Hi guys- I just purchased this boat as a project to do with my son. (EDIT: I have been reading through all the discussions- for years--and I have some ideas- just wanting some fresh perspective on this particular boat)

It’s a Tatman of unknown origin year. The gentleman I purchased it from has redone the inside and painted/sealed it well. I will need to reattach the rower seat, and the front seat, but the biggest challenge is refinishing the outside.

We fish primarily on the Yakima River- not a ton of rocks (compared to other rivers) and I have rowed a lot- but only with a fiberglass Clackacraft.

I have lots of questions: Here is the situation!

1. The sides/bottom do not appear to have any damage, but obviously need to be refinished/painted.

1. The gunnels, handrails and not painted wood are solid as well, and need to be reoiled/stained.

1. There is an aluminum cap on the chine. I have removed this for sanding.

Questions:

1. I have sanded all the flaking paint off the bottom and there is still some primer paint that seems to be adhering to the wood (The wood looks good and solid) – Do I need to sand off all the paint? Or can I leave it as is- sanded smooth?

(after sanding)

1. I want to repaint with a different color- and leave the wood stuff as exposed wood. (Handrails etc.) – can you walk me through the process/materials/and ideas to refinish the boat bottom and sides.
   1. Type of paint? Epoxy?
   2. Do I need a primer?
2. There are some very small places where the wood is flaking/cracking. Should I epoxy those spots first and “fill up” the spots?
3. On the bottom where the screw holes are- should I spot fill them with epoxy first?

1. There is a seam in the middle of the bottom- should I give that any special attention?
2. How can I make the bottom of the boat the strongest – most slippery WITHOUT adding UHMW?
   1. I am interested in fiberglass- no experience- and would like to try a lower impact/easier solution first.
      1. There is no extra layer of wood on the bottom, just the single layer.
      2. Should I consider a new layer of wood for the bottom as a “sacrificial” layer?
   2. Types of fiberglass and resin?

• If I fiberglass- should I pull the chine strips?

1. What wood do I use to replace the strips?
2. If I fiberglass- can I paint it after- multiple layers of epoxy resin after to strengthen and then paint?

any videos of fiber glassing that you would recommend? 

7. Any recommendations on materials for these steps are welcome

Thanks so much- I'm super excited to do this and then get fishing again with my son