__23' Sailboat Restoration__ (Thanksgiving Project)

[EliteGSR]

My brother bought a sailboat and trailer for dirt cheap... used set of Rotas cheap.
It needs a lot of work. Over Thanksgiving break we've been workin on restoring it.

It's a 1986 Hunter 23.

Anywho, I'll update the thread as the week goes by. Here's what we've gotten done the past 2 days...
We're hoping to have it on the water by Friday or Saturday.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3707.jpg

The trailer was rusted to hell and back
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3766.jpg

We grinded it down to bare metal and sprayed it
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3788.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3786.jpg

Half-way done... Now it's starting to look like this...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3769.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3771.jpg

Top Side
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3773.jpg

Inside needs refinishing. We can't decide whether to re-stain the wood or paint it black.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3774.jpg

It needs to be completely rewired
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3776.jpg

The mast is about 30-35' tall
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3780.jpg

Cutting off some old/rusted trailer supports, and will be re-welded tomorrow
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3794.jpg

Sanded sides. Prepped for paint.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3801.jpg

First coat of primer
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3809.jpg

We're using this paint on the sides.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3787.jpg

First coat of blue paint
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3811.jpg

I couldn't get a good shot of the paint because it'e getting dark outside, but here's the best shot of it's true color
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Eclipse1704/DSCF3815.jpg

:goodjob:

more will be posted tomorrow

[Repost Squintz]

nice

[integra2die4]

looks like fun

[Spectic Tank]

That's awesome man. I hope for your sake that you paint the inside black, staining anything is a *****.

[EliteGSR]

That's awesome man. I hope for your sake that you paint the inside black, staining anything is a *****.

yeah thats what i was thinkin. black would look better anyways.

[LQQKITZME]

Looks good..

[SixSquared]

Restain the wood, mang... it's a little more time consuming, but looks SO much better. Sand it and hit it with a light colored stain/varnish combo and it will look BALLER.

[fire7882]

Restain the wood, mang... it's a little more time consuming, but looks SO much better. Sand it and hit it with a light colored stain/varnish combo and it will look BALLER.

I agree but if you do paint it, don't use black. It will show dirt and imperfections like crazy.

[Blitanicle99]

First, off great looking boat. I had a 16 ft racing prindle cat and 18 ft buccaneer I played with. I wish I had that kind of a project. Looks like its going to come out great.
A few tips because I have done this before.
Wiring needed to be re done, do it in stages... dont rip the whole thing out. Look for hunter websites, there will probably be free wiring diagrams.
Re do your rigging, all lines. Check and re check main haillards (sp?). Old age tears them up. Check out the Westin store (one on 41 in Marietta and online) for all that marine stuff. Its like the walmart of Marine stuff.
For the interior, I have re finished Teak/wood many times. And I did re did hard wood floors so I have a quite a bit experience staining wood. Stand it down with some 100 and 200 grit and put a **** ton of home depot hard wood floor stainer on it. It will probably just soak in the first coat, maybe the second. And then some clear sealant, it should last quite a long time. You can buy expensive stuff from marine stores, but for that type of wood hardwood floor stain works great and its not that bad for budget.

Any questions or ideas, PM me. Ill see what I can do.

[SL65AMG]

That's awesome man. I hope for your sake that you paint the inside black, staining anything is a *****.

maybe a pain in the ass, but the inside would look SOOOO NICE with a properly stained wood interior. black is eh.... stained hardwood is nice.


go for the stain because:
A) it looks better
B) it looks better
c) it looks more traditional, higher class


wake up at 6 one morning, go to home depot and find a crew of mezzicans. pay em 8 bux an hour and have em refinish the entire interior..... but have it prepped and you do the final coat of clear/varnish..... the quality of work is questionable sometimes......

or just pay them to sand it down completely

[dartingd]

looks like tons of fun!! more pics!!!!!

[EliteGSR]

First, off great looking boat. I had a 16 ft racing prindle cat and 18 ft buccaneer I played with. I wish I had that kind of a project. Looks like its going to come out great.
A few tips because I have done this before.
Wiring needed to be re done, do it in stages... dont rip the whole thing out. Look for hunter websites, there will probably be free wiring diagrams.
Re do your rigging, all lines. Check and re check main haillards (sp?). Old age tears them up. Check out the Westin store (one on 41 in Marietta and online) for all that marine stuff. Its like the walmart of Marine stuff.
For the interior, I have re finished Teak/wood many times. And I did re did hard wood floors so I have a quite a bit experience staining wood. Stand it down with some 100 and 200 grit and put a **** ton of home depot hard wood floor stainer on it. It will probably just soak in the first coat, maybe the second. And then some clear sealant, it should last quite a long time. You can buy expensive stuff from marine stores, but for that type of wood hardwood floor stain works great and its not that bad for budget.

Any questions or ideas, PM me. Ill see what I can do.

thanks man! i'm sure i'll end up askin you for some more tips later this week!
+1 for the help:goodjob: