1980 Arrow Glass Restoration

[MichaelSlade]

I am getting started on restoring my new (old) boat. Please remember I have never owned a boat before and don't know all the terminolgy yet so I might end up like my wife and calling something the thingy or whatchamacallit. I picked up the boat Friday and got it home. Tried to get it to start up Sunday but it wouldn't start. I put just a bit of gas in the carb and it tried to start. Tuesday, I pulled the gas lines off and they were bone dry. Figured it must need a fuel pump. Today I talked to the local boat shop and they told me that the fuel pump needed gas in it to be able to pump. I got home tonight and filled the line and it started. Sounds good, not missing or knocking, just smooth engine purring.
I think I messed up the steering whel though. I would not turn at all and then it just gave in. Looked under the dash and the linkage moves but not through the tube like I think it should. I would think the tube needs to be connected to the steering column. Hopefully this wont be a costly fix.
My current plan is to check and make sure everything runs fine, make sure all the gauges work and have a dealer check it out to make sure it is sea worthy. Then take it out to a lake and run it around for a while to see how she runs. If then everything is fine and running good, hopefully getting started on the seats and vinyl.
Let me know if I am missing anything. Like I said earlier, I am completely new to this and will be learning along the way. I know I will probably put more into the boat than what she is worth, but I like projects like this and enjoy learning new things.

Here are some pics for my starting point...

I think I can just replace the seats, the deck and the carpet are what is worrying me.

I will post more as I get farther into it.
Michael

 

[drewpster]

Re: 1980 Arrow Glass Restoration

Welcome to a new level of pain Slade!
Looks like you picked a good boat to start on. Find any rot anywhere?
Keep us in the loop.

enjoy
drewp

 

[MichaelSlade]

Re: 1980 Arrow Glass Restoration

I noticed some wood under the engine that was rotted. It was an area about 4" square. Does not look like an area that would be load bearing, but then I don't know what part of the boat is.... Most of the deck feels solid to me. What would tell me if there is any more rot and when would it absolutely be necessary to fix? I would like to get it running and be able to go out some before I tear into the deck. I have read some of the threads on here about replacing decks and they scare the heck out of me. I have never worked with fiberglass before. It doesn't look that hard, just really time consuming.

Michael

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1980 Arrow Glass Restoration

Check your bellows carefully before you go and test her out. Don't want you to sink.

 

[joza]

Re: 1980 Arrow Glass Restoration

Welcome Michael.

Don't sweat getting into fiberglassing. I had never done it before I started on my boat this summer. Read a lot of threads here before you get going. I probably spent a good week reading before I even thought about doing it. Read some more and said f#*k it! I'm going for it.

It wasn't bad at all really. I actually kind of enjoyed it. Just make sure you have everything close at hand that you'll need or a good helper close by that can get it for you.

Do it! And good luck and post lots of pix. This is a great place for help. Before I started anything different I always asked questions and got great answers.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1980 Arrow Glass Restoration

Another good looking tri hull. Check the floor for soft spots. Check all around the engine and the out drive for soft spots. Usually if you have some soft areas, there may be more. Good luck with this boat, very nice looking.

 

[Purrcoonie]

Re: 1980 Arrow Glass Restoration

Just wondering how you're doing on your restoration of your 1980 Arrow Glass.
My boyfriend and I just completed his. It looks like yours except yellow. We have finished it and it looks and runs great. It took 14 yards of vinyl to recover. My problem is finding a cover. Have you purchased one yet and if so, where did you get it?

I am getting started on restoring my new (old) boat. Please remember I have never owned a boat before and don't know all the terminolgy yet so I might end up like my wife and calling something the thingy or whatchamacallit. I picked up the boat Friday and got it home. Tried to get it to start up Sunday but it wouldn't start. I put just a bit of gas in the carb and it tried to start. Tuesday, I pulled the gas lines off and they were bone dry. Figured it must need a fuel pump. Today I talked to the local boat shop and they told me that the fuel pump needed gas in it to be able to pump. I got home tonight and filled the line and it started. Sounds good, not missing or knocking, just smooth engine purring.
I think I messed up the steering whel though. I would not turn at all and then it just gave in. Looked under the dash and the linkage moves but not through the tube like I think it should. I would think the tube needs to be connected to the steering column. Hopefully this wont be a costly fix.
My current plan is to check and make sure everything runs fine, make sure all the gauges work and have a dealer check it out to make sure it is sea worthy. Then take it out to a lake and run it around for a while to see how she runs. If then everything is fine and running good, hopefully getting started on the seats and vinyl.
Let me know if I am missing anything. Like I said earlier, I am completely new to this and will be learning along the way. I know I will probably put more into the boat than what she is worth, but I like projects like this and enjoy learning new things.

Here are some pics for my starting point...

I think I can just replace the seats, the deck and the carpet are what is worrying me.

I will post more as I get farther into it.
Michael