RangerRebel08
Cadet
- Joined
- May 19, 2017
- Messages
- 14
First off, Hello I am new here and I have only ever been into small Aluminum fishing boats. Use to be a proud owner of a 14' with a 9.9HP Johnson with a forward console, different story for another day.
I have friends that bought some property near me and they had a boat that came with it. All they know is they have had the property for about a year and the house was empty for a year before they bought the place. So idea how long it has been sitting there. In talking I asked what they would like for it. They said if you can get it off the property its mine. I go over and look at the boat, no cover, tires falling off the rims and most of the seat cushions are chewed away. Popped the hood off the 60 HP Johnson and found the rest of the cushions spread out throughout the motor. Brushed past most of the foam and crud and found all the wiring still in good shape. Motor actually looks in my open (no expert by any means) pretty nice (only use to the old 9.9) There was about 4 inches of leaves on the floor and a bit of moss growing in a few places. I thought to myself why not... So next day off I show up with a jackall, 2 tires on rims a plate for the trailer. We get the boat out of the forest trail it was tucked into and it starts to look better. Torque the rims on a bit tighter and I head to my place. I own a new boat cost me $250 for the tires and rims.
I get into inspecting things a little more, and I finally figure out I have no key, in the process of seeing if I can find one. (looking for a KF-87) I find a model number for the motor, 60ESL71C, I have a few friends that can help me out with the motor should be okay there. Only thing I find on the boat it is a Traveler Polaris, no plate on it for any other information I can find. I googled and figure it is early 70s? I get the snow scoop out to start at the leaves, and the seats just kind of fall apart on me and the carpet starts to lift. Makes things a bit easier, I pull the seats and fold the carpet around the leaves and toss in the back of the truck for the dump.
So, here is the real reason for this post to start here. I have been sitting on this site for about days now trying to see if I can creep out enough information to help myself through this. PS this is an awesome site and everyone on here seems to know what's going on I am really happy I joined and looking forward to sharing this project with everyone. The boat is striped to the deck. I have walked around feeling for soft or weak spots, but it all honesty I have no idea what I am doing. On the under side there seems to be some scratches and chips, but nothing through the fiberglass itself that I can tell. I will get some photos and post when I get a chance. I am willing to try most of this on my own because I wasn't in the market for a boat, or really in the financial position to buy or pay someone to fix a boat. Anything anyone can help me with to start the inspection of this boat properly so I can make the right steps to fixing things that would be helpful. I have read about epoxies and resins and gelcoats and anything else that really might have to be done, now I need a game plan.
First, hull how do I know what is good or bad in the chips and scratches. Is there anyway to get to the inside of the hull in this boat?
Second, the deck (I have been calling this the deck maybe not the right term?) and seats. How do I know the deck is in sound shape and I can re carpet and start on some seating.
Thanks for reading my story if anyone does. If anyone can point me in a starting direction, it would be greatly appreciated.
I have friends that bought some property near me and they had a boat that came with it. All they know is they have had the property for about a year and the house was empty for a year before they bought the place. So idea how long it has been sitting there. In talking I asked what they would like for it. They said if you can get it off the property its mine. I go over and look at the boat, no cover, tires falling off the rims and most of the seat cushions are chewed away. Popped the hood off the 60 HP Johnson and found the rest of the cushions spread out throughout the motor. Brushed past most of the foam and crud and found all the wiring still in good shape. Motor actually looks in my open (no expert by any means) pretty nice (only use to the old 9.9) There was about 4 inches of leaves on the floor and a bit of moss growing in a few places. I thought to myself why not... So next day off I show up with a jackall, 2 tires on rims a plate for the trailer. We get the boat out of the forest trail it was tucked into and it starts to look better. Torque the rims on a bit tighter and I head to my place. I own a new boat cost me $250 for the tires and rims.
I get into inspecting things a little more, and I finally figure out I have no key, in the process of seeing if I can find one. (looking for a KF-87) I find a model number for the motor, 60ESL71C, I have a few friends that can help me out with the motor should be okay there. Only thing I find on the boat it is a Traveler Polaris, no plate on it for any other information I can find. I googled and figure it is early 70s? I get the snow scoop out to start at the leaves, and the seats just kind of fall apart on me and the carpet starts to lift. Makes things a bit easier, I pull the seats and fold the carpet around the leaves and toss in the back of the truck for the dump.
So, here is the real reason for this post to start here. I have been sitting on this site for about days now trying to see if I can creep out enough information to help myself through this. PS this is an awesome site and everyone on here seems to know what's going on I am really happy I joined and looking forward to sharing this project with everyone. The boat is striped to the deck. I have walked around feeling for soft or weak spots, but it all honesty I have no idea what I am doing. On the under side there seems to be some scratches and chips, but nothing through the fiberglass itself that I can tell. I will get some photos and post when I get a chance. I am willing to try most of this on my own because I wasn't in the market for a boat, or really in the financial position to buy or pay someone to fix a boat. Anything anyone can help me with to start the inspection of this boat properly so I can make the right steps to fixing things that would be helpful. I have read about epoxies and resins and gelcoats and anything else that really might have to be done, now I need a game plan.
First, hull how do I know what is good or bad in the chips and scratches. Is there anyway to get to the inside of the hull in this boat?
Second, the deck (I have been calling this the deck maybe not the right term?) and seats. How do I know the deck is in sound shape and I can re carpet and start on some seating.
Thanks for reading my story if anyone does. If anyone can point me in a starting direction, it would be greatly appreciated.
