New guy and old boat

I'm inclined to strip the outside as a first step, too.
Gary

 

To me the boat is in that awkward position of not being a historically valuable classic but still a very nice almost usable example of the Rangley type modified for outboards.

Building new would leave you with a new usable classic, in perfect shape - a better homage to the Rangely type IMHO. Also more fun...way more fun...plus you could build a true Rangley if classics excite you.

As a comprise you might consider something short of a difficult rebuild using traditional methods by using epoxy saturation & filling techniques. Structurally you can bring it back 100% and as a painted boat cosmetically as well. From what I've seen you have enough remaining boat to essentially restore the planks in place, creating composite or maybe hybrid planks would be the better term. Frames can have laminations "scarfed" in and the transom restore would be very straight forward. I'm not talking glass sheathing. It's harder than it sounds - it's a craft in itself - but much faster. Something to think about anyway...Moe

 

That certainly is food for thought, but at this stage of the game, the woodworker in me is winning out over the old fiberglass worker in me (owned a classic car restoration business back in the '70's, also did a stint building reproductions (from the frame up) of 1935 fiberglass-bodied Auburn Speedsters).

Thanks for the ideas!
Gary

 

Some of the photos show planks that need replacement. As a rule, planks are a consumable piece. They have a life span, then they're done. Restoring a plank is a lot more work then replacing it. The usual routine is to pull the plank and use it as a pattern for the replacement. The same would be true of repairs, cut out the bad section and use it as a template for the repair.

Garboards, especially on that boat, will need to be replaced and the keel rabbit repaired. This plank is highly loaded on powerboats and is the first to need replacement. Refastening may be an option, but usually when the boat has been unaddressed for long, the fastener holes in the frames are spent and need to be repaired too or the frames replaced, to return integrity to the structure. With the paint in place it's tough to tell, but I'll bet there are lots of tension cracks in those frames, which will not be seen, until the planks are removed and the paint stripped from the frames.

 

Thanks very much for those experienced observations, PAR. I've ordered casters for a cradle...I believe I'll make a cradle that is "convertible", i.e., can "cradle" the boat right side up or upside down. I think I'll strip the exterior paint first to get a handle on which planks need replacing, then get that good look at the frames. I remain enthusiastic about the project. We'll see how long that attitude holds up, I guess!
Thanks,
Gary