Theres a long story behind this boat. Originally it had no bracket, with an open transom with twin engines attached to it. It also had a forward cabin which we cut out, and closed off so the bow is open. (I'll have to take some pics so you folks can see.
The boat sat in brackish water for about two years, and collected barnacles, and a nice, yellow stain on the bottom.
I blocked it up, used some "Barnacle Buster" (something I bought at a marine shop), and it sizzled the barnacles off. Whatever was left came off with the pressure washer. Picture shows how well it worked.
The barnacles, and yellow stain was the easy part. The tough job was getting the 20+ year stickers off. I found a clay wheel that attaches to a drill you can use that pulls the sticker, and alot of the sticky stuff off. It worked great compared to the razor blade/goof off technique I had originally started with.
So after a couple weeks of sanding, fixing gelcoat, doing some minor fiberglass work, and everything else in between I finally got it to the point where I wanted to paint. I know it's not perfect, but it's not entering into a beauty contest. I wish I took more "in between" photos, but heres what she looks like about 90% done.
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My next project is to paint that electronics box somehow, and get rid of those lightning rod outriggers for some newer type fiberglass ones.
I also had plans on replacing the rub rail, but don't feel like paying the money at the moment. Then, the non-slip paint for the floor, paint the inside, etc.
The problem is those FL afternoon storms roll in just about the time I get home to work on the boat.
The boat sat in brackish water for about two years, and collected barnacles, and a nice, yellow stain on the bottom.
I blocked it up, used some "Barnacle Buster" (something I bought at a marine shop), and it sizzled the barnacles off. Whatever was left came off with the pressure washer. Picture shows how well it worked.
The barnacles, and yellow stain was the easy part. The tough job was getting the 20+ year stickers off. I found a clay wheel that attaches to a drill you can use that pulls the sticker, and alot of the sticky stuff off. It worked great compared to the razor blade/goof off technique I had originally started with.
So after a couple weeks of sanding, fixing gelcoat, doing some minor fiberglass work, and everything else in between I finally got it to the point where I wanted to paint. I know it's not perfect, but it's not entering into a beauty contest. I wish I took more "in between" photos, but heres what she looks like about 90% done.
[
My next project is to paint that electronics box somehow, and get rid of those lightning rod outriggers for some newer type fiberglass ones.
I also had plans on replacing the rub rail, but don't feel like paying the money at the moment. Then, the non-slip paint for the floor, paint the inside, etc.
The problem is those FL afternoon storms roll in just about the time I get home to work on the boat.