New member, new Weston 670 owner

[PaulyV]

Hello there, thanks for reading and I hope you are well. New member saying 'hi' here.

As if 2020 was not complicated enough I have bought myself a boat, unseen. Such is my nature - sales like this have more often than not turned out alright, with a few exceptions, but it would appear I am the owner of a vintage Weston 670 in a fetching shade of, shall we say cream or would that be too generous?



I see it at the marina 'in the plastic' tomorrow so my fingers are obviously crossed that it remains as photographed. The image above was taken by the marina staff yesterday so I can be sure that it is still afloat. It shall remain in the same location, but did not come with an outboard, which will be something to purchase before the spring and doubtless I will have questions about that and a great many other matters. I am completely new to boating having been out for a day in the summer with friends. There's not going to be much travel abroad next year for obvious reasons so the impulsive half of my brain said 'why not?'.

Weston 670's appear to be fairly rare but the same rules and logic seem to apply to it as, say, a Norman 20/Crusader or similar from what I hastily read. I only plan on inland pottering about this coming year and will doubtless be spending my time in the coming winter months making the interior livable, and ensuring it receives an engine. My questions will include:

Engine power - 9.9 or 15?
Reupholstering
Getting electricity fitted
Anti-fouling next March
Paint
Re-glazing
Registration
What's that cross thing on the roof of the boat called?
Where can I get to from the river Cam over, say, 2 weeks or so?
and many more classics which will have already been answered (I will be using the search feature, honest)

So, thanks in advance for any answers over the coming months and I look forward to getting to know some of you on here as I fully embrace boating 1981-style.

Pauly

 

[Bigplumbs]

On the outboard front I would go for a 20 hp 4 stroke. They are essentially the same weight as the 9.9 or 15 and will give a reasonable amount of more push if you get a strong flow or tide against you.

Brave purchase unseen.... I also can tend to do that sort of thing.... It it was not too expensive worth a risk I often recon

 

[Megs20Burt!]

Hello there, thanks for reading and I hope you are well. New member saying 'hi' here.

As if 2020 was not complicated enough I have bought myself a boat, unseen. Such is my nature - sales like this have more often than not turned out alright, with a few exceptions, but it would appear I am the owner of a vintage Weston 670 in a fetching shade of, shall we say cream or would that be too generous?



I see it at the marina 'in the plastic' tomorrow so my fingers are obviously crossed that it remains as photographed. The image above was taken by the marina staff yesterday so I can be sure that it is still afloat. It shall remain in the same location, but did not come with an outboard, which will be something to purchase before the spring and doubtless I will have questions about that and a great many other matters. I am completely new to boating having been out for a day in the summer with friends. There's not going to be much travel abroad next year for obvious reasons so the impulsive half of my brain said 'why not?'.

Weston 670's appear to be fairly rare but the same rules and logic seem to apply to it as, say, a Norman 20/Crusader or similar from what I hastily read. I only plan on inland pottering about this coming year and will doubtless be spending my time in the coming winter months making the interior livable, and ensuring it receives an engine. My questions will include:

Engine power - 9.9 or 15?
Reupholstering
Getting electricity fitted
Anti-fouling next March
Paint
Re-glazing
Registration
What's that cross thing on the roof of the boat called?
Where can I get to from the river Cam over, say, 2 weeks or so?
and many more classics which will have already been answered (I will be using the search feature, honest)

So, thanks in advance for any answers over the coming months and I look forward to getting to know some of you on here as I fully embrace boating 1981-style.

Pauly

Welcome PaulyV,

Looks like you have a project on your hands, very exciting!

If I may suggest, check everything and everywhere, all nooks and cranny, really get to know what you have and don’t have. Make sure the boat can be safety left. You may have leaks, try and track them down as quickly as possible, the windows would be a good place to start, find out what is perished in terms of seals, gaskets etc.

Carefully look through any previous owners work or modifications.

are you going to document the process? We can all enjoy the journey with you if you do??

 

[PCUK]

I've always thought they were a nice looking boat and a good all rounder at sea and inland. Hope it's as good as it looks.

 

[snowbird30ds]

Gt.ouse by the looks of it, I see the floating pennywort is still doing fine.

 

[PaulyV]

Thank you all for your comments. I am on the boat now and will update with some images shortly.

It's floating, and the right way up at that. Bit damp inside but I think the water is coming in from one area at the front.

I will indeed be updating as we go over the winter and will have plenty of questions which I shall aim to ration to one per post.

