NC waterboy
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2006
- Messages
- 38
Hello all,
I purchased a fix-r-upper as it's the most affordable way for me to get back on the water..... so I thought! That was before I realized how big the soft spot was in the sole. FYI- Be very careful when purchasing a boat during the below freezing time of year for your area! Why you ask? I assumed the soft spot was around 2 ft X 2 ft when the seller told me about it but the temps that week hadn't exceeded 40*F and it was shortly after a we got a decent amount of snow. Either I was blinded by the boats potential, to cold to do a thorough check, or the majority of the soft area was frozen making the sole feel fairly solid. I'm sticking with the latter.
I'm going to replace the sole and I've never worked with glass so would like to get some suggestions on a good lay-up plan. I've been browsing through the forums and have become a little overwhelmed with so many different ways to do the repair. BTW- oops makes me feel like a total loser and almost to embarrased to request such help.....Almost! So this is what I have....
1990 19 ft Willis Craft (Small Company on Harkers Island NC)- sole area is 5ft 10in W X 14ft L - three glassed stringers/ the center one was originally (2 pcs.) 3/4 ply together from middle of boat torwards the bow but went to (1 pc.) 3/4 ply from middle back. The other two are both a single piece of 3/4 ply, all stringers are 6in tall. Boat was foam filled. (4) 2X4 bulkheads about 3.5ft apart. Deck was 1/2 in ply. Outboard is a 1990 Johnson 110 hp. The boat will be rigged like the average fishing skiff/CC, flip-flop seat, two ped. seats, trolling motor etc. I will be using the boat primarily for saltwater fishing in the sound and it will need to take a beating as it is a flat bottom. I'm looking the safest and strongest way to repair it as I have two boys ages 4 & 5 who will be on the boat often.
Thanks in advance for EVERYONES help!
I purchased a fix-r-upper as it's the most affordable way for me to get back on the water..... so I thought! That was before I realized how big the soft spot was in the sole. FYI- Be very careful when purchasing a boat during the below freezing time of year for your area! Why you ask? I assumed the soft spot was around 2 ft X 2 ft when the seller told me about it but the temps that week hadn't exceeded 40*F and it was shortly after a we got a decent amount of snow. Either I was blinded by the boats potential, to cold to do a thorough check, or the majority of the soft area was frozen making the sole feel fairly solid. I'm sticking with the latter.
I'm going to replace the sole and I've never worked with glass so would like to get some suggestions on a good lay-up plan. I've been browsing through the forums and have become a little overwhelmed with so many different ways to do the repair. BTW- oops makes me feel like a total loser and almost to embarrased to request such help.....Almost! So this is what I have....
1990 19 ft Willis Craft (Small Company on Harkers Island NC)- sole area is 5ft 10in W X 14ft L - three glassed stringers/ the center one was originally (2 pcs.) 3/4 ply together from middle of boat torwards the bow but went to (1 pc.) 3/4 ply from middle back. The other two are both a single piece of 3/4 ply, all stringers are 6in tall. Boat was foam filled. (4) 2X4 bulkheads about 3.5ft apart. Deck was 1/2 in ply. Outboard is a 1990 Johnson 110 hp. The boat will be rigged like the average fishing skiff/CC, flip-flop seat, two ped. seats, trolling motor etc. I will be using the boat primarily for saltwater fishing in the sound and it will need to take a beating as it is a flat bottom. I'm looking the safest and strongest way to repair it as I have two boys ages 4 & 5 who will be on the boat often.
Thanks in advance for EVERYONES help!