New member 1960 Shell Lake repair

[KenUSA]

Hi,
My wife and I found a project 1960 Shell Lake with what looks like the original 75 HP Johnson and Holsclaw trailer.The trailer needed some attention in order to get it home. It was last plated in 1965.

 

[KenUSA]

I knew it needed some fiberglass work, that’s how I found this forum. There’s a lot of info here.
All the balsa core was disintegrated- basically mud. The strakes were cedar-also soggy mush. I bought new cedar, cut the profiles to match and bedded the in poly silk putty.
The transom was gone as well. 2 plies of 3/4” MDO. Coated and bedded with more putty.

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats . . . It looks like you signed up last year, but have not posted until now.

If you have not already done so, check out the fiberglassics web site. Looks like you have some work ahead of you.

Did you get any proof of ownership paperwork with the boat/trailer? Always seems to be a sticking point when you go to put the boat in use.

 

[KenUSA]

Thanks for the welcome.

I am new to fiberglass and found good info here. Learning how a boat goes together by taking it apart and scrolling through member threads. I chose Fiberglass Supply Depot for supplies. They’ve been very helpful too.

 

[airshot]

Thanks for the pics, feel freevto post more. Brings back many fond memories of my youth living next to a marina in the late 50's thru late 60's. I do remember seeing that name on a few boats comming and going in the marina.
You definetly have your work cut out....good luck !!

 

[KenUSA]

I opted for Plascore core material. The supplier said I could install it in as small of pieces as I was comfortable with. Since the balsa was 2-3/4” wide planks, I figured my plascore install might be similar. Once I saw how easily the material conformed to gentle curves I decided to go 2’x4” sheets.

First I word things down with acetone, then wet the hull and plascore with resin. Then I applied poly silk putty with a 1/4” notched trowel.

After two sheets it was apparent to me that doing the whole deck at once would be easiest overall.

I learned that thinning the putty with resin and applying to the edges with a chip brush was quick and easy. I wish I had planned out more weights to hold it down. I managed but more plastic tubs filled with screws and stuff would have been simpler than a scavenger hunt for “something heavy”.

 

[KenUSA]

I opted for Plascore core material. The supplier said I could install it in as small of pieces as I was comfortable with. Since the balsa was 2-3/4” wide planks, I figured my plascore install might be similar. Once I saw how easily the material conformed to gentle curves I decided to go 2’x4” sheets.

First I word things down with acetone, then wet the hull and plascore with resin. Then I applied poly silk putty with a 1/4” notched trowel.

After two sheets it was apparent to me that doing the whole deck at once would be easiest overall. View attachment 376939

I learned that thinning the putty with resin and applying to the edges with a chip brush was quick and easy. I wish I had planned out more weights to hold it down. I managed but more plastic tubs filled with screws and stuff would have been simpler than a scavenger hunt for “something heavy”.

 

[KenUSA]

 

[buxmj]

Looking great, keep the updates coming!