Hardy Refurb Project - Please help!

[BowlOfPetunias]

Hi Everyone,

New member here and I'm a complete newbie to the world of boating so please be gentle!

A family member has a neglected riverboat (Sorry I'm not even sure if that is the right term - riverboat/motorboat etc..)

They have asked me if I would mind lending some elbow grease to getting her back up and running again, we recently rented a boat from Hobbs in Henley-on-Thames and I loved it, so thought why not see if I can have access to a boat by lending a hand with some hard work.

The reason I'm here is because I don't know how hard the job ahead is, and basically whether I'm fighting an un-winnable fight and should just contact a professional rather than wasting money on equipment and materials that will ultimately not be enough.

So without further ado here is a link to photos of the lovely Linda B I took today - link to Google Photos

So now you're back after looking at those, please don't hate the owners, it's not their fault and there are extenuating circumstances around her decay!

Secondly what do you think?

In my mind the playbook looks like this:
- Buy some boat cleaner such as this, a stiff brush and get scrubbing.
- Get a pump like this and get her emptied out of dirty water
- Remove any fabrics or timbers that are now submerged/rotten
- Get scrubbing inside with something antibacterial and strong smelling
- Get a tarpaulin etc to cover the back of the boat whilst a new 'proper' cover can be sourced to keep the rain out
- Get an expert in to look at the outboard and associated systems such as the throttle lever as that's out of my league.

I'd really like your opinions and thoughts - is the above prudent or has she got to the stage where professional help is needed from the beginning?

All help really appreciated, let's get the old girl looking ship-shape again

 

[petem]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Posts for newbies take a while to appear so don't be concerned that nobody has replied yet. The boat definitely looks salvageable to me but I'm no expert. I'm sure somebody more knowledgeable will be along shortly.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Looks tired but not dead. If it was me I'd be looking to get it lifted, it'll be much easier to tackle the hull and rubbing strake on the hard, and you can see what state the underwater gear is in. Good luck!

 

[kashurst]

It's a Hardy - they are pretty much indestructible. Get all the soft furnishings out and have a good look at the outboard motor. The hull will come up well with a severe going over with a jet washer and a stiff deck brush. The big expense to getting her going again will be:
resurrecting the outboard - looks like a 2 stroke so pretty simple and usually respond well to a good service and carb rebuild
interior - new soft furnishings
potentially the biggy - new canopy, once you have it cleaned up/out she will need protecting long term, short term a tarpaulin would do.
Is there any electrics on board? fridge/ VHF radio/nav lights.
As JTB said probably best to get her out and check underneath before you go to far.

 

[sarabande]

please take care if you are going to clean the boat while on the river. Some chemicals are pretty deadly to fish and other water life. Lots of that muck and green algae stuff will come off with just plain river water.

The boat is a very tough one, and all the gunge looks superficial.


Post some pics as you go along; it's always fun to see how much progress people are making.

 

[prv]

Cillit Bang etc will probably do just as well as "boat cleaner"

Pete

 

[Piers]

Welcome indeed! For some reason I can't find a link to any pics, but please don't use an abrasive such as Cillit Bang on gelcoat. you'll end up with thousands of small scratches which does it no good at all. Just a good boat cleaner (I use Muck-Off) and gentle rubbing with a very soft brush.

Some pics would be great!

 

[wipe_out]

Looks to me like the first, and very effective step to improving things, is a simple pressure wash.. As Jimmy suggested I would get her out of the water and into a yard somewhere then give her a good going over and clean up.. You probably don't need to waste money on a pond water pump.. Once she is out of the water you can just use a bucket, cup and sponge to get rid of the water onboard.. If there is a lot of water just use a length of hose and syphon it out..

Once cleaned and good hull polish, maybe some sanding and varnish or oiling of the wood and she will be looking much better.. Clean up or recover the cushions.. Make sure you get a new tarp or cover and she will stay nice..

Engine is the more unknown.. Have you tried to start it?

If you are not mechanical get someone to look over it and see what needs to be done.. Also dispose of the old petrol and get fresh petrol after the service and you should be away..

 

[prv]

please don't use an abrasive such as Cillit Bang on gelcoat.

Huh? Maybe they do different varieties, but I'm fairly sure there's no abrasive in the stuff I use in my kitchen.

Pete

 

[Boat junkie]

What about rotten stringers ??
Judging by the pictures that waters been in there a long Time,
Boats are designed to be Floted in water not hold water inside them, all it takes is a small crack or even a hole drilled into bulkhead or even something screwed to stinger or bulkhead ,with that much water sitting in there the wood inside the stringer will suck up the water and rot out the wooden core , ok we're not talking about a cheap American sports boat maybe hardys are layed up better?? but it's worth checking before spending any money ,

 

[BowlOfPetunias]

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all who have replied

From the above I'm going to approach some local boat repair/maintenance companies for quotes and indications of cost for taking her out of the water and giving her a medical so to speak.

