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Message
Boat restoration/refurb advice
Posted on 2/25/14 at 2:39 pm
Posted on 2/25/14 at 2:39 pm
So I have an 1983 17ft. McKee Craft Southporter. It was my grandpa's boat that he had custom built and kept until 5 years ago when he gave it to me. It was the last thing he did before he passed away so needless to say it has quite a bit a sentimental value to me.
I've kept it up the best I can over the last 5 years, but it's in need of a restoration. The transom is weak, even though some brackets have been added for stability, and pretty much every screw hole has been wallowed out.
So my question is, does anyone know of anyone in the Shreveport area that can do this kind of work?
Here's a pic:
I've kept it up the best I can over the last 5 years, but it's in need of a restoration. The transom is weak, even though some brackets have been added for stability, and pretty much every screw hole has been wallowed out.
So my question is, does anyone know of anyone in the Shreveport area that can do this kind of work?
Here's a pic:
This post was edited on 2/25/14 at 2:41 pm
6
Posted on 2/25/14 at 2:43 pm to lilsnappa
Do it yourself
Posted on 2/25/14 at 2:55 pm to Hammertime
wish that I could...
I don't have the time, tools or experience to do this correctly.
I don't have the time, tools or experience to do this correctly.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 2:59 pm to lilsnappa
I think Moore's Pro Gator on Hwy 3 just North of Benton is pretty popular around the area for repair work such as fiberglass and transoms.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 3:23 pm to lilsnappa
Sorry but I can't help you with anything in the Shreveport area. But...
quote:Hang on to that. Great boats that they discontinued back in 07 or so.
McKee Craft
Posted on 2/25/14 at 3:45 pm to DonChowder
quote:
Hang on to that.
Oh I definitely will. This boat has a good story to tell, so I plan to keep it forever, which is why I want to get it completely refurbed and updated.
It was built by my Grandpa's brother, a man by the name of Leonard Hughes who is pretty well known in the NHRA circles in south Louisiana for building Dragsters & Funny Cars. The boat is supposed to be a center console, but my grandpa wanted a side console setup as he mostly fished freshwater and wanted a bass boat feel. He also added a raised front and back deck for the same reasons. So, its a very authentic boat, which is why I want to restore it.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 4:05 pm to lilsnappa
I would get the hull completely repaired and maybe painted
then if the engine needs it get it re-built and painted
those are great old boats
smile about your grandfather with every trip
best luck!!
then if the engine needs it get it re-built and painted
those are great old boats
smile about your grandfather with every trip
best luck!!
Posted on 2/25/14 at 7:06 pm to lilsnappa
It's looks to be in pretty good shape from the pic.
I've got a friend that does mechanical but I don't think he does fiberglass.
I've got a friend that does mechanical but I don't think he does fiberglass.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 7:32 pm to lilsnappa
Great story. You're a lucky man to have had that kind of relationship with your grandfather. 
Posted on 2/25/14 at 7:34 pm to lilsnappa
snappa, you might also want to ask on the Ultimate Bass forums. Quite a few guys on there from NWLA with some knowledge.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 10:03 pm to Polar Pop
Thanks PP, I will check it out.
And that picture is about 4 years old. I've put probably another 50 hrs on the motor since then and it was still running the last time I took it out.
But, I started a new job 18 months ago and it's been sitting (covered) at my parents house in South Louisiana since. I'm going pick it up in a couple weeks and see what kind of shape it's in and figure out how much work it really needs.
The hull and the motor (Merc Black Maxx 150)are 30years old now.
And that picture is about 4 years old. I've put probably another 50 hrs on the motor since then and it was still running the last time I took it out.
But, I started a new job 18 months ago and it's been sitting (covered) at my parents house in South Louisiana since. I'm going pick it up in a couple weeks and see what kind of shape it's in and figure out how much work it really needs.
The hull and the motor (Merc Black Maxx 150)are 30years old now.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 5:14 am to lilsnappa
The transom work is going to be a high dollar ticket to repair. It is not a DIYer job unless you know how to deal with fiberglass. And if you know that, you really don't want to do it. 
West Marine sells a product that suppose to work repairing a rotting transom by drilling in holes to the top and mixing the product and pour in. To me, that is just putting a band aide on a problem. The real way is the grind out the inside of the transom, remove all wood. Cut some 3/4" plywood to size(you have to double it), fiberglass in between plywood and also the inside of the transom, then drill holes from the outside of the transom and run bolts all the way thru the plywood, add some 2"x4" across the inside and bolt them together as clamping. Let it cure, then reglass the inside of the transom. Remove the bolts and glass/gelcoat the holes on the outside of the transom too!
