Older Boats/Restorations

[Radical Conservative]

I was wondering how many guys on here rely on an older boat. Very interested in some restoration pictures!

For mine, here's my story...

Last year, in the middle of the season, we used my partners dad's Stratos and while trying to qualify, bankruptcy took the boat away. So strapped for cash, and still short of qualifying in our trail, we had no boat. We took what we could spare at the time, had a yard sale, sold some gear, etc. and came up with a little cash to buy a boat. What we bought, most people thought was the ugliest thing to ever hit the water. It was an '87 Pro Craft/Astroglass that had been beat to crap. When I say beat, I mean beat. But after over 100 hours in just 2 weeks, we restored it and used to fish our way to regionals, and then qualify for the classic... It's not done yet, still have some things to finish 'er up before this season, but it's come along way. But now even though we could probably afford something a lot nicer, I wouldn't part with this boat for anything in the world.

Let's see yours!

[GLADES]

I have restored a 1984 procraft and I currently working on a 1987 Ranger 373.

The Ranger was really rough and it is taking some time to put her in decent shape. I enjoy the resto almost as much as fishing. I will probably have 3K invested by the time am finished. Not bad for a reliable and fun fishing machine.

Say, when you repainted, what kind of paint did you use? Brush or spray?

[Radical Conservative]

Glades, Love those old Pro Crafts! And yea, I too enjoy it. It's tons of work but now that I'm about done I'm wanting to do another. I used automotive paint and primer with a spray gun. Used the clear coat/base coat pre-mixed paint but am wanting more flake so plan on shootin' some on in a month or so. What did you use? I still haven't figured out what flake I'm going with. I thought about just silver all over.. but can't decide.  :-/

[stratos 375]

in response to who relies on an older boat, I most certainly do. I've got an 84 stratos 18 footer. Went from Pa to Tenn. to pick it up at the factory. It still looks pretty sharp! As any of the older stratos guys will tell you, those older boats have a timeless shape to them. I still get excited when I see her & I know this one is approaching 3000 trips, and it's my second Stratos.

I'm on my third tr. motor, 3d outboard, second axle, third floor rebuild, fourth set of bunks, and more trailer tires than I remember. I've dragged it from Thousand Isalnds to the Big O and everywhere in between.Also been in 3 accidents with it ( highway, not water). Whilst a flyin down the highway one morning, my truck spare came off from underneath the bed & one side of the trailer hit it & went about 5' in the air. When it returned to earth, the result wasn't good.

Sad to say, her old transom is finally going, & if the transom's gone, I'm sure the stringers ain't too healthy either. I wished I was handy enough to rebuild/ restore her, but the only thing I have ever been handy with is my checkbook. 2 months ago, I pulled the engine off & stuck a couple electrics on back.

There are 5 electric motor lakes within minutes of the house, so I can still fish.

It's strange , but the fact that I can go out & buy a new boat  any day I please makes me hang on to it even more.

 

[simplejoe]

Nice boat. I just did a boat like that last summer.

[simplejoe]

It's 16 HydroSport. I never got a pic of it being done. I had it sold, he was waiting for it.

84 Glasstream F&S (also sold)

After

[bass or bass ?]

