1978 20' Proline Classic Rebuild

[melba toast]

I looked at several project boats. My grandfather had a 22' Aquasport Flatback that he used to take to Breton and Chandeleur in the 60's and 70's. He passed away in 2011 and I decided it would be a fitting tribute to rebuild an old boat like his. Also, my family is growing fast and I need a bigger boat to compliment my marsh rig: melba toast a 14' Lasarge V-Jon http://www.microskiff.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1249503267/19.

I liked the Aquasport 22 flatback, but they are less common and more boat than I want. I looked very closely at beautiful 222 CCP that is around town (redone at Hammerhead in Tampa) to get an idea of what can be done with these older hulls. I like the idea of a classic hull with great lines... But, I really wanted a slightly smaller 20' boat that still performs well with a 115-140hp 4 stroke. I am looking at something that is shallow draft (10"), mostly for the bays and barrier islands. The idea is to rebuild a boat that I can tow with a V6 and take out on the water and get a good 5-6 mpg at cruising speed. Gas isn't going to get any cheaper!

I basically narrowed it down to two boats...



A 1978 Proline 20' Classic



A 1974 19-6 Aquasport


I rode out to Corpus Christi, TX with my friend, Captain Richard Rutland of http://www.coldbloodedfishing.com, and picked up the Proline in late January. It was a long trip, and Richard and I had a heck of a time on that 22 hour round trip drive. We had to re-trailer the boat on the way home, but made it over there and back in less than 48 hours. I didn't have much $$$ in the project boat. The motors didn't run, the floor was shot, and trailer barely made it 30 miles. But, the good thing is, the exterior hull/shell is in fine shape.



Old Motors


Later in February, I found the 19-6 Aquasport over in Gautier, MS. After sleeping on it, I decided to stick with the Proline. Not sure that it is a true flatback, but its definitely not a modifed V. The flatter stern means I don't need as much power and I will also have a shallow draft. The variable hull is very efficient coupled with a four stroke. It may beat me up a little in rough water, but it will be a solid inshore/barrier island boat. My friend has the 196 Aquasport in the shop, and he plans to redo it for himself. It's a much faster hull and also has very pretty lines. That boat will be in a different thread on here most likely...

I sold the old twin 70's Johnsons.. And, I took out the dual consoles and all steering/control cables.

The next step was to find a better fitting trailer. The one I bought in Rockport, TX on the way back pulled it great. We made it back with no issues. It was just too wide for the driveway. Mike had an aluminum trailer that he wanted to use for his 19-6 aquasport. So, I rebuilt the older galvanized trailer that originally came with the 196. The tires and hubs were in okay shape, it just needed all new hardware. I also sold the trailer I got in Rockport, TX.


Here is Mike Lasarge at the Navco Ramp with the boat on the trailer. All new hardware, bunks, new coupler, ect.

With the help of Fiber-plastics here in Mobile, I will do the boat all in composite, making it light and strong. Right now, the plan is composite stringers, two part foam, divinyl cell floor, and a coosa board transom. The console and leaning post/baitwell combo will both be fiberglass.  I also want to install a full transom with a 12" setback jack plate. Trim tabs are a must. My ultimate power source will likely be a 140 Suzuki or a 115 Yamaha, but that could change depending was is best when I get her done...


About to start cutting...


I cut the liner out today


stringers almost totally rotten

So far, everything is working out very well despite some scary pics! The best project boats are those that need to be totally redone. It gives me the opportunity to take a 1978 boat, and put 2012 technology and boat building techniques into it. The idea is to build a boat that will be solid for many, many years to come. It's also really cool to get to learn how to do some fiberglass work. I have spent years fishing and being on boats, and I think its great to learn some skills to use down the road.

The floor comes out tomorrow (weather dependant) so I will post those pics down in the thread.

[gran398]

Welcome aboard!!

Here's the good news: you know boats, and you know your needs.  An all-composite rebuild will be a plus, not only for you, but for those to come.

Best wishes all the way around, and keep your rebuild right here

[slvrlng]

At least it will be easy to rip all that out!!!


Welcome aboard and get your buddy to start a thread about the 19-6!

[Capt Matt]

I have seen a couple of these 20ft prolines rebuilt and they make a sweet ride.
good luck, looking forward to seeing the rebuild
Capt Matt

[ceejkay]

i envy you.. i finally came up with some money a week after you bought that thing, called the guy up and it was gone..if this is the same boat.  looking forward to this restore..

[kraw2]

Thanks for posting. I'm sure you make it better and badder than ever..!!

[melba toast]

We had the boats under the tarp today, in case of rain. It never came and I got my boat totally cleaned out. The floor came out easy. I cut around the edge with a circular saw, because the chine was much lower than the deck. The diamond blade and the sawsawl came in handy in places. The plywood under the deck was soaking wet and very heavy. I probably lightened the boat 250 pounds, just with the floor removal. Most of the stringers were totally rotten. The foam was drier than expected, and was a bit stubborn. I used a shovel and a machete to get it out. The wetter foam in the back came out easy. The fuel tank was just about slap full. We pumped it with a small electric pump for almost 45 minutes before four of us could lift it out. I saved the section of splashwell. I cut it right along the transom with a diamond blade and will reuse it when we lay the new floor. I pulled out out last and didnt get a pic. We plan to raise the level of the floor about 2 inches. It took about 6 hours with some help, to get it all gutted. Grinding is next.



Working on both boats today


About to cut the floor on the Proline


Floor out, about to remove foam


Saving the splashwell, may use this design on both boats


Only the tank left


Cleaning up


Finished for the day

[seabob4]

Dan Attwood should be checking these pics out!

[gran398]

[seabob4]

You know, I've seen some actual rebuilds of PLs done at the factory when I worked there.  I was amazed at the "punyness" of the stringers PL used...

[dirtwheelsfl]

Id say more than 250 for sure. I ended up with 1200# out of mine.

[gran398]

Get her cleaned out, push some clorox around in what's left, then set her out in the sun for a few days.

De-mung, get her ready for the final grind and reconstruction

[melba toast]

After, taking a good look at the boat in its gutted state.... Mike's suggestion was to do the transom job first. This will help tie everything together, and then we can glass the stringers to it when we do them. The transom was fairly soft, and I went into the project with the idea of installing a full composite transom anyway. Today, I took all the hardware and trim off the exterior of the skin. I took a circular saw and a diamond blade and cut the inside of the transom in 4" vertical intervals. I then cut all the way around the inside along the floor and sides. I got about half of the very tedious part done... Taking a prybar and chizel to the semi rotten plywood transom, taking it all the way down to the inside of the skin. Once the majority of the wood is gone, I plan on coming back in with a grinder and smoothing it down to pure glass. We plan on putting in two 3/4" coosa layers for the transom.


All hardware removed, ect


Most of the way scored


About halfway


.

[slvrlng]

Ahhhh!  Fiberglass dust! Man I get itchy just looking at those pics. Looks like you have some resin starved glass in there just like I did when I did my coffin cover. In places I almost had to grind all the way to the gel to get the air pockets out.
Excellent progress!

[gran398]

NICE. That's the way to do it, leave the outer skin on