Do I tear into her, or run her?

[fishboy316]

Decideing wheather to tear into my 74 19-6. Some of the pics and descriptions on here have gotten me crazy for doing a rebuild. Is there anyway to tell about the stringers in there without tearing the boat apart? I don't have any reason to suspect any trouble but would like to check. I don't have any soft spots in the floor. Don't think there is any trouble with the transom. I believe I am looking at a cosmetic rebuild. Will need to repair a spot on the port gunwale where she was hit before I got her. Tried to repair before and held up for a good while. this time will do it correctly. Will need to repaint or gelcoat,can't decide which to do. Any thoughts on the pros and cons of the two? The hull needs to be repainted also. Need new rub rails. Has spiderweb cracks on the gunwales. not sure what to do with that. I really do beat the crap out of her and she takes it well. I am winter and early spring striper fisherman on the Chesapeake bay and that entails some really bad water sometimes! All in all she is a really tough boat! She is pretty solid also. Any advise is more than welcome!
Thanks
Bill

[gran398]

Seems the 19-6 owners have better luck with soft spots, wet transoms, wet stringers than their 22-2 cousins.

How does she run? How does she sit in the water? Does she still self-bail?

Had the pleasure of riding in Skoot's 19-6 last weekend. Totally original. Skipped right along with 850 pounds of men, full tank, ice, beer, chicken, gear etc.

90 hp Tohatsu.

If it ain't broke...........

[gman 82 aquasport]

2 ways to look at this, #1 if you raise the front end up alot(we're talking a foot or better higher than the rear) and let it sit like that a few days, if any water is in the foam on the outside of the stringers it should run out the rear #2 If you really suspect that your stringers are waterlogged, you can go into the bilge area in the rear(if you have a large enough hole to get your hand in) take a drill with a 1/2" to 1" hole saw bit, and drill out a hole in the bottom part of the stringer, both sides,carefull not to drill thru your hull  if they have water in them you will find wet foam or water will come out..If it's dry glass the plugs back in and keep on boatin' grans right about the way she sits, if she still self bails and sits right in the water I would leave her alone until the floor gets soft or you have reason to rebuild her..as far as paint or gelcoat and cracks, you can grind out the cracks and use polyester to refinish as it can be gelcoated, rub rails are not that hard to replace.  Painting may be easier to do but gelcoat will last longer and be tougher..just my .02 :pirat:

[fishboy316]

She sits good in the water. she does self bail. When I put the kicker on (about 90lbs) along with the xr4 she is less likley to self bail. She still jumps up on plane and runs great. I top out about 47 in perfect conditions. Cruise about 38 and she is HAPPY there.When 2 guys get in the back corner she goes under and lets water in the bailers but when we go back to the helm all is good. Think I really want to make her pretty again. Did cosmetics once 12 years ago and used interlux topside. Its faded and really chalked up. Hull was not done then as the po had done it 5or 6 years before I got it. Needs it now. Picked up a stainless welded bow rail for $100 bucks. Just in collection mode right now. Was just trying to decide how far I wanted to go with it! I got a bunch of topside when boaters world went out of buissiness along with a lot of other crap. I would still get gelcoat or awlgrip. How much longer does awlgrip last than topside?still want to do the green floor and keep it close to origenal.  She is a great boat for sure. I would rebuild before I would buy another cc.  

Thanks
Bill

[gran398]

She sits good in the water. she does self bail. When I put the kicker on (about 90lbs) along with the xr4 she is less likley to self bail. She still jumps up on plane and runs great. I top out about 47 in perfect conditions. Cruise about 38 and she is HAPPY there.When 2 guys get in the back corner she goes under and lets water in the bailers but when we go back to the helm all is good. Think I really want to make her pretty again. Did cosmetics once 12 years ago and used interlux topside. Its faded and really chalked up. Hull was not done then as the po had done it 5or 6 years before I got it. Needs it now. Picked up a stainless welded bow rail for $100 bucks. Just in collection mode right now. Was just trying to decide how far I wanted to go with it! I got a bunch of topside when boaters world went out of buissiness along with a lot of other crap. I would still get gelcoat or awlgrip. How much longer does awlgrip last than topside?still want to do the green floor and keep it close to origenal.  She is a great boat for sure. I would rebuild before I would buy another cc.  

Thanks
Bill

Good deal. If you're going to do it...do the full rebuild.

Rick is in process on his 170....yours will be similar.

When she's finished....two guys at the stern will be a non-issue.

If you want to gelcoat the floor original green...let me know, we have the formula.

[fishboy316]

Thanks guys. How much harder is it to gelcoat than paint? What about prep for gelcoat?
Thamks
Bill

[gran398]

It isn't harder...you just need the correct gun. Rent a gun that mixes the kick with the gel midstream.

You can use a regular gun and mix the batches...but it is a function of air temp/pot life/difficult cleanup etc.

If you go with gelcoat...use poly or vinylester resin only on the substrate, no epoxy.

[tmyers]

Cruise at 38 and wot 47.  What do you have pushing her?

[fishboy316]

Tmeyers, Got 1989 merc xr4 150. She got over 50 on the maiden voyage with this engine! Got the engine for a steal. $3000 on the boat w/2year warrenty. Had brand new powerhead anrebuilt lower.Really moves her down the bay.Only has about 250-300 hrs on it.