Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

[geoff944]

So we've been wanting to get the family out to go fishing or explore a little in nearby lakes. A few weeks ago I saw a boat for sale, would fit the whole family and dirt cheap. I bought a 1970 Glastron V156, knowing nothing about Glastrons or boats in general.

Since purchasing, we cleaned the boat, built a bench seat and some box stands for the two fishing style chairs that came with the boat, tuned up the 1977 Johnson 70EL77S outboard and been out on the lake a couple of times.

Now, I'm beginning to learn a little and I've looked over the hull and it needs some repairs. I don't know how significant, or how bad of condition the hull is in. There are several things that I see (photos attached).

1. There are lots of stress cracks (I think that is what they are) all over the boat.
2. There is a large hole in the hull, by large I mean probably 2 inches by 3 inches. The beige coat is gone but I feel what I think is resin or fiberglass, smooth as could be.
3. The previous owner put in new plywood (I know it wasn't done right) and appears to have put screws through the hull in a couple of places.

What should I do to the hull to make sure it is safe and serviceable? I'm not looking for pretty or to do a restoration right now. We wanted the boat to test the concept of boat ownership this summer and learn a little. After this season we will decide if we keep this boat and do a real re-build or if we sell it and do something else.

I do want to make sure that the family is safe and I want to prevent further damage.

Overall boat


Hole in hull


Damage (typical of what is seen in several places)


Screw through hull


Thank you for any help!
Geoff

 

[Bomber Goober]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

Can't see the pics.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

Go set up a user name & password for photo bucket:
Photo and image hosting, free photo galleries, photo editing

Each pix you upload to photobucket will have an IMG code in a box.

Either clicking the text in the box copies it (it will briefly read copied), or highlight the text in the IMG code box.

Now you can use the right mouse button to paste that IMG code into your posts, it will look something like this:

IMG]http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg618/jbcurt00//attachment.jpg[/IMG

Puts pix in your post like this:

There are settings in photobucket to make it more user friendly to YOU to use, but in those settings, select auto-size, that will get you the largest format pix possible for posting here.

There is an iphone & android app for photobucket, but I don't post pix from a phone, so I don't use the app.....

 

[geoff944]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

Thank you both for letting me know about the images. I've uploaded them to Photobucket and added them inline. Seems to work. Please let me know if you still can't see them.

Thanks!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

The pics work well now.

Your boat was dirt cheap because it needs a lot of work.

In all honesty, there's not that much short of a full restoration that's going to make that boat safe and seaworthy. Your boat has been neglected and in a state of disrepair for quite a while, and this means your below deck structural support is way more than likely rotten.

The hole in the hull needs to be repaired from the inside, trying to repair a hole in the hull that large from the outside will be futile.

On the bright side, buying a rotten boat for cheap and fixing/restoring it is the best way to buy a used older fiberglass boat. You could spend 4 or 5 times more than you paid for that boat and still end up needing the same repairs. We see people come on this forum every year that have spent thosands of dollors on a boat only to find it needs the same time and money it will take to fix your boat.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

Hi and welcome to the Iboats Dry Dock, geoff944...
As has been mentioned, this boat is definitely going to need the full restoration treatment...
I know, I know...it can't be that bad...you've already had it out on the water and had some fun in it...
That does not mean the boat is gong to be safe for a summer or two of Family outings...
The damage caused by rot affects the boat from deep down inside of the structure and can compromise the safety of the boat without warning...not good when you are out on the water with your most important ones...
The repair to the hole in the hull will require access to the inside for a proper fix...
Unfortunately, that isn't always possible without some demolition to get to it...
And, usually when this is done, is when you will begin to see the full extent of the repairs needed...
We'll be here to help out with any information and encouragement you will need to get it done right...
Good Luck,
GT1M

 

[geoff944]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

I knew the hull wasn't good but admit I was hoping that I could deal with it after the summer. So, if the stringers are rotten that impacts the structural integrity of the boat on the water?

I've read a lot of the Glastron threads with new stringers and flooring. I have a lot of questions but understand the basic process. What about the exterior of the hull? What is the process with stress-cracks and holes? Where should I start to understand that process?

I'm pretty handy, I do a lot of woodwork but I've never done anything with fiberglass.

Thanks all!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

I knew the hull wasn't good but admit I was hoping that I could deal with it after the summer. So, if the stringers are rotten that impacts the structural integrity of the boat on the water?

