My first restore attempt is underway…..

Good morning all, 

I have been directed here by many people on Oregonfishingforum.com to pick your brains.  I have been cruising the site for a few days in order to see which of my questions could be answered without posting myself.  But, eventually I realized that in order for me to get specific answers to some of my questions, I would need to create my own thread.  So….Here goes…..

I purchased this home built recently off of CL for a few hundred bucks.  It came with trailer and Oars and I am excited to learn how to bring her back to life.  

When I picked her up, she was wrapped in FG from about 10" up the sides down and around the bottom.  The stem was wrapped and so was the transom.  I removed the FG first and then began to sand the outside.  

I found a large amount of rot in the transom, I will need to replace the stem and I am hoping that I will be able to salvage the sides and bottom but am open to replacing them if you (the experts) advise me to do so.

My goal is to take a boat that was almost dead and make her a beautiful, healthy fish slayer once again.  I do not want to paint her again if I don't have to.  The wood on the sides is still in great shape, with exception of the chine, Stem and transom connections. At first I was thinking that I could salvage the sides but I am beginning to have my doubts.  

I will start small with my questions.

From my pictures, Do you think that I will be able to salvage the sides or the bottom?

I was thinking of repairing the sides with a stitch like someone did on a thread I saw on this site.  The difference would be that I would need to rip the bottom 6" or so off of both my sides entire lengths.  Thoughts on that idea?

Secondly, I will have to replace my stem and my transom.  Any advice on that process?

Third, I will be replacing one or both of my inner chine boards as there is some rot along them.  I do not think I can save them but will not be sure until I sand down the entire boat.  (hopefully will be done soon) 

You all know the common mistakes that occur during these restores and I do not.   I am sponge for information and though I want to get her on the water, I am more concerned with getting her right first.  I went with a wood boat because I am intrigued with their beauty.  I look forward to the smooth and quiet rides with my wife chasing steel!  And I want her to be pretty.  She does not need to be perfect but, I want to be proud of how she turns out.  

Any advice is helpful and I look forward to "meeting" you all online.  Thanks for your time.

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Permalink Reply by My2labs on April 26, 2015 at 8:05am

Here are 3 other photos.

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Permalink Reply by Terry E Walsh on April 26, 2015 at 12:11pm
Looks fun! Hell yes she will be a solid boat again! Nice
Permalink Reply by My2labs on April 27, 2015 at 2:12pm
It is very fun. The only trouble I'm running into is with my wife whining about how much I love the boat lol! I hope I can bring her back to life but, as a super novice, I'm not 100% sure yet. Letting her sit in the sun today to dry out.

Thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate it.
Permalink Reply by Kurt Selisch on April 29, 2015 at 4:58pm

Having zero experience in restoring, my thought would be to explore the different marine epoxy and boat building supply websites. I have seen references to penetrating epoxies that restore and strengthen old and rotted wood. From your pics, the transom and stem...like you said are most likely toast. Hard to tell from pics, but the sides might be salvageable with epoxy along the bottom in the outside chine area. If you replace the inside chine logs then the bottom will need to come off if the boat was built the traditional method of notching the chine into the frame members. If that is the case, I would put a new bottom on after installing new inside chine logs. Again, you may be able to save the inside chine with some penetrating epoxy.....don't know.

System Three and West System are good marine epoxies. Also Jamestown Distributers website has videos and info on restoring wood boats. Have fun and can't wait to see the boat when she's back on the water!

Permalink Reply by Kurt Selisch on April 29, 2015 at 5:09pm

Also, this site has tons of info. Use the search function to find past forums and discussions on the subjects you are asking about. Like "replacing bow stem" or "replacing transom" etc.

Permalink Reply by My2labs on April 30, 2015 at 8:37am

Mr. Selish, 

Thank you for your replies. I will definitely research the sites you suggested.  And I will look into epoxies in order to decide what is going to be right for the boat.  I'm going to be attaching quite a few pictures in order to give a better idea of what I am up against.  

