1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

[theburlybiker]

I have a Boston Whaler 13ft that I have had for two years now. It's been a great little boat, mainly used it for fishing and joy riding. It's powered by 1976 Evinrude 40 hp. I wanted to sell this one and get a bigger whaler, but i came across a good deal on a 1985 Falcon striper fishing boat (which I havent found much info on these.) I've taken the whaler off the trailer cause the trailer looked like hell, all covered in rust. So I spent 2 days sandblasting and wire wheeling it getting it ready for paint. Heres a few before pics.View attachment 179345View attachment 179346View attachment 179347View attachment 179348

 

[theburlybiker]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

some pics after sandblasting and wire wire wheel

 

[theburlybiker]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

Then I primed and painted with Vansicle Industrial primer and enamel that i picked up from Orschelns. I also used a hardener in the paint.

 

[theburlybiker]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

But now since i've got the boat off the trailer I was thinking of painting the bottom of it while it's off the trailer and might look a little better when I put it up for sale. I thought it would be easy just sand it down and repaint it.

 

[theburlybiker]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

But after crawling under it and looking there are several areas that I should fix first. A couple spots at the bottom of the transom where it's cracked. On the left side there is a small chunk out of it. I can see bare fiberglass in there so i'm guessing it's just the gelcoat broken off that corner. Also the front portion of the keel, you can see where it was repaired but they didn't bother to sand it down or smooth it out. Looks like they just globbed whatever it is on there and left it. Whatever it is, hard as a rock and feels solid. This is my first boat and first attempt at doing any fiberglass repair. Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated. My main reason is to maximize the resale, and the experience would help me next winter cause i'd like to replace the floor in my falcon. (it has a few soft spots)hopefully it will get me through the summer though.

 

[theburlybiker]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

I'm also considering stripping the interior out and refinishing it also. There is a sheet of plywood screwed to the floor and blue carpet glued to it. the center console is just screwed to the plywood. I would like to remove the carpet and plywood and repair any holes. Either repaint it with the same paint I use on the bottom or a nonskid type of paint like i've seen on other center consoles. There are some cracks around the corners in the transom area I'm hoping it's just the gelcoat. I've read that some advise drilling holes in the floor and transom to check for wet foam and rotted wood in the transom I haven't done that yet. But if the foam and transom are ok, what do you think I would be able to sell this boat for all finished or would I be better off selling it as is. (The engine runs great.) Thanks for any comments or ideas you can provide.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

About the same year as my parents if not the same year, but theres is in immaculate condition (garage kept by previous owner).

Its going to depend on the area your in as far as the price you will be able to get for her. Around here, that year, fixed up might bring you 3000 to 4500. On the coast might get 5500 to 6500. The boat would have to be a complete restore though and a sound motor. I think you will find with it being that old, the inside will be soaked if you open her up. Who ever did the previous slapped on repairs tells me this boat wasn't maintained well.

By the way, what kind of whaler? looks like a super sport but have never seen one with a center console. Usually a side console with small bench wood seating..

The good news is the 13 ft whaler is highly sought after, its legendary as far as whalers go.

Unfortunately I think the way it is now, you would be lucky to get 1000 to 1500 for it.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

Carpet isn't nor should ever be a part of a Boston Whaler... I'd be willing to bet money that carpet and plywood is hiding something ugly.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

This pix, your description of the 'repair' work on the hull, makes me think that there may be more problems then you expect hidden below the plywood deck of your Whaler:

I'm pretty sure the deck surface BELOW the plywood was the original deck on your boat. The carpet glue 'mounted' wiring reinforces that impression. I doubt Whaler sold it originally constructed this way.

This cross section pix shows how your hull was originally foam filled. Makes it hard to repair once water intrusion into the foam has occurred:

It also shows a fiberglass, non-plywood, carpet-free deck........ The console attached just to the plywood makes it sound all the more likely that there have been less then sufficient repairs/changes made to your boat. The carpet glue & carpet may be part of the current structural support of your deck. That's less then ideal....

Before you make any assumptions about your Falcon, please do a thorough inspection & core sample the transom:

A bad transom can 'sound' & 'feel' strong enough, and not be even remotely safe............

Do some more peel back of the carpet, and post some more pix of the interior.

Welcome the iboats dry dock, MBS division (Multiple Boat Syndrome)....

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

Carpet isn't nor should ever be a part of a Boston Whaler... I'd be willing to bet money that carpet and plywood is hiding something ugly.

For the record, it took me FOREVER to find those 2 pix @photobucket. I am not ghosting you...

Something something about like minds

 

[theburlybiker]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

Thanks for the quick replies. Before I start anything sounds like i better remove that carpet and plywood and see if theres something ugly hiding under there. I'll drill some holes in the floor and transom to check the foam also.

 

[theburlybiker]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

I'm sure it didn't come with the center console originally. Theres visible rub marks where the original wood interior would have been.

 

[theburlybiker]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

Went out and removed the console and carpet, plywood. You guys were right, it was hiding something. 2 foot long patches right down the center and a 3rd smaller area that appears to be a patch. I went ahead and drilled some inspection holes right thru the patches and took some core samples with a bic pen tube and the foam was white and bone dry. I also drilled 4 holes across the bottom rear of the transom about 1 inch up from the bottom and 2 more holes up a little higher. One of the lower holes was moist but the rest were dry.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

The ugliness below that deck wasn't as bad as I supected, and even though those patches are rough looking they're fixable and were done mostly right... not gooped up with latex house caulking or some such junk.

Was the decking screwed or just glued down?

 

[theburlybiker]

Re: 1976 Boston Whaler 13ft and trailer project.

They had it fastened down with stainless screws. what's your thoughts on the transom. The area thats wet is towards the bottom and just left of the drain tube. I drilled several other holes around it that were dry and determined the wet area is about a 1-2 inch area.