TOPIC: 1959 Larson Playmate

Hi everyone,

New guy here but I thought I would post about my restoration I'm starting. If there is interest I'll keep it active.

Anyways Larson Playmate I'm gonna restore. Boat seemed ok just really dirty and deck was soft. But the price was right so I'm going to give it a go.

Should make a nice little lake boat. Called with a 1962 Royal Scott 43hp but I'm going to replace the motor.

Ryan

After cleaning of the dirt, which my son really enjoyed, it's cleaning up nice.

Deck was rotted but I was able to rip it out pretty easily. 3 stringers under the deck are intact but need replaced. At least I'll be able to use them as a template.

Engine runs but it's up for sale. The cockpit gauges are not working. I think the tach is missing, clock is broke. I'll have to come up with something cool to insert in that central frame to keep it looking original.... Maybe I can get a vintage tach and knot meter or compass or something?

Gel coat is oxydized but I think I'll be able to buff it back up to a shine. The hull seems solid so that's a good break.

I have almost all the hardware removed so it getting close to fully taken apart before I start the rebuild. A few screw heads broke off.

Enjoy

A few more pictures of the under deck

Deck and stringers

you also have a lot of work to do on your boat. good luck

Yeah I sure do, almost all hardware is removed from the hotel. Next I'm going to sand out all the old fiberglass matt from the hull. Them I'll asses the transom too see if it need replacement. So far it still feels totally solid but I just can't imagine it is ok.

Also picked up a Johnson 1961 I think Seahorse 40hp. Working on the lower unit today!

Here is the engine so far, waiting on a seal kit to replace everything. I think the gears are in good shape just a little wear on the propshaft near the splines.

Sorry late to this. That's going to be a great project. Take a good look at those stringers and keel, look questionable.

Bob

Oh you are right on, the stringers were totally gone. They have already been removed. Lucky I was able to get them out in one piece mostly and used them as template to make new ones. Next step for me is just cleaning up the hull getting all the loose fiberglass mat out.

Here is what it looked like after the stringers were being pulled out. The center one is still installed in the photo but the others are on the left in the picture.

I got the loose fiberglass removed and swept out. Also trimmed back the edge fiberglass where it attaches to side. Most of it is coming out easy and I'll soon be sanding it out to clean it smooth.

The transom fiberglass was pulled back for inspection and removed. Obviously some waterdamage in there. But even with the engine mounted shaking the engine I get no hull flex. The wood seems intact and strong still. I am sure a full replacement would make most sense considering the amount of work I'm doing. But I may be able to just reglass it and new stringers.

I'll think on it and see what I decide. The hull is glued to the top and splashwell so if I do seperate them it will take some careful planning

Good progress. Take a good look at that transom and make sure there isn't ANY rot and it's all solid everywhere because you don't want to have to go back in there some day.

Bob

Here are a few pictures I had been having trouble posting but I think I figured it out. Pixels to large

Anyways here is a transom photo

Full replacement. You'll be glad you did. Easy enough to do with the hull gutted. Chip and claw it out from the inside without harming the outside. Make a cardboard template drawing from the outside and just shorten the measurements about an inch. Slather it with 3m 5200 and It should slide in from the inside. A few drywall screws through the outside to hold it in place for a week, remove the screws and simply fill the small screw holes. Glass the inside back to the sidewalls.

Yep I concur, that transom doesn't give me any warm fuzzies what so ever! Like Cal said your already there, just do it and be glad later.

Bob

Finally got some sanding dinner to the inside, mostly just removing the loose fiberglass so far but it is cleaning up.

Great project- did you ever sell the scott motor?