Whilst I'm getting an idea of that I'll roll my sleeves up and get scrubbing with a deck brush, power hose and pump or bucket to get the inside water out - at least then she will look cleaner whilst waiting for next steps and I won't incur any huge cost which may or may not be unnecessary.

I haven't tried anything yet relating to the outboard, to be honest with the cabin floor inches deep in water I didn't want to chance anything. It'll definitely need a professional look as things like the throttle mechanism in the cabin will need a once over and I'km thoroughly/completely unqualified so from a safety perspective (others safety let alone mine!), it's best to call in the experts there - if it needs replacing and the rest of the boat is in good shape I wouldn't say it's out of the question.

Goes without saying I'll keep this thread going when there are updates and pop more pics in the photo album as and when.

Thank you again, any input is very welcome!

 

[PCUK]

If you are a practical person who can pick up a saw without bleeding then this will be a piece of cake. First, get the boat ashore, you are wasting your time trying to do it while afloat. Next, clean inside and out. Then compound and polish the gelcoat until it is gleaming. Replace any rotten timber inside and get new upholstery and cockpit canopy. Even this is DIY-able if you know anyone who can use a sewing machine. Most domestic models are fine on boat fabrics. Don't be too eager to call in the professionals. Basic boat renovation is more cleaning than building. See if the outboard will turn over on the starter cord and feel if it has any compression. If it has then you can be pretty sure it will be OK. Get some books on boat repair and bone up on the subject. Be aware though, that if you enjoy this, borrowing a boat won't be enough and you will have to get your own! Kerrrrching!!!

 

[petem]

What about rotten stringers ??
Judging by the pictures that waters been in there a long Time,
Boats are designed to be Floted in water not hold water inside them, all it takes is a small crack or even a hole drilled into bulkhead or even something screwed to stinger or bulkhead ,with that much water sitting in there the wood inside the stringer will suck up the water and rot out the wooden core , ok we're not talking about a cheap American sports boat maybe hardys are layed up better?? but it's worth checking before spending any money ,

+1. Does anyone know how these boats were constructed? Are there any hidden structural wooden bits that need checking?

 

[BowlOfPetunias]

Thanks PCUK, any recommendations for cleaning products etc, I don't want to use something I'll later regret. Are general household products suitable or do I need something 'specialist'?

It's refreshing not knowing anything at all about a topic, half of you are probably laughing that I don't know what to use to clean a hull

 

[Chi Man]

defo worth doing, I have a Hardy, good little boats, the hardy owners Club is good for tips and ideas too..http://www.hardy-owner.org.uk/index.php

 

[rafiki_]

Thanks PCUK, any recommendations for cleaning products etc, I don't want to use something I'll later regret. Are general household products suitable or do I need something 'specialist'?

It's refreshing not knowing anything at all about a topic, half of you are probably laughing that I don't know what to use to clean a hull

You will b able to use a car shampoo to wash the hull, but use a Karcher or similar to get rid of most of the muck on the outside. Stuff like CIF or Cillit are good to use on the interior. I use a vinyl cleaner called ArmourAll from Halfords, works a treat.

 

[Freebee]

I would take out as much water as you can before attempting to bring it ashore, first work is pretty much all labour - cleaning and removing rotted furnishings, clean and polish the hull /cabin - next steps are trying to get the outboard running, I would take it home and after servicing try and start/ run it in a dustbin of water. Good luck, nice project.......................... but as it does not belong to you just make sure you are going to get a good return for your handy / hard work - be aware you are adding lots of value to a project that most would not touch with a barge pole.

 

[KevB]

I think if you need to enlist the help of any 'marine' professionals the cost will be more than the completed project is worth. Empty it of water, beg/borrow/steal a trailer and take it home. Strip it out, clean it and see how much effort you're prepared to put into it making it sea/river worthy again.
I imagine if the hull is sound, you are an ok diy'er and have the time it'll be a pleasing project to undertake

 

[salar]

Boat refurbishment is a labour of love. If you bring in the professionals the cost will be eyewatering compared to doing it yourself. All things are within the capabilities of average DIY as long as you are prepared to do a bit of research first. If you don't want to do it yourself then walk away and buy a boat that is ready to go, it will be much cheaper.

 

[mlines]

Welcome indeed! For some reason I can't find a link to any pics, but please don't use an abrasive such as Cillit Bang on gelcoat. you'll end up with thousands of small scratches which does it no good at all. Just a good boat cleaner (I use Muck-Off) and gentle rubbing with a very soft brush.

Some pics would be great!

Think you are confusing "Cillit Bang" with CIF. Cillit Bang is not abrasive and makes a good boat cleaner as it contains the same ingredients as expensive boat cleaners at supermarket prices.

no sign of thousands of small scratches anywhere on ours, cleaned with Cillit Bang.

Your boat looks like it would clean up well.

Here is one that we thought was a write off that someone recovered quickly. They bought it as a restoration and it was on the water very quickly, we were stunned.