I had some people contact me about the restoration of their 1960’s runabout. It had a nice mahogany deck that needed some repair work and the boat needed a paint job. So they brought the boat to me and we loaded it into the workshop and I began work on the deck.
Click the image above to see more before photos.
Click the above image above to see more process photos on the deck.
They also mentioned there was a bit of a leak, and if I could fix that it would be good. When I began looking for the leak my screwdriver went right though the bottom of the boat. I sent a text with a photo. It’s bad. Do you want me to proceed? Yes.
We discovered that the leak was due to significant rotting in the floor of the boat.
A good-sized section of the bottom of the boat had to be replaced. Framing included a section of the stem (the framing for the bow), the keelson and ribs along the bottom all had to be replaced. I tipped the boat on its side so that I could work from the top and the bottom at the same time. The framing had to be done one part at a time to retain the shape of the boat, then new ply attached. Now I could put the boat fully upside down to fair it off, and firbreglass it, and finally paint it.
Click the image to see more progress photos.
Once I had it back upright again, I was able to finish work on the deck, dashboard and floorboards. Parts of the deck had lifted or cracked and had to be replaced, everything sanded down. Paint and varnish followed. Then everything had to be put back. The framing for the seats was completely riddled with borer, so had to be replaced and then re-upholstered. The floorboards refitted, steering and various cables which even a small boat like this has, put back in place. Ready for the water again.
Painting the interior.
Chris and the owner with the finished boat.
It was great to get some space back in my workshop, but also sad to see it go. It was a very satisfying project.
Watch the process photos and the day boat was taken out of the workshop below.
