Order of steps in restoration?

[Scooter67]

Restoring a 1951 OT wood and canvas 12' Sportboat...a warm-up before I tackle a 1935 OT HW which is a bit more involved. The Sportboat is in great original condition. All ribs and planking in great shape, canvas intact and in very good condition. Issues are that it is in need of hull paint and varnish. I've removed the seats to provide better access for sanding the interior (Pics attached) and started a bit of that process. I've quickly realized that sanding between the ribs and 1/2 ribs will be incredibly tedious work and it's nearly impossible to sand the planking with the grain of the wood. Should be easy enough to take the old finish off the tops of the ribs but what to do about the rest? I'm looking for a functional boat that retains the character of the original, not a museum piece. Any thoughts on steps to take so once varnished, she'll still look presentable?

Also, plan was to sand and prep the interior, then sand and paint the hull, then come back and varnish as the last step. Anyone see anything wrong with the order of this process? Even though the canvas is in great shape, any chance of the varnish fouling the new paint?

Thanks for any advice those of you with experience could provide!

 

[frank_a]

Boy, what a cool little boat! Do you have a period outboard for it, or is is a row boat? I'm just starting on renovating a '47 H&W, and have been told once ribs, decks and inwales/outwales have been repaired or replaced, do the interior all the way to finish, then do the outside. Of course, my canvas is off, so yours is a bit of a different situation. Good luck with it, and please do keep posting pics.

Frank

 

[Scooter67]

Thanks Frank...she is a great little boat. Originally looking for a Penn Yan cartopper but came across this boat and couldn't pass it up. Got the build slip and was happy to learn it was an AA grade boat. Remarkable, original condition...only modification was that the original owner slaped a coat of aqua blue paint over the original enamal green...I kinda like that color so I'm going with a Kirby #7 C. Green. Hull paint should be the easy part...prep and sanding will be where the work is done, as always.
I have a '70 3.5 HP Wards Sea King that I picked up at a garage sale...if I can get it running, might make a nice compliment to this boat. Boat did also come with what appear to be the original OT oars with leather collars still intact and the original oarlocks. I'll keep posting pics with the progess. Thanks for your feedback!

Scott

 

[frank_a]

Just a friendly suggestion Scott - see if you have any AOMCI meets around, and if you do, go to a few. You might pick up a small 1951 outboard, maybe even a Scott-Atwater! I had one years ago that I donated to an antique boat museum.

Other than that, good luck with the Old Town, it's a great looking little boat!

Frank

 

[Scooter67]

Thanks again for the tip Frank!