, I have finally had some dry weather this week so I got to spend a little time on the boat. I am still in the deconstruction phase but I hope to be rebuilding the transom this Saturday. Here are a couple of pics of recent goings ons with the boat. I will take my actual camera with me next time.

Btw, I got a 22lb thrust Motorguide trolling motor from my girlfriends parents for Christmas!

Part of the transom that I cut out

The first piece of water logged wood that I pulled out

Shot of the rotten transom

How we got it to the shop