 

[PaulyV]

Close with the Ouse... It's the Cam

 

[CLB]

With regards to engine power, I wouldn't worry about it quite as much as getting the 'right' engine. Anything from 10-20hp will do for non-tidal river work, but get as new as you can, 4 stroke, long shaft, remote controlled and electric start. Budget anywhere from £1k to £2.5K. Don't be tempted by some old smoker of a two stroke thats up for sale on eBay for £400. There is little enjoyment to be had from endlessly breaking down and having to fix the engine on the hoof, and it certainly won't endear your crew to boating if they are in any way reluctant to start with.

 

[PaulyV]

Back inside on quite a wintery day.

Please view all my following comments with the knowledge that I know little about which I talk at the moment. That said I have been into classic cars over the years and am not afraid of tinkering or paying an expert to work on certain areas.

The boat seems pretty solid all told. the window seals seem fairly new although one is perishing a little and will be replaced, and I will test them all. There is some ingress inside but it is coming from the top down rather than the bottom up, which is the right way if one has to have a leak. it appears to me to be coming in from the horizontal porthole-style window on the nose of the boat (sorry, it probably has a maritime name), or thereabouts. I'll need to investigate that but the water has come in from that area onto the seating directly underneath.




The seating really needs replacing, as expected, and I want to change the covering on the various high-level padded parts which protect your head. They all appear to come away from the roof in a straightforward manner and when down I can likely add some wiring.



Remotes and steering for an outboard remain plumbed-in.



The wheel is a little 'Popeye' - in good time let's get that replaced with a chromed steel one shall we? Lots of dials from a previous life when the boat was being used for more strenuous activities. I presume there are standard fittings but I am getting ahead of myself.



The canvas 'doors' have perished zips and really need replacing. They look fairly original so are likely very old and the removable canvas roof sags quite a lot and could likely do with replacing too, which would give an excuse for a colour change. These seem a more specialist job than the upholstery - any ideas who I might considering approaching for such things? The old ones could be used as patterns. The fabric itself is okay though, so perhaps a zip replacement and if possible a dye would be sufficient if that is even possible.



Bit of bilge water in the hull - what's the deal with that may I ask - should it be pumped out in due course? Likely a very basic question!



I think the most obvious item missing is the headlining glued to the roof of the structure - there's none left so it's going to involve my wire brushing away the remains and glueing more in place. I appreciate that is an undertaking that for best results would be done professionally but in reality I think it is going to be me glueing it on in panels and making any joins as neat as possible.

So, next jobs before Christmas:

Remove the interior and any fixtures I don't want.
Keep 1 of each fabric cover as a pattern.
Thereafter completely clean the interior of the boat out - disinfect, hoover and scrub.
Remove anything else from the boat, old housewares, books and bottles.
Find where the water is coming in and seal properly.

I should then have a decent blank canvas to make a start on. Thank you for the notes on the engine. I suppose it appears to me I am in a slight catch 22 - I cannot move the boat without an engine, but cannot fit one unless it is moved out of the water - is that right?

Any thoughts and insight welcomed.

 

[simonfraser]

yes i'd def concentrate on finding all the leaks, excellent time of the year for that and go from there
electrics 12V is a DIY project with info on line and from here

 

[Sticky Fingers]

.deleted

 

[Megs20Burt!]

Back inside on quite a wintery day.

Please view all my following comments with the knowledge that I know little about which I talk at the moment. That said I have been into classic cars over the years and am not afraid of tinkering or paying an expert to work on certain areas.

The boat seems pretty solid all told. the window seals seem fairly new although one is perishing a little and will be replaced, and I will test them all. There is some ingress inside but it is coming from the top down rather than the bottom up, which is the right way if one has to have a leak. it appears to me to be coming in from the horizontal porthole-style window on the nose of the boat (sorry, it probably has a maritime name), or thereabouts. I'll need to investigate that but the water has come in from that area onto the seating directly underneath.




The seating really needs replacing, as expected, and I want to change the covering on the various high-level padded parts which protect your head. They all appear to come away from the roof in a straightforward manner and when down I can likely add some wiring.



Remotes and steering for an outboard remain plumbed-in.



The wheel is a little 'Popeye' - in good time let's get that replaced with a chromed steel one shall we? Lots of dials from a previous life when the boat was being used for more strenuous activities. I presume there are standard fittings but I am getting ahead of myself.



The canvas 'doors' have perished zips and really need replacing. They look fairly original so are likely very old and the removable canvas roof sags quite a lot and could likely do with replacing too, which would give an excuse for a colour change. These seem a more specialist job than the upholstery - any ideas who I might considering approaching for such things? The old ones could be used as patterns. The fabric itself is okay though, so perhaps a zip replacement and if possible a dye would be sufficient if that is even possible.



Bit of bilge water in the hull - what's the deal with that may I ask - should it be pumped out in due course? Likely a very basic question!



I think the most obvious item missing is the headlining glued to the roof of the structure - there's none left so it's going to involve my wire brushing away the remains and glueing more in place. I appreciate that is an undertaking that for best results would be done professionally but in reality I think it is going to be me glueing it on in panels and making any joins as neat as possible.

So, next jobs before Christmas:

Remove the interior and any fixtures I don't want.
Keep 1 of each fabric cover as a pattern.
Thereafter completely clean the interior of the boat out - disinfect, hoover and scrub.
Remove anything else from the boat, old housewares, books and bottles.
Find where the water is coming in and seal properly.

I should then have a decent blank canvas to make a start on. Thank you for the notes on the engine. I suppose it appears to me I am in a slight catch 22 - I cannot move the boat without an engine, but cannot fit one unless it is moved out of the water - is that right?

Any thoughts and insight welcomed.

Check your windows, I bet that is where the water ingress is coming from...??

 

[CLB]

Just seen on a facebook group a 25hp Honda with remotes and power trim for £1100. If it's not too big. that would make a great buy at that price. Group name is Boats and Outboards for sale UK

Be quick, I don't think it will hang around long at that price. I paid £1500 for a non power trim motor of similar size not that long ago.

 

[PaulyV]

Just seen on a facebook group a 25hp Honda with remotes and power trim for £1100. If it's not too big. that would make a great buy at that price. Group name is Boats and Outboards for sale UK

Be quick, I don't think it will hang around long at that price. I paid £1500 for a non power trim motor of similar size not that long ago.

Thank you. I will take a look but I believe those are close to 80kg which may or may not be too heavy - I likely need to do a bit more research and learn a bit more before I buy an engine. I also need a long shaft so I understand - not sure that one is, but again my current lack of expertise is showing.

 

[PaulyV]

Check your windows, I bet that is where the water ingress is coming from...??

You may well be right - a bucket of water in the near future will reveal all....and likely plenty more!

 

[CLB]

Thank you. I will take a look but I believe those are close to 80kg which may or may not be too heavy - I likely need to do a bit more research and learn a bit more before I buy an engine. I also need a long shaft so I understand - not sure that one is, but again my current lack of expertise is showing.

Yes its certainly a bit of a lump, but pretty sure its a long shaft.

 

[PCUK]

For the headlining. Bond blocks to the roof and screw lined thin ply panels to them. Easy and reasonably cheap while looking professional. I currently use vinyl floor covering for the lining.

 

[PaulyV]

For the headlining. Bond blocks to the roof and screw lined thin ply panels to them. Easy and reasonably cheap while looking professional. I currently use vinyl floor covering for the lining.

Thank you PCUK. The previous owner has done this a little (it now makes sense what I was looking at and why), but I can't cover all areas like this. There's quite a few narrow areas around windows and the like. The van lining material seems very good for this purpose and is commonly used for this purpose it would appear. Time to get the wire brush out, and 'invite' a friend to come and help me on one cold afternoon and remove the old crud.

 

[PCUK]

Nothing wrong with a mix of finishes as long they compliment each other. Think about future sales value when doing anything (even though you have no thoughts of selling) and make the job as professional looking as possible.

 

[PaulyV]

Had a bit of time this week so we have settled on a colour scheme - lighter cream headlining, tan interior, leave the carpets as they are in the grey, and a British racing green stripe and canvas doors/roof should temper the 'creaminess' of the body (Pantone 4545 is very close) and give it a slightly more 1950's vibe.



That's the fun stuff out of the way - now the manual labour begins. I am renting a transit van after lockdown to essentially gut the boat, saving only a few seat covers to use as patterns and a couple of bits of foam for the same reason.

I have a couple of questions if any members have experience:

Foam suppliers - I'd like it cut to order, comfortable to sit on but also acceptable to sleep on when required - any recommended suppliers?

Same goes for the canvas doors/roof cover. These are going to have to be replaced. Would any members be able to recommend someone who can recreate what I have as they are clearly not off-the-shelf. I'd also like these in racing green if the canvas can be found. I can remove the old ones to act as templates for a supplier.