Gtuck asked this question on 4/13/2000:

I recently bought an 1964 Penn Yan outboard 16'-0" motor boat. It is in generally good condition but I need advice on stripping and reconditioning outside of hull. What is the best way to go about this? How long should I expect it to take? Are there any good resorce books that you can recommend? Any hints on the best way to strip off the old varnish and reseal it?

icarius31 gave this response on 4/13/2000:

Boy you went back in time to get this Penn Yan.This is a mahogany plywood hull is it not? Before you go thru all the time and expense of getting the boat ready for the water answer this,please.Have you had the hull checked by a knowledgeable boat craftsman?Has it been in the water recently?If it is plywood,is there any delamination of the plys? Have you checked the transom for rot?Transoms are one of the first places to go. Best hint on stripping old varnish is to get a good varnish remover.Try Interlux or StarBrite.Both should be on a website.There are other marine paint manufacturers who also make quality products.Check your local marine dealer. Do what I do when Im stuck.Contact the maker,explain what you want to do and they will help.With a boat from 1964 they may even send you the makins to get the job done. As far as time,depends how hard you work at it.As my dad used to say when we did our yearly caulking on an old Jersey Skiff.You want to fish?Scrape. Seriously,it is a labor of love.Check magazines such as Wooden Book Journal.They are a bible for owners like you. I know I didnt give you much encouragement,but stay with it and safe boating.icarius 31

Gtuck asked this follow-up question on 4/14/2000:

Thanks for the answers. In terms of the things you mentioned: The boat has not been in the water for almost two years. There does not appear to be any delamination of the plywood, just flaking of the varnish. There is some rot in the transom. It appears to be localized at the rear of the boat, where water had most likely been sitting. The planking is OK, just the transom beam. I was thinking of laying a sister on either side of it. Somebody mentioned a solution that you can spread on the wood to totally seal and sort of encase it. Does this sound plausible to you? If so, any idea the name of the stuff?

icarius31 gave this response on 4/14/2000:

Hi again:Personally I wouldnt fool around with the transom.Replace it with a new structure and encapsulate it in fiberglass. It is too late to try to cover the rot.You dont want to let your transomto let go.Now I have never seen a transom let go in its entirety. But ,I have seen where they have split and a motor was hanging on but barely. Going back to the hull varnish.A good product will do the job. Good luck.Sure wish I had your ambition.Take your time and it will come out ok By the way those older Penn Yans were great boats.Soft riding and fairly responsive for a heavy hull.Later,icarius31

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