FELLOW SHIP - HELP!

[MarkG]

I posted the below on the other section of this site:

The main question I have is how badly does an older fiberglass boat become soft over time - or do the stringer re-working do the job for stiffness?

I am looking at buying the 27' and converting it to a centre console - I have seen the work done on the other 60's built seacrafts but would appreciate any insight on whether there would prbably be complete stringer damage .

I would intend to fully bracket the boat and redo the transom.

How weak or deteriorated does glass become over time ? What is the perfomance like on the 60's built refurbished boats ? Are the hulls soft or does is it determined by the stringer condition?

I like the webmaster's technique on stringer repair and would try to copy it.

Is it difficult to have a deck portion made and is it a costly process?

If the flybridge is removed - how does it relate to the inner section of the boat? Is the gunwale totally different and does a new one have to be made?

I am comfortable with the console / the transom and the stringers, I am not comfortable with the gunwale question - if this has to be totally re-engineered then it is not worth the trouble.

Any help would be great

Many thanks

Mark Glusing

[FELLOW-SHIP]

HA MARK G
WELL LET’S START WITH FIBERGLASS BOATS THE FIBERGLASS IT SELF AND WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH IT IS AMAZING. YOU COULD CUT YOUR BOAT IN HALF AND IF YOU CORRECTLY PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN IT WOULD BE JUST AS STRONG OR EVEN STRONGER THAT THE ORIGINAL. AS FAR AS THE GLASS BREAKING DOWN AND DETONATING THAT DEPENDS ON THE SALT WATER CAUSING BLISTERING OF THE GLASS. IF NO BLISTERING AND NO STRESS CRACKING THERE SHOULDN’T BE ANY PROBLEMS AND IF THERE IS JUST GRIND, GRIND, GRIND AND THEN REPAIR. AS FAR AS ALL YOUR OTHER QUESTIONS, YOU ARE CONSIDERING A MAJOR, MAJOR, MAJOR JOB THERE. LOTS OF FABRICATION WORK TO CONVERT THIS ONE TO A CENTER CONSOL. BOY I LIKE A CHALLENGE BUT ON THIS ONE YOU ARE LOOKING AT A (ONE MAN JOB) ABOUT 200 TO 300 DAYS OF LABOR HERE TO DO THIS ONE CORRECTLY. I WOULD THING ABOUT $20,000 TO CONVERT WITH OUT THE MOTORS. IF I WERE YOU I WOULD LOOK FOR A 27 CC TO BUY AND THEN FIX IT OR KEEP THIS ONE AS A EXPRESS FISHERMAN. IF THIS IS YOUR DREAM THEN FOLLOW YOUR DREAM BUT YOU COULD BE LOOKING AT A MAJOR NIGHT MARE INSTEAD. THINK ABOUT IT LONG AND HARD. IT TOOK ME 150 DAYS TO DO MY 23’ WITH ONE 225 MOTOR AND A TRAILER $34,000.

FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]