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I'm beginning a new restoration. The boat is generally in decent shape. It needs all new wood, rub rail, motor, etc. But, the hull/deck are in okay shape. Just the usual crazing. A couple of questions...

1. Thoughts on wet sanding/buffing versus painting? My last 13' that I restored I did not paint and it turned out okay. I don't want a collector boat when I'm done but a good-looking boat I can use for fishing and cruising.

2. Thru-hull brass drain tubes. I need to replace. Stick with brass replacements (Moeller) or use PVC?

3. Rub rail. Any good replacements other than the 3-piece rigid, OEM style ones..?

Thanks!

Bruce

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I would always try wetsanding and buffing before painting. Once you paint you can never go back. I went with the stock 3 piece rubrail because I wanted it to look authentic, but, it is not very tough.

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Thanks, Sailorman. Those are my thoughts going in. More to come!

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I just completed restoration on my 1966 sport. I went with topside paint and primer from Total Boat. Lots of prep work but I was on a limited budget so painting was a good cost saving route. Total boat makes great products. My rubrail came off ebay and is the Taco brand. I went with black w/white insert. It came as a kit with all hardware and I installed it myself. I used 2x10 treated wood for my seats. Getting back to paint, It took 1gal of primer, 2 guarts whaler blue, and 2 quarts white. Two coats.

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Well, I pressure washed and scrubbed her hull today. Big improvement. I'll try wet sanding the bottom paint area to see how that cleans up. If the paint is still noticeable when I'm done, I'll just paint the bottom that same blue and move on.