Pacemaker Boat Owners Association

Hi Lambsgrace, fiberglass on a planked hull is a subject that sparks a lot of debate. If it's done RIGHT, it can do something, but usually, it just holds in water and promotes rot in the hull, not to mention the extra weight and expense. If its solid, if the keel and keelson are good, the frameing and planks are good, and the fasteners are good, then just caulk her well and lanuch. But I would pull some fastenes from under the waterline, and check the condition of them. Also, if the bilges are oily, the fiberglass would never stick, even if cleaned. It would most likely just pull the top layer of wood fibers away from the rest of the planks. West system is a method of building with wood and epoxy. It's success on older hulls is minimal, and temporary, as planked hulls are supposed to move and flex. This movement will cause the epoxy to crack and eventually let in and trap water, leading to a waterlogged hull that will soon rot away. Save your money!

thank you for that info the bilge is oily, she is out of water now n little rot there seems to me some of the ribs are crack was told they can be fixed by a support radious of oak on top of them, r should they be replace

oh yeah the part i am worrried about the most is the lower board that the transom is fastened toshe a lil soft but transom is solid canthis be fixed without removing the transom, by removing the soft and stuffing it with some good wood. I know litttle about wood boats but am a good carpenter, what is the berst wood to use i wanted to install some 1/4in marine ply over the wood plank in the bilge after i recalk her if the fiberglass was not a good idealto add some strenght to the hull. installed between the hull supports

Check some of the back posts sometime in the spring. We have a member who's name slips my mind who has and is going through what you are doing. I belive the boats name was Eliena and is out of new york. He has done a lot of work on his boat and could steer you in the right direction.

White oak is the most common wood for framing. You can "sister" the ribs without removing them. That means putting a new rib next to the bad one, to support the bad one. You really should remove the bottom boards of the transom to repair it properly. Do it right the first time. I know Skipper in the wooden pacemaker forum has done it,

I'm doing it now. White Oak for the ribs that can be shaped or cut. Using Mahogany for laminating any sistered ribs and the bottom frame on the transom. 1/4 'marine' grade plywood over that, then the planking.
Find yourself an experienced wooden boatbuilder and pick their brain for your techniques and help. I find a lot of good advise in Wooden Boat magazine and this site.
Don't try to skimp or use inferior materials to save a buck, it will bite back really hard.
Good luck!

ty for all the imput I be out hospital low bck surgery, I just pick up five more woody not pacemakers, I have 34ft;s to 50ft. I love the style,large saloon, and galley layout on the pace, and so I have lots of good wood, and some parts. I decicided I can have the other boats dismamantle properly use excess for mine. doe anyone know if there is any value on good use wood from these old boats, trying to save as as much as I canfor this project.

I have a set of the q350's in my pace now one is locked for sure not sure on the other, since i will be bringing my moms on her its really her s she afraid of lil boats. I wonder if i can replace the q's for a set of I think there called trojan 289 interceptor i think they to small for 38ft including swimstep. do they still use them old motors, want to put some 350 omc's in her. I just not sure the deck is tall enough was to to tear the omc's apart get new gasket set for q motors i can use the chris craft housings n convert the omc' into the fly wheel forward Qmotor like your opinions you all are so kind. I will have lots of good wood both mahogony and teak , some burmese teak also from a trojan need all and any imput at all need her done before this summer trying to post her pics will do soon

what do you think or sujest for exterior been thinking of using a epoxy resin with or without glight glass matting, i am thinking it will give her a smoother and also maybe add a lil speed cutting through the water

Personally I am totally against anything on the bottom of a wooden boat but paint. Being wood there will be expansion and contraction based on water content of the wood. Epoxy only will crack and epoxy with glass will trap moisture. I suggest taking a look at what Jimmy S. and drrishi1 have been doing.