I started this project at the beginning of January with the expectation that I would be finished with it by now. So much for planning… Thanks to all who offered suggestions in my previous post under Bottom Paint Removal. I’m not finished yet, but am making steady progress toward a nicely finished little boat. After seamingly endless sanding, filling, epoxy, primer it’s starting to take shape
This is what I started with…
You can see the previous repairs under the old bottom paint
Unsanded fiberglass repair under old bottom paint
The transom drain plug was completely corroded and requires replacement
You can see the extent of the crazing in the gelcoat under the bottom paint
Visible crazing of getlcoat
Keel guard before removal
The keel was well worn under the guard
After removal of the bottom paint and repair of the keel
Looks great! IS the foam in good shape inside? Was there any water in it? Did you take all the gelcoat off to replace it with paint or just sand it down enough to get rid of the cracks?
Rap and Optiker,
I haven’t checked the moisture content of the foam yet, but am optimistic as I am able to manipulate the hull by myself and it doesn’t seem too heavy. I plan to test the foam after I finish painting the outside of the hull and get it back on the trailer by drilling a few small holes in the floor to enable the probes of a moisture meter to be inserted into the foam.
As far as the exterior hull prep is concerned, I did not remove the original gelcoat. After the bottom paint was removed, I made the necessary fiberglass and keel repairs then sanded the repairs and crazed gelcoat level. Then followed per Capt. Larry’s advice by coating the hull with epoxy including sanding between and after coats. Then the two coats of primer.
Hobie Outback
WS Ride 135
‘66 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25
15’ Henry O w/Johnson 50
I have the same boat. If you remove most everything incl the wood the hull should weigh about 275 lbs. If it does you won’t need any moisture probe. My hull is badly crazed but I’m using it to much to restore it! Someday…
As far as the exterior hull prep is concerned, I did not remove the original gelcoat. After the bottom paint was removed, I made the necessary fiberglass and keel repairs then sanded the repairs and crazed gelcoat level. Then followed per Capt. Larry’s advice by coating the hull with epoxy including sanding between and after coats. Then the two coats of primer.
What kind of epoxy did you use to coat the hull? I may do that someday on mine. But then again, I’m going to use it too much. Maybe a project for the winter.
I used the West System epoxy. AThe epoxy was applied by pouring small amounts onto the hull and spread out with cut pieces of a high density foam roller cover.
Hobie Outback
WS Ride 135
‘66 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25
15’ Henry O w/Johnson 50
I have the same boat. If you remove most everything incl the wood the hull should weigh about 275 lbs. If it does you won’t need any moisture probe. My hull is badly crazed but I’m using it to much to restore it! Someday…
I got the 2nd coat of paint on this past weekend. Will be sanding again and getting the 3rd coat on this coming weekend and ready to put back on the trailer after it cures
Hobie Outback
WS Ride 135
‘66 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25
15’ Henry O w/Johnson 50
Thanks Larry, I rolled and tipped with Interlux Brightsides. I was pretty anxious about the painting as it’s not my strong suit either, but am encouraged by what I am seeing. I think that by the time I get it sanded out one more time and the 3rd coat on it will be there… at least it’s improved with every coat so far.
Hobie Outback
WS Ride 135
‘66 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25
15’ Henry O w/Johnson 50
Thanks for the kind thoughts. Although I’ve built canoes and a strip built kayak, this is something that has been outside of my comfort zone. I’ve received some really good advice from Capt. Larry as well as others and would not have had as good of a result as I’m getting without the help. I’m learning this thing as I go but I’d be happy to offer any assistance or encouragement.
Hobie Outback
WS Ride 135
‘66 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25
15’ Henry O w/Johnson 50
Advice is much easier to give than all of the stripping, grinding, sanding, cleaning, filling, sanding, fairing, cleaning, sanding, priming, sanding, finish paint a coat or 2, sand it again and finish paint it again that you have done to get to where you are now. You’ve come a long way from where you started from. Well done
Capt. Larry Teuton
912-six55-5674
lteuton at aol dot com
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Larry, your descriptions of the tediums of repair and prep work are spot on… seemed like it would never end. But anything worth having is worth working for, right? Just looking forward to one day fishing out of it with my dog along for company…
Hobie Outback
WS Ride 135
‘66 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25
15’ Henry O w/Johnson 50
Man that is turning out beautiful, nice work! I know how much effort this has taken…
It makes me excited for the day when i refinish mine. Its several years down the road till then though.
Looking forward to seeing the finished product
Did you spray or roll and tip? What type paint? That looks real good from here. Painting is not my strong point, I always struggle with it.