New here - boat project

This is my project boat. Yes it was a free boat .... so here it goes.

Fiberglass "John Boat" 12' --- this discussion is JUST for the boat bottom side and Topsides from the gunwale down. Once I get this finished and turned back over that will be a diff project (Easier)

My Plan is to grind / sand out the bad gel coat and fiberglass a few edges from damaged chine, edges, corners, and any other bad areas and glass then finish with roll on gel coat for the bottom side, (anti fouling paint maybe but will be trailered) the topside (gunwales) I may spray on Gel coat. It seems like that is the way to go unless I learn otherwise here.

I have chop strand and woven. Haven’t done any “glass “ since high school messing with surfboards etc.
This doesn’t have to be perfect, but I want it to be structurally sound and as good as I can get it without too much trouble. It will be for Fishing, catching bait, running up on beaches, sandbars, Shell Banks, etc. running around the bay in Sarasota, Florida.

You can see this has been extensively, sort of repaired, and abused a little bit, or a little bit more; a lot of areas where it looks like it just has epoxy pored in there.

Yes a power sprayer was used to remove the 2” oysters & barnacles the previous owner let free range on it. That pulled a bit of gel coat off too etc.

Any advice welcome. Tools, types, tips … please offer helpful and time saving tips

I plan on using polyester and staying in the polyester universe. I would really love to hire someone just to help me sand & grind. There are a LOT of boat building and repair shops here in Sarasota - any ideas how to hire weekend warriors from a shop to help sand & grind .... ??

I have a ton of questions ..... thank you for any info and help please

 

That is a typical chopped strand hull. You can repair it with mat and polyester. Woven won't lay well on the corners. You can do it with minimal tools. A small griner is the only power tool you need, unless you want to get a really nice finish. If you do like a better finish it will have to be sanded to #120 if you roll the gelcoat, and maybe #150 if you spray it.

 

You paid too much for the thing.

 

An old friend of mine once told me: if you want it and can afford it, it's not expensive.