powerboat re fit

[oops!]

Im a total nubie here so please forgive me if the protocall is not totally correct.
I have a 1968 or 69 sea ray 19 foot runabout. ive owned it for 8 years and i totally love this boat! As usual 2 foot itis has set in. and the craft is totally waterlogged as i rescued it out of a farmers feild. 2 motors and drives later and its a 45 mph caddilac that needs a total refit.
I have done a few small glass and transom jobs on my other boats but nothing like im thinking of here.
i would like to...
re do stringers floor and transom.
legnthen boat four feet if possible.
yes thats correct legnthen.
can it be done?
im not afarid of the stringers floor or transom but legnthening is totally different.
has any one else done this?
whats the best way to do it? cut the boat in half? legnthen it from the transom, or cut it like a person would lay a hardwood floor, in jagged strips for hull integerty.
can anyone help or should i take my meds and lay in bed this winter with a tv remote control?
Thanks

[charmc]

Oops!, welcome aboard!

Each of the projects you've mentioned, even the lengthening, has been discussed in this forum at some time. Use the search function tab in the upper right of your screen and search the main terms of the job e.g. stringer repair, replacement; transom repair; hull lengthening; hull extension, etc. there are a lot of knowledgeable people and much detailed information, links, photos, etc. Search all topics first and absorb the material, then feel free to ask about anything not fully understood or not covered. You'll get good responses to specific questions.

Good luck!

[oops!]

thank you for responding.
i searched the past threads and have found very little about hull extension as it applies to runabouts. mostly large sea going vessels and then some 30-40 foot displacement hulls.
is it possible to lenghten a 20 foot fiberglass hull without comprmising hull intergrety or totally changeng the charitstics of the ride that i love so much?
IM not afraid of the work or time/money factor, im scared #$&$@less, of doing all this work and finding out my hull alignment is off so the darn thing wont plane or turns circles!
do I stick to a bad drug dependancy (probally cheeper)! or take out the saw and go for it!
i have purchased 2 books, runabout renovationand the fiberglass boat repair manual.
renovation was a fun quick read and repair reads like the city by-law manual but very informitive.
i have a marine surveyor and a wooden classic boat restorer both on retainer for this job.
both gentelman say the same thing. "anything can be acclomplished if you keep throwing time and money at it!
i guess im looking for a little more specific knowlage from salty Dawgs that really know what they are doing. is the legnthening just a can of worms and a road i dont want to go down? or is it safely done with time thought and preperation?
any help would be appreacated!

thanks. oops!

[charmc]

OOPS!,

Here is a thread dealing with hull extension of a planing boat.

Luhrs T-29 (1995) diesel inboard converted to outboard

You're right, there doesn't seem to be much on lengthening FRP planing runabout hulls, probably because in that size range it's usually less costly to buy a larger, well-designed used boat. Design is important; having the skills to do the work may not be enough. Weight and distribution, trim, etc. are all important issues affecting performance.

I don't want to discourage you, just point out the whole picture. By lengthening the hull that much you will be, in effect, building a new boat.

[oops!]

on this and other forums people are talking to me like im about to run head first into the back of a slow moving elephant!
im still going to try to persue the idea however it sounds like there is too many "iffs"
off to the library i go for boat building books
and mabe one for getting my head outta my......

[oops!]

now im really confused! talked to a marine fiberglass repair shop that i was going to take the boat to after the extension and they said it could be done.
lots of work but do-able.
now in thinking of it again.

[tuantom]

It's gonna take a whole lot of time and plenty of money - more than a decent 22 - 24' Sea Ray of that era would cost. No need to get an emotional attachment to the boat.
- new transom, stringers, keel, sole, paint (lotsa sanding), steering, electrical, controls, seating, canvas... - Wait - that's my boat I'm talking about.