So I became a proud boat owner today.

[Grub54891]

Picked up an old rotted larson bowrider, 3.0 mercruiser for free myself. Great spare moter for my 85 larson that I/m restoring. They are out there for cheap.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Go to a boat show. Price out a new boat. Then determine if it's easier to spend money to restore or to buy new.

BOATing is an expensive hobby

 

[kcassells]

Do your rehab and enjoy the ride. Lots of good guys here to help out.

 

[rxl650]

For me, the build is the fun. Have you flooded the hull to see if it's worth the rehab? Seen more than one that would keep a couple bilge pumps going full time. Also seen them hold water in the hull but leak when they got dunked because of the difference between inner and outer preasure of the water. I had a little tinner at the lake that thought it was an old cedar strip. Every spring it would nearly sink the first few days then it would seal up and be good the rest of the season. It always leaked a little under power but very little.

 

[Grub54891]

Never flood/fill the boat with water. It not only stresses the trailer beyond what it is designed for, it also stresses the hull the wrong way. Floating it is the only way to check them for leaks.

 

[flashback]

Yep, bag it and apply positive air pressure with a fan then spray the outside with soapy water, bubbles will tell you a tale..

 

[rxl650]

Never flood/fill the boat with water. It not only stresses the trailer beyond what it is designed for, it also stresses the hull the wrong way. Floating it is the only way to check them for leaks.

Sorry it's been awhile since I have worked on one. My good friend did alot of resto's for folks and resale. He had the right gear for the job. The hulls were cradled and planked. NOT on the trailer. Trailers were generally being cleaned up also. Never seen him bag a boat though.

 

[flashback]

Sorry, bag it is a bad description, what I mean is seal all known openings to the hull then put a window fan in the hatch way to build positive air pressure inside the boat. You can then spray soapy water and you can find the leaks. Like testing a tire.

 

[Wmcdonald]

View attachment 393860
Long neglected 1977 StarCraft islander 22. I can’t believe I bought this. It’s a project!

I’m leaning towards pour foam under the deck, leaving the channel for drainage. I’m looking for increasing structural strength and reducing noise. Thoughts?

 

[Wmcdonald]

View attachment 393860
Long neglected 1977 StarCraft islander 22. I can’t believe I bought this. It’s a project!I

View attachment 393860
Long neglected 1977 StarCraft islander 22. I can’t believe I bought this. It’s a project!

I put it in the water today and inspected every rivet and seam for leaks and was thrilled to find none. I feel confident about installing the new deck and foam now. The previous owner had just re-riveted the entire bottom wherever needed. Then it sat for twenty years.

 

[airshot]

Great platform to start !! Keep us posted !!

 

[redneck joe]

Yeah this will be a good one

 

[flashback]

It floats and that's a plus! Good journeys and have fun,

 

[jimmbo]

It floats and that's a plus!...

I guess that helps a wee bit...

 

[rxl650]

Very good news. I hate a leaky boat and for that reason I would still seal the bottom with a product like Gluvit. I've had a couple tin boats that sat at the dock all summer and never leaked a drop until they were under power. I'm on the fence about foam if the boat is going to be docked for long periods. I know some people say the closed cell foam wont take water, but ive taken some nasty crap from more than 1 boat. If it's a trailer boat and kept dry, go for it. Plenty more rigid and a much quieter boat all round. Just my 2 cents

 

[Wmcdonald]

Very good news. I hate a leaky boat and for that reason I would still seal the bottom with a product like Gluvit. I've had a couple tin boats that sat at the dock all summer and never leaked a drop until they were under power. I'm on the fence about foam if the boat is going to be docked for long periods. I know some people say the closed cell foam wont take water, but ive taken some nasty crap from more than 1 boat. If it's a trailer boat and kept dry, go for it. Plenty more rigid and a much quieter boat all round. Just my 2 cents.

I’m planning on keeping the boat on the trailer. I’m with you, I would be more wary if the boat was going to live in the water.

 

[airshot]

However your insurance company might have other ideas. When I bought my Islander, my ins guy wanted some proof that there was some flotation in the hull before insuring. And for your own safety in case of an accident, adding some foam is not that costly and you probably won't own that boat when and if it ever needs replaced again.

 

[Wmcdonald]

However your insurance company might have other ideas. When I bought my Islander, my ins guy wanted some proof that there was some flotation in the hull before insuring. And for your own safety in case of an accident, adding some foam is not that costly and you probably won't own that boat when and if it ever needs replaced again.

I will have plenty of floatation and the receipts to prove it. Good point though.

 

[kcassells]

Half arse is half arse. Thats all there is to it when it comes to not using foam.
Those Crazy Highlanders ya know.
Great boat and best of luck to ya.

 

[jimmbo]

Air is actually a better than Foam as it is far Lighter, and was used for years, in Glass boats