Lyman Restore Questions

[John Carbone]

the first thing i am doing is strippingthe entire boat of paint and varnish. i am then going to sand it down, what kind of sander would be good? should i use hand or electric ?

i noticed that the sponsons (not sure if thats what there called) on the rear hull of the boat are sorta weak, would you guys suggest i replace them ?

also when removing the seat and other parts i am leaving holes should i later fill them with putty and redrill ? or use them again ? i looks like the last owner relocated a few peices like 1/4 in and left holes.

there are 1 or two rips on the hull that seem to be cracked..there not too bad but its right where the nail secures it, should i leave it or will this maybe cause me problems down the line ? this is the first boat i ever worked on and am not sure if i could handle taking a rib out :eek: .

On my lyman there are wood boards that cover the ribs in the hull so its flat these boards are looking weak should i replace these and if so what kind of would is it ?
thanks
john

[ 08-13-2003, 01:34 PM: Message edited by: John Carbone ]

[Mr. Know It All]

John.......On the sanding question, first remember you are sanding plywood. The layers of wood are pretty thin so you have to be careful. Disk and belt sanders tend to take too much too fast and leave swirl marks. I use a small orbital sander with 100 grit and finish with 220 grit. I use a Mouse sander(there are many better ones). Thats after stripping with a heatgun and pull scraper. If you're just going to repaint the exterior hull don't over scrape or oversand. Just remove what comes off. Reef(scrape out) the seams of the laps(planks). I use a hacksaw blade. The next step would be to reclinch. Ask me about that later. :D

I don't know what you mean by sponsons. :confused:

I would leave the seat holes. They will help you reinstall the seats where they should be.

By rips do you mean cracked ribs(the oak frames inside the boat) or cracked planks(the plywood strips outside)?

Please clarify.

The wood boards that cover the ribs could be the floor frame. I'm not sure on a 1955 but my 1961 has a frame that fastens to the ribs and other frame pieces and plywood pieces fit on top like a raised floor. Can you take a photo of your interior?

Have you started with the heatgun already? Are you sore yet? :D

[Donn]

John...ditto MKIA on the sanding and screwholes.

On the ribs. Get us pictures. If they're indeed cracked, they need to at least be sistered (reinforced with new ribs). you'll find lot's by searching the forum on "sisters"

On the floorboards. They are meant to be replaced now and then. They aren't structural to the boat, but, if soft, should be replaced.