Restoring my 78 Pro craft

[ky_bassfisher]

Im thinking about restoring my 78 pro craft maiden craft and have a few questions for you experts out there. Ok, first off most of the hull has lost its clear coat or gel coat or whatever you call it. It feels really rough to the touch and you even have some of the metal flake come off in your hand as you rub across it. Other than that the boat is actually in pretty good shape, except for the trailer needing sanded and repainted which is no big deal. My question is what do you guys suggest I do as far as the clear coat or do you know anyone around the KY area or surrounding states that is really good at stuff like this? Any help would be appreciated. I'd really like to get this thing looking good again because it has alot of sentimental value to me.

[BASSCAT7]

All depends on how much $$$ you want to put into the project. If the clear gelcoat is gone and you are actually getting polyflakes coming off and not oxidation/old gel, then it's all about $$$. Redo the clear gel or try a quick fix polymer type coating.
First is to make sure the glecoat is actually gone.
Is the entire hull in this shape or just the top cap ?

[ky_bassfisher]

The majority of it is the top cap but there is some missing on the sides as well.
but there are still some parts of it that are just as smooth as new.
I wouldnt know where to begin as far as re doing the gel coat myself. I would really like to have someone that knows what there doing take a swing at it. What kind of money am I looking at if i have to have the gel coat re-done? just a ball park figure. Also if anyone knows of anyone that specializes in this sorta thing that would be great.

[BASSCAT7]

Cost will probably be more than the boat is worth.
Anywhere from $ 1000.00 to $ 2000.00 or up depending on the shop used and materials. ( for a smaller boat, IIRC The Maiden crafts were 15'-16' )

Make sure it is not just severely oxidized first, test sand a spot , see if any shine comes back at all.

Unless you are restoring an old boat to keep a long time, any type of complete resto on the gel is going to be expensive and cost prohibitive.
Painting with a 2 part epoxy is another option, but still expensive with all the prep work...
Cheap alternatives are any of the quick fix ,wipe on acrylic wax coatings, or a spray with auto clear.
Neither will last any significant amount of time and are prone to yellowing and peeling after a few years.

[ky_bassfisher]

Thanks for all your input basscat. I really appreciate it.
I will do like you said first and test sand a spot and see what happenes. If it doesnt work I will more than likely just try to find someone to re-do the gel. I dont plan on ever selling this boat so I might as well fix it up right.

[bassinvol]

Check out this link. This is from a '77 1640. I did a '76 1640 a few years before this was done. If you plan on sinking a bunch of money in on it, you should check your transom and stringer..They are probably a little rotten... I had a lot of fun doiing mine...I am glad I bought a new Ranger Z20 though... Good Luck.
http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=33436