This thing is really getting in the way! My father in law is 83 and the last few years he has had some medical concerns. Hasn't had the boat out for a couple of years and he missed deer hunting this year for the first time since he was 18. He's not happy! He went to check the boat and realized he didn't get the front high enough. Asked me to fix it. What the heck do I know about fixing boats?
Anyway, this is what I started with....


Been working on it when I can. This is where I'm at now.


It was worse than I thought, gotta get more carpet and vinyl. Anybody have any words of wisdom?

Mike

PS, I was just gonna throw a floor in it. He just uses it for fishing, doesn't have to look good! Then he said" you know, this will be yours pretty soon." Sooo, my wife is making me TRY to do it right.

roadking,

Did you look at the bottom of the hull (from the outside). That hole in the walk through looks quite serious, it may have compromised the integrity of the hull. Tap all over the outside of the hull with a rubber hammer, if it sounds different at that hole in the deck you may have problems.

The work that you have done so far is kooking good.

We've fixed hundreds of boats with rotten floors--the big thing to look for, is what you can't SEE. Check the stringers that are probably running bow to stern just under the two consoles. If they aren't rotten, you can replace the floor, recarpet and go fishing. Check www.marinecarpeting.com for carpet supplies and instruction manuals. Email me with questions. stormaker@aol.com

OK, stringers are the supports that go across the boat, right? One was rotted, cut it out and replaced it. Also I used thicker marine plywood than original. Figured a little extra strength wouldn't hurt. I used some of the new HD exterior adhesive that they sell for stone wall to glue the board down then fiberglassed the whole shebang. Not pretty but the carpet hides it! Found some other rotted out areas that I repaired. Having to cut a lot of new pieces fo the upholstery trim. Taking a little longer than I had hoped!
Thanks

Mike

Let's see, 6 months to do a little boat repair? Not bad, huh? Started this in Jan. but it got too cold outside and it was too dark in the garage plus the fiberglass fumes were too much. Ended up replacing the front floor and most of the upholstery boards. Fiberglassed almost the whole inside, new carpet and uphostery. He had about 6 seats so I picked out the 2 best and mounted his new downrigger.
got it running yesterday and delivered it. Woo Hoo, I've got my garage back!
Let me just say that as a boat restorer I'm a pretty good rod builder! Don't bother pointing out the problems, I know everyone!



Now I just have to get the gimpy 83 year old out on the lake.

Mike

DEFINITION - BOAT. A hole in the water that one pours money into.

OK. Looks like you are doing a good job sir.

Thanks Btian, I'm just glad it wasn't my money that was pouring down that hole. I sold my boat earlier this year.

Mike