Work Begins Soon

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Here are some pictures I took today of my "new" 1968 Westfield Regal. I just brought her home last Saturday but haven't really had a chance to thoroughly look her over until this afternoon. She actually seems to be in pretty good shape, I think with a little bit of money and a lot of elbow grease I'll be able to do a proper restoration. I'm going to try to log between 15-25 hours this weekend on disassembly and cleaning (girlfriend permitting).

I was thinking about photo-documenting the restoration process and posting the pictures of the progress here as I finish each phase. Let me know if there's any interest in this idea. Any helpful info or tips along the way is much appreciated.

Anyway, here's what you see in the pictures. 17' MFG Westfield Regal with a 1960 Merc400 45 hp. Somebody painted the outboard black somewhere along the line to make it look more modern, but I found a Mercury website link on fiberclassics that sells the correct white paint and decals. The hull is in decent shape - it's dull and has some gouges in the gel coat that will need to be repaired. The trailer is junk even though it got the boat from PA to VA with only minor problems - I've already ordered a new one. The interior is in good shape although it will need new steering and throttle controls. I plan on painting the interior gray, adding a stainless destroyer steering wheel and adding two captains chairs to maintain as much usable fishing space as possible aft. Not sure what I'm going to do about the ski racks - I'll cross that bridge when I get there. Lastly, all accessories and cleats are present minus the spotlight. I plan on cleaning all of these up and re-chroming them. I haven't been brave enough check the transom for rot yet.

Well, I've been looking for a MFG for years and this one seems to be a good foundation to start a rebuild on. Wish me luck - Bob

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Work Begins Soon - more pictures

Re: Work Begins Soon - more pictures

More pictures...

 

[pduquette]

Re: Work Begins Soon

welcome aboard Bob!
Great lil' boats are they not?? I've been keeping photo records of mine - more to show how far it's come. They still look good after all these years without looking korney as some other modles do. Keep us posted please!

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Disassembly

Disassembly

I was able to put in about 5 hours today before the thunderstorms came through. I was able to get the windshield off even though some of those bolts are pretty difficult to reach. I'm going to use a polishing kit that Ken recommended to try to clear the plexiglass. It consists of different fine grits of wet sandpaper that graduate from coarsest to finest and is supposed to remove small scratches and haze. A polish is then applied to the windshield to help prevent further glazing.

I also got all of the hardware off - it's all in good shape although the chrome needs to be re-plated. Does anyone know of a reputable company that can do this for a reasonable price? The steering and throttle cables also came off. The throttle cables are in very good shape but the steering cable was completely frayed and broken (see pictures). I was already expecting to replace these though so it wasn't a huge surprise.

Tomorrow if I can get some decent weather I will attempt to remove the two ski racks. This is sure to be a "trial & error" operation, but what better way is there to learn? I will probably restore them to 'stock' minus the blue vinyl and wood inserts. Once removed, I'll give the boat a nice bath and cover it with a tarp once dry as the birds seem to think it's a target.

I also wanted to take a minute to thank everybody that has helped me out so far. Without your encouragement I don't think I would have been as gung-ho as I've been. This iboats-MFG forum is a blessing and the people who post here are some cool cats. Thanks again - Bob

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Disassembly - More Pictures

Re: Disassembly - More Pictures

More pictures...

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Disassembly Continues

Disassembly Continues

I put some more time in on the boat today. I was able to remove the gunwale compartments to find a rotted mess underneath. I removed all of that as well but I'm holding on to it so I can use them as templates for the new pieces (maybe aluminum). The lower rub rail came off next as well as the interior fasteners that use the same bolt location. Is it just me or is the hardest bolt to reach also always the one that is too rusted to remove using conventional means?!? I finished up by removing the vinyl and using a scraper to remove as much of the factory spray adhesive as I could. I will use a fine sandpaper to get what's left off.

Now the bad news...I discovered a half dollar sized hole on the rear starboard side right at the water line. It looks like the previous owner repaired it, but unfortunately not the right way. Looks like I now get to learn how to fiberglass - OOG!

Anyway, here are some pictures of the progress. I may get some more work done tomorrow...or I might just go fishing - HA! - Bob

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Disassembly Continues - More Pictures

Re: Disassembly Continues - More Pictures

More pictures...

 

[pduquette]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Wow - making great progress!! I'm making progress this weekend too. If you need good inspiration for your perspiration , check mark42's niagra. He's documented most of these tasks (click the blue link in his signiture picture). I'm using a lot of his ideas too , since we all have similar craft it makes sence. (Hope you don't mind Mark!)
I swaped my cables , rewired my bilge , moved my gas forward , put heftier screws in the 1st mates chair , and zip tied my wireing upout of sight. I'll run her hard tomorrow morning!!!!

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Topside Cleaning & Polishing Compound Test

Topside Cleaning & Polishing Compound Test

I Spent some time on the boat after work today. I gave the topside a good, hard scrubbing which actually removed quite a bit of the grub and bird droppings. Then I decided to give the polishing wheel and polishing compound I bought on Sunday a trial run. The compound is 3Ms marine restorer and wax that I applied with a 2500 RPM wheel. My first attempt wasn't very successful, but after I changed to a wool buffing pad the results were much better. I was only able to get half of the front deck done before it got dark, but I did wax the area I polished with West Marine's carnauba paste wax. Take a look at the before and after pictures and you can see I wasn't able to remove all of the oxidation but I was able to restore the shine. I also threw a tarp over the boat for use as a barrier against more bird @%#*.

