New to Wooden boats-maybe.

[bullittandy]

I am sure that this has been asked a million times-BUT... I am thinking of restoring a wooden power boat 50's, 60's vintage. I have renovated the basement of my home and have restored a 1955 Chevy. I think this gives me some kind of advantage and removes my naivte.
-Am I insane/correct?
-Is it possible to replace rotten wood myself without special tools?
-Is there an affordable epoxy/coating system that allows older boats to be used like new ones.
-How hard is it to add a modern engine drivetrain to an older boat?

I don't want a correct restoration-just a nice "driver."

Thanks for any help!!

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

My credentials are rather meager. I never restored a wooden boat. That's because I knew the downsides and figured I didn't want to undertake something that would use up big chunks of my life.
The chances that a boat is only rotten on it's outside is slim to none. If the framing is rotten and there's nothing to attach new planking to you will have to install new frames.
The idea that epoxy or some other substance can be painted on rot to make wood new again seems to pop up all the time. It's not true.
Estimating water penetration is difficult even for an experienced naval surveyor. Most have ice picks or something long, thin and sharp like an ice pick to stab into the bad spots to see how deep the rot runs.
Get some old clothes and a suitable tool and do some stabbing yourself. Make sure you stab all along the transom edges where it meets the planking. That type of repair is major.

[botebum]

Welcome!
1-Am I insane/correct?- yes/yes
2-Is it possible to replace rotten wood myself without special tools?- yes, replace with regular woodworking, automotive, or mining(include blasting) tools
3-Is there an affordable epoxy/coating system that allows older boats to be used like new ones. -yeah if you're an Elvis heir!
4-How hard is it to add a modern engine drivetrain to an older boat?-What's a injun? hey, if thats one o them slanderous words fer a native 'merican then you's in da wrong place.
Welcome to the forum! Others can answer the question that I are retarded about. That would be #4.

Doug

[Thorne]

Yes, you are insane -- join the club. (bibble bibble)
Yes you will need special tools, how many depends on your current shop.
No, no special coating is worth the effort and particularly the cost.
Depends on the engine and the boat - will you roughly match the weight/power/speed the boat was designed and built to operate with?

If you have a particular boat in mind, give us an exact description of it, including condition of the various parts, photos really help. Even better get a marine survey.

[pipefitter]

By the time you undo and redo an old boat,you can build a newer one even better.Especially if you are not concerned with being historically accurate with it. At least that way,you will know exactly what you have and it can look just like the older style yet more compatible with modern engines and hardware. Look at some of the runabouts built by some forumites in the search option. Works of art.

[Cec]

A restoration can be a nice venture, but as already said, if we're talking rotted frames versus planking, then look at a different boat.

[bullittandy]

Thanks for the responses! I know everyone underestimates the amount of time that a restoration takes.
However, I saw an ad for a magic wand that returns rotten wood to new but was skeptical.
Here is the ad text. Pictures in new post.

Inboard V8 Grey Marine engine, dual axle tilt Murray trailer, African Mahogany wood, all gages, windscreen, steering wheel, stainless trim, brass rudder and propeller intact, boat needs restoration, delivery East of the Mississippi available. $300

[bullittandy]

Here are pics of the boat.
Thanks Again!

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/boa/178260884.html

[Cec]

Could be a beautiful restoration. Look closely at the frame members and keel though. If you have to replace those, you may as well build new... best to you.

Cec

[Tom Robb]

The PARTS are worth more than $300.

[Cec]

The PARTS are worth more than $300.

Heck, the Trailer is