My first retirement project CHAPTER One

[jpmurphy]

This is a 78 Gregor 15' alum/welded that a buddy of mine in San Diego gave to me a few months ago before I retired. Totally rotten floor after sitting in his back yard for 15+ years. Took these pics last month as I was pulling it into the shop to begin work on it.

I plan to restore it to factory specs with a couple of additions. Those being to enlarge the front casting deck to include storage compartments, adding a gunwhale rod locker port side and possibly rear compartments to accommodate battery/gas with vents. Some comm gear and music. Other than that I hope to have it looking like it did the day it left the dealers. Have to get some power for it yet.

I realize that I am at the point where so many of you good folks have already been so I'm eagerly searching for guidance in nearly all aspects of this winter project, which I hope to have wet come Spring. So please feel free to offer any comments or suggestions as we move forward with this. I hope my questions don't seem too lame.

Thanks for having this site.

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project

That looks like a great retierment gift. You will find tons of good info on this site. Look in the completed projects page and all of your questions will be answered.

WELCOME

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project

Thanks for your reply. See your'e from Rochester. Have a sister living there. I was born in Buffalo and raised all over the state. Sure miss the opening day of Trout season !

 

[oops!]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project

Thanks for your reply. See your'e from Rochester. Have a sister living there. I was born in Buffalo and raised all over the state. Sure miss the opening day of Trout season !

hi.....welcome to i boats.......

this place is boat university....and the guys here really know there stuff....

when you need questions asked....this is the place.


in the compleated projects forum........dj did a tinny.....did a great job documenting the project....lots of great ideas there.

also lundwanissa.......did one that is a major thread round here for a while.
lots of things will be made clear to you with those threads

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project

Well to start.... start browsing sites that sell fishing boats and look at the layouts. This will give you a good start. I like single console boats .....they give you room to move around when you have a fish on w/o running an obstacle course.

I am anti-music on a fishing boat since I never know what station the fish listen to!

You have a near blank canvas to work with. I would leave the console in that spot ......

Strip out the guts and get started!

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project

Hi there jpmurphy, and welcome aboard !!

Man looks like you got some work to do !! lol your in the right place , we all will help all we can !!

BIGcarpy50 was right read the completed projects forum thats a good start !!

Also photo bucket Is where you want to post your pics , after you load it up there put your mouse over the pic, it gives you 4 choices right click the bottom one [ IMG ] and post it here !! the guys really like that !! also make sure it set at 680x420 res, that way it dont make the page go real big !!!

So again welcome and cant Wait to see more !! John

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project

WOW !

Thanks so much for all of the welcome aboards. Looks like this is exactly the site I need to be on.

Really appreciate it guys ...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project

You only think you are retired! I retired once and I am back at it full time

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project

You only think you are retired! I retired once and I am back at it full time

After working for the past 50 years I enjoy doing just whatever I feel like doing. Things are a little boring though. When I want to work on the boat I turn on the heater in the shop and work for a little while. Or longer. My wife is starting to do some volunteer work at the local hospital. I've done enough volunteer work with our Vet organizations for the past 15 years. So I'm not even considering anything resembling "employment". May not shave for several days, but thats part of the new life style. I love it.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project

Hey Murph...nice looking rig. Looks like you'll need a new deck for sure. Much easier to do in a tinny than a f-glass boat. First thing to do is figure out if you like the current layout...if not, plan a layout that you like and then dive in. If the deck is rotted, transom should also be checked. Lots of posts here to give guidance/ideas. Just search for whatever topic is at hand. Great Bend, huh? Used to live in Dodge in the early 90's, then went to Manhattan (the little apple) before the wife badgered me to move back to Texas. Gonna fish local lakes? My memory fails me there on lakes near you. Regardless should make nice rig for whatever you do on the water in your new life.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project

Forgot to add...an 18-25hp of your preferred brand should make that thing scoot.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project

say a 30hp would be nice on it. i have shaved maybe 5 times in the last 5 years. i just trim up, with a trimmer. don't own a suit or tie, and never will again. bought me a nice collection of Bolo's.

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: My first retirement project

Re: My first retirement project



Yup, this is a blank canvass and I can't wait until I'm ready to start the floor design. This is a nice little boat, the only problem beign not enough storage. One small compartment at the bow for junk, anchor etc. I will adding more as I hate things laying lose and getting in the way. An organized boat is a happy boat !

Great Bend is right in the center of some really good fishing. Wilson Lake to the North about an hour, Cheney Res to the south east about an hour and we have at least 3 fishing lakes right here in town. Only 2 are large enough for a boat. Once I get the boat striped clean we'll go the lake and give her a float test to check all the welds and the transom. Visual dry inspection looks pretty solid.

The capacity plate indicates 35hp max, so, as I plan to get the Coast Guard inspection sticker, I'll stay at that max hp. I'm thinking the boat is a bit too light for anything more powerfull. A safe boat is a happy boat !

Will finish pulling the floor today with any luck. Then I'll be addressing the outside of the hull in a few days. Have to get my neighbor to help me taking it off the trailer and fliped up on supports. Should have the cleaner/polish I ordered early next week so the timing is pretty good. I'm keeping a photo progress report as I move along to share with everyone. Will post some in a day or so.

Thanks to everyone for sharing with me.