Runabout Renovation: How to Find and Fix Up an Old Fiberglass Speedboat

By Jim Anderson

Book Overview

For those who own a cherished but dilapidated fiberglass runabout, or for those who want a boat but are turned off by the high prices and often poor quality of today's offerings, this book explains everything there is to know about turning a rundown runabout into a real showpiece for a fraction of the cost of a new model. Author Jim Anderson, a runabout renovator from Minnesota's Land of Ten Thousand Lakes, leads readers through the whole renovation process.

For those who think a project like this may be more than they can handle, renovating an old runabout is actually less complicated and expensive than adding on a deck or redoing a room--two of the most popular projects for home handymen. And Anderson's sense of humor and gift for providing simple solutions make Runabout Renovation as fun to read as it is easy to understand.

The backyards of North America house literally millions of rundown runabouts ripe for renovation. With Jim Anderson's help, you can own a better boat than you can buy new, for a quarter of the price or less. And like a beautifully restored '57 Chevy, it'll have class.

Low-cost alternatives for the powerboater on a budget.

Although more people own boats ranging in length from 14 to 24 feet than all others combined, most books published about boat repair and restoration are directed at the "big boat" or yacht owner. In addition, many marine dealers and technicians never seem to have the right answers or the time to spend on people who own "little boats." Hence Runabout Renovation, a complete guide to finding and fixing up old fiberglass speedboats.

You'll learn how to: Choose and survey a boat Make cosmetic repairs and repaint your boat Replace the floor Reupholster and carpet the interior Build a new transom Upgrade electrical and mechanical systems

. . . and much more. There's even a section on repairing aluminum boats, and one on installing and repairing horns, lights, bilge pumps, live wells, and other speedboat accessories.

"Considering the tens of thousands of fiberglass powerboats that exist today, one wonders why Jim Anderson's Runabout Renovation is so late in coming. Whether you're shopping for a used or new boat, or trying to maintain the value of a boat you already own, this book will prove indispensable."--Richard Lebowitz, Editor, Boating World

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071580085
• ISBN13: 9780071580083
• Release Date: April 1992
• Publisher: International Marine Publishing
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Enlightenment

I purchased this book with a view to restoring an old (1968) fiberglass boat. I found it to be extremely informative, and giving a lot of information as to possible sources of materials and specialized help. This book, has made for me, what had at first sight appeared to be a monumental task, actually quite simple. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anybody intending to restore or repair any fiberglass vessel old or new

the best

I bought several books and tapes,about doing fiberglass repair.They ranged from totally useless, to this book which should be a must buy.written in simple easy to understand language,I cannott praise this book enough.

Great Book!

I bought this book through references from a group of restorers on the internet. I was very pleased! This book takes you all the way through repairing and restoring an old runabout, from finding the right boat to final touch ups. I would call it mandatory if you're looking to restore an old fiberglass runabout.

Just like the title says.

This book goes through the basics in an intellingent and easy to read manner. I read it in two days, I couldn't put it down. If you want to purchase and renovate a late 1960s, early 1970s speed boat, BUY THIS BOOK. It spoke to me!

An absolute must for fiberglass boat restoration.

This book is the ultimate source of information for the do-it-yourself fiberglass boat restorer. The time, money and effort saved by following Jim Anderson's advice makes this an absolute bargain. By using this as a guide for my own restoration project, I now have a boat that is unique in appearance (1964 Glastron Starflite Deville) yet it is stronger in construction than it was new. But the best part is that I was able to do it all for less than $1,000...a fraction of the cost of a new boat! This $16.95 investment is a no-brainer.