Old glass boats

[bullrun]

Hello,

I have read many articles here about making deck mods on metal boats, is there anything like this for glass boats? Namely a 70 titan trihull bass rig with child sized foredeck.

[w4svc]

Welcome to BR. There is a few glass rebuilds but not as many. Search glass boats. I have a 76 Ranger but got lucky It's all solid. Good luck

Once again welcome.

[cart7t]

Re-decking a fiberglass boat isn't much different than an aluminum.

[Popeye]

First off: Welcome to the BR Forums!!  Most boats lend themselves to modifications that are well thought out. I'd be most concerned with maintaining stability when making changes to deck height and/or overall dimensions. IF any mods you decide to do require drilling or cutting any part of the boat's structure, make certain that you're not weakening the structural integrity of the boat and hull. Always measure twice (I recommend 3 times) before any drilling or cutting is done. There are many guys on BR who have WAY more experience than I on this subject. Hopefully they'll give you their opinions and advice. It would help to see some pictures of your boat too.

[bullrun]

Thanks for the replies guys, and the Welcomes too.

There are soft spots all over the deck and floor. It all pretty much needs replacing.  I have to keep it, and really want to. It was my Dads and I learned how to fish in it. It sat outside, uncovered, under trees for 6 years.

Let me get some pictures real quick.

[bullrun]

Well, I can't post pictures yet it seems.

I'm a network admin for the Sheriff's Office and have a desktop repair shop. Got any questions to help me get this post count up?

[_tyler_wright_]

Here's you a question lol. Do you know of any sites that have rebuild threads of bass boats? I'm probably about to start on one

[bullrun]

Working on resizing pics

[cart7t]

Thanks for the replies guys, and the Welcomes too.

There are soft spots all over the deck and floor. It all pretty much needs replacing.  I have to keep it, and really want to. It was my Dads and I learned how to fish in it. It sat outside, uncovered, under trees for 6 years.

Let me get some pictures real quick.

You've likely got a completely rotten floor, deck and stringer system along with saturated foam.  I imagine the transom is shot as well.

Those kind of boats sink pretty good and make great fishing cover.  

The amount of work necessary to repair that is, well, not worth it.

[bullrun]

I give up trying to resize these, I make them 200x200 and they still show up full size.

[bullrun]

Already started on the rig to pop the top off. I'll build it sort of permanent with a tin roof so I'll have something to do on rainy days this summer.  I fully expect that I won't be fishing in this boat this spring. Back in the day I molded some ground effects on a 240Z so at least I know how sticky this will be. My next door neighbor works over at Triton on Ashland City highway, I can go over to scope out how they do it too.

When done I'll have a better boat than I can buy and I will have customizations made to fit me. Dad always loved the recessed bow lights on my Uncles boat.

d**n thing might sink first trip too.

[bullrun]

Anyone notice the hen sitting on the eggs?

[smokepole]

Bullrun do you work for Davidson County? I work for La Vergne .It great to see local guys on here.

[bullrun]

Bullrun do you work for Davidson County? I work for La Vergne .It great to see local guys on here.

Why yes, yes I will take you up on that offer to fish from your boat while mine is torn up.

[smokepole]

Well we could do that if I didnt have my boat tore down rebuilding it to. That boat you got can be restoreed with no problem. If you need any work on the motor give stoner river marine a call in lavergne.

[Tpayneful]

Bullrun, I have a 1980 Skeeter that is very similar to your boat. I ripped the flooring and carpeting out. I extended the deck and replaced all of the carpet in the boat. Here is how I built out the deck:

[Tpayneful]

Here is the boat with carpet:

[Tpayneful]

Bullrun,

          Cart7t is right about the open cell foam in the bottom of these boats.  They fill up with water and rot the stringers.  The most significant result of this is that the boat weighs a ton because the foam and wood is waterlogged.  I spent about $200 on wood and carpet materials to do mine.  The storage hatches and liners cost more than the carpet and wood and the d@#$ hatches leak!  I did mine knowing that I am going to use the boat for a couple more years until I can afford to purchase a newer boat.  It has worked out for me but you could end up spending a ton of money and find something that is unfixable.  Good luck and post pictures of how it turned out!

[MFD_Firefighter661]

Bullrun I have a boat very similar to yours and I am in the middle of restoring it too. I actually work in Nashville so I am not to far from you either. It is very possible to restore your boat to make a decent fishing boat, just take your time and make sure you really think through the changes you make on the boat before you actually do them.

Also Tpayneful, do you have any pics of the rear deck.