TOPIC: Help Fixing old holes. Please comment on pics

Hello.

I have a 1961 Sabre Craft Impella. She is solid but has a lot of old drill holes from accessories, motors and such. Before I go forward I need to patch these up. Here are some links to picks.
www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=one_set72157626240102077
Also Look at the paint/gelcoat. What should I do? Re-gelcoat? Is it safe to use the boat as is?

Thanks!

Van

Unless the holes are in glass only, I would not use the boat until they are patched (i.e. transom holes). There are a lot of good marine paints that would work as a substitute for gel coat.

BTW, you could name the boat Vlad the Impella.

VLAD! Nice. I LIKE IT!

I put a pick up. Thanks for the advice. Check out some more pics.

The holes are through the wood and fiberglass.

Another picture

How bad is it?

Can I paint this thing?

Home page go to site map in that window under restoration there is a few articles on painting vs gel coat.I would say more people paint than gel when it comes to resto.Prep work is the key.

By the looks of the holes drilled in it, , I can assure you that the transom core is wet and has at least some rot. Doesn't mean it isn't useable though. If the transom is at least half way solid, caulk the unwanted holes with 3M 5200 marine sealer. Remove the motor mount bolts, coat them with 5200 and reinstall them. Use the boat & have fun. Eventually the transom will have to be replaced.

Just by the looks of your pics, I would have to say that your transom needs to be replaced. Boats of this age have a tendency to have rotten stringers and transoms. If you have a sentimental attacment to her and want to restore her then a major restoration is needed. If not, then I would look for another boat. Just my opinion.

The transom feels solid. How do I tell if it is in too bad a shape to use?

Thanks,

Van

hi van,by the looks of the pics,it looks like your boat already was painted over the gelcoat,i can see the gelcoat under some of the paint that flaked off,all of the old paint will need to come off by sanding.and when i sand i dont use more then 220 sometimes 180 grit,it takes longer put then you dont have to worry about scratches that you might have missed when you paint,the only time i use 80 grit or so,is when im sanding down resin,ect.
as for the transom,you said that it feels ok,what i would do is ..since you have to fill the holes anyway is drill and 1/8 inch or so hole in the transom,then see what the shavings look like,if they are dark and damp then your transom is soft.or if you can get to it from inside try drilling it there but dont go all the way through.john

Hi Van,

I've got more experience with wooden boats than Fiberglass- and even that's limited. However, If you find that the wood is in good shape you may want to inject some CPES (Smith's penetrating epoxy sealer) to keep it from rotting. Or Git-Rot if you see minimal rot.
Then do the 5200 as Bruce suggested.
5200 is great stuff for through-hull bolts, bedding the bolts in it is a great idea. Don't spread a bunch around-I find it a booger to paint.

with all those holes you need to check the integrity of the transom . to check for transom flex remount the motor the same as you would for running the boat (the lower bolts and clamps ) then lift the lower unit all the way up and keep lifting as though you were trying to lift the boat off the trailer all the while looking for any flex in the transom then lock the motor in the up position and push down on the lower unit while looking for flex . you can also poke around under the splashwell with a sharp screwdriver or awl looking for soft wood or if the inner transom is glassed you can drill more holes looking for wet black rotten wood . just my .02

Great advice from all of you.

So I was going to patch those holes with a fiberglass patch kit since I can't use those same holes for my newer motor and then fill it with something in between. Perhaps this is the wrong approach?

Maybe I should just put 5200 with bolts back in?

As you can see I am not too concerned with cosmetics .

And yes I will try that sanding. I was thinking it looked like it had been painted as well.

Thanks!

when i said about sanding off the old paint,i was talking about doing it before you repaint it,the best jobs are from the prep work,i have a cutter jet deville that looks like someone brushed on house paint,so im going to have to sand the entire boat before paint,or else it will just keep peeling off,just take your time and keep the sander moving,and it will come out good,john

Yeah, this was not a good paint job. I have never painted a boat before but I am going to study up from the stuff on this site. Thanks for the help. This is a great site and great people.

-Van

Like said.."unwanted holes with 3M 5200 marine sealer. Remove the motor mount bolts, coat them with 5200 and reinstall them" On a solid or not transom?..simple tap, with a hammer..a dull thud, water, clear tap ring? ..plug the through motor bolts, 5200, move on..

Update - Just thought I would let everyone know who helped out last year. I managed to get it all fixed and had a great year on local lakes and even the sound with the boat thanks!

thats great van,got any pics of it done?john