Tide Craft Fish And Ski - Full Restore Need Some Help

[Jwengerd]

I just bought this boat and trailer for $100 ( cant beat that) anyhow I am going to have to do a full restore on it, well the previous owner tried to fix the transom rather than removing the whole cap he cut 3ft of the cap off to acess it. My question is will I be able to re glass it back together? I would imagine I will have to glass the cap from the top and bottom to make a good "grab " onto the surface. Or Am I screwed ? Any Help would be greatly appreciated. THanks, Justin

[ProcraftMike]

I think you can fix that, so it is satisfactory. The tough part will be fixing it so it doesn't look obvious. Looks like a good place for a stripe or large decal....

Others can chime in, but you will have to grind down down the area on both sides of the seam...kinda like a subtle "V", with the seam being the lowest point. You will end up building it back up when you repair it. I would repair the seam from both the inside and outside, doing the inside first.

For $100, you got a hell of a deal. Good luck!!

[Jwengerd]

Thanks for the response. I kinda figured I could just glass it together do to the fact its not unde alot of stress there from the motor. I will post pics of it as I go along the restore project. Also Does anyone have any tips on removing the cap? I plan on removing the rivets and cut away the floor and just lift the cap off. -Justin

[posterboy]

If you have a way to lift it it will come out togather with out cutting antthing. You might consider making some typ platform (jig) to place the cap on upside down so you can make most of this repair from the bottom. it will need to be layered heavy with glass matting, with strips as long as you can for strength.....

[rooster tail]

Thats the way most fiberglass shops repair a transom. No need to pull the whole cap off.

[Jwengerd]

Ok Thanks, I wish the stringers were good other wise I would just fix the transom and glass it back together. I am cutting the old floor out today will post new pics as I go along on the project.

[stratostn]

Good looking project. Keep us posted with pics and any questions.

[omcforever]

I have an 83 Tidecraft Wildfire 150 just like yours/blue and all. Did the transom a few years back. Cut the rear 3 feet and removed the tank/pumps/batts/and re-glassed the top back. Glassing the pieces back are easy/just take your time and PREP.PREP.PREP! Use quality resin/not the cheap stuff, and use biaxial glass under deck(2 layers) and 1 layer as a base on top. The cut smaller pieces to build up beveled area even. Grind at least 6 inches beveled on each side end of the 2 pieces before applying the biaxial. Then fill and feather with dura glass. DO NOT USE BONDO/ABSORBS WATER! Be sure to grind away gel coat were ever you plan to join 2 pieces of fiberglass. Get all your products from U.S. Composites,,,great bunch of guys.

[omcforever]

If you need any silver and gold and blue flakes , I have some left. When you spray your gelcoat and color, be sure to add some dura coat to the final coat/helps flow it out and less color sanding.(follow instructions.)

[omcforever]

WANNA SELL IT????????

[Jwengerd]

ok guys, I just got the cap pulled off its a hard job when you do it your self lol I will be posting pics in the morning.


-Justin

[Jwengerd]

Here are some more pics. When i replace the stringers should I reinforce them more? I dont want to weigh down my boat by doing to much reinforcing.

[omcforever]

Thats gonna be a project//if you need any parts for your wildfire, you can have any off my boat. I have an extra complete wildfire 150 sitting in my field.

[Jwengerd]

yes it will be a project alright lol I hope Im not gettin in over my head. Everything looks to be fairly straight forward. I am goin to measure all the stringers and there position in the boat and take pics then Im goin to start tearing the wood out.
Im not sure If theres any thing im missing omc but if there is I will let you no thanks.

[Jwengerd]

hey omc you said you have a 83 wildfire 150 what kind of top speeds do you get out of it? Im wanting to but a 150 on mine just daydreaming about the top speed of my future boat lol.

[omcforever]

They are rated for a 150/I ran a 150 Merc and it saw mid to upper 50's. I have a 200 rude hopped up with boyesen reeds/ported/higher compression/big bore carbs,,,,low water pick up. It will run over 65 but it is a handful/chime walks badly/comes off speed badly/not recommended!!! They are only 16 ft 8 inches long....

[Jwengerd]

ok thanks for the info omc.You had said you have some extra blue gelcoat? How much do you have and what you want for it. Also how hard is it to match up to old gelcoat i dont need anything perfect.

[Jwengerd]

Ok I have removed all the stringers and I am in the process of sanding the hull. I have been reading other rebuilds on them re glassing the hull. Should I put a layer on the whole inside of the hull? Some people i see have put 3-5 layers I think that is over kill I dont want to add un needed weight. I am thinking mabey 2 layers on the stringers and filets. Any help would be appreciated.

[omcforever]

2 would be fine,,,,dont over do it. weight can add up quick...

[Jwengerd]

ya i dont want 2 go overkill. If i had to put more than 2 layers on I would go broke lol resin isnt cheap. I will probally go 3 layers or so on the transom, as i want that strong as possible.