Yes, they can also affect the handling of the boat by allowing more flex at higher speeds...

I've read a lot of the Glastron threads with new stringers and flooring. I have a lot of questions but understand the basic process. What about the exterior of the hull? What is the process with stress-cracks and holes? Where should I start to understand that process?

Most of the stress cracking comes from a combination of age, as the materials used in the construction "dry" out over time and the general flexing, wear and tear, and exposure to the elements that occurs...most of the time they are cosmetic, but they can just as well be structural in nature...

During the restoration of the boat, the structural issues will all be addressed, the cosmetics come later...as in either re-gel coating, or re-painting...

I'm pretty handy, I do a lot of woodwork but I've never done anything with fiberglass.

Thanks all!

It has a bit of a steep learning curve, not so much the theoretical part as the practical, but after a bit it becomes easier the more you do it and begin to understand the subtleties involved...

 

[geoff944]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

I really appreciate the help. Now I need to decide if I'm committed to the restoration process. I don't have a dedicated garage for the work and don't know how long it would take me. If I'm committed and put weekends and nights into the project what is realistic? Can the work be done in a month? Less than? Far more?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

Probably more then a month of most nights & most of most weekends.

It maybe possible in a month, but probably not.

Need to build a cradle for the hull while you dismantle it. Need to remove the cap to access the transom. Need to remove the deck & transom plywood.

Good news is the stringers may be hollow fiberglass shells, made w/out wood. My 1960 Glastron Fireflite had no wood inside the stringers from the factory. Other Glastrons (and a few other makers) were built similar, 1970 V156's, IDK, but maybe........

Be interesting to see if the PO's plywood deck is installed over the original rotted deck... Screws thru the bottom of the hull to hold it down is not a great indication of good things to come, nor an indication that all the work that was done was done well.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

From what I can see the hole is from a previous patch that was not done correctly. Screw Holes will be an easy fix. Have you jumped up and down on the lower leg of the motor to see if the transom flexes? If it does then the transom is bad and will need to be replaced too. Deck, Transom, Stringers is a full restoration and you can expect around $1,000 to $1,500 in costs and 100-200 hrs of time. Your carpentry skill will be a + and glassing we can teach you how. Now it's just a matter of if you think it's worth it and if you want to put forth the time, effort and dollars to do the job. When You're done you'll have a really good boat that will last a long time. How's the motor? Start and run Good? Have you done a compression check on it? If not I would recommend you get it done. If all cylinders are above 120 then it should be a good one. If you like the style and layout of the boat then I'd say go for it.

 

[Auger01]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

One of the first places that boat will rot is around the drain tube in the transom. Whaterver sealant was there from the factory is long gone and water will get in to the transom around the tube.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

This^^^ can be true but is not always the case. Properly installed drain tubes, unless damaged in some fashion will not typically develop leaks. My boat is over 50 yrs old with the original drain tube and the original transom.

 

[geoff944]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

Thanks for the continued feedback on the boat. To answer a few questions - The outboard starts and runs well. I haven't done a compression check (I need to pickup the tool) but the outboard seems to run well. I wouldn't say that I jumped on the lower leg of the outboard but I put a good bit of weight on it and didn't see the transom giving. I'm sure there is rot in the transom given the age and condition of the boat.

Given that this summer was going to be out trial to see if we are a boating family. Could I pull up the floor, stringers and foam and redo those without popping the cap and replacing the transom? Once the cap comes off, I'm afraid the project becomes much bigger in my mind. My biggest concern for this season is that I don't want to have the family out in something that isn't structurally sound. It seems like new stringers, foam and floors would fix that and give me the opportunity to address the hole in the hull and the screws.

Thoughts?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Hull Repair/Evaluation - 1970 Glastron V156

Removing and replacing the Deck and Stringers will significantly improve the soundness of the boat. However the stringers and deck are attached to the transom. If the transom is bad it would not make sense to replace the former with out the latter. You would have to remove the newly replaced stringers and deck to replace the transom at a later date.:blue: I truly understand your desire to "Get on the Water" but safety is the most important factor and I would not want to chance it considering the facts as presented on this boat. Could you to some Down and Dirty Quick and Easy patch work on the holes to stop the leaking and get her in the water...Probably. Is it worth the risk...Not in my book. But...It's your boat, Your life, and you can do as you see fit. We're just here to provide advice as we see fit based on our knowledge and experiences.:wink: