Chumsalmon:

Thanks for the great tips. As far as the addl' piece of 1/4", it was an 8' piece that basically coverd only the portion of the bottom that was in the water. If you look at this pic, it started in front of the green pain line and went to about 2' from the bow. There was a 1/4" "lip" at the front where it ended, and this was my concern on creating additional drag.



I have no problem replacing it with a new piece, and your comment: "you might find that without the extra layer of 1/4" you bottom might flex a little more than you may want it to when sliding it over a rock" sounds like it might be a good idea.

Power dory? Cool! Seems Ive found a new love and already advised the wife that as soon as this project is finished a set of drift boat plans will be on order. I would like to build a new DB, then if I can find the plans a 18-20' wood sled that can handle at least a 90 hp. (60 jetted). \:D

Mark: I'm glad that you did decide to let it go! Yeah, this is a lot of work (did I mention I've been sanding to two weeks?) but in the long run this little drifter still has a lot of years of service left to give, and a new lease on life is in the making. I did find some soft spots along the chines and under all that paint and caulking. Nothing that I can't clean out with a wire brush and fill with the epoxy. You won't recognize it when done, I hope.

Salmo: That place sounds like the kind of people I prefer to do business with. At this stage I've still got a a LOT of green paint to remove from the interior before I can even think of applying sealer coats and picking out a new interior color....but I've got some time today and may just run out to Anacortes and talk to those folks about the stuff I'll be needing, and I would like to get those holes in the bottom (from the attachment of the former 1/4" ply piece) filled and drying for a while before any sanding on the bottom (or attachment of a new piece) happens.

Jerry: Thanks for the offer! So far, it is all sanding labor that is going into it. As for needed wood, the transom is the only piece that I plan to use Marine Grade on. If I replace that bottom piece I'll probably use a good exterior grade since it will be glassed and coated with CoatIt or GluvIt (or some concoction of epoxy/graphite). That transom will need to be 3/4" or 1" Marine grade, either that or I'll expoxy 2 pieces of 3/8" together. It will have additional support pieces along the sides, as well, since it will have the 7.5 Johnson sitting on it. (She won't be fast, but hopefully enough power to run us back up to the front of the slot for another drift!)

Plan is to build new plywood seats with storage compartments beside the padded front seat and padded rowing seat (with a short backrest).

Once I figure out what size pieces I'll send you a PM and maybe you could take a gander around the shop for what is laying around? Doesn't have to be fancy, just servicable.

Time to head out to Flounder Bay so's I can get some more sanding in tonight. Exterior is almost completely void now of that green stuff.

Mike