Suggested Restoration Project Order

[rprince]

Hello. What would be your suggested order of these boat restoration projects?
1. Refinish Teak
2. Fix fiberglass cracks/ pits
3. Chrome polish
4. Gelcoat re-finish (heavy oxidation)
5. Fix no-skid paint on deck

Thanks!

[mitiempo]

Welcome to Sailnet.
You don't state what kind of boat it is but the first jobs should be structural if any, followed by leaking issues for example with deck fittings, then the teak (presumably handrails and such on deck) then the non-skid. I'd leave the gelcoat to a spring haulout. Most deck gear will probably be stainless but I'd leave polishing to last.

[CalebD]

I always concur with Mitiempo and I do as per your post.
Without knowing what type of boat it is and the items you listed I would prioritize them more or less in this order.
A - Fix fiberglass cracks/ pits. Where are they on your boat?
B - Fix no-skid pain on deck. Is it really worn down? Is it that critical?
C - Gel-coat refinish. Again, where is it on the boat? On deck, the freeboard? Below the water line? If so this is a higher priority.
E - Refinish teak. Live with it. Can be done anytime.
F - Chrome polish. Again, live with it. Can be done anytime unless it is part of a critical system.
As Mitiempo noted, without pics and more descriptive prose as to what may actually require immediate attention it is hard to say what you should do first.
It depends where your boat is also. This time of year up 'north' it is too cold and wet for refinishing wood, painting, epoxy, gel-coat repair and a number of other activities.
Welcome to the Asylum we cal SailNet.

[poopdeckpappy]

2
4
5
1
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[catamount]

Umm,

First things first!

What is the state of the plumbing on this boat? Seacocks, Hoses, etc... First priority is to make sure she won't sink!

Second, you can redo the likely rats-nest of wiring later, but you do wan't to make sure there are no faults in the wiring that could cause a fire.

Third, are you going to sail this boat? What is the condition of the rig and rigging?

The teak, chrome, and gelcoat can all wait -- they are essentially purely cosmetic. You'll want to inspect the fiberglass cracks to make sure that they're not structural -- to the extent that they are, you want to deal with them first. But while you are at it, do you have a cored deck, or a cored hull? If you have any soft spots, you'll want to do a re-core job before you do anything else in that area.

The condition of the non-skid is an important safety issue, and so you may want to deal with that once you're sure that the hull and deck are sound.

Good Luck!

[tommays]

Well

BIG # ONE get survey person to do a walk through and point out mandatory FIX items like I have to move the fuel fill form the cockpit floor to the rail

1. Fix Motor and packing gland cutlass bearing (get compleat system in good condition)

2. Fix electric system

on and on and then worry about looking pretty

[QuickMick]

Im in the midst of a similar project... you will find this site an invaluable resource during your undertaking....

Ive been approaching it like this....

1. OPEN WALLET.
2. DONT BOTHER TO CLOSE WALLET.
3. Ive broken the projects down into systems...
a)mechanical--had to fix the a4 first to go anywhere
b)rigging--my running was moldier than bleu cheese--inspect standing
c)plumbing
d)electrical
e)refinish topside/below add creature comforts.

After a+b, I've been working on e, with a smattering of c and d as I can bribe buddies more knowledgeable then I....try plying them with a little beer. Marina mech's are very $$$, and I found that when I think about it I usually know someone who can/will help me out (ie a pal who specializes in dc12 vlt ops on big rigs....and likes beer...)

anyway goodluck and have fun,
this place is great and people here will help you out a lot.
Quinn

[rprince]

Thanks for the great feedback!

Sorry for the lack of details.. 27' 1971 Ericson,
"Phase 1"; The Ops phase: Mechanical, electrical, rigging, survey done, safety checks, etc) is complete. I'm into "Phase 2" now... the "pretty 'er up" phase. Each of these are of course separate projects and each with lots of choices (and opinions). I have no immediate rush for any of this work.. I'm going to enjoy the ride actually and learn a few things as I go.

Here's an updated priority based on your feedback, my current status and products/ techniques I am thinking:

1. Refinish Teak: Done! Sanded it all down and chose the "varnish" option.. Looks great!

2. Fix fiberglass cracks/ pits.. Purely cosmetic.. fine cracks and some areas of pitting in the cockpit. Marine fiberglass repair kit

3. Fix no-skid paint on deck.
INTERLUX Interdeck Non-Skid Paint

4. Gelcoat re-finish (heavy oxidation).. Mainly the deck areas. The hull above waterline possibly..
EVERCOAT SEA CARE GEL COAT REPAIR KIT
Poliglow

5. Chrome/ stainless steel polish
Nevr-dul or Braso (?)

Thoughts ? Comments?

[QuickMick]

flitz is a pretty good metal cleaner... some of those darn cleaners are SO abrasive on chrome they rip off the chroming.... 'DOH'

some non-c bleach, magic eraser.... if you search the forums on metal cleaning you will find a bevy of opinions. naval jelly i found too harsh and most of the crap i bought was worthless with trumped up claims. ive only used brasso on my brass bell, but if you have success lemme know!!

[FishSticks]

Here is a guideline for estimating the time and cost involved in boat restoration projects. See this link, which I have posted without permission of the author, my friend Fred.

Boat Estimates | American Schooner Association