The Marine Canvas project page |
This page in our site will be dedicated to projects currently
being carried out in the Marine Canvas Shop.
being carried out in the Marine Canvas Shop.
1973 Columbian 15 Deluxe
This boat was built by my families' company in 1973. My father, Len, did all the interior
work on these boats at the time, Including teak trim. I found this one, sans motor, near
Lake Iriquois, and it was in bad need of restoration. My father has had a 19" Columbian
since 1975. That boat had an overhaul in 2007. The fleet grows!!
work on these boats at the time, Including teak trim. I found this one, sans motor, near
Lake Iriquois, and it was in bad need of restoration. My father has had a 19" Columbian
since 1975. That boat had an overhaul in 2007. The fleet grows!!
I removed the entire interior only to find the floor was rotten. Out came the
floor, only to find the keel was rotten. The project got bigger and bigger!
floor, only to find the keel was rotten. The project got bigger and bigger!
After extensive drying and cleaning, a new keel was glassed in place with epoxy.
Several cracks were also found in and around the stringers, and I repaired all of
those.
Several cracks were also found in and around the stringers, and I repaired all of
those.
I toyed with the idea of putting foam blocks in under the floor. This idea was scrapped
and I proceeded to pour foam in after the floor was installed. Before installing the new
deck I created cavities for the foam and tubes along the keel to facilitate water
drainage. I used the stringer layout and some marine ply glassed in place to create
dams that would contain the foam poured in through holes in the deck.
and I proceeded to pour foam in after the floor was installed. Before installing the new
deck I created cavities for the foam and tubes along the keel to facilitate water
drainage. I used the stringer layout and some marine ply glassed in place to create
dams that would contain the foam poured in through holes in the deck.
Time to install the new deck. I used 18 ply oak/birch plywood and coated everything
with multiple layers of epoxy prior to glassing in place. After the deck was installed,
and the foam was poured in through 3" access holes, I glassed the entire floor with
heavy mat and epoxy.
with multiple layers of epoxy prior to glassing in place. After the deck was installed,
and the foam was poured in through 3" access holes, I glassed the entire floor with
heavy mat and epoxy.
Looking closely at the picture to
the left you can see the hole that
the foam was poured through
and the heavy glass I put over
the plywood. The last floor went
thirty plus years, this one should
outlast me!! I plan on painting
the floor with a product called
Duraback. It is a rubberized
non-skid deck coating. I don;t
believe carpet belongs on boat
floors, especially with kids
dropping sand, rocks, water skis
and everything else on them!!
the left you can see the hole that
the foam was poured through
and the heavy glass I put over
the plywood. The last floor went
thirty plus years, this one should
outlast me!! I plan on painting
the floor with a product called
Duraback. It is a rubberized
non-skid deck coating. I don;t
believe carpet belongs on boat
floors, especially with kids
dropping sand, rocks, water skis
and everything else on them!!
Next, the transom is dried and re laminated. Drying took about two months.
Now the compounding begins. The gel coat was badly oxidized, but had very
few scrapes and scratches.Several days with a buffer and it began to look like
a boat again. I took this opportunity to remove all the hardware including the
windshield and teak and rebed it with silicone.
few scrapes and scratches.Several days with a buffer and it began to look like
a boat again. I took this opportunity to remove all the hardware including the
windshield and teak and rebed it with silicone.
Note the color of the hull below the gunnel: that
gives an idea of the gelcoat condiition prior to
compounding. I love the look of varnished teak.
6 coats of varnish shines like a new penny!
gives an idea of the gelcoat condiition prior to
compounding. I love the look of varnished teak.
6 coats of varnish shines like a new penny!
Soon to come: Finishing the interior,
including installing the new wise seats,
hanging the engine and installing
controls! Plus the bottom needs barrier
coat to stop some old blistering from
spreading. Volunteers Welcome!!
including installing the new wise seats,
hanging the engine and installing
controls! Plus the bottom needs barrier
coat to stop some old blistering from
spreading. Volunteers Welcome!!
| OLD BOATS ROCK!! |
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