TOPIC: 1966 Larson All American Restored

Regarding the restoration of a certain Larson All American...Thanks to all who recommended Nautilus Restorations this past spring. We picked it up in June and have just finished. Hope the results justify your recommendations...and thanks!

What we found lurking beneath the mushy plywood. Foam stringers "sealed" in fiberglass were also mush.

Boat lost about 600 lbs after we stripped the water-logged original wood and foam.

Hull was pre-filled with single cell foam to near deck level to insure that foam loaded through 1-1/2" holes would fill the cavity to 100%.

3/8" meranti marine plywood/two coats CPES...with holes for topping-off foam. After all edges were faired, all decking was fiberglassed to a point 4" up the side of the bulkheads.

Interior carpeted, cleaned and reassembled

Ready for delivery


P.S. We have done three separate tests to try to fill enclosed wooden cavities with foam by pouring through fill holes as seen above. After we allowed the foam to finish doing it's thing, the lids were unscrewed and showed that NONE of them had filled...not even close...although the foam had come up through all the fill holes. So, from now on, we pre-fill the cavities before we secure the decking. We THINK we're filling all the remaining voids but even if we're not, we're close. Just an FYI

Nautilus,

FYI, I've found a 1959 All-American & your restoration just made my mind up to start on it. ======> PURTY THANG you have!!!!!!

yours, satx

Super Nice. Thanks for sharing the before and after pics.

Good advice, too. Thanks!

Wow I like your work.

You do beautiful work, Nautilus! I'd love to see what you could do with a 61 Aristocraft. I have one I'd give you just to see what you could come up with.jim

Coincidentally, I'm taking delivery of this Aristo Craft next weekend...stern drive/4 cylinder. It's a partial trade against a Glasspar Seafair I sold last month. I like "coupes"...hardtop runabouts...and it would be fun to restore this one however, working "for free" instead of for a client can get expensive. For now, I guess I'll stash it with the other fiberglass collectibles at my storage area. Hopefully, someone will come along who wants me to restore it for them.

It's easy to see why you're getting recommendations and referrals from others Jan, another top shelf job sir! That AristoCraft would make a very interesting project as well.

Nautilus wrote:

Coincidentally, I'm taking delivery of this Aristo Craft next weekend...stern drive/4 cylinder. It's a partial trade against a Glasspar Seafair I sold last month. I like "coupes"...hardtop runabouts...and it would be fun to restore this one however, working "for free" instead of for a client can get expensive. For now, I guess I'll stash it with the other fiberglass collectibles at my storage area. Hopefully, someone will come along who wants me to restore it for them.

That looks like it will make someone a nice boat. I know what your saying. "Free" don't pay the bills .

Beautiful job! I like that you thought through the issue with the foam.