1986 15 Center Console Unusual Rear Deck

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
jccraveswaves
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1986 15 Center Console Unusual Rear Deck

Postby jccraveswaves » Sun Jun 11, 2017 3:41 pm

Looking for advice from anyone who has [restored a 1986 Boston Whaler 15 CENTER CONSOLE].

I have yet to find a picture of [a 1986 Boston Whaler 15 CENTER CONSOLE] that has a rear deck [identical to the rear deck] that came with the [1986 15 CENTER CONSOLE] I just purchased.

The fiberglass deck looks original. [The rear deck] has a livewell built into it. I think that it pretty nice option.

Anyone own one like it?

I am stripping down [the 1986 15 CENTER CONSOLE] to repair and re-paint.

Please advise

Thanks

JC

jimh
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Re: 1986 15 Center Console

Postby jimh » Mon Jun 12, 2017 5:30 pm

The boat was never painted in its original construction. Thus you cannot re-paint it. I would avoid painting it at all costs unless the gel coat is hopelessly beyond salvation.

jccraveswaves
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Re: 1986 15 Center Console

Postby jccraveswaves » Sat Jun 17, 2017 7:29 am

The boat has several small cracks on the edges of the non skid towards the bow and stern.

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Phil T
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Re: 1986 15 Center Console

Postby Phil T » Sat Jun 17, 2017 8:40 am

Take a photo and upload it.

Very fine cracks are common in boats with gelcoat. Most owners leave it alone. It's like the boats patina.
Large cracks can be lightly ground out and filled.

Painting is a one way street, lowers value, less durable. Resale will be much tougher.
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jccraveswaves
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Re: 1986 15 Center Console

Postby jccraveswaves » Sun Jul 30, 2017 6:57 pm

I can't seem to drink the photos small enough

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Phil T
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Re: 1986 15 Center Console

Postby Phil T » Wed Aug 02, 2017 1:51 pm

Here are John's photos:

image1-1.JPG
image1-1.JPG (44.13 KiB) Viewed 4567 times


image2.JPG
image2.JPG (33.78 KiB) Viewed 4567 times


image3.JPG
image3.JPG (24.46 KiB) Viewed 4567 times
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
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OldKenT
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Re: 1986 15 Center Console

Postby OldKenT » Wed Aug 02, 2017 2:38 pm

For the gelcoat crazing in your console, follow jimh's and Phil_T's advice. Do not paint. If the crazing is too fine to fill with gelcoat, try lightly sanding with wet / dry 600 and higher grit sandpaper using soapy water or a mild cleaner like Simple Green to reduce the sanding action. That will reduce the depth of the crazing slightly and make the gel coat more even to the touch. Then compound with 3M Heavy Duty Rubbing Compound followed by 3M Finesse-It to bring back the shine. Clean it, and then wax. It will look great.
The stern deck is a nice feature. I have one for my 1985 Newport with both a live well and a ski pylon. The live well empties via a through-the-hull drain in the transom. The ski pylon fits through a reinforced hole in the stern deck and fastens into a support which itself is fastened to the boat deck. Cleats attached to the gunwales provide side support for the stern deck, and metal supports between the boat deck and the stern deck provide support to the center.
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