Rebuild of 1976 19ft Midland Skiff

[admin]

Ok so this is a boat that was bought down the cape from Mike at Boat Brokerage Inc..Its a 1976 midland skiff..the boat had sank when I bought it and it had been mickey moused to the max with all sorts of useless holes, wires, and the whole bit.. the previous owner even flipped the boat over and layed a layer of glass right over the bottom paint up to the water line.. real pain in the ass..anyways ill walk through what I did.. hopefully it will save you some money and a lot of trial and error if you have to do some of these things..
The history of the Midland boats from what I read online is that basically these guys took a wooden maine boat and made glassed the sh*t out of it and faired it down and made a plug... they made these boats for I think about 20 years mainly for inshore quohoggers and lobstemen..these things were built really light.. single hull which is real thin..despite the unbelivable lines and flare on the bow, these boats will beat the shit out of you in anything over 2ft chop..litterally feels like your bones are shaking...Anyways I did this thing over twice basically when I found this out after I put it in the water for the first time..the first year I basically unf*cked it and took all the sh*tty glass off..faired down the whole hull from the keel up.. painted it and used it for the season...this past winter I tore it apart to get new stringers in there and to re-laminate it with 2 payers of 24oz woven roving..then I had to fire a 30 gallon below deck tank..a 25 gallon above deck tank..new deck..and finally an original midland skiff console that I found in CT that I pulled apart and restored..Ill give you a play by play on most of the project.. lots of pics and steps are missing but youll get it..[attachment=12:1dxx0h70]36671_512359695961_106000889_30405221_6476063_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=11:1dxx0h70]36225_512359690971_106000889_30405220_436393_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=10:1dxx0h70]36225_512359621111_106000889_30405206_5398316_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=9:1dxx0h70]13445_512359601151_106000889_30405204_229920_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=8:1dxx0h70]13445_512359576201_106000889_30405199_5927565_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=7:1dxx0h70]13445_512359531291_106000889_30405190_6733362_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=6:1dxx0h70]13445_512359596161_106000889_30405203_8223709_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=5:1dxx0h70]34135_512359805741_106000889_30405234_5003872_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=4:1dxx0h70]33995_512359770811_106000889_30405231_7490332_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=3:1dxx0h70]34164_512507160441_106000889_30409185_5071843_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=2:1dxx0h70]34164_512507165431_106000889_30409186_6416084_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=1:1dxx0h70]36441_512359720911_106000889_30405224_4709265_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70][attachment=0:1dxx0h70]36441_512359730891_106000889_30405226_5055993_n.jpg[/attachment:1dxx0h70]

 

[admin]

So after that whole rebuild I loved the boat and fished it all summer but I really knew that It could be better riding..the stringers had been replaced by someone previous but they were just 2x6" layed in the hull.. no glassing them down or anything..so it was just a skeleton boucing around under the deck and that combined with the already thin hull made the bottom of the boat wabble and you could feel every wave you went over..So I made a game plan and in the winter I pulled it into the garage and ripped the deck up..cut the homemade console off.. yes I had to cut it up on the boat because it was so heavy I was afraid the boat was going to tip over on the stands if I tried to throw it off the side..
after that I cut all the stringers out and ground down the whole hull with a grinder to make a nice mating surface for the glass I was about to lay down..I layed down 2 layers of glass fore and aft.. I used a 60" roll of 24oz woven roving that I got from aeromarineproducts.com.. they sell marine epoxies, glass, fillers and the whole bit..I went through 30 gallons of reichhold resin on this whole project that I got for $75/ 5 gallons off some guy that bought a bunch of it to build ATVs a few months prior that didnt work out.. really saved a buck there..
After the glassing was done I spent about $450 on Prisma Composite stringers from Jamestowndistributors.com. They are 4ft sections of glass covered foam that you simply cut to size , add deadrise converters and wet them out and they become rock solid...I used the marine lumber model that they sell .. they were 3x5 5/8".. they were one of the biggest sizes that they sell and a little over kill but the only thing I was interested in is keeping the deck height the same and since the original stringers were 2x6" these were the ones I had to use..
I layed them out to best fit the original configuation but to also fit around the 30 gallon aluminum tank that I got off ebay (yes I had to get it used because its a 5" high tank and that is impossible to find new)...now I spent a sh*t ton of time configuring these bad boys and also running a 3" pvc pipe for the wire/cable chase but once I had them cut right and the pipe run it was just a matter of wetting them out and magically it was ready for the deck..
I rebuilt this original midland skiff console that I got in CT off craigslist for $75.. just tore all the wood out of it and filled the holes and glassed on a new flange..I put it way up forward because I knew it rode better with the weight up front and I wanted to have all the deck space possible..
After the stringers I painted the whole bilge with bilge kote and ran all the cables and wires and fuel lines through the PVC wire chase...next It was time for the deck.. I used 3/4" inch exterior plywood and coated the bottom with resin after I cut them..for the deck tempplates I used 3/4" insulation boards from Lowes..I have heard of many ways to do this but I think this was the easiest..after I played around wit hthe deck I put it in laying a bunch of 3M 5200 on top of the stringers followed by 2" stainless screws..I had a big question regarding screwing into the foam stringers and you gotta buy this Prisma Trevira Mat that you wet out and glass ontop of the stringers..this stuff they have done a bunch of studies on and it has the same holding strength as 1/4" aluminum so I trusted it..
After the deck was on I glassed it with chopped strand and then shortly after gave it a coat of 1 part petitt primer..
Next was the 2nd gas tank.. a left over moeller from greatlakesskipper.com..its a cube shape and it was nice because I was able to build a box around it which holds it and the fill lines for both tanks, the 3 way valve, the fills, and the vents..and its a seat..
next was the console which sat infront of the box...I then painted the whole interior with 1 part pettit and then a coat or two of EZ deck non skid paint,,,..of course the livewell was a must.. got it from boatdepot.com for short money.. I think 150 plus shipping...

Boat is done at this point. I am glad I did it.. yup.. the boat rides 100 times better with the thicker hull, the stringers, and the 30 gallons of gas that brought the center of gravity down..the boat takes waves now no problem and it doesnt rattle at all.. I have taken it out to stellwagen twice this year and have had no problems with 2-4 footers.. no flying of course..email me if you are gonna do one of these over


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[Pedlyr]

Nice Job.

Years ago I dug quohogs in Narragansett Bay and there were a few Midlands around. One of my best buds had one and we would double up in his rig when the Bay froze and they were driving jeeps to Jamestown. Chopped a lot of ice in the early eighties, and the boat held up pretty well. It is still being used in Falmouth somewhere.

Whatcha use for the spray rails?

 

[admin]

Nice Job.

Years ago I dug quohogs in Narragansett Bay and there were a few Midlands around. One of my best buds had one and we would double up in his rig when the Bay froze and they were driving jeeps to Jamestown. Chopped a lot of ice in the early eighties, and the boat held up pretty well. It is still being used in Falmouth somewhere.

Whatcha use for the spray rails?

Wow love the history .. I heard these were used for quohogs Because they don't draw any water.. The spray rails were all broken up and I found them at bomar plastics in brockton Ma.. I just measures the profile of them and they had an exact match and shipped them right to my house.. Hamilton marine stocks them but they buy them from bomar

 

[Bob l.]

Boat looks great, Congrats for taking on and following trough such a big project.

 

[admin]

Boat looks great, Congrats for taking on and following trough such a big project.

Thanks Bob I'll look for your downeast boat Project boat in the near future

 

[Eastporter]

Wow! Awesome job on your Midland rebuild! I really like that platinum color. I'm glad that you got this Downeast website set up for people that love these types of boats. I was impressed with how you used the foil insulation to get your template for the sole. I measured the whole floor using the center stringer as a beginning reference mark and it took forever. I will post my rebuild soon of my 20' Eastporter, but I'm getting tired tonight. Looking forward to more cool builds from others too.

 

[admin]

Wow! Awesome job on your Midland rebuild! I really like that platinum color. I'm glad that you got this Downeast website set up for people that love these types of boats. I was impressed with how you used the foil insulation to get your template for the sole. I measured the whole floor using the center stringer as a beginning reference mark and it took forever. I will post my rebuild soon of my 20' Eastporter, but I'm getting tired tonight. Looking forward to more cool builds from others too.

Thanks Eastporter I'm looking forward to seeing that 20 footer.. Does it have the house on it or center console? Ya the template was the thing I was worried about.. I did search after search.. Some guys use cardboard but I wanted something with the same thickness as the deck so that it was exact.. I didn't want to be ripping through $35 plywood sheets unless inwas sure what was going on.. Honestly the insulation took maybe 2 hours with a utility knife .. If you cut to much off you just tape a little on etc.. the stuff is a bit pricey.. Maybe $13 a sheet but totally worth it.. You can go on YouTube and do a search for " prisma composite " and you will watch these guys throw together a whole grid in like 40 mins.. Of course all the prep work is done but still i think it saves a lot of time

 

[El Mar]

Nice rebuild!!! I love seeing stuff like this come together.

Hook anything good on that bent butt?? Nantucket sleigh ride on that baby!!!!

 

[Funk massta bass]

I just acquired a 1981 midland that I'm going to rebuild this winter. Fortunately it has glass stringers so I don't have to replace those. I'm looking forward to it I think it's going to be a lot of fun. How do you like the console pushed that far forward.

 

[admin]

Funk Masta..Good luck with that boat buddy.. I cant believe you got one with glass stringers!.. If you are going to tear up the deck I would take the spray rails off and give it a couple of layers of the 24oz glass like I did.. I couldnt be happier with the outcome of the stringers and the beefed up hull..the boat has a bow that is flared like no other and the bow sits pretty high.. when you take the boat for a ride you will see that it likes to be on a plane and it takes the seas alot better when it is pushing through instead of riding on the top of them .the weight forward is the perfect situation to put the console forward and give yourself all that deck space..I definitely put alot of thought into the weight with the 55 gallons of fuel that I carry and I filled up the boat to the brim with fuel before I anchored the deck, the tanks, and the console down and threw it in the water with the motor on it to make sure it sat correctly in the water..this is a must to make sure she doesnt list or need weight added to one side or the other or fore and aft.. once I saw her sit right I buttoned everything down and couldnt be happier with the configuration

 

[jojobee]

nice rebuild. now that's a proud bow!

 

[jojobee]

I have read you post on the midland. I have been seeing some for sale as well. Does it really pound that badly? How does it bale? Are the scuppers right at the water line?

 

[Bill]

Hey Jojo. I can speak for mine when I bought it and put it in the water the thing would rattle and roll but I sincerely think that the stringers that were replaced by the guy before me were not done right and since its already a thin single hulled boat it wasnt a good match..I read a lot about them and if you read a few stories guys either say they love the midland skiff or they like it but remember being on one when they were more popular and "rattling" their bones over waves.. the scuppers are right at the water line which kinda blows because obviously the boat has to be perfectly balanced or it will flood a bit..Since I did mine over and put the console forward and the 2 tanks I havent had a problem all summer and it has floated fine after the rain..I saw one in Maine for $2000 right now and there is one that has been all redone in I think delaware? (stringers and the whole bit) for $4200..let me know how you make out and ill keep you posted when I see one for sale

 

[Bill]

Jojo.. here are the 2 that I know of for sale online right now..the second one you can see on thehulltruth.com if you do a search for "midland" he just ripped the whole thing apart and redid it


http://maine.craigslist.org/boa/2567566066.html


http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/boa/2604548865.html[attachment=1:10353b2x]3na3k23o55O05V35S1b8qb2a1dfa9e492159f.jpg[/attachment:10353b2x][attachment=0:10353b2x]3nc3me3p15Y05Z15U0b9ife15f51eaf46186f.jpg[/attachment:10353b2x]

 

[jojobee]

I saw those as well. Very interesting boat but I think I will continue to search out something different. Perhaps another repco 21.

 

[Bill]

If it were me I would wait it out unless you came across one for $1000 or less.. Did u see that 23 seaway that went for $1500 on eBay ? I posted it under the general category section

 

[jojobee]

Thats a nice one. The thing is a new transom cost 3-5k not including stringer work. Journey's End/O'Hara sells a 20' Beal hull with stringers, brandy new, for 6k I know if you do it yourself you save $$$$ but all my boat projects seem to cut into every spring bass run. I want to stop this trend!

 

[Bill]

more pics of the layout, proud bow, and scuppers

 

[Bill]

more of deck