Boat Restoration Advice

[graypatrick093]

Hi All. I am tinkering with the idea of restoring a 1991 22 foot Center Console Redfin. The boat has been sitting in a pasture, uncovered with the drain plugs removed, for 8 years. It's my father in laws boat. The boat had electrical problems and he apparently just got fed up with it and set it out to die. He said I could have it and do whatever with it. I started to dig into the boat and noticed the stringers are rotten. That being said, I know I can go out and buy a decent used boat that might need some TLC and all that, but I enjoy doing projects like this. I rebuilt a 77 VIP ski bass boat in my early 20's and had fun with it. I have connections with a guy that does fiberglass work that will help me repair the stringers and rebuild the deck.

Long story short, I have a question.

Could sitting out in the pasture for so long weaken the hull's integrity? I know the stringers are what provides the support but I am wondering if the hull can get weaker since it did not have the proper maintenance with washing and waxing. Obviously this isn't a quick flip, but I would enjoy working on this with my kids but I don't want to get into something that isn't structurally safe. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Robalo]

Why not look for a better project boat than an old Redfin? Wet ride and not that shallow of a runner for what it was said to be. Find a 70s-80s Mako, old Whaler, old Aquasport or old Robalo (not me, built I do need some rebuilding-knees, lower back, shoulder ....)-boats that were built well to begin with and have proven hulls?

Downside I see is ya put a bunch of time and money in it and will never get near what ya put into it-like an old car or truck.

[graypatrick093]

Yeah, I hear you on that. The only reason I thought about this is because the starting price tag is free. Had I not drove it when I was younger, while dating my wife, and ran off into the sunset a few times while catching loads of fish, I might have started with something different. My wife has the same input as far as the money goes, and I can see that.

Finding a decent "project" bay boat up here in DFW is quite the task. It's either junk like what I got for an absurd amount or an even higher price tag for a lake ready boat.

Is there a place that can inspect hull's or something like that?

[Robalo]

All I can think of is a certified marine inspector/engineer and that would be costly to begin with. Look for bubbles or weakspots in the hull by hand, but if stringers are rotten, then ya may not be able to tell (as you evidence by your question). Seen project boats like old shoalwaters stripped and completely rebuilt and they looked like new. You may wanna try such sites as "robaloboatowners.net" since anyone redoing a boat has same concerns you address and scan thru the advice and search areas for "hull Integrity" or something like that???? Maybe "thehulltruth.com"?? Good luck and tight lines.