need help, is this row boat can still be used (spider/crack in gel coat/fiberglass)

[ericrm]

this is my first boat ,i receive it for free but when i have start to sand it,what i tought was crack in paint are way deaper than that.
now i dont know if the boat will be safe to put on water
can someone help me figure it out pls
Eric

 

[tpenfield]

Re: need help, is this row boat can still be used (spider/crack in gel coat/fiberglas

Well, it is always nice to work your way up in the boating arena.

Since this is a row boat, and presumably you will be close to shore, you could repair the areas and then finish the hull with either gelcoat or a marine paint. Check out this site for various ways of repairing severe spider cracks, etc.

If it were my boat, I'd be using Vinyl Ester resin and a single coat of fiberglass to build up the hull a little bit, then Awlgrip to finish it off. Then I'd get myself a small mercury outboard to push it around.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: need help, is this row boat can still be used (spider/crack in gel coat/fiberglas

Welcome to iBoats!

First of that appears to be a Gamefisher! If so, they are a "Different Kettle of Fish" so to speak when it comes to repair. Is it a Gamefisher? Does it have any identifying plates to tell you what it is? Have you tested it to see if it currently leaks at those points? Please provide some additional info and we can help guide you to some solutions.

 

[ericrm]

Re: need help, is this row boat can still be used (spider/crack in gel coat/fiberglas

i have no clue about what brand the boat is.
i havent tested it in water yet but i will try later this week.
i have sand it some more and discover that some spider( center) are deep enuf to peel and open to show fiber ...
their is not a single inch without crack...
i have taken more picture i hope this help you,help me

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: need help, is this row boat can still be used (spider/crack in gel coat/fiberglas

I'm almost 100% sure that's a Gamefisher. No offense but they were a very poorly built/mfg boat. Some of them were made with a ABS plastic laminate material that Polyester resin has a problem adhering to. Not sure if this model is one of those or not. Does the hull seem kinda flimsy or is it fairly thick and solid feeling? Can you tell if the Cracks are on the inside as well?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: need help, is this row boat can still be used (spider/crack in gel coat/fiberglas

There were many brands of small cheap poorly built boats around in the 60's and 70's, they were built to a price point and rarely lasted very long without cracking and falling apart. Can you fix this boat...yes...will it be worth much when you finish...not really. It will take several hundred dollars and a couple of months to get it back on the water, if this works for you, people here will walk you through the process. Or you can spend the same amount of money and buy an aluminum boat the same size and be on the water tomorrow.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: need help, is this row boat can still be used (spider/crack in gel coat/fiberglas

Thanks ondarvr, I was stumbling all over myself trying to say just that. You really gotta decide is this boat really worth it. From the pics you have posted, This "FREE" boat is gunna cost you at least a couple of hundred bucks to fix and a month or two of work.

 

[ericrm]

Re: need help, is this row boat can still be used (spider/crack in gel coat/fiberglas

here is some more picture to see if it is the cheap stuff
and here is what i think i will do
put it in water if it doesnt sink paint it with epoxy and use it this year and put money on the side to buy something next year..
what you think?

by the way thank you for all the answer,it is apreciated

 

[oops!]

Re: need help, is this row boat can still be used (spider/crack in gel coat/fiberglas

what you think?

transoms gone......holes in the glass.....the first set of pics show serious cracking to the hull....(pic 3)

id say if you float it.....wear a pfd at all times and learn to swim.

I KNOW....that boat will cost you 200 to put in the water.....minimum.....600 to properly fix it it will also require 2 weeks work just to float it.

a cheap alum row boat is between 2-400 bux.

remember, its not if it floats now......it will it stay afloat with a motor, gear.....and waves.
what happens if a storm blows up and you are in 2-3 foot waves?....
the boat wont handle it

 

[jasoutside]

Re: need help, is this row boat can still be used (spider/crack in gel coat/fiberglas

buy and aluminum boat the same size and be on the water tomorrow.

Super advise!