1986 Crestliner Nordic 18

[whjr15]

Hi everyone!

Long time lurker and first time poster (and complete n00b to boat restorations), so be nice!

Anyway, last spring I bought (well, practically stole!) this boat with no intentions of replacing anything on it, other than fishfinders and such, since it was mechanically flawless. There was one soft spot on the deck towards the stern, and the wood was starting to rot on one of the lounge seat bases, but I considered that to be tolerable... That is, until I found this section of the site!!! After reading countless threads over the winter, my first trip out this year left me with more to be desired!

Here she is the day I brought her home:

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So today after work I started the process. Removed the whole deck, console "bases", and bow seating.

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I gotta say, it was MUCH easier than I thought it was going to be. Anyway, while I was doing that I noticed that the foam was still rock hard -- rigid enough to stand on and feel no flex. As I progressed, I noticed that there were some low spots on the top that held water. The foam itself was still in great shape, but I found it odd. As I got fore of the gas tank, my heart kinda sunk lol. The bottom inch or so of all foam from there on was black and saturated.

My main question (at this point at least) is should I replace the foam or not? It makes me wonder if the rest of the foam is like that, since I cant see the bottom. The deck itself is 6 pieces, and is screwed to the aluminium stringers, so I'm not really worried about "locking it in" per say. But at the same time, I want it done right. It's just hard to justify ripping all of it out when 95% of it is good!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1986 Crestliner Nordic 18

Welcome aboard.

Yep the foam is a real debate question....... it's not cheap (noting boating is ) read the foam articles in the sticky at the top of the restoration forum

You have alternative materials to use and I would absolutely get rid of the wet foam........ it's heavy.

Nice looking boat and we have a HUGE following for tin boats!! I own 2 myself.

 

[whjr15]

Re: 1986 Crestliner Nordic 18

Thanks!

Wow, I don't know how I missed that thread. There is definitely some great info in there!

I've decided to bite the bullet and remove the foam. I'm gonna hit it hard this weekend and hopefully will get the new foam boards installed.

Is there any place to buy the epoxy resin (and related materials) in person? Or is that something I'll have to order online?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1986 Crestliner Nordic 18

Well, since you are going to remove the foam............. I would suggest finding a quart can of Gluvit and coat the rivets and seams inside the hull. That is like an insurance policy against leaks!

In the sticky post http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288451 there is a great link to the Starcraft restorations and you will see how other's have treated and restored their aluminum boats. Great reading............. and addictive.

 

[whjr15]

Re: 1986 Crestliner Nordic 18

Yeah, I've read posts regarding that Gluvit stuff, but am not certain I even need it. First, the boat does not leak a drop, not even a tiny bit. And second, it's a welded hull. If there aren't any other added benefits of Gluvit that I'm unaware of, I think I'm fine in that area.

But you are right... I can definitely understand how this could become an addiction! I have so many design ideas running through my head it's almost overwhelming, yet fun at the same time!

Thanks for the help thus far, I appreciate it! I'll have more pics soon of the foam project.

 

[ahinkc]

Re: 1986 Crestliner Nordic 18

You have a nice boat and I'm new to this site as well. I have an 1985 Crestliner Nordic 17.5' that looks almost exactly like yours that I'm getting ready to recondition. I hope to gain knowledge from your experiences. Your pics are great.

 

[whjr15]

Re: 1986 Crestliner Nordic 18

Thanks ahinkc!

I'm getting ready to go out and rip the other half of the foam out now. So far my initial guess of 95% good foam is holding true, but the 5% is completely saturated. Kinda sucks having to take out so much good because of so little bad!!

I've been using a little Ames digging tool from home depot. Looks like a garden trowel, but one side has a serrated edge and the other a knife edge. Works pretty well once I get down to the waterlogged stuff, but is a painfully slow process. I will definitely be glad when this part of the project is complete!!!

 

[whjr15]

Re: 1986 Crestliner Nordic 18

Old foam is now out (thank god!!!), and new foam boards are now in. I am ready to cut the deck pieces now, but am confused about the step(s) to follow.

I bought some West Systems epoxy resin/hardener today to use once I get everything cut. I was under the assumption that with an epoxy resin I would not have to add any glass--just epoxy, since I only need it to achieve a water-tight seal.

But after doing some more reading I ended up being even more confused than I was before!!