New member, Im a marine engineer but need some help with my small boat project

[MengWalton]

Hello all,

Im new to this forum looking around it seems like everyone has some very nice yachts & boats.
I only have a tiny boat compared so hope you can all help.
Ive had this boat a while as a project. As you can see from the pics its in need of a lot of TLC this is no problem as i'm a marine engineer in the merch. however I dont have much of a idea when it comes to this.

I stripped out the boat on the inside. There was some wood board going across the boat this was all wet and ruined I removed it expecting to see some supporting beams running the length of the boat but I found it to be flat. when you put some weight on it you can feel there's 3 main beams and a very thin layer of fiberglass over the top of them. I would very much like to see into this space down to the keel so I can look for damage holes ect. is it a good idea to chop along the side of the beams so its all accessible and then put some fresh varnished board over the top like I would anyway?

The steering gear is all working but the wire looks like its seen better days. I would like to replace it but have absolutely no idea where to get the wire from or the first clue about how to do it. I'm sure I can figure it out if I could get some wire.

Any comments welcome ( I know its in bad shape, gimme 2 weeks then judge how I'm getting on)
Oh btw the boats about 17ft

Thanks
Jonjoe :encouragement:

 

[gordmac]

Might be worth asking here:
http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/boat-owning-equipment-maintenance/
There are a few posts (and posters) on boat renovation.

 

[scottie]

What size of engine will you have
This will determine type of steering
The wire type you have is only suitable for low power
Normal run is from steering head via pulleys to stern then one side direct to pulley connected to engine with a spring and then to strong point other wire run is similar but additional pulley mounted on other side of boat to give pull pull.all depends on correct tension and integrity of pulley mountings etc
Next alternative is "teleflex"push pull single cable in conduit which can usually be mounted directly into engine and will cover any engine you are likely to fit to this boat.

 

[rbcoomer]

What size of engine will you have
This will determine type of steering
The wire type you have is only suitable for low power
Normal run is from steering head via pulleys to stern then one side direct to pulley connected to engine with a spring and then to strong point other wire run is similar but additional pulley mounted on other side of boat to give pull pull.all depends on correct tension and integrity of pulley mountings etc
Next alternative is "teleflex"push pull single cable in conduit which can usually be mounted directly into engine and will cover any engine you are likely to fit to this boat.

Welcome Jonjoe!

+1 for Teleflex.

I suspect that under the 'thin GRP was a ply floor which if you cut out the GRP, will resemble compost in the bilge! Common construction in the type of vessel is to layout the 'frame' of stringers and ribs, encapsulate in GRP and then affix a ply floor on top followed by another layer of GRP. I'm rebuilding a similarly constructed boat, but I'm encapsulating the ply floor with GRP first so that it cannot rot from beneath if the 'cells' of the floor are compromised. I used one of those multi-tool vibrating saws to cut out the old GRP and it worked very well!

e.g.:

Looks like a Picton perhaps?

Keep us posted with progress please too - I love these rebuilds!

Cheers,

Robin

 

[cryan]

Give these boys a shout and get them to send you a catalogue. http://www.asap-supplies.com/ It makes for some good smoko porn for when you planning your project.

 

[Murv]

Might be worth asking here:
http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/boat-owning-equipment-maintenance/
There are a few posts (and posters) on boat renovation.

+1
There are a few guys on there doing exactly what you are.