Restoring a Boat

Segg

Segg

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Hi fellow forumites
My cousin and I are in the process of restoring a 14ft speedboat that our fathers used when they were our age, it has been neglected for about 20 years but we have finally decided to bring it back to life :D

I have some questions though, that I can't find a satisfactory answer to on the interwebs

1) Buoyancy - Can we do it ourselves and type up a document like this or do we need to spend some $$ and take it in for foaming/bottles

2) Can one still use bottles over foam, I heard somewhere that bottles aren't going to be accepted as a buoyancy aid after 2015 - don't know how true that is

3) Which medium is better (bottles or foam, I think foam)

4) CoF - since this boat was a transvaal registration and was last used in 1987 (according to the license disks on the trailer) what will we need to do to get a CoF? bare in mind this boat is bare at the moment, just had a deck made today, can someone provide a checklist by any chance?

5) Skippers License - I have a license from Florida in the US of A, can I use it here?

Any advice or pointers will be GREATLY appreciated :):):)

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P.S we have removed the rot and filled in the gaps it left
 
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2) Can one still use bottles over foam, I heard somewhere that bottles aren't going to be accepted as a buoyancy aid after 2015 - don't know how true that is
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Quite a few boat owners (from trawlers to ski-boats) frequent my establishment and the answer to this is NO bottles. You must use foam.
 
MickeyD said:
Quite a few boat owners (from trawlers to ski-boats) frequent my establishment and the answer to this is NO bottles. You must use foam.
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Awesome! Thanks for your reply! Should I put the deck in before or after the foaming?

Also would you be willing to provide an estimate on what I could expect to pay for foaming?
 
Segg said:
Awesome! Thanks for your reply! Should I put the deck in before or after the foaming?

Also would you be willing to provide an estimate on what I could expect to pay for foaming?
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I'll chat to them tomorrow... and show them this thread.
 
If you are only using the boat on inland rivers/lakes/dams then the rules are not as strict as for sea-going craft. You should be able to use a plastic bottles - the criteria is that the boat must be able to float when capsized and the crew must have something to hold on to...

You can do the buoyancy work yourself but you could have a problem proving it. My buddies are all sea-going skippers/owners so they were not 100% about how lenient the inspectors are and advise that you look here: http://www.samsa.org.za/content/buoyancy-small-vessels and possibly contact SAMSA regarding your project.

Skipper's Licence - no, but it should be a quick and painless job at your local or nearest yacht/boat club.
 
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1) Buoyancy - Foam is preferred. A SAMSA registered inspector will need to see the installation in stages. You will have to pay this person. I have no idea about costs

2) Same as 1

3) Same as 1

4) CoF - Remember you need COF for the boat which includes all safety equipment that can set you back a grand or 3. Then you need to roadworthy the trailer and license it. Since it was not done since 1987, expect to pay big bucks. COF and trailer license is a yearly thing.

5) Skippers License - You will need to do a new license. Most boatshops/clubs can help as most of them are certified. I paid R1400 last year for the course and exam.
 
pjjdp said:
Then you need to roadworthy the trailer and license it. Since it was not done since 1987, expect to pay big bucks.
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Luckily we have our resources regarding the trailer ;)

pjjdp said:
Skippers License - You will need to do a new license. Most boatshops/clubs can help as most of them are certified. I paid R1400 last year for the course and exam.
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That's quite irritating, its not so much re-doing it but the schlep of doing it :(

Thanks for the Reply's Guys! :D I managed to get the number for an oke in Krugersdorp who does buoyancy and CoF, hopefully get that sorted this coming week!
 
Foam absorbs water after a while, scrape out and start all over again. If you can use plastic bottles just check them regularly.
 
OK so I purchased some foam this afternoon, and weather permitting I'll fill the parts of the hull I need to tomorrow

Another question however, the boats old Transvaal registration stickers had fallen off/destroyed over the years, can I just thumb suck a new registration or will I need to contact SAMSA to have one assigned?
 
Segg said:
OK so I purchased some foam this afternoon, and weather permitting I'll fill the parts of the hull I need to tomorrow

Another question however, the boats old Transvaal registration stickers had fallen off/destroyed over the years, can I just thumb suck a new registration or will I need to contact SAMSA to have one assigned?
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When you do COF, they will give you a new set of numbers. Don't worry about it.
 
Ok so I foamed the deck yesterday, used about 15L doing it, and another 6 filling the bow this afternoon, what do you guys think?

DSC02949.jpg

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IMG_20131215_174002.jpg

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And I calculated the minimum is 13.35 l

120 [engine] + (4 X 80) [passengers] + 50 [equipment] + 400 [Hull dry weight] = 890

890/20 [expansion ratio of foam] = 44.5l for 100% buoyancy

30% X 44.5 = 13.35l minumum amount of foam

BTW got the calculation method here
 
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Get ready to scrape out the foam in about 3 years. The foam slowly absorbs water, when your boat weighs an extra ton start over again. I know I had to scrape out my 28 foot Cat ski boat. Cut open the whole deck what a mission. Anyway enjoy your vessel.
 
Go to the bank, draw out as much as you can, make pile with money, pour petrol and set alight. Much cheaper.
 
All done! Took it for the CoF yesterday and passed 1st go :D
I will admit it did cost a small fortune.... 10K
I'll post photo's when I take it to the vaal next weekend :p
 
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