This weekend (or maybe this week) I'm going to scrub the rest of the outside of the boat and try to polish the rest as well. I think I'm going to be more aggressive though as to remove more of the oxidation. This is much more time consuming than I thought it would be, but so far the results have been very rewarding. Bob

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Here's a Stupid Question

Here's a Stupid Question

OK, Let me preface this question by saying that I know it's dumb, but I really just don't know. I have two drain holes on the back of my boat. The first one is in the normal area and can be plugged from inside. The second serves the bilge and is a little lower and to the right of the other one but doesn't have any access from inside the boat. Now do I plug it from outside or what? DUUUHHH!!!
Also, my boat doesn't have a bilge pump, and I'd like to add one. Does that mean I have to remove the floor or should I cut an access hatch. I want to check the foam flotation as well but I don't want to take the floor up if I don't have to. HELP!

I thought I had a plan until Ken recommended the book Runabout Restoration. Now I'm freaking out a little and asking stupid questions. THANKS KEN Here is a picture of the drain holes - Bob

 

[vwfoolwhy]

Re: Work Begins Soon

The one centered, higher, and accessible from the in side is the drain for the bilge area. "this should be plugged from the out side as water pressure will aid in helping it stay in the boat"

The lower one off centered is for "Hull Drainage" or better know for draining all the unwanted water that accumulates under the floor. " this should be plugged from out side as well"

Standard transom plugs found at any Marine Supply Store or even Wall Mart can be used. Just measure the diameter of the hole to aid in plug sizing.

Mike
Methuen, MA

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Thanks Mike! I used to have a whaler that only had one drain plug until I had enough sense to sell it and buy a project MFG It won't be in the water any time soon anyway, Turn out it DOES need a new transom - UUGH! I'm definately leaning toward the Seacast option. Does anyone know about Seacast's average lifespan when used in transom repair? BOB

 

[pduquette]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Ah- A lot longer than wood !!! I think there is a good write-up on it at fiberglassics . If I had a choice I'd have gone with seacast

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Seacast it is! I'm selling the old motor this weekend in favor of a newer (higher HP) JohnnyRude. Then I'll cut off the top of the transom and see what kind of soupy mess I have to chisel out. I'll keep you all posted, I'm sure you're waiting on pins and needles (YEAH RIGHT!)

Oh yeah, I should be picking up my "n"used trailer this weekend too. Soon enough the 'ol girl is going to start looking like she used to. Keep the advice coming - BOB

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

A "New" Trailer For The 'Ol Girl

A "New" Trailer For The 'Ol Girl

I got a "new to me" trailer just south of Baltimore today. It's in great shape! The only things I'm going to do to it is install a new winch and add non-scuff rollers and new lights. I also found out how to add larger more detailed pictures - Thanks again TD! Here's how I transferred the boat from the old trailer to the new one. Now lets see if this picture thing works. If it does, I warn you, lots of 'um. - BOB

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

More Photos Of The Trailer Transfer

More Photos Of The Trailer Transfer

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Trailer Work

Trailer Work

I spent some time and moolah today on the new trailer. I noticed the boat sat back about 6" too far on the trailer. I moved the winch tower forward which also gave me chance to throw a new winch and rubber bow "thing?" on it at the same time. Here are some pictures of the new and old parts and how the boat was sitting before and after.

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Transom Work Begins

Transom Work Begins

I also went by the Harbor Freight Tool store since it's right down the road from West Marine and got some new toys. I bought a 7" variable speed polisher like the one Mark42 used on his MFG. I was using a B&D electric buffer but it wasn't getting all of the oxidation up. Hopefully this will be a little more effective.

I also got a 4" grinder and some cut-off wheels as well as all of the associated safety equipment. After finishing work on the trailer I decided to cut the cap off of the transom to see what lurked beneath. ROTTEN! Take a look at the pictures and you can see how much I was able to get out with just a screwdriver and my hands. Hopefully the rest will come out fairly easily as well.

On Friday I'm off to MASS. for vacation so I'll resume work when I return. BOB

 

[pduquette]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Sounds like your moving right along!!I hope you'll get the transom poured before your trip up here! You going to the cape or islands? should be good for surfing -if you like kinda stuff Enjoy Your self too !!!

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Work Begins Soon

Thanks pduquette! I'm actually going to Westport, MA. It's on the southeast coast just south of the cape near Dartmouth. I don't know about surfing, but I do know about surf fishing. The boat won't be coming with me this time, but my goal is to have her finished by this time next year so I can bring her up then. I'll be cruising & fishing Buzzards Bay in an aluminum skiff this year. Oh well, if nothing else, it's motivation!

Oh yeah, the transom...that's going to have to wait until I get back. I was considering leaving the tarp off the back to let more rain in. Maybe that would make it easier to remove - HA!

With the help and patience of TD I was able to fix the picture situation so that you don't have to scroll left & right anymore. Sorry about that! I also got rid of the thumbnails from the earlier posts and replaced them with better quality pictures AHHH TECHNOLOGY!! BOB