Just bought my first drift boat, a 14' lavro glass lazy drifter(about 10 years old). Would like advice on what to protect the bottom of the boat with. It's in great shape with no major repairs needed but I would still like some extra protection.
Thanks

call Pygmy boats in Port Townsend or
Pram creek outfitters in bremerton.
They both specialize in building wooden
boats.

Contact Lavro in Monroe, WA. The original manufacturer is always the best contact and source of information. Chances are they will recommend re-glassing the bottom with a layer or two of polyester mat and then gel-cote. I would suggest you let them do the work unless you have a lot of experience, tools and a dry work place that you don't mind covering with fiberglas dust. Do a yellow pages search on Lavro and if you cannot find them let me know- I'm about 15 miles from their factory. By the way I own an aluminum Thor-built so I'm not pushing glass boats.

I view glass as a renewable resource! I'm on my third glass boat now and I normally don't do anything to them until the chines need repair. I have never had a problem with the bottom, but the chines will chip and break up after you hit a few hundred rocks. Bondo is a quick fix but will break out. For trips in very low water where chine damage is probable, I carry duct tape to get me out.
All of the above aside, glass is comfortable, quiet and can take a good beating. When major chine repair comes due, I go to the man who made the boat. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the advice guys. Couldnt pass up a 14' glass boat in great shape for 500$. The fishing has been good down here on the central oregon coast. If you need info. for this area I would be happy to help.
Thanks again.

Ctflyyfish hit the nail on the head with this one. I bought a glass boat last summer and when I first got it I had big plans for relaying a new sheet of fiberglass on the bottom or putting on another layer of gelcoat. The more I thought about it and the more I talked to people I realized it was only going to add a lot of weight when the boat wasn't leaking anyway. I did do some chine patching here and there with marine weld (epoxy-like material)and the boat never took on water. I recently sold it and will be stepping up to something else. Your time will be better spent on the water than sanding and painting. Enjoy it!

Bruce


[This message has been edited by B. Gray (edited 03-02-2000).]

Call Ron at Lavro boats: www.lavroboats.com 1-888-337-2980

Not only is a he a good honest guy, but he was the first ever sponsor of our show.

Kevin
Fisherman's Heaven TV http://www.fishermansheaven.com