My goal is to varnish her if I can, I'd like to avoid using paint, especially on the outside.  

If I have too (and I think I do) replace the bottom, I am assuming that I should go with a marine plywood and stitch and glue it.   Something that I've never done but, also something that has been displayed many times online.  

I do want to avoid replacing the sides though.  I am thinking of ripping about 6" off of the bottom of each side and stitching in a new piece.  

This is fun.

The first photo that I will attach is a gold plate with a number inscribed into it.  The title says the boat is a home build so I'm guessing that it is a coast guard vessel number?

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Permalink Reply by My2labs on April 30, 2015 at 8:38am

Photos….

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Permalink Reply by My2labs on April 30, 2015 at 8:39am

Photos…

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Permalink Reply by My2labs on April 30, 2015 at 8:43am

Photos…

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Permalink Reply by Phillip Westendorf on May 1, 2015 at 7:44pm

My2,

Please insert your photo's in YOUR posting.  They are better seen by all without having to move page to page.  Here's Rick's instructions for a previous post.

"To post pictures click on the small picture icon next to the word "link". Presuming you know where on your computer your pictures are located you can browse that file and then select the picture. The picture "file" will then show up and you can choose left, right, center or full positioning.

I am assuming you will use a pixel width of 400 to 500. Still a good size and it loads relatively fast. Padding refers to any space you want to include as a clear border around your picture, 5 or 10 pixels should be suitable.

Click on OKAY and then upload files and look over what you did. If you like it fine. If you want to change something then click "edit"."

Thanks,

Dorf

Permalink Reply by My2labs on May 6, 2015 at 7:43am

Hi Dorf, 

Thanks for the reply.  

Im a little confused I guess.  Unless I am overlooking something, each post will only allow me to attach three (3) photos.  I will follow your directions and see if I can figure it out.  

I appreciate the tip.  

Permalink Reply by Don Hanson on May 5, 2015 at 8:38am

  Hi, since you haven't had many responses yet.....First, have you considered starting from scratch ,with a whole new boat?   I don't mean to be 'snarky' with that question...Despite the romantic idea of 'saving' this older boat you may want to think about that..it may be easier and you would likely end up with a better result.  

  You are seeing the common problems associated with slapping some fiberglass over a wooden boat to "fix" it..Short-term, people may get away with that, but what you are seeing is the result,  over time:  The fiberglass covering traps moisture inside the structure and rot follows.

   That being said....if you decide to go forward on that big job you have there, take your time to dig out the rot....get it all out.   Dry it out as completely as you can.   Do everything you can to enhance the penetration of your epoxy patching...I often use multiple applications when fixing rot or building with raw wood and epoxy...Once or twice around the repair with a thin epoxy, warmed up to lower the viscosity, with the wood also being nice and warm...that lets the epoxy get a good grip...

   The West System is my choice, but there are many others available and most are less expensive, I use the West epoxy and additives because I am familiar with their properties from years of using them..The book, link below

http://www.maineboats.com/print/issue-108/book-review-108-gougeon-b...

   You can get free copies online, but that is stealing, isn't it? 

A couple of hints that may save you work as you go... 1.  It is easier to be careful putting on the epoxy than it is to grind off or sand any extra.

2.  Clean off the uncured excess with alcohol or acetone, wear gloves and a mask always

3. When you will be mixing and using a large 'batch', use a slow hardener to avoid thermal bad-ness.  If you are making it into a putty-like consistency with some additive (see the books)...mix it up then spread it out on some flat scrap, then pick it up, bit by bit,  as you need it and put it in place on your boat...it will give you  more working time.

5.   I've been using tools from an art store for a lot of my epoxy filets...little palette knives and such...You can also fashion your own spreaders

6.  There is a time-period during the curing cycle when scraping and chiseling and sanding the epoxy into shape is easy...Make yourself some tools for that, too.   I "shape" scrapers as needed using a belt sander and a flat file to get a sharp edge...a little experimenting and you  will get a feel for it....

  Good luck   DH

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