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 May 6, 2015 at 7:52am

Mr. Hanson,

Thank you for taking the time to help me out.

I hate to say it but, I have absolutely thought of scraping the boat.  Especially since I removed the fly deck and exposed some of the inner chine and saw what awaited me.  

However, I started this project and I will finish it.  Even if it takes longer and is not as efficient as building a new boat.  As I take it apart, I plan to trace templates of all the pieces.  I will take the templates somewhere and have plastic molds made and Ill hand a few out to buddies and keep one set for myself.  This way, we will all benefit from my purchase that turned out to be a lot more work than I bargained for.

I am at the point of deciding how to proceed.  I think I am going to dive in.  Obviously, this will take a lot longer than I had originally anticipated.  But I am going to learn a ridiculous amount as well.

I really like the idea of sharpening the scraper.  And I will utilize your advice on west systems when the time comes.  

Your post was very informative and helpful.  I really appreciate the time you took to pass along some knowledge.  I'll take all that I can get from people who have done this before.  

I'll attach more photos after I make some progress.  As for now, Ive removed the fly deck and chipped off most of the epoxy from the inside.  Some of the ribs will need to be replaced and I will have to repair or replace some of the chine.  

Boat will be about 80% new when done I bet.  Lots to learn, but lots of time to do it.

Permalink Reply by Don Hanson on May 7, 2015 at 7:18am

    Restoring an old boat is an excellent way to learn boats, for sure.  You will see, probably a lot more intimately than you like, the results of doing things wrong during the original build.   You will also gain an appreciation of the importance of maintaining a wooden boat properly...

 

Permalink Reply by Don Hanson on May 7, 2015 at 7:28am

   For some ideas of how you may tackle some of the easier parts of your project boat,  gander at some pics I put up a while back in the link below. there are captions...

  This particular boat project was pretty successful but if I'd charged a reasonable rate, the owner could have bought a brand new boat and trailer for the same money, easy...

https://plus.google.com/photos/112899774170781374478/albums/5601378...

Permalink Reply by My2labs on May 8, 2015 at 11:39am
Thank you Mr. Hanson! Your photos and captions will definitely help me out! Boat looks good too.

I really do appreciate the advice.
Permalink Reply by Gregg Maddock on May 8, 2015 at 11:23am

Dos Labs,

You may want to consider purchasing an osculating saw.  I am in the middle of restoring a 1915 kitchen that has put my boat project in a holding pattern.  I purchased a Makita osculating saw for the kitchen restore and discovered all sorts of ways it could be used on boat restoration.  At $150 bones it could be a very useful tool as you are removing the bottom, chines etc...

Permalink Reply by My2labs on May 8, 2015 at 9:53pm

Hey Greg.

Thanks for the reply.

I have one already.  A Makita also.  I'll make sure to set it to osculate.

Permalink Reply by Ants Uiga on May 8, 2015 at 6:02pm
I am putting on my shop teacher and parent hats.

Score bonus points to yourself for your enthusiasm and willingness to start a project. There is a lot to be learned from any project. Keep in mind the basics - your time, your budget, and your satisfaction with the end result.

Anything can be accomplished, but consider all the feedback with an open mind.

One of your objectives was to have a pretty, varnished boat. The procedure most folks use to reach that goal is to start with new (yes, new) plywood that finishes well. Used lumber can be planed down to reach a surface that approaches the original material. Used plywood does not come close to the same result. My suggestion is to review the varnished wood, consider the options to paint, and get some input on time and money with each goal.

As far as restoring a well-worn boat, consider the end result. There has been enthusiasm on this forum in restoring drift boats by notable builders (Steele, Karhuus) since the represent significant history and may be a well-designed boat that will function well.

If I were looking at an unknown built boat, I would take some time to measure boat dimensions, compare the design to ones in Roger Fletcher's book or to known builders. When completed well, every boat will float, but is the boat one what you would select to meet your needs.

Don't feel compelled to continue if you have any doubts. A good set of oars and trailer are well worth the money already spent. There is pleasure in using a drift boat that may arise sooner if you spent time restoring a difficult project. Fletcher's book has a great section on building models to learn about the construction.

My final suggestion is to review what boats are available to purchase. Several boats are listed for sale on this forum.

There is no such thing as a cheap boat. You pay with time, materials, and lost opportunities. I have decades of experience in salvaging projects, some successfully and some not. My best recent decision was to buy a used boat that allows me to float and fish and requires little additional time and effort.

Please take all my comments in a positive manner.
Enjoy!

Ants
Permalink Reply by My2labs on May 8, 2015 at 9:50pm

Ants,

I appreciate your advice.  I am open to all suggestions, especially from people with decades of experience.  I'd be a fool not to be open minded.  I think that you make very good points and your suggestion to consider building or buying another is one that has crossed my mind. However, I really just want to restore the one I bought. 

I do desperately want to have a nice, varnished boat but if this one isn't it, thats okay.  I had to start somewhere and, for better or worse, this is my starting point.  If I dive into the project and later concede, I'm okay with that too.  It really is about the restore and the hobby.  

And I'd be lying if I didn't say that a small, 5'5" lady wouldn't be a little miffed if i dumped this without trying ;)

The boat represents a challenge to me.  One that I can work on casually.  I do want to finish and drift but, I'm going to be patient and not rush.

All the advice from knowledgeable people such as yourself that I've received here has been very helpful.  I haven't done much work lately but, I am learning.  I figure that is the best way to go.  

I think that she will end up being painted again but I'm still holding out hope.  

Is it crazy that I talk to her about the fish well catch together when she's finished? 

Permalink Reply by Ants Uiga on May 9, 2015 at 8:40am
Morning coffee is underway, so I will supplement it with some additional comments.

If the sides of the boat have 6- inches or so of plywood that has insufficient strength to hold screws, the only reasonable option is to replace the entire side. The stitch and glue approach to construction applies to two sheets of plywood that join at (close to) a right angle. Construction-wise, epoxy resin thickened with a filler is used in place of wood to make a joint (glue portion). The stitch portion is the use of wire to temporarily hold the joint tight until the epoxy is applied and hardened.

To replace a 6-inch strip cut from the side would require a lap joint where each side of joint is tapered at 1:12 angle (or more) and glued with a long bonding area to give it strength. This type of joint was used in a vertical dimension to allow an 8-foot sheet of plywood to be formed into a length long enough to have a continuous sheet for the side. The joint is usually located behind a rib to give the joint added strength. A lengthwise joint would have less support and require the side to be removed to shape the joint and glue it. If the side is replaced, a better solution is to replace it with new plywood.

Based on your observations, the transom and stem need to be replaced, the bottom may need replacement to reconstruct chine joint, and the sides are likely candidates for replacement. The remaining wood is the frames that need to be checked for damage and seats. A thorough review of all aspects is a good idea before buying any replacement materials or adhesives.

It is useful to review the work that is required and to decide whether it is in your range of experience or comfort zone. I have a number of friends who are excellent wood-, metal- or other- material craftsman and use their opinions to guide my efforts.

Ants

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