I did a few in my days and it takes a few days to do this job if you know what you are doing along with having the tools of the trade.
Screw holes that are stripped. Repairing them is not all that hard. One just removes the screw, drill out the hole and back fill with fiberglass. Redrill after to screw size. Tape and plastic is your friend doing this so you don't make a mess.
Over all, That boat is a very good boat if you don't have water build up inside the foam flooring. To find that out, just go to a weighing scale and weight it empty and google the hulls weight.
West Marine sells a product that suppose to work repairing a rotting transom by drilling in holes to the top and mixing the product and pour in. To me, that is just putting a band aide on a problem. The real way is the grind out the inside of the transom, remove all wood. Cut some 3/4" plywood to size(you have to double it), fiberglass in between plywood and also the inside of the transom, then drill holes from the outside of the transom and run bolts all the way thru the plywood, add some 2"x4" across the inside and bolt them together as clamping. Let it cure, then reglass the inside of the transom. Remove the bolts and glass/gelcoat the holes on the outside of the transom too! I did a few in my days and it takes a few days to do this job if you know what you are doing along with having the tools of the trade.
Screw holes that are stripped. Repairing them is not all that hard. One just removes the screw, drill out the hole and back fill with fiberglass. Redrill after to screw size. Tape and plastic is your friend doing this so you don't make a mess.
Over all, That boat is a very good boat if you don't have water build up inside the foam flooring. To find that out, just go to a weighing scale and weight it empty and google the hulls weight.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 10:18 am to fishfighter
Thanks fishfighter, my plan is to work on it as much as I can over the next 2-3 months and at least get it so I can at least be on the water a little this summer. After that, I want to find a professional and get it completely restored, maybe even converting it back to a CC.
It could potentially be something like this:
It could potentially be something like this:
Posted on 2/26/14 at 10:21 am to lilsnappa
Do it yourself. You will appreciate the finished product much more. It is a hell of a learning process and a lot of fun.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 10:23 am to lilsnappa
Go check out [link=(Screamandfly.com)]Screamandfly.com[/link] or [link=(Byuboyz.com)]Byuboyz.com[/link].
Lots of good info and people there; more than likely know someone in your area that could do this.
Lots of good info and people there; more than likely know someone in your area that could do this.
This post was edited on 2/26/14 at 10:24 am
Posted on 2/26/14 at 12:44 pm to lilsnappa
i know you said you didnt have time, but you could absolutely do the work yourself, and learn smething doing it
i retored a 17 waypoint (basically the same boat) in my yard, took me a while, but it came out great and i learned some new skills
the guys at classicmako.com were a huge help
i retored a 17 waypoint (basically the same boat) in my yard, took me a while, but it came out great and i learned some new skills
the guys at classicmako.com were a huge help
Posted on 2/26/14 at 4:32 pm to cgrand
quote:
took me a while
How long did it take?
Posted on 2/26/14 at 4:50 pm to lilsnappa
about 4 mos, working on weekends
it went quick once the transom was done
mine is a center console though
above decks i just filled in all the old screw holes, cleaned up the center chase good, and minor repairs on the console
other than that, all new rigging & wiring, new outboard, new steering, etc
that boat is tank...i did not find any fatal damage except for the transom, and that boat spent months after katrina upside down in a ditch
it went quick once the transom was done
mine is a center console though
above decks i just filled in all the old screw holes, cleaned up the center chase good, and minor repairs on the console
other than that, all new rigging & wiring, new outboard, new steering, etc
that boat is tank...i did not find any fatal damage except for the transom, and that boat spent months after katrina upside down in a ditch
Posted on 2/26/14 at 5:09 pm to cgrand
Yeah, other than the transom the boat is very solid, just worn from years and years of use. I've done some work on the transom a couple years ago and its solid enough now to get me around.
I would love to put in all new wiring, steering, and completely restore the entire console as the current setup is lacking.
My grandpa had a hot foot installed and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Its a little sticky at times, but I have no idea what would be involved to covert it back to stock.
I would love to put in all new wiring, steering, and completely restore the entire console as the current setup is lacking.
My grandpa had a hot foot installed and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Its a little sticky at times, but I have no idea what would be involved to covert it back to stock.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 5:55 pm to lilsnappa
Caddo Fiberglass. Does very good work but is not cheap. He is also very direct and can come across the wrong way. Don't take it personally.
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