I just found the site and have lots of questions about restoration

[possom813]

I just bought a 1975 Rebel 17ft boat with a Mercury Thunderbolt 850 85hp 2 stroke.

Motor was rebuilt in 98 and the boat hasn't been ran since 2005.

It came with the original dealer paperwork and all the paperwork from 86 when the man that I bought it from got it from the original owner.

It's been parked under a shed with a tarp on it since 2005.

The fiberglass has some small stress cracks on it, and everyone I talked to said that it's common for older boats to have these cracks. I can live with that.

How do you repair the little hairline cracks though? The only one that is really bothering me is there is one on the bottom of the hull that I didn't see when we went and looked over the boat. It's about 8 inches long and it's really a hairline, you can't feel it with your fingernail.

Being that's the only one that I really need to repair, how do I do it?


Also, for the next question, the bottom wood floor of the boat has a couple of bad weak spots. I pulled it up today, at least most of it. It seems pretty simple to fix, cut new marine grade plywood and lay down and screw it in and then re carpet the floor. Any tricks to this before I start doing it?


Also, how difficult is it to repair a trim/tilt motor? The one on the boat works, but has a small leak on the bottom of it and the solenoid needs to be replaced. The solenoid isn't too difficult, but how about putting on a new gasket?


That's about all I can think of that I need advice on for now.

Here's a pic of my 500 buck boat

 

[Stykbowhntr]

Re: I just found the site and have lots of questions about restoration

Let me be the first to welcome you to iboats. I'm not going to attempt to offer advice since I'm in the early stages of my first restoration, and mine is aluminum not glass. However, I will tell you that there are a great bunch of guys here that have a wealth of knowledge to share, and the first thing they will want is lots of pics. Search the threads and you will find info on almost any question and ask away. Nice looking boat!

 

[proshadetree]

Re: I just found the site and have lots of questions about restoration

You must glass the floor and then glass it to the boat to retain a rigid floor and hull. Not a bad job. Post some pics and do a little prowling around in here. And Welcome to I boats

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: I just found the site and have lots of questions about restoration

Possom,

Welcome to iBoats,

Nice lookin rig.
Check out Marine Tex product to fix your hairline Crack. Piece of cake to do.

Your floor... Well that's another kettle of fish. Soft floors indicate problems underneath. Just like a house, the sole(deck, floor) of a boat has a structure to support it. These are called stringers. Just like floor joists in a house. Typically one in the center(keel) that runs the full length of the boat and then two others that run parallel to it on either side. There may or may not be cross stringers to brace the long stringers to each other and to help support the floor. If they have been compromised by water getting below decks and causing them to rot then they must be replace. Also if you have Flotation foam below decks and it is saturated with water it can add a tremendous amount of weight to the boat. The Transom ( the Back plate of the boat where the motor is attached) can also be compromised by water getting into holes or cracks. YOu need to check it carefully to insure there is no FLEX when the motor is moved up and down. A couple of good tugs and pushes will give you a good idea on this. These are some things you need to check to ensure your boat is safe and sound and ready for the water. Search this site for Transom Rebuilds and Deck and Floor rebuilds and you will find plenty of pics and information to help guide you

Good Luck

 

[possom813]

Re: I just found the site and have lots of questions about restoration

I've checked the transom, no movement at all with the motor bouncing up and down on it.

The stringers/joists don't appear to be rotten. The floor was only real bad in one spot about 2'x2' or so, and the runners under it are still solid.

The flotation foam is going to be replaced, but it actually looks pretty decent for the age and isn't waterlogged.

The man I bought the boat from answered every question I had and actually knew quite a bit. I believe I was pretty fortunate in making the deal on this boat simply because the man knew everything and had documentation for just about everything done to the boat since '75.

He said he replaced the carpet and the wood that I'm doing now in the late 80's. It seemed to be done right, at least from what I've read. It was put down and fiberglassed in, but the wood was really thing, maybe 1/4 plywood.

I know it will add some weight, but I'm going to put in 23/32 treated plywood.


