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Author	Topic:   To modify or restore
Johnny B	posted 03-15-2000 11:43 PM ET (US)         I have owned a 65 16ft Whaler for the last 3 years. This year I decided to completely refinish the hull. I had a lot of glass work to do. So I removed all the gel coat to see what needed to be done. One of the projects was to rebuild the bow. It seemed someone must have hit a dock or something in it's past history. I tore out the make shift repair job and filled in the front lip with 2" Mahogany, I glassed that over and made it look new. Lots of spots and holes also needed repair. I spent a couple of months on the glassing. I than put brushed four coats of gelcoat on the hull sanding the streaks each time. Three months later I'm in the final stages of sanding and buffing out the gelcoat. By next week I'll be ready to flip the hull over and start on the inside. My question is should I go back to what I had for a console or look in restoring it to the original one. I'm sure the boats changed a lot in 35 years and have no way of knowing what it looked like when it was bought back in 65.I mistakingly sanded off the serial number when I was removing the gel coat. So I have no idea what model it was other than it is a 16'7" hull. Should I just make it back into the fishing boat it was, or is it worth restoring it to what it looked like in 65. And if thats the case what are the models and how do I get information on them? Johnny B
jimh	posted 03-16-2000 02:15 PM ET (US)             I am a little confused: do you have the original wooden seats and console? Or do you just have the hull? Have you checked the information available here at http://continuouswave.com/whaler/16-17/ regarding the various models of that hull? --jim
Johnny B	posted 03-16-2000 08:53 PM ET (US)             It's only the hull with some after market glassed over plywood console. Nothing orignal except the hull. I have no idea what a Currituck, Eastport, Nauset or Sakonnet is. This is my first real boat. One thing I do know it pops up on plane in five ft. and I love to drive the old whaler, it flies with my 90 hp. So I decided to give it a make over. I am curious if the market value is that much greater if I try to make look it did in 1965 or is it just a personal thing. I have the woodworking skills to make the maghogany as close to the original. But wonder if the expense is worth it. JBF
KCarlsen	posted 03-17-2000 09:42 PM ET (US)             The information to bring it back to its original layout and model was sanded off when you removed the serial number. That is the only means that I am aware of in determining a hulls original model. "The Classic Whaler News" which is a news letter that can be subscribed to printed a serial number cross reference (May 1999) for a hulls year but it didn't give you the model. A call to the factory with the serial number will give you the model name it came off the factory floor. As jim stated, this site has all the different models explained in great detail. As for original restoration, thats a personal decision. I wrestled with this question and decided on a new wooden console and seat instead of fiberglass because I like the classic look of wood. I upgrade any parts I feel will make the boat better but try to keep its original flair. Purists will only replace original parts with original parts right down to the old engine. There is nothing wrong with that if it works for them. The main thing to keep in mind is its your boat to use, enjoy and personalize. The second thing to keep in mind is the size of your wallet. The whaler was designed for personalization. The company sold thousands of bare hulls just for that purpose. Plan, dream, design and build your boat for your own reasons and personal expression and enjoy. Forget resale because if your like most of us, you will never sell. Kurt
Johnny B	posted 03-21-2000 10:20 PM ET (US)             Thanks Kurt for your input. I'm taking photos as I go and plan a web page of my work when I'm finished. I'm leaning towards a fishing boat suitable for my type of fishing. Bay and lagoon fishing with a flyfishing platform on the bow. You are right I doubt I will sell it. It holds alot of memories and I'm putting in a ton of time to keep it running. JBF
peter welch	posted 04-25-2000 09:31 PM ET (US)             I was in the same situation 5 years ago when I found my hull. It had been a Currituck but the wood was long gone. I added a center console out of a Sea Pro 17 that the guys helping with the restoration found for me. Its similar to a modern Montauk console but better in a couple of respects. I didn't have this site to help me find old parts when I was doing my restoration but the advice several guys in the boat business gave me was that I would never recapture my cost on the resale of a 60's vintage boat--original parts or not. Now that I've finished my project I'm inclined to agree with this advice. Then again. I don't see myself ever selling the boat either! Good luck with your project. They really are wonderful boats! Peter

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