Boat with paint cracks and hull damage

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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remember the USCG colregs on fuel systems, electrics, exhaust, temperature, etc. are just the IMO (International Marine Organization) rules packaged for the recreational boat market.

see 33CFR sub part J for fuel systems and sub part I for electrical.

or
 

briangcc

Commander
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Jul 10, 2012
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From a parts perspective...and this is by no way/shape/form complete...

Marinized alt - not available so you're going to have to have one custom made. Not insurmountable BUT that's going to add cost to this.

Marinized starter - not available so you're going to have to have one custom made. Again $$$

Camshaft - I don't see a truck/camper grind available anywhere I look. That's what you need, not a high screaming street grind. So...custom. I have had (1) cam ground to a custom grind...it's in my 78 TA. Custom profile from R&R Engineering (Pontiac Engine Builder/Racer) and completed by Comp Cams. I don't see them even listing a VW part. You may be up a creek right there.

And then you haven't even dealt with marrying the block to the outdrive - be it Volvo or Merc.

Given that you're set on going ahead with the project, and there are cracks on the outside of the boat, it would be wise to table your engine swap until you determine the seaworthiness of the hull. My gut's telling me you have a very large fiberglass project before you even start dreaming about engine work. I'm betting that if you spend 5 minutes checking, you'll find the stringers and transom suspect at best, non-existent at worst.

Running the boat without those, you might as well chuck the VW motor directly into the water as that's where it will be when the hull fails. Not if, when.

Not being a naysayer, just a reality check. What you can get away with in a car/hotrod often does not translate to the marine industry.
 

Gerhard Peters

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Aug 13, 2019
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85
Thank you for all of the input. This post started with a question about gel coat cracks, and I added a side note about what I'm doing with the boat. And here we are.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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regarding your boat. estimate $6k to fix the hull as the stringers and transom are most likely compromised and your foam is most likely water logged .
 

airshot

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I'm not planning on making that kind of mistake. The fuel lines will be just as well done on the Touareg I'm using for the engine. If the Touareg is safe, then the boat will also be. I get where you are coming from. You don't know me, and neither do you know my skill level. I'm not a backyard mechanic. I'm a skilled fabricator and a professional automotive technician.

Note to myself: I don't know why I'm defending myself to some stranger naysayers.
Don't know anyone that would "plan" a bad mistake !
 

Lou C

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As I said about the you tube vid where the guy actually did this, when it comes time to sell it what do you disclose to the unwitting buyer? If you tell the truth as we ALL know you should who would buy it? Or do you wind up with a project you can’t sell, due to legal reasons?
 

Gerhard Peters

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 13, 2019
Messages
85
As I said about the you tube vid where the guy actually did this, when it comes time to sell it what do you disclose to the unwitting buyer? If you tell the truth as we ALL know you should who would buy it? Or do you wind up with a project you can’t sell, due to legal reasons?
I'm not doing this project to sell. That is not even on my mind. I don't know what I will do when the day comes for me to get rid of the boat. I have not given that any thought.

This is my last comment on anything related to what I want to do with this project as far as the engine goes.

My question was regarding gelcoat cracks. I welcome any further comments on this post related to my initial question. Thank you!
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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My question was regarding gelcoat cracks. I welcome any further comments on this post related to my initial question. Thank you!
go here


read links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b. the gel cracked because the fiberglass is moving. the fiberglass is moving because the wooden structure is rotten.
 

Gerhard Peters

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 13, 2019
Messages
85
go here


read links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b. the gel cracked because the fiberglass is moving. the fiberglass is moving because the wooden structure is rotten.
Thank you! Looks like lots of helpful information.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
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Those cracks seem to be right where they drilled the holes for the snaps…
 
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