bobwpe
04-15-2006, 02:10 PM
Hi Everyone,
I'd like to start my first post of substance by thanking all of you who have contributed so much to this very valuable forum. I don't want to list the names because I'm sure I would forget someone but the two Scott's would surely be at the top of such a list. In any event the time is long overdue for me to contribute to this resource which has been so helpful to me.
I purchased a 1973 18' 2+3 hull and deck in July of 2004 as a long term (2-3 years) restoration project. The transom had already been rebuilt and since that time the following has glass work has been completed:
New foam to replace balsa under deck.
New fuel tank.
Two layers of glass feathered along the shear line of the hull to mitigate swiss cheese condition of hull/deck joint.
Beefed up stringers and repaired minimal damage.
New cockpit floor (more on this later).
Hull interior paint.
New gelcoat bottom.
Hull and deck primed and ready for paint.
I have pictures of all of the above which will be available in this and future posts. Most of this was done by an incredibly able and talented glass guy who I had lined up before I bought the boat as I would never have undertaken this project without him. I am well aware of the taboo on cutting the cockpit floor for any reason but when you see what my glass guy did many of you may agree that it came out pretty well.
Now it is time for me to start accumulating all the parts. Since I need everything I was beginning to think it would be cheaper to buy a used boat in the 10-15k range, restore and use all the parts and give the hull away for someone else to resto. Now it appears that my beloved hurricane Wilma has stepped in to fill the void. I was the successful bidder this morning on the Sad Donzi referenced in the boats for sale section. I personally inspected the boat on Thursday and the engine/drive package as well as all the other parts I need are in nearly new condition. I am taking a calculated risk on the engine/drive based on my conversation with a yard guy who new the boat and said it was properly maintained.
Since I want to keep this post as brief as possible I'd like to leave it up to the board members to fire away with any questions you might have and I will respond (with pictures) to the best of my ability.
Thanks again for all your help and I look forward to sharing my adventure with all of you who have been so kind to contribute to this site.
btw: This is not my first Donzi. From 1989-1995 I had an '82 22' 2+3 with a Mercruser 330, TRS and 21-23p cleaver. It was a great boat, I just got tired of the Donzi Do'$ every monday morning.
I'd like to start my first post of substance by thanking all of you who have contributed so much to this very valuable forum. I don't want to list the names because I'm sure I would forget someone but the two Scott's would surely be at the top of such a list. In any event the time is long overdue for me to contribute to this resource which has been so helpful to me.
I purchased a 1973 18' 2+3 hull and deck in July of 2004 as a long term (2-3 years) restoration project. The transom had already been rebuilt and since that time the following has glass work has been completed:
New foam to replace balsa under deck.
New fuel tank.
Two layers of glass feathered along the shear line of the hull to mitigate swiss cheese condition of hull/deck joint.
Beefed up stringers and repaired minimal damage.
New cockpit floor (more on this later).
Hull interior paint.
New gelcoat bottom.
Hull and deck primed and ready for paint.
I have pictures of all of the above which will be available in this and future posts. Most of this was done by an incredibly able and talented glass guy who I had lined up before I bought the boat as I would never have undertaken this project without him. I am well aware of the taboo on cutting the cockpit floor for any reason but when you see what my glass guy did many of you may agree that it came out pretty well.
Now it is time for me to start accumulating all the parts. Since I need everything I was beginning to think it would be cheaper to buy a used boat in the 10-15k range, restore and use all the parts and give the hull away for someone else to resto. Now it appears that my beloved hurricane Wilma has stepped in to fill the void. I was the successful bidder this morning on the Sad Donzi referenced in the boats for sale section. I personally inspected the boat on Thursday and the engine/drive package as well as all the other parts I need are in nearly new condition. I am taking a calculated risk on the engine/drive based on my conversation with a yard guy who new the boat and said it was properly maintained.
Since I want to keep this post as brief as possible I'd like to leave it up to the board members to fire away with any questions you might have and I will respond (with pictures) to the best of my ability.
Thanks again for all your help and I look forward to sharing my adventure with all of you who have been so kind to contribute to this site.
btw: This is not my first Donzi. From 1989-1995 I had an '82 22' 2+3 with a Mercruser 330, TRS and 21-23p cleaver. It was a great boat, I just got tired of the Donzi Do'$ every monday morning.