At the same time the transformation of the top part of the whaler was happening in Al’s basement workshop, the whaler hull was getting watsonized in the garage. Any time I couldn’t find Al I just looked in the basement or the garage. And there he would be!
After an extensive cleaning, the grinding, sanding and filling began.
Older Boston Whalers often have crazing and cracks in the gelcoat. Some owners just wax over it and enjoy the boat. Some paint over the crazing and enjoy the boat. Al decided to go all in and repair the gelcoat, repaint and then enjoy the boat. Let’s be honest, he got a lot of joy out of the process as well. Some people might add in “labor costs” to the expenditures to rejuvenate this boat, but instead of labor costs, we call it “enjoyment costs.” But they are positives, not negatives!
Our Boston Whaler had significant crazing in the gelcoat. The photos below show just one section of the fix.
And that is just one area.
The Whaler had a curious looking plywood patch on the floor. The previous owner told Al that his daughter laid a spotlight down without turning it off and the heat from the lamp burned through the gelcoat and fiberglass. So he covered it up with a square piece of plywood.
Al cut out circles of fiberglass to fill the hole and then leveled it with the fairing compound.
And more TotalFair Epoxy …….
There was so much sanding, then more filling, followed by more sanding.
The restoration work was progressing very nicely but it also presented a problem. The new sleek and smooth surfaces are slippery. That is just not safe on a boat.
Final decision – TotalTread!
The boat needed a new rub rail. The installation of the two pieces that hold the rub rail became a “family affair.” All hands on deck!
All of the above took place through September and October, sometimes all at once. By the end of October, Al decided it was time to put the Whaler pieces back together. Rather than carry the top part (seating and console) up from the basement, he enlisted George’s help and …….
There’s still more to be done, but great progress so far!
Gilberto Belaval
Hi We sailed together for many years and learned our sailing skills by trail and error – no YouTube. I’ve seen folks on YouTube restore boats like you have done. You should have gone on YouTube and made some money. Nice job!
watsons
Haha. I don’t think either of us has the patience to live life through a video.
Prue Preston
Looks great, like new!
Ann Rafferty Brown
It looks brand new…Great job Al..
Enjoy!!
watsons
Thanks!
Gwynn
Looks like a brand-new boat. Al is amazing!
watsons
He is loving every moment and problem that needs solving.
Tom & Sue Sokoloski
Dare I say the whaler looks BETTER than new?????
watsons
A whole new life for it!
Ellen R Seltzer
Even though I couldn’t do one piece of this restoration (except maybe take the pictures) I am very impressed…Al has my vote! xo
Still no ice cream though…hmmm!
watsons
I’ll try to fit ice cream in on a future blog, ok?
M