1955 Skagit Express Cruiser

[dobrodan1961]

Here is the long awaited pics of the newly aquired Express Cruiser[ATTACH]13724.vB[/ATTACH]

[Skagitguy]

Harry, I don't remember what the footage was from your other postings ? 20' ? However, it does look like a nice project you are going to have fun with rebuilding ! Chuck

[dobrodan1961]

1955 skagit

well, my name is mark, and it is a 20 footer. I'm going to have a lot of questions especially with the fiberglassing, and the fiberglass fuel tanks that are contaminated and how to deal with them. If anyone would call me I would appreciate it so we can talk at length.
Thanks Mark,
408-510-2298 (C)
360-215-4117(H)

[strobee]

Go to the search item up top and type in gas tanks. There is a way to use the fiberglass tanks. I have never done this so cannot say it is a good thing. The early Skagits like yours were overbuilt so they are supper strong. I din't think they knew how strong they had to be so they put lots of glass and resin in the boats. Are you wanting to restore original or make it to your liking. Either way is cool. Skott McDade in LaConner owns WeLike an early 20ft Skagit like yours. As I remember the interior is pretty original. Clint

[Skagitguy]

Mark, I knew your name was not Harry, but did not know it so i just picked one. Are you home during the day, if so i will give you a call. Chuck

[Tim_Mattson]

Mark,
I restored a Tyee for Ken and found the old tanks were good for creating a fwd bilge sump/storage after just cutting the tops out and rolling on many layers of epoxy primer.I used "leftover primer" from topside work as the first layers look horrible with the glass turning the primer to brown.The rusty fill tubes had tainted the glass badly,made it brittle like Almond Roca.
If you have saddle tanks then I`d consider cutting them out but leaving tabs for mounting replacements or to fasten storage/seat boxes.
Motorcycle and Airplane restorers use some ceramic coatings to recoat insides of rare tanks......price may dictate whether to try it.
I`d go with new ones fit inside the old footprints but easy to spend your $......
TimM

[Helmar]

I pretty much agree as the crap fuel turns the old fiberglass tank resin to snot.
Lots of folks have replaced the tanks because of that.
I have used tanks under the seats that work well too. I have not found a exact match to the side saddle tanks. Seems as they are a tad smaller.