| >> older fiberglass hull? can you see these defects thru a fresh
>> paint job?
On my boat (1965) I was able to cover up all the hairline cracks
with Imron, but only TEMPORARILY! Sometime during the second season
(after the paint job) I started to see all the little cracks on
the deck that I had covered up with paint. At the end of that season
when I cleaned the bottom...voila...there were all the cracks on
the bottom too. All this and I thought I had done a pretty good
job sanding out all the cracks before priming and painting. So
I guess the answer is YES, a fresh paint job will cover up a lot
of defects, but two years later you'll have very litle recourse
when they pop through the paint!
...Roger...
|
| Rick,
I have gone through the exact same experience myself in the last
12 months. Here are my thoughts and experiences.
My price range last Sept was not to exceed 2K. I also spent enough
time to realize the major expense was the motor. I decided the boat
and trailer needed to be in good condition, not perfect, but certainly
sound. I also realized that I could not/would not maintain the motor
so I wanted something I could depend upon/afford. That led me to
a late model motor.
Anyway, last October I found a 14' MFG (1966) with a trailer (1971)
and a motor that was a basket case. The boat had been repainted,
but not well but I found no signs of serious cracks/repairs. This
but checking inside and out. The trailer needed (and still does)
paint, and I added new tires, bearings and lights to make myself
feel good. This cost $550.
The hard part was finding a motor. A used 40hp (max for the boat)
is hard to find. Smaller (25hp) and larger (greater that 75hp) did
not seem to be a problem, but 40hp was. I got to the point that
I even priced new, but installed with controls, prop, etc was $3600.
My other requirement for a motor was from a dealer, so that if there
was a problem I had some recourse, again realizing 30 days was all
I was going to get.
I found an 83 40hp manual Merc at a dealer. With controls and installed
on my boat was $1600.
I over spent my 2K. But in retrospect, 2K was not enough if you
have to put the package together yourself or if a late model motor
is the requirement.
They can be found (btw mine is for sale, i want to go bigger) but
you need to spend time looking at a lot of "junk".
I think older boat/newer motor is a good way to go. I also think that
smaller boats in the 60s and early 70s are better made that today's
smaller boats.
I would NOT look at anything that has had structural repair like
the transom or even anything that hints of possible repairs.
Good luck, and I hope your friend finds what he wants.
Jim
|