My 'Unknown' Project Boat

[Kane]

Hey All,

I've been given an old fishing boat, which is in a very poorly state. Much work needs doing, including a completely new transom, and a hell of a lot of new fibreglassing. The work I can do, it looks really bad, and it is in places, but she will go back in the water where she belongs.

Thing is... I have absolutely no idea what she is, even the previous owner had no idea. It would help enormously with choosing the right engine, etc.

Anyone got any ideas on make/model please?

 

Many thanks.

 

 

[Andy135]

Hi Kane,

Welcome to the site. Nice freebie. Quite a project though going by your description. Good luck with it. How about starting a rebuild thread in the Project Boats section to keep us updated on your progress.

As for what make/model she is... not sure. Looks familiar but I can't place her. Maybe a Shetland 535. Window configuration look the same, but the window shape on yours is more angular than the 535's unless yours is a very early example. Hull shape similar but not identical unless, again, yours is very early.

Any idea what year/how old she might be?

[Kane]

Hi Andy,

I'm all for doing a rebuild thread from start to finish, I hadn't realised there was a project boats section. Sounds like a plan though. 🙂

I thought Shetland too but as you say the windows and the top of the hull are not right. The sweep on the sides doesn't match properly with the 535 either. Tried comparing it to various makes and models with Google images but there's always something doesn't match up. Very frustrating lol.

I'm thinking mid 70s - early 80s, but again, not dead sure. 😞

[Saintly Fish]

@Kane welcome to the sight. I originally thought Picton or Mayland, but the window profile does not quite match up. 
Is there no manufacturers stamp anywhere? Sometimes they are hidden behind a bulkhead or on the rear of the transom!

[daio web]

hi welcome kane it could be a micro plus i will try and do some reseach for you 

[Geoff]

 Welcome aboard. Nothing like a Shetland or Microplus. I think it is a Mariner, not from the 80's, but probably 70's, or late 60's. Take no notice of these youngsters who all believe that my boat will never float! I wish you the very best of luck with you "M" project. Geoff. 

Edited September 21, 2023 by Geoff

[Geoff]

Just looked at some Mariner images, and they seem to have an additional swage line between the chine and the deck, so now no longer sure. Geoff.

Edited September 21, 2023 by Geoff

[Geoff]

44 minutes ago, JonC said:

Disappointed here @Geoff, this was your big chance to shine and you’ve let us all down. 

I agree Jon, I think it a great pity that you scared Clinker away! Geoff.🙂

[Andy135]

3 hours ago, Geoff said:

I agree Jon, I think it a great pity that you scared Clinker away! Geoff.🙂

Touché! There seems to be a theme here. @Clinker, @headlight, @GPSguru, all scared off...

[daio web]

it could be a early mariner all the best bud 

[Geoff]

4 hours ago, daio web said:

it could be a early mariner all the best bud 

Mariner is still the closest that I can think of, I only said that I was no longer sure! The under chine line and the cabin lines look similar, but window shape is different. If it is not a Mariner (built by a company called Marina in Worcestershire) I do think that there may be some connection there. Whatever it is the underwater shape looks purposeful. Geoff.

[captin slows old outlaw]

i have  not a clew eather , oh welcome mate

[suzook12]

Welcome Kane, look forward to seeing your progress.

Done some research and reckon I know what it is I know what it is...... It's a "boat", hope that helps 🤣

[Kane]

Hi All

Thankyou for the warm welcome. I have been advised that it is a very early Marina GT16 , based on the GT16 offshore racing model designed to take 2 x 50hp motors. Apparently a classic, so I really have to get her restored now, receipts be damned lol. Luckily I can do the repairs and fit her out myself as far as the labour part go so some savings there.

I think looking more closely, that the windows have been re-shaped, and made bigger. They're not in rubber seals, they've had wood framing glued on inside and out, well, before it rotted and fell off. 😄

Later model pictured here: Marina GT16 Sportboat And Breakback Trailer - Project for sale from United Kingdom (boats-from.co.uk)

Had her moved now to a place I can work on her, albeit outdoors. Considering I live on an island, there is a dearth of indoor spaces available. 😞 Meh, tarps will do. 🙂

Edited October 6, 2023 by Kane
Messed up a sentence

[Geoff]

Well done for getting to the bottom of it. I said that I thought it a Mariner from the late 60's on (I am only saying this to give JonC something to put in his pipe and smoke it). Nice to hear you may have a "classic". We look forward to seeing some pics of your progress. Geoff. 🙂

[Kane]

Thanks Geoff, it'll be fun anyway. 😄

JonC, should I start another thread for it, now I know what it is, or leave everything here you reckon?

Cheers

Kane

[Andy135]

1 hour ago, Kane said:

Thanks Geoff, it'll be fun anyway. 😄

JonC, should I start another thread for it, now I know what it is, or leave everything here you reckon?

Cheers

Kane

Leave it all here - I'll move the thread over to Project Boats 👍

[Kane]

Have been reading up on adding flotation to these older small boats, a lot of the examples being for a 600lb boat. Mine weighs nearly twice that, and has zero installed buoyancy! 😮

I've seen the calculators, etc., but to make this wee boat anywhere near a neutral buoyancy, I'd have to fill the entire interior in closed cell foam blocks. Has anyone any actual experience of retro fitting an old fibreglass boat with flotation before I go any further?

 

Cheers

 

Kane

[suzook12]

pit balls in the voids is a common one, as is plastic bottles with the lid sealed on. You may be cutting panels out etc to get them in. Many are done when putting a new deck down after replacing rotten stringers and the like.

[Andy135]

5 hours ago, suzook12 said:

pit balls in the voids is a common one, as is plastic bottles with the lid sealed on. You may be cutting panels out etc to get them in. Many are done when putting a new deck down after replacing rotten stringers and the like.

Play pit balls lose their air over time. We had a load for the kids and quite a few of them went soft and mis-shapen. Plastic bottles with lids siliconed on would be a better (if more laborious) option in my view.

[Andy135]

Just now, JonC said:

Squirt foam the entire thing, then fill the fucker up with it then carve out a new cockpit area to suit your needs. 

[daio web]

empty pop bottles is your best bet