Fishing boat project

[Marshcruiser]

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum, to boating, and to restoring/renovating a boat. I apologize ahead of time for all the noob questions, answers, and terminology that will be going on. I have been wanting to purchase a boat for a really long time and have finally pulled the trigger. I live on a little tidal creek that leads into the intracoastal so I have been looking and picked up a little flats boat. It was cheap ($600) 14ft with a 30hp engine. It is in obvious need of repair but the hull and transom appear to be in good condition. I am looking to potentially gut the interior and do a pretty simple layout. Just hoping for some opinions and help along the way. In particular wondering if there is going to be any issues with me removing any of the interior parts that may be structural. Also the floor appears to just lay on the hull so wondering would I just put some form of ply down on top of that and how would I secure it to the floor? Thanks for any input or direction that you guys have. I am sure as I scour the site I will come across post that may help some of my questions.

 

[Marshcruiser]

here are a few pics

 

[redneck joe]

Out of my wheelhouse, but thanks for all the pics, you'll get good info from thers here.

welcome to the forum.

 

[kcassells]

Hi Welcome aboard. Lots of good guys here to help you. Take alot of pics, measurements and save pcs. to do refabb. Take a shot of the side of the boat. Not sure but I should think the "Cap" should be able to be removed from the hull. Based on the pics most of the real repairs will be the stringers, transom/wood. Do not place plywood over the existing floor. That's only a temp patch. The structure below has been compromised and needs addressed first.
Ask away and show alot of pics.
​KC

 

[jbcurt00]

This type of boat, doesnt really have a 'cap' to remove.

IMO, all those interior boxes and benches are structural.

 

[gm280]

Okay seems you're in for some work. But I think you are already prepared for that. Like previously stated, do NOT put plywood over any existing floor or structure. The floor is gone and will certainly have to come out. I see a lot of questionable issues but nothing different then most other boat refurbish projects on these forums. And equally like stated before, you need to take tons of pictures, and measurements and plot them down on a drawing of your boat for future reference. Next comes the demolition work. You will have to gut the entire hull and then prepare it for your new layout. Tell us what you have in mind for your layout.

Oh, and :welcome: to iboats forums!

 

[Marshcruiser]

Thanks for the responses. So friw what I see, and again this is new for me so please excuse incorrect terms, but there is fiberglass that has been ripped up in the middle of the boat where you see the hole. Do I need to start by tearing out all the remaining fiberglass on the bottom? Is there a trick or anything I need to be careful of? Also is there anything I should take pics of for you guys to help with more info? Thanks again

P.S. my goal layout is pretty simple little casting deck up front with some storage and same in the back. The width of the boat is about 3'9, not sure if there is enough room to fit in a little center console for steering wheel? ?

 

[gm280]

Marshcruiser, I suggest you go to the top of this forum and clink on the "Boat Restoration, Building, and Hull Repair" and look at the list. There is a "How To's and Other Great Information" thread. Click on that thread and go down to number 14 in that list. Click on that and start reading. It covers basically everything you could possibly want to know and more. And if you need any other questions asked, which I'm sure you will, please ask them on your thread. There are lots of folks here to assist your boat project. But that "How To" section is great.

As for your question about where to start. Pictures and measurements first, then you have to get all the rotted wood structures out of the hull. Most do that with skill saws, sawsalls, whatever you have available. Just set the cutting depth so that you don't cut through the actually hull. But even if you do make a cut through the hull, don't panic. It can be repaired as well. Once you get the hull bare, then come back with some pictures and we will offer the next step. JMHO

 

[Marshcruiser]

Thanks for the suggestions and direction. When you refer to measurements what all are you referring to?

 

[Woodonglass]

Distance between all Points. I.E. Top of sides down to the floor at mutlitple points, Width of boat at the top and at the floor level. Height of benches, and distances apart. etc etc... This is what I Call a "Tub" construction boat. the hull is made and then all the interior components are made separately in another mold and then the two a re married. Not the easiest boat to restore!!

 

[Marshcruiser]

Thanks for the info Woodonglass. Looks like I will have quite a journey ahead of me.

 

[sphelps]

Welcome aboard !
Take a look around the outside edge of the boat .. See if it looks like a joint where a shell would drop into the hull .. This is what Woody is thinking is a tub type boat ..There is a step on the outside side of the hull that does not show up on the inside from what I can see ... It may be that the recessed part at the top that makes the step out part on the hull might be just built and glassed flush with the bottom section ..
If that makes any sense ... If so it may not be a tub construction type . I think ..:lol:

 

[Marshcruiser]

So I looked closer and it really seems like the floor is on the hull and that there aren't any stringers. Could this be possible? And if so does it make my project easier or harder?

 

[sphelps]

What is the hull bottom shape ? It's certainly possible that it has no stringers .. The foam may be your structural support ..
Don't think it would be necessarily harder to repair just different ...

 

[Fishfinder17]

Ok, so this is similar to two boats I have, so I know enough to be dangerous and that's about it. This type of boat doesn't have a cap, which can be good and a bit annoying at the same time. Regardless of stringers your are going to have to remove the deck in the front. Removing the foam in the front will tell you if there are stringers in there, but judging from the photos I don't think there is. Go ahead and look inside the bow compartment at the underside of the deck floor and make sure it is wood, it should be. If it is take a core sample from a couple of places and make sure that wood is not wet and/or rotten. (edit) I was going to type this out, but a picture is worth a 1000 words so check the wood core for the sections marked in red. Also make sure you take core samplings from the transom especially near the drain plug. If any of the wood is black, brown, and/or wet it has to be removed.

Judging by the damage at the front I would bet real $$$ that the foam is wet and I know I would not want to leave it in there. I can't tell how thick your deck is around the compartments, but it looks pretty thin. I would use my sonic tool to cut the floor around them and see what I am dealing with below before I decided to remove them. If you hate the layout and plan to redo them just cut them out. If you are looking to keep them, but they need to be removed just cut them as close to the hull as you safely can.

This is just me, but if I were you I would prioritize my work like this until you know more about what you are dealing with:
1. Core samples
2. Remove the known damaged deck and see what it looks like underneath.
3. Remove the foam in the front.

 

[Marshcruiser]

The back deck is definitely wet and compromised. I felt the front deck and the wood in there seems somewhat brittle. So I think this weekend I will go ahead and try to remove everything from within the hull. When I do this do I need to separate the fg floor from the hull? It seems to be connected pretty securely( example in the pic I will include)

 

[Woodonglass]

Maybe it's just my Dumb OLD Okie eyes failing me but...From the pics you've posted so far it sure looks like stringers to me.

 

[Marshcruiser]

Like I mentioned I'm totally new to boats so it may. But how do I separate the floor (blue and white) from the hull/stringers (brown) referencing pics above. It seems to be secured pretty strong and I don't want to do any unnecessary damage. Thanks again guys for all your input and help!

 

[Fishfinder17]

Is it just me or are the pics not showing up anymore?

 

[Marshcruiser]

Is it just me or are the pics not showing up anymore?

I just tried to go to photo bucket and it says down for maintenance, I assume that's the problem.