My bottom is softer than I anticipated!!

by John
(Elgin, Oklahoma)

I've got a 1966 Century Resorter, 19'. Purchased as a "project" and has it ever been one.

We were almost done (we thought), after countless hours and a bunch of $$, and we learned that the bottom is not in as good a shape as we thought.

It did have a decent coat of bottom paint on it when we started, and we didn't take it completely off, just some sanding and patching of some of the obvious bad spots.

The previous owner had sprayed a "rhino liner" type product on the inside of the bottom (bad idea), so we couldn't get a good visual of the condition of the wood, and fixed what we thought were the only trouble spots.

It is apparent now, after a maiden voyage that almost ended in disaster, that we have some significant work to do on the bottom.

The rest of the boat is near perfect and a real eye catcher.

The dilemma: do we try to do the repair ourselves? (We have access to expert woodworkers) Or do we take it to an expert in this arena and fork out some more $$, or sell as is and take our beating and move on.

I'm not comfortable with a way to get it turned over to access the bottom.

I have plenty of lifting equipment, but have never tried anything this fragile.

I would welcome some feedback and I will try to get some pics on here as well.