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4X4 · 05-10-2008, 09:25 PM

I've wanted to start this thread for a few weeks now, but I wanted to put in pictures. Today I went and took pics but I now see that I have no way of downloading them off my stupid new phone. So I'll have to add pics later, but I still want input now.

I recently 'inherited' a gorgeous old wooden ski boat. It was given to me by my grandmother who built it with my now deceased grandfather about 50 years ago. It is in really good shape, considering it's age. It has been sitting in the quonset at the farm for about 20 years, wayyyy in the back behind a bunch of old farm equipment.

All it needs is to be refinished, plus a new windshield and seats. I'm debating whether to replace the original Chrysler 55 outboard or to try to restore that as well and keep the vintage feel.

I don't know what kind of wood it is. I'm sure my grandmother knows so if it's important, I'll ask her. The entire boat is wooden. It is a 15 foot home made speed boat. The absolute best feature of this thing is the bow. It looks like hardwood floor. There is no seating area up there, just really slick looking hardwood. I'm going to make it gleam.

There are two front seats and two back seats that I'll probably make in to a bench to accommodate a total of 5 people. The existing seats have been chewed up by mice so they need to go regardless. I want to put in some really slick looking seats.

The windshield is straight out of the 50s. That curved plexiglass that just looks ancient. I want to keep that feel, somewhat, but it needs to look classy.

I'll definitely install some electronics such as a cd player and a fish finder. I'll likely make a box for under the bench seat to hold a battery. That said, the floor of the boat is just wood. The opposite side of the hull. No running wires across it. They'll have to run under the port side ledge. I'm thinking of maybe getting a rubber spray on the floor, similar to a spray in box liner.

So my questions to the almighty CP are these:

How do I refinish wood? This ain't a dining room table. It has to be marine quality. Hopefully good enough that I could take it on salt water if I ever felt so inclined.

Where do I acquire seats and windshields for boats? Chances are that I'll need the windshield to be custom made. Maybe the bench seat as well.

Restoring the motor. That's something I can probably do myself, but if there's a pro around that is priced efficiently, I might be swayed.

I'd appreciate any input on this topic. This thing isn't an antique yet, but I'll likely never part with it. I want to do this right the first time.

05-10-2008, 09:25 PM	#1
4X4 One of the Nine Join Date: Dec 2004 Exp:	Restoring a Wooden Boat I've wanted to start this thread for a few weeks now, but I wanted to put in pictures. Today I went and took pics but I now see that I have no way of downloading them off my stupid new phone. So I'll have to add pics later, but I still want input now. I recently 'inherited' a gorgeous old wooden ski boat. It was given to me by my grandmother who built it with my now deceased grandfather about 50 years ago. It is in really good shape, considering it's age. It has been sitting in the quonset at the farm for about 20 years, wayyyy in the back behind a bunch of old farm equipment. All it needs is to be refinished, plus a new windshield and seats. I'm debating whether to replace the original Chrysler 55 outboard or to try to restore that as well and keep the vintage feel. I don't know what kind of wood it is. I'm sure my grandmother knows so if it's important, I'll ask her. The entire boat is wooden. It is a 15 foot home made speed boat. The absolute best feature of this thing is the bow. It looks like hardwood floor. There is no seating area up there, just really slick looking hardwood. I'm going to make it gleam. There are two front seats and two back seats that I'll probably make in to a bench to accommodate a total of 5 people. The existing seats have been chewed up by mice so they need to go regardless. I want to put in some really slick looking seats. The windshield is straight out of the 50s. That curved plexiglass that just looks ancient. I want to keep that feel, somewhat, but it needs to look classy. I'll definitely install some electronics such as a cd player and a fish finder. I'll likely make a box for under the bench seat to hold a battery. That said, the floor of the boat is just wood. The opposite side of the hull. No running wires across it. They'll have to run under the port side ledge. I'm thinking of maybe getting a rubber spray on the floor, similar to a spray in box liner. So my questions to the almighty CP are these: How do I refinish wood? This ain't a dining room table. It has to be marine quality. Hopefully good enough that I could take it on salt water if I ever felt so inclined. Where do I acquire seats and windshields for boats? Chances are that I'll need the windshield to be custom made. Maybe the bench seat as well. Restoring the motor. That's something I can probably do myself, but if there's a pro around that is priced efficiently, I might be swayed. I'd appreciate any input on this topic. This thing isn't an antique yet, but I'll likely never part with it. I want to do this right the first time.