Hi, I bought a boat that looked really nice and was told was in excellent condition. Before ever getting it in the water I spent $2000 to have the motor completely overhauled. The motor is a 1967 Evinrude Starflite 80. Runs like a champ now . After a few fishing trips on the lakes around here I noticed an ever worsening crunching sound under foot in 2 areas of the deck. The boat is a 1977 Glastron Sportster, 16'. I pulled up the carpet in those areas expecting to replace a little plywood and be done with it. WRONG. The plywood was so rotten I could just rip out chunks with my hands. My mechanic told me to replace the deck and stringers. Never tackled a job anything like this before, but at this point I was committed. I cut out the fiberglass all around the inside perimeter with pnuematic cutting tool and removed all plywood. I left the old stringers in place (1 down the keel, 1 on either side 1/2 way between keel and side of hull) as they weren't totally rotted out. The original stringers were pine, and plywood deck was 1/2" plywood. I bought red oak to make new stringers and 3/4" marine grade plywood for new deck. After cutting and shaping stringers to fit in place I treated all the new wood to waterproof it before installation. Mixed fiberglass resin, then diluted it 50% with acetone to allow it to penetrate into the new wood, and treated the old stringers as well .I applied 4 coats to completely seal and coat wood. Pulled out all the old open cell foam from the hull (it was all waterlogged and weighed a ton ), bought twice as much new foam, closed cell to prevent waterlogging. Installed the foam, and bolted new stringers to old ones, sandwiching the old ones with new on either side, Using stainless steel bolts, then fiberglass mat and resin to form stringers to hull. Screwed down new decking with brass screws. Applied new fiberglass cloth and resin to seal down new deck and form it to the hull. Bought new high quality outdoor carpeting and glued it to the new deck, using a roller to get it smooth and even. Then installed new high end pedestal seats fron Cabela's to replace the original back to back lounge seats. Since then I have also added a new bimini top, Minkota Edge 50# thrust trolling motor, marine band radio, Sirius satellite radio, Eagle 320c depth/fish finder, compass, submersible fishing lights, dual batteries on a 1/both/off switch, fishing rod storage tubes for 8 rods, motorcycle headlights for night time operation, interior cabin lights on both sides of boat, and a solar battery charger to keep batteries full charged at all times. I did all the work myself (except the motor overhaul ) over a period of about 5 months . I love the end result . I get constant compliments on the boat , it looks brand new , and runs like it too. It was a lot of work, but for me it was well worth it. Don't hesitate to ask me for any advise or help you would need should you decide to rebuild your "good bones" boat. Happy fishing.

Allen

~N.A.F.C.~B.A.S.S.~BoatU.S.~N.R.A.~A.M.A.~

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[Radical Conservative]

Joe, that boat looks awesome! Great job. And bass, that sounds like one heck of a big job. Makes you feel even prouder when she hits the water though.

[fishfordollars]

Since july 09 I have spent this on my 1988 Skeeter:

Rebuild Mercury 150   5,000.00

Wrap  1,500.00

Trailer tires/wheels   650.00

Seats  485.00

I'm not keeping track of all the smaller items(It would scare me).

Jack 

[Radical Conservative]

fishfordollars,

post a picture of that beast!

[fishfordollars]

fishfordollars,

post a picture of that beast!

I'll have to look for it. It's been up on the site before, but I have changed computers and will have to go look for it.

[Long Mike]

Here are a few pictures of Fishfordollars new wrap. Sorry, I don't have any 'before' pictures.

[fishfordollars]

Mike I forgot about those pics. Don't even have the new seats in these pics.

[simplejoe]

Fishfordollars, I remember when Mike posted that. It's Badarse.

Here's my new one, 20' Javelin F&S with a Johnson 200 hp. Got measured up for stickers last week. Nothing like yours fishfordollars, just basic. ;D

[fishfordollars]

To be honest with you I wish I had left a lot of the design out of mine. It will not be as busy next year when I change it.

[cart7t]

Before and after of my '86 Champ after a deck extension last spring.

after

[fishfordollars]

Very nice job. I see you had lots of lids to cover too. That's a job pulling them off and having to go one on one with all of them. I got sick of it real quick.

[Socalbassmaster]

Here are a few pictures of Fishfordollars new wrap. Sorry, I don't have any 'before' pictures.

I never thought I would say this but who cares about the boat I want the garage WOW!!!!!! my dream house and GARAGE 

[simplejoe]

Nice job Cart. When you were wrapping all of those hatches with carpet, I bet you were a happy guy with the contact cement. ;D

Fishfordollars, Why you changing it?

[fishfordollars]

Nice job Cart. When you were wrapping all of those hatches with carpet, I bet you were a happy guy with the contact cement. ;D

Fishfordollars, Why you changing it?

I don't know that I am. The deal with the guy that wraped my boat was to teach me how to do it. After this year I am going to remove it, have him print the new wrap, and then install it myself. I am confident I can do it. Just want to prove it to myself. It will be done during the winter next year. I actually installed(With his instruction) the top section on the driver's side of the current wrap.

[Hammer 4]

FFD...I think that wrap is sweet...doesn't look to busy at all..

[Long Mike]

Glen, I feel your pain.  I am currently re-carpeting my boat.  Nine hatch covers down, none to go.  Ten pieces of plywood decking, coated with fiberglass resin, re-carpeted, and none to go.  ****-pit right-side panel, done.  Three vertical surfaces left.  Waiting on weather.