To take on or not to take on?

[TooFly]

So I have virtually no wood working skills, aside from what I did in 8th grade wood shop. I did get excellent grades for my drawings, though. There's lots that I want to do on my boat, but I'm afraid that once I get started (cutting, pulling crap out, etc.) I'll be overwhelmed and my limited skills will prevent me from getting the finished product I want. Or worse yet, shoddy work will put my life, and those onboard in danger. I certainly don't want that.

Things I want to do to my boat are:

- Take off the Gil bracket and add a floatation style outboard bracket. I'm hoping that will solve the self-bailing issue without raising the deck.

- Close off in-deck scuppers.

- Remove the splash well and add scuppers in the transom. The transom was replaced and enclosed in 1997, BTW.

- Repair soft spots in the deck, get rid of the panel pattern/texture and add a non-skid.

- Narrow the console by 4-6" and make it taller for flush mounting electronics.

- Add a small live well somewhere.

I also want to replace the leaning post and T-top in the next season or two, which of course someone else will fabricate. I'll replace any hardware myself. And as far as gel coat or paint goes, a good friend has someone who will shoot it for cheap as a favor.

A few friends and my brother, who has made fiberglass wings for his car and for his buddies (WOO HOO), have offered to help me with my boat. I know that doesn't qualify him to work on a boat, but at least he has some experience with resins, fabric, etc. And then with my friends who offered to help, I'm not sure how experienced they truly are. I know it's not rocket science. But I want to do it once and do it right.

The big plus is that a good friend offered up half of his garage, as a winter workspace, if I can find a place for two of this vintage Mustangs. Otherwise, I don't think I'd consider half the stuff I want done without paying someone else to do them.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Paul

[basswacker]

go ahead so we can learn from your mistakes

[TooFly]

go ahead so we can learn from your mistakes

Oh yaaa. Sherrr...

[cdavisdb]

I have/had very minimal skill in your area, but recently did a whole bunch of structural work on my Seafari(thanks again to Blue Heron, Denny and Stick, among others, for all the help). Working with epoxy and polyester resin/fiberglass is very forgiving as long as you go slow and don't need it to look cosmetically fabulous. You can definitely do it, taking advantage of the advice available here. There are several step by step threads with lots of pics to show the way and many individuals who will help with your questions. Cosmetics are not my thing, but it sounds like you have access to someone who does have those skills. Digesting(it may take while) a copy of "The Elements of Boat Strength" by David Gerr will keep you from making any understrength and unsafe moves.

Go for it and good luck!

[uncleboo]

This might help as well. It's in my "favorites".
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/assets/...aintenance.pdf

[TooFly]

I have/had very minimal skill in your area, but recently did a whole bunch of structural work on my Seafari(thanks again to Blue Heron, Denny and Stick, among others, for all the help). Working with epoxy and polyester resin/fiberglass is very forgiving as long as you go slow and don't need it to look cosmetically fabulous. You can definitely do it, taking advantage of the advice available here. There are several step by step threads with lots of pics to show the way and many individuals who will help with your questions. Cosmetics are not my thing, but it sounds like you have access to someone who does have those skills. Digesting(it may take while) a copy of "The Elements of Boat Strength" by David Gerr will keep you from making any understrength and unsafe moves.

Go for it and good luck!

I did quite a few gel coat repairs on my last boat, come to think of it. Friends said they had to look real hard to find them, even when pointed in the vicinity. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, I tie beautiful flies and I'm pretty artistic.

You're right! I got this! Seriously, I'm going to give it a whirl. Start with baby steps...

[TooFly]

This might help as well. It's in my "favorites".
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/assets/...aintenance.pdf

Thanks, uncle! Can I call you uncle? And, uncle... can I borrow some money? Bigshrimpin posted this on someone else's thread. I saved it on my Mac and will read more of it tonight.

[uncleboo]

I'd rather you try to scare me and say "BOO" cuz I ain't got no money for your project!

[TooFly]

I'd rather you try to scare me and say "BOO" cuz I ain't got no money for your project!

Ain't got no money for my project, uncle? BOOOOOOO!

[TunaMeltdown]

I'm in the same boat as you. Having bought a 1976-23' SeaCraft Inboard last November I have come across many of the same minor issues you speak of having. My list includes, but not limited too: Soft spots on the deck, Scupper drains that let more water in than out, and some soft spots in the gunwale cap. None of those three jobs are an easy task and I'm afraid of what other issues I might come across during the restoration. I also don't have a garage or interior space to do such a job. The thought of waiting to do it next spring when the weather allows and missing out on prime fishing time is killing me. But other than that I would say go for it. With all the knowlege on this site, if you have a question just ask. They won't leave you hanging. Great group of guys here and with all the knowlege floating around they could probably build SeaCrafts from scratch. Hell I had no idea how to build a pilot house or even how to fiberglass for that matter and with the help from a few people on this site I was able to build my own fully functional pilot house for my boat at a fraction of the price it would have cost to buy one pre-made.