Also, I was thinking, can I cut the wood and fit it in place, then pull it out and coat it with a resin or rubberized coating and then fiberglass it, then lay it in the boat, screw it down and fiberglass it in?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: I just found the site and have lots of questions about restoration

I think 1/2" is plenty for the deck(sole). Are you replacing the whole floor or just the soft spot? Great news about the foam and stringers and transom. Uou are lucky. I would recommend using fiberglass resin to give 2 coats to your new floor/deck(sole), and then cover with on layer of 6 to 9 oz of fiberglass mat. This would ensure the deck would last a very long time. At the very least two coats of resin. I would NOT screw it to the stringers but rather use OOPS peanut butter to glue it to the stringers and the hull. Look here for the peanut butter recipe...http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=234392&highlight=hull+extension

 

[possom813]

Re: I just found the site and have lots of questions about restoration

Where can I find fiberglass? And foam?

We're in the process of getting the rest of the floor out and a few pieces of the foam are waterlogged.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: I just found the site and have lots of questions about restoration

Got mine from USComposites.com. Lot's of other guys on here did too!! If you don't want to order it you can look locally but these guys are really reasonable on their prices and their quality is outstanding.
They have everything you'll need

 

[possom813]

Re: I just found the site and have lots of questions about restoration

Is the spray foam in a can good to use under the floor or is it too porous?

Also, what kind of fiberglass to buy? Fiberglass mat or cloth? Do I need 1 1/2oz per square foot or 2oz or what?

How many layers of fiberglass will it take to completely cover a piece of wood right?

When I glue the deck down, do I fiberglass it to the sides? That's how it was and making it a pain to get the old deck out. I wish the entire deck would have been rotten so it would have been a crapload easier to get out.

What type of resin am I supposed to use with fiberglass?

Could I mix in a colored pigment that uscomposites offers to make the deck white or blue and not have to lay carpet down? And put down some suregrip tape on the deck for sure footing?

Would the carbon fiber or kevlar cloth be better for a boat? Or should plain old fiberglass do the job accordingly?

What kind of paint do I need to repaint parts of the exterior? The wife wants a metallic paint job where the graphic is and along the top rail.

I was thinking metallic blue for the top rail and where the graphic is, and outline the graphic and tape it off before removing the graphic so I can duplicate the shape.

Outline it with a black pinstripe and then have the local vinyl sign shop duplicate the original REBEL decal.

 

[6meter]

Re: I just found the site and have lots of questions about restoration

Lots of question there possom813. Good questions. I HIGHLY recommend that you read alot of the threads on stringer replacement here. They will answer all your questions. oops! thread is probably the most comprehensive.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: I just found the site and have lots of questions about restoration

Is the spray foam in a can good to use under the floor or is it too porous?
Absolutely NOT!!! It will absorb water and is more expensive that the pour in foam you get at US Composites. Make sure when you put the foam back in that you make a way for water to get back to the bilge. Your really need to read more of the posts here on iBoats to get a better understanding of what to do.

Also, what kind of fiberglass to buy? Fiberglass mat or cloth? Do I need 1 1/2oz per square foot or 2oz or what? You need to read this thread from start to finish and you will get all of your answers http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=365820

How many layers of fiberglass will it take to completely cover a piece of wood right? Usually just 1 except the Transom

When I glue the deck down, do I fiberglass it to the sides? Yes
That's how it was and making it a pain to get the old deck out. I wish the entire deck would have been rotten so it would have been a crapload easier to get out.

What type of resin am I supposed to use with fiberglass? Either Polyester or Epoxy. Remember this rule... Epoxy sticks to almost anything but poly sticks to poly but not to epoxy. That includes paint.
Could I mix in a colored pigment that uscomposites offers to make the deck white or blue and not have to lay carpet down? And put down some suregrip tape on the deck for sure footing? Yes, but no need to. You can use a variety of paint products with anti slip additives to accomplish this.
Would the carbon fiber or kevlar cloth be better for a boat? Or should plain old fiberglass do the job accordingly? Just use Fiberglass Read up on 1708 Biaxial cloth it is good stuff and a time saver.

What kind of paint do I need to repaint parts of the exterior? Lots of choices.
Metallics are a Pain to apply. Being a novice this might be above your skill level. Pettit makes some very good products that a lot of people on iBoats have had great success with.
The wife wants a metallic paint job where the graphic is and along the top rail.

I was thinking metallic blue for the top rail and where the graphic is, and outline the graphic and tape it off before removing the graphic so I can duplicate the shape.

Outline it with a black pinstripe and then have the local vinyl sign shop duplicate the original REBEL decal.

I would strongly advise you to concentrate on making sure the boat is structurally sound first. The cosmetics can come later. Some pics of what you are doing would really help me and others to help you as you progress with your project.

Good Luck