1958 Winner Viking, I think

[Fugget1]

Hello everyone, and I hope I found the right place. Im 1990 I purchased a 58 Winner with a BIL and we used it for a while, then it wound up at his place, life wnet on and Ilived without thinking of it for years, until about a month ago. Itsbeen sitting undisturbed in a field for 17 years. My question is this, is it a boat worthy of restoration? and if so, how do I make sure its not rotted t pieces under the glass? I am a contractor, for 25 years, and rebuild Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki ATC's for fun. I work on EVERYTHING, so I can handle fabrication with wood, steel, aluminum, etc. All my brains are in my hands, but I cant find much if, anything on the how to, and if Itear something apart, I want to finish it. I just have no clue what Im getting into. Its a cool little boat, I liked using it in the bays in Jersey, and towing an old john Boat around behind it to hold a weekend worth of stuff and camp up and down the delaware. Probably not as much fun at 47. Anyhow, the "I think" part falls here. It looks just like the 17' Viking, but it does not have the fins along the sides, and the windshield has been gone since before I got it. Alright, Thanks in advance guys, before I sell a trike to do this, I figured somewhere like this could help me learn a bit.

 

[chevymaher]

I am the same as you. I build and paint cars. Did construction. But zero boat knowledge when I started. You can do this to. Just measure everything and take a million pictures as you tear it apart. You will find there isn't much info to find on boats. Unless someone restored your exact same boat. And there were differences in the exact same model. Depending on who did it that day.

But they are very simple once you get into them and learn the ins and outs. Grinding is the get down and dirty nasty part of this job.

On the question. Is it worth restoration. Only you can answer that question. Is it worth it to you. It isn't to sell to make money because there is a ton of work and labor you will never get back. But it is basically a new boat when your done. So if you use it up yourself it is worth it.

I am spending alot less then estimates given for doing this stuff. So if you penny pinch and spend wisely it isn't to bad. You spend more on shipping than the supplies themselves is the killer on the glassing. All I know is for half the cost of my chevelles interior I will have a restored boat.

It is something you do because you enjoy doing this kind of thing. As I was told the restoration is half the fun and you get a new boat at the end. I know I really enjoy doing mine.

But in the end it is your decision and your call.

 

[kcassells]

Welcome aboard...you're more than qualified, you are overqualified! Take some pics dump em in your computer,put some pics up.

 

[Fugget1]

Hey guys, thanks. Iguess its just going to be time to start drilling and blasting. Im sure the transom is shot, it was tilted on the trailer to allow the water to drain, but the outlet was plugged solid, probably a month after it was parked. I guess the worst thing to it will be the uncertainty of what to do to start. Its a cool litttle boat and hey, fun is fun. Ill get it in the old chicken coop and start busting it up once the weather gets cooler. I will tear through here and look for pics too, hopefully Ican get an idea of where to start! Thanks again guys.