1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011
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Opinions on the Restoration of my 1962 Sport
DrewJohnston	#1  Posted on 02/26/08 - 5:00 AM
Member Posts: 2 Comments: 0 Joined: 02/25/08	First off, thanks for all the advise on my post on whether I should paint or re-gelcoat my 13 footer! Looks like everyone feels the re-gelcoat process is the right way to go...done! Now my question turns to the “appropriate” way to restore the helm. I saw the KeltonKrew.com restoration web site...and it is awesome! I love the center console he built and I would love to have something like that as well. However, I am concerned that if I change the historical layout of where the captains wheel sits, I somehow will do my family ’62 a disservice. What are the opinions on this one? Should I restore it back to the original layout, or can I build a center console and still feel good about myself at night?
moose	#2  Posted on 02/26/08 - 6:28 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 543 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/07/07	Drew, Fortunately and unfortunately you are the only one that can answer that one. Mike
CES	#3  Posted on 02/26/08 - 6:36 AM
Member Personal Page Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 2681 Comments: 7 Joined: 04/27/07	Drew. I went to the keltonkrew.com website and only saw a family’s photo album. What restoration website are you talking about? I have a 1966 13' and I need a new helm for it as well. Like what Moose said, only you can determine what is right for your boat. I think you should make it as modern as possible without taking away from its vintage background. I.E. Why use a cable steering system when you can use a teflex? Why use a 1961 vintage outboard when you can use something more modern and reliable? As for the woodwork, use what best suites your needs, after all....you're probably not going to "Show" it and I think that you, like the rest of us, want to actually use the boat. Gel coating is the best way to go. My hull was painted while the inside of the boat was gel coated. The paint chips easily and is not very durable. Good luck with your restore. If you have any questions, please email me or send a PM. Additionally, the guys on this website are incredibly useful when it comes to accurate information about whalers. Cliff 1966 13' Sport with a 1993 40hp Yamaha 2 Smoker
Blue_Northern	#4  Posted on 02/26/08 - 6:40 AM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 532 Comments: 5 Joined: 09/04/07	I personally would go back to original BW lines -- but I am a bit of a purest. I think bottom line is how you want to use your boat. How long do plan to keep your 13 and are you willing to sacrifice something on resale. Kelton did a great restore and the boat looks great. If you plan to keep the boat for decades - do what you want with the boat.
CES	#5  Posted on 02/26/08 - 6:57 AM
Member Personal Page Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 2681 Comments: 7 Joined: 04/27/07	Wow! Mike Kelton did a fantastic job with his restore. Thanks for the link! Cliff 1966 13' Sport with a 1993 40hp Yamaha 2 Smoker
Yiger	#6  Posted on 02/26/08 - 10:13 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 122 Comments: 1 Joined: 12/03/07	I was planning of going 'original' with my restoration ('67 16' but then started to consider how I'm going to use the boat. My wife doesn't love the orignal helm seat of the older hulls and I prefer leaning posts. Also, though I'm more of a wood-worker than a fiberglass guy, I still don't want to spend a ton of time maintaining the wood rather than fishing. Lastly, we are really sailors who like to fish from time to time. Sailboats (in my mind- not everyone's) are beautiful and worth the extra effort for perfect varnish, while fishing boats should be robust and clean up with nothing more than a hose and a brush. Our dogs will be coming with us too, and I don't want to worry over every scratch in the deck or woodwork. Bottom line is figure out how you'll use the boat and make your decision from there. Don't build a showroom boat if you want something low maintenance. Don't slap together a console with duck tape and match sticks if you want a show boat. If it's not what you want you won't enjoy it as much as possible.
danedg	#7  Posted on 02/26/08 - 11:12 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 349 Comments: 6 Joined: 01/24/06	Your hull has far outlasted the expectations of the manufacturer.... We're in uncharted territory here...nobody knows how long these things will last. If you can afford it...gelcoat...the first 46 years wasn't so bad.... Then decide...do I want to hang it above the mantle?...or use it as much as possible? I personally don't have a problem with some subtle changes to the layout, if it's done tastefully, utilizing suitable materials... You can put it in a glass case....or take the Family out for a spin...you'll enjoy it more, if it works for you.... What worked in 1962...doesn't necessarily work for me, in 2008.... I'll never forget working 2 years on my 65' Thompson Seacoster...thing looked sweet! Cruised over to the Antique Boat Show...and was not allowed to dock or participate in the show...as it wasn't PERFECT!.....noses turned up...I was dissed in a variety of ways... I'll not subject myself to that again. The Nauset will be used everyday possible...as I see fit... ...and I lose no sleep...that there's a scratch here...or the varnish isn't perfect there...or that the rod hoders aren't factory spec.... My Dad named her, "Grin and Bear It"....I know why..... danedg attached the following image: [89.25Kb] Edited by danedg on 02/26/08 - 11:17 AM
Binkie	#8  Posted on 02/27/08 - 7:49 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 2012 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/19/05	I think your `61 Sport can be made into a more comfortable boat, and still look like a whaler, as I did with my `61 thirteen footer. Moving the whole interior forward 4" will help make for a smoother ride. Rich http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c19...s2/133.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c19...itled2.jpg
kamie	#9  Posted on 02/27/08 - 10:55 AM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	There is not a right way or a wrong way to restore a boat, car, house or anything you want to restore. You can choose to do the restore and make it historically accurate. You can choose to update parts or change parts to fit your needs. Now you can even get new parts, that look old so you can update and make it historically accurate. The nice thing about Whalers, especially older ones is, even when new, you could purchase a bare hull and pretty much do anything you wanted. THere are some restores that look better, not sure I would install a montauk size console into a 13 foot whaler, but asuming it fit, you could try. The important thing is to decide how you will use the boat today and if you plan to keep it for 30 more years, what you think your needs will be in the future. If you don't plan to keep it, then you need to consider how what you do will effect the useability for the next owner or you may have trouble selling the boat. Kelton did a great job on his boat, as did Binkie, consider if the standard Sport layout works for you, and if not what changes would you make, here are some I am considering for my 13. Possible Console Possible Interior
finfish04	#10  Posted on 02/27/08 - 11:52 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 36 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/25/05	Hi Drew, It has always been my feelings that boats were made to be used and enjoyed,Whalers are no exception.Even though Whalers were in many ways ahead of their time certain materials and concepts were not yet available when they were made.My advise is fix your whaler as you see fit for your use and your eyes.There are many things that can be altered without losing the "Whaler look". Look at other Whalers on this site and you will see what I mean.Gel coat for me is the way to go .It is more durable and not that difficult to apply. When using gel coat preparation is the key.You can look at my personal page and others to see what can be done with desire and effort.Take care,Dino Edited by finfish04 on 02/27/08 - 10:58 PM
MW	#11  Posted on 02/27/08 - 3:55 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1827 Comments: 10 Joined: 01/08/06	Everybody does their boat a "Little" different, I'm by no means anywhere near a "Factory show piece". I set up my boat to fit my needs, and I like to read everyone's opinion's on "W/C" discussions, there's some pretty cool idea's on this site, as well as great maint./ repair advice, you also get to post pic's and see everyone's work. If all our hull's were the same it would be pretty boring, I don't abuse my boat but, sometimes you have to drive it like a "Whaler" and grab a little "AIR TIME" off the "Chop" in the Bay on the way in, the boat seem's to like it, ( I sure do) and I think that's what makes the smaller Boston Whaler models so much "FUN". mw
John Fyke	#12  Posted on 02/27/08 - 5:55 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1307 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/06/06	[quote]Binkie wrote: I think your `61 Sport can be made into a more comfortable boat, and still look like a whaler, as I did with my `61 thirteen footer. Moving the whole interior forward 4" will help make for a smoother ride. Rich I agree, I did the same to the 13' for CES. John Fyke Re-Fit or Reef It 1979 15' Sport with Super Sport conversion and 70hp mercury.