Large Scale Central

Classic Boats - The Fiberglass Variety

Other Hobbies
#1

Way back in '98 I embarked on my second fiberglass boat restoration. I had a previous project boat that still needed a ton of work when I picked up a 1961 Corl Bonanza - a 14 foot runabout with a 1967 Evinrude 40 horse motor. My thought was to use the trailer and motor on project boat #1, but I soon realized that this one was much closer to getting on the water than the first one. Here it is the day I brought it home before any restoration work was done -

And after just a wash in the back yard [That’s Matthew on the left - now a college Junior]…

First launch test…

I spent some time on the original gel coat top and got it looking pretty good…

I installed new carpet in the interior and replaced the seats…

My digital photo record ends here. After these photos were taken I restored the outside of the hull and applied a racing epoxy finish which was wet sanded and polished. A new windshield and lots of polish got the top deck looking great. I wish I had photos of the completed restoration as it really was quite nice. I have film photos somewhere if I can find them. In any case, around 2002 we purchased a new pontoon boat since this little 14 footer was unsafe in our busy lake and was too small for our family of 4. There is one picture of both boats on the lake together…

The following spring I was out on the lake early taking pictures with my then new 1st digital camera. I must have picked up some leaves in the intake and with my face in the camera didn’t notice the HOT light. After that trip the motor would not run properly. That fall the boat was winterized and except for a few tarp changes hasn’t seen the light of day in almost 8 years. Last summer it was moved from the back yard into the driveway. This proved to be a bad decision. The early winter storm that we had on Halloween dropped several large branches in our driveway. At least one struck the boat directly. With the boat covered the damage wasn’t visible, but this weekend I took the old tarp off to change it and discovered the windshield broken and several spots where the fiberglass deck was crushed. Now it’s decision time… Do I sink more time and money in this hole in the water getting the motor running and the storm damage fixed - or just enjoy the memories and move it on to someone else.

#2

If you want to read the whole (long winded) restoration story - click here: http://w1kbw.radder.org/Corl_Project_1.htm

#3
Jon Radder said:
Now it's decision time.... Do I sink more time and money in this hole in the water getting the motor running and the storm damage fixed - or just enjoy the memories and move it on to someone else.
That's a cool little boat, Jon. It seems it would be much easier to take out for a spin, than the "house boat". Maybe a motor with a little more HP. Then it would be a little more like taking out the sports car vs the family wagon ;) Ralph
#4

Love it! I restored a 1957 Nylox 14 foot runabout. What a great bit of fun. But I may be letting it go to the next person too. As long as she gets a good home…

#5

Thanks Ralph. The motor is not beyond repair, and 40HP does pretty good on this lightweight. It will run with help, just not solid enough to idle or get any power. I’m pretty sure it is a crankcase leak due to the parts expanding then contracting when overheated. I also have a spare parts motor that I picked out of a dumpster :smiley: Michael - Cool boat. There’s one on Craigslist foir $700 :slight_smile:

(http://images.craigslist.org/5V25T25X03n23o73p5bc620c5d986e586190b.jpg)

#6

Jon it would depend how much you use the boat. If its once a year or as you stated 8 years of sitting then would sell it and save the money and space for trains :slight_smile: If it was your only boat then I would keep it. It seems when you try to fix something it takes twice as long as twice as much money then thought. At least thats how it is for me.

#7

Well If you run it hot chances are it is the head gasket.
as for the damage I would get it checked out by someone that knows how to repair fiberglass for an estimate.
Before I would sink alot of money in it for the fun of it. May or may not be worth fixing up.

#8

Shawn - It doesn’t have any real value. Space isn’t an issue so I’ll probably just keeep sitting on it.

David - Thanks - that’s a possibility except compression seems OK. It’s 2 stroke so any leaks in the crankcase seal would also be a problem. I do all of the work on this myself, including the glass repair. I’m definitely not going to sink a bunch of money in it as I have none to spare for this :smiley:

I think the decision is made. I’ll winterize it as-is this weekend and forget about it until summer. If I get really bored this winter maybe I’ll work on the motor which is off the boat on a stand that I can bring in the garage. In any case, once Matthew gets done with college and settled he will probably want it. I’ve been storing it for 8 years, a couple more won’t hurt!

#9

Good story and memories Jon!!
You could cut it in 1/2 and throw it in the dumpster like the other one?
(sorry had to say it!)
:wink:

#10

No way!!! I sat on that one for 14 years before dumpstering it. About 4 years after I bought it I embarked on a major restoration - sunk over a grand in wood into it, but never finished because this one was complete. Matthew helping with the original boat in 1995 - age 5…

(http://w1kbw.radder.org/proj1-9.jpg)

That project has it’s own story at http://w1kbw.radder.org/Caravelle_Project_1.htm