1981 Ski Nautique Rebuild

Not sure why the image posted rotated, does anyone know how to rotate the photos to the correct orientation?

While you are into the hull this far, I'd suggest replacing the primaries too. You don't what to take a chance that there is some moisture and the rot is just beginning. Yes, keep digging.

Alright, sounds like I should just cut a whole side of glass off the primary stringers and at that point may as well replace the primaries. I am completely new to all of this and am counting on everyone's vast experience on this forum to help me figure out what I am doing.

I am a little nervous about ripping out the primary stringers if I don't need to as they are locationally and structurally critical rather than secondary stringers being only structurally critical (relatively speaking). Although, I am sure the primaries have moisture because I can see cracks in the fiberglass on them at the bulkhead and at other discontinuous locations on the stringer. The question is, how fast does that moisture turn into rot? If its something that will take 10 more years to become significant, is it important to do it now?

Also, it looked like the glass on top of the primary was very thick. About a half inch if not more. Is that standard for the primaries? I guess that brings up another question I should ask you all: should I be measuring distances for stringers from the glassed exterior or the wood core itself?

Either way, I agree that I need to keep digging into the primaries. And I need to get a camera so I don't annoy everyone with my sideways photos anymore

Progress from yesterday:

Joel,
Thanks for the picture. It gives us an idea of where you're at. Yes, you have more digging to do. Forward of the engine is a typical spot where you will find some bad areas. Do some reading here on stringer jobs and you will see hulls stripped down to nothing. Is the hull sitting on the trailer? Many have added blocking for extra support.

Well, it pays to listen to people with experience. I cut out the rest of the floor and initially noticed standing water in the foam next to the battery box. After I cut out the battery box and started removing foam I noticed a lot more standing water. The foam is completely soaked from about half way down and extends from as far front as I've inspected all the way to the rear. The starboard side seems worse, and there is a fiberglass patch job on the hull on that side, so I am wondering if they are related. I am going to inspect the previously damaged area when I get to it from the inside. I am getting a camera tonight hopefully so that will fix my sideways photos, apologies!

Here's a picture of the patched spot:



Here's a picture of the progress made yesterday:



When removing the air box, I am a little unsure of how far back I should go. Do I go all the way back to the mount for the hoist ring support? Or should I just go back to this red line?

Fabcon wrote: I would go all the way forward so you can check the condition of the metal stap for the lifting ring.

plus 1

MourningWood wrote: Looks like a 'fun', & laborious project. But as others have noted, the results are usually very rewarding. You'll get all the help you need here. Vent wing windows...they come up more often than you might think. And, many of the most troublesome parts (the latches) are still available here: http://www.taylormarine.com/hardware/parts/wingvents/

Well that's encouraging. Especially since the hardware can still be purchased! I was halfway thinking I would need to put solid glass in.

I really appreciate everyone's willingness to help me with this! I saw Whiskey Badger's 1981 ski nautique build and knew I had to do it too, so don't feel too bad for me. For some reason I gravitate to projects like this.

And to be honest, this is my first boat and I bought it in this state. So yes, it will be very rewarding to finally be able to take it out!

You could do something like buy a cheap Harbor Freight grinder, complete with a guard
it won't break the bank

Alright, I couldn't do nothing all weekend. I had to get out and work on the boat. I have now gotten most of the foam out and found some surprises. As expected, there is hull damage where the patch on the starboard side is. Looks like they hit something hard enough to crack through the hull and delaminate fiberglass on both sides of the secondary stringer. I am thinking I need to grind this damage out and repair it properly, but I am wondering what I am going to find when I start grinding. Is this hull a single layup from the factory, or are there additional shapes layed up onto the hull? It looks like the hull is a one piece layup, and when I grind through the damage I will go straight through the hull, but I want to make sure that is the case before I begin damage control.

The other problem I have now, is that I realized I ground into the hull slightly when cutting the floor out below the steering wheel. Looks like it probably is half way through the hull considering how thin the hull is. Maybe less though. I think I can either fill with epoxy and some small strips of fiberglass, or I can grind the floor back to the hull and lay larger patches of fiberglass in to reinforce the whole area. What do you all recommend?

Photo of the progress from the day:



Photo of the hull damage from previous owners impact. Damage circled in blue. Its difficult to tell, but that area is broken fiberglass lifted to a ~30 degree angle:



Photo of the hull damage on the other side of the secondary stringer:



Photo of the area where I ground